By: Ozren Podnar |
Lion’s mane mushroom restores nervous system |
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Strange looking mushroom is the main ingredient of a very tasty dish, but in the past two decades its many healing properties were discovered.
Lion’s mane mushroom (Lat. Hericium Erinaceus) got its name because it looks like a mane of a lion.
To some it also looks like a hedgehog, which why this mushroom is also known by its second name - hedgehog mushroom.
It grows in North America, China and Japan and is very rare in Europe.
In its natural environment, we find this mushroom mostly on withered trees such as oak and beech in late summer and autumn.
In Europe, it is cultivated only in laboratories, in strictly controlled conditions that reflect its natural environment.
Food for neurons
Lion’s mane is one of the most praised edible mushrooms. But, its reputation in medical science is equally immense as it is in the cuisine.
This medicinal mushroom is dubbed as natural food for neurons due to its ability to restore the nervous system.
Japanese dubbed it "21st century mushroom", because of the slogan that this century is dedicated to the brain.
Mushrooms contain active compounds responsible for treating nerves and enhancing brain functions.
American and Chinese experts managed to extract two active ingredients from lion’s mane – hericenones and erinacines – which stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF).
NFG is a protein that has a significant role in health and longevity of several types of nerve cells in central and peripheral nervous system.
The aforementioned active compounds found in the lion’s mane can influence the brain because they can easily enter the brain via the bloodstream due to their low molecular weight.
The most significant compounds found in lion’s mane include:
- cyathan derivates (diterpenoids)
- beta-D- glucane
- ergosterol (provitamine D2)
- erinacines Q and R
- xylene
- glyco-xylene
- mano glyco-xylene
- galaktoxylo-glucane
- hetero beta glucane
Cures cognitive disorders
Apart from restoring neurons, active compounds found in the lion’s mane rebuild protective myelin layer of the nervous system.
That way, neuron signal conductivity is enhanced, which is the key for communication between nerve cells.
Some doctors, like Paul Stamets, an expert on medicinal mushrooms, recommend lion's mane as a therapy supplement for treating Alzheimer's disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis and muscle dystrophy.
The first research on neurocognitive effects of lion’s mane was conducted in 1991 in Japan, after which many researches proved that hericenones and erinacines enhance nerve cell restoration.
In one of the recent studies, finished in 2009 in Central and neurosurgical hospital in Isong (Jokohama), 30 people with mild cognitive disorders were treated using this mushroom.
Therapy yielded good results and significant advancements were noticed, advancements that lasted as long as the patients consumed lion’s mane. Lion’s mane effects do not only effect cognitive functions, but effective functions too.
One clinical study conducted in Japan in 2010 among post-menopause women indicated that women that eat baked lion’s mane mushroom feel less anxious and depressed, while their concentration is enhanced.
Beneficial effects on digestion
Other benefits of this mushroom include healthy digestion, cholesterol regulation, lowered blood sugar and healthy and youthful skin.
Due to beta glucane polysaccharides, lion’s mane has beneficial effects on digestion. These polysaccharides are known for enhancing stomach mucosa functions, which is an integral part of the digestive system.
People suffering from diabetes also can benefit from this mushroom since it lowers glucose levels, prevents polydipsia and prevents a strong feeling of thirst associated with diabetes.
Another compound found in this mushroom – cyathan – helps with ulcer and stomach and esophagus cancer treatment.
Recent studies confirm the beneficial effects of lion's mane on the skin.
It has shown that polysaccharides found in this mushroom strongly stimulate the creation of anti-oxidative enzymes, which made this mushroom one of the weapons in the arsenal against aging processes.
Health problems for which lion’s mane can be used:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- multiple sclerosis
- dementia
- depression
- oppressive-compulsive disorder
- schizophrenia
- autism
- anorexia
- bulimia
- musclular dystrophy
- ulcers
- gastritis
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