LION’S MANE
- Dave
- Mar 30, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 8
Lion's Mane
Botanical Name
Hericium erinaceus, syn. Hericium erinaceum, Hydnum erinaceus
Common Name
Lion’s mane, bear’s head, monkey’s head, comb tooth, bearded tooth mushroom, satyr’s beard, bearded hedgehog mushroom, pom-pom mushroom, bearded tooth fungus.
Family
Hericiaceae
Parts Used
Fruiting bodies, mycelium
Native To
North America, Europe, China, and Japan.
Harvesting Guidelines
Harvest lion’s mane mushrooms when they are fully mature but still fresh and white. Harvest with a knife, taking care not to damage the mycelium. Only one fruiting body should be harvested at a time if multiple are present. These mushrooms are delicate, and their season may last up to 6 weeks depending on weather. Before use, inspect for insects. Lion’s mane can be cooked fresh, refrigerated, dried for long-term storage, or processed into tinctures.
Lion’s mane has been highly regarded in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it is known as hóu tóu gū or "monkey head mushroom." It was traditionally used to support digestive health and to treat gastric ulcers and inflammation. In Japan, known as yamabushitake, it was consumed by Buddhist monks to enhance meditation and support spiritual clarity. Native American tribes used it as a styptic to stop bleeding from wounds and minor cuts. A closely related species, the coral hedgehog, was also used as a digestive tonic, showing a long-standing reverence for this genus of medicinal mushrooms across cultures.
Historically, lion’s mane has been prized not just as a healing food, but as a sacred mushroom associated with mental vitality and longevity. In Chinese folklore, it was regarded as a remedy to fortify the "five internal organs" and was often prescribed to the elderly to restore memory and energy. In folk European herbalism, while less common, it was occasionally included in brain and nerve tonics due to its curious shape resembling the brain or spinal cord—an early example of the “Doctrine of Signatures” in use.
Today, lion’s mane is used primarily as a nootropic and neuroregenerative supplement. It is found in powdered extracts, capsules, tinctures, and even in culinary products. It is popular among those seeking cognitive enhancement, stress reduction, and support for mild depression and anxiety. It is also gaining attention in integrative oncology circles for its potential immune-modulating and antitumor properties. Clinical practitioners use lion’s mane to support patients with mild cognitive impairment, peripheral neuropathy, and neuroinflammatory conditions.
Scientific Research
Modern science has begun to validate many of lion’s mane’s traditional uses, particularly in brain and nerve health.
• A 2010 study by Nagano et al. found that lion’s mane intake for four weeks significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in a group of middle-aged women. Link to study
• A Japanese clinical trial on 100 patients found improvement in cognitive performance and daily living activities in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases after six months of consuming 5 grams/day of freeze-dried lion’s mane in soup. (Kasahara et al., 2001)
• Research by Lee and Hong (2010) revealed that lion’s mane enhances the effects of chemotherapy (doxorubicin) on liver cancer cells, showing promise in adjunct cancer therapies. Link to study
• Other studies demonstrate its capacity to stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) synthesis, supporting neuroplasticity and potentially aiding recovery from neurological damage.
Adult Dose
• Powder: 2–5 grams per day in food, smoothies, or capsules
• Decoction: 2.5–5 grams dried or 25–50 grams fresh mushroom simmered for 15–30 minutes
• Tincture: 1–3 mL of 1:3 fresh extract in 60% alcohol or 1:5 dried extract in 40% alcohol, up to three times daily
• Capsules: Equivalent of 3 grams dried mushroom daily (divided doses)
Safety:
Lion’s mane is considered very safe, with centuries of traditional use as a food and tonic. No serious adverse effects have been recorded. Mild digestive upset may occur in sensitive individuals. Those with mushroom allergies should proceed cautiously. Human clinical trials remain limited, and more robust long-term studies are needed.
Actions
Antiinflammatory,Antibiotic,Anticarcinogenic,Antidepressant,Antifatigue,Antihypertensive,Antimicrobial,Antioxidative,Antisenescence,Anxiolytic,Cardioprotective,Cognitive support,Hepatoprotective,Immunomodulant,Nephroprotective,Neuroprotective,Neuroregenerative
Energy
Neutral,Sweet
References:
Rogers, R. The Fungal Pharmacy (2011)
Xu, C. et al. Chinese Medicine Journal, 98(6), 455-456 (1985)
Lee, J., & Hong, E. Cancer Letters, 297(2), 144–154 (2010). DOI
Nagano, M. et al. Biomedical Research, 31(4), 231–237 (2010). DOI
Kasahara, K. et al. Gunma Medical Supplements, 76, 77–78 (2001)
Powell, M. Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide, 2nd ed. (2014)
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