Lions Mane Mushroom Powder 80 g, 40 g, 20 g

Lions Mane Mushroom Powder – 80 g ($17.99), 40 g ($11.99), 20 g ($7.99)

Benefits:
Dementia  The brain’s ability to grow and form new connections typically declines with age, which may explain why mental functioning worsens in many older adults. Studies have found that lion’s mane mushrooms contain two special compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacines. Additionally, animal studies have found that lion’s mane may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disease that causes progressive memory loss.

In fact, lion’s mane mushroom and its extracts have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss in mice, as well as prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease. A 2020 study of people with mild Alzheimer’s disease found that supplementation with 1 gram of lion’s mane mushroom daily for 49 weeks significantly improved cognitive test scores compared with a placebo. The ability of lion’s mane mushroom to promote nerve growth and protect the brain from Alzheimer’s-related damage may explain some of its beneficial effects on brain health.

Depression and Anxiety  Up to one-third of people living in developed countries experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. While there are many causes of anxiety and depression, chronic inflammation could be a major contributing factor. Animal research has found that lion’s mane mushroom has anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in mice.

Other animal studies have found that lion’s mane extract can also help regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that processes memories and emotional responses. Researchers believe that improved hippocampus functioning may explain the reductions in anxious and depressive behaviours in mice receiving this mushroom.

While these animal studies are promising, there is very little research involving humans. One small 2010 study of menopausal women found that eating cookies containing lion’s mane mushrooms daily for 1 month helped reduce self-reported feelings of irritation and anxiety.

Nervous System  The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and other nerves that travel throughout the body. These components work together to send and transmit signals that control almost every bodily function.

Brain or spinal cord injuries can cause various adverse medical outcomes. They often cause paralysis or loss of mental functions and can take a long time to heal. Research has found that lion’s mane mushroom may help speed recovery from these types of injuries by stimulating the growth and repair of nerve cells. It may also help reduce the severity of brain damage after a stroke. No studies have been conducted involving humans to determine if lion’s mane would have the same therapeutic effect on nervous system injuries as animal research has suggested.

Ulcers  Ulcers can form anywhere along the digestive tract, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Two major factors typically cause stomach ulcers: overgrowth of the bacteria H. pylori and damage to the mucous layer of the stomach that’s often due to long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Lion’s mane may protect against the development of stomach ulcers by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori and protecting the stomach lining from damage. Several older studies have found that lion’s mane extract can prevent the growth of H. pylori in a test tube, but no studies have tested whether the extract has the same effects inside the stomach. Another 2013 animal study found that lion’s mane extract was more effective at preventing alcohol-induced stomach ulcers than traditional acid-lowering drugs — and without any negative side effects.

Lion’s mane can also reduce inflammation and prevent tissue damage in other intestinal areas. In fact, they may help treat inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. A 2016 study of people with ulcerative colitis found that taking a mushroom supplement containing 14% lion’s mane extract significantly reduced symptoms and improved quality of life after 3 weeks. However, when the same study was repeated in patients with Crohn’s disease, the benefits were roughly the same as with placebo.

It’s important to note that the herbal supplement used in these studies included several types of mushrooms, so it’s difficult to conclude about the effects of lion’s mane specifically. Overall, research suggests that lion’s mane extract may help inhibit the development of ulcers, but more research involving humans is needed.

Heart disease  Major risk factors for heart disease include the following:

• Obesity
• High triglycerides
• Large amounts of oxidized cholesterol
• An increased tendency to get blood clots

Research shows that lion’s mane extract can influence some of these factors and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Studies of rats and mice have found that lion’s mane mushroom improves fat metabolism and lowers triglyceride levels. One 2010 study of rats fed a high fat diet and given daily doses of lion’s mane extract showed 27% lower triglyceride levels and 42% less weight gain after 28 days. Since obesity and high triglycerides are both considered risk factors for heart disease, this is one way that lion’s mane mushrooms contribute to heart health. Test-tube studies have also found that lion’s mane can help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Oxidized cholesterol molecules tend to attach to artery walls, causing them to harden and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Reducing oxidation is beneficial for heart health.

Lion’s mane mushrooms contain a compound called hericenone B, which can decrease the rate of blood clotting and lower the risk of heart attack or stroke. Lion’s mane mushrooms appear to benefit the heart and blood vessels in multiple ways, but studies of humans are needed to support this.

Diabetes  Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels is impaired. As a result, levels are consistently elevated. Chronically high blood sugar levels eventually cause complications like kidney disease, nerve damage in the hands and feet, and vision loss. Lion’s mane mushroom may be beneficial for diabetes management by improving blood sugar management and reducing some of these effects.

Several animal studies have shown that lion’s mane can cause significantly lower blood sugar levels in both normal and diabetic mice, even at daily dosages as low as 2.7 milligrams (mg) per pound (6 mg per kg) of body weight. One way that lion’s mane lowers blood sugars is by blocking the activity of the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, which breaks down carbs in the small intestine. When this enzyme is blocked, the body is unable to digest and absorb carbs as effectively, which results in lower blood sugar levels.

In addition to lowering blood sugars, lion’s mane may reduce diabetic nerve pain in the hands and feet. In mice with diabetic nerve damage, 6 weeks of daily lion’s mushroom significantly reduced pain, lowered blood sugar levels, and even increased antioxidant levels.

Cancer  Cancer occurs when your DNA becomes damaged, causing your cells to divide and replicate out of control.

Some research suggests that lion’s mane mushroom has cancer-fighting abilities thanks to several of its unique compounds. In fact, when lion’s mane extract is mixed with human cancer cells in a test tube, they cause the cancer cells to die faster. This has been demonstrated with several types of cancer cells, including liver, colon, stomach, and blood cancer cells.

In addition to killing cancer cells, lion’s mane has also been shown to slow the spread of cancer. One 2013 study of mice with colon cancer found that taking lion’s mane reduced the spread of cancer to the lungs by 69%. Another 2014 study found that lion’s mane extract was more effective than traditional cancer medications at slowing tumour growth in mice, in addition to having fewer side effects.

Inflammation And Oxidative Stress  Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are believed to be the root causes of many modern illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Research shows that lion’s mane mushrooms contain powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that may help reduce the impact of these illnesses.

A 2012 study examining the antioxidant abilities of 14 different mushroom species found that lion’s mane had the fourth highest antioxidant activity and recommended it be considered a good dietary source of antioxidants. Several animal studies have found that lion’s mane reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in rodents and may be especially useful in managing inflammatory bowel disease, liver damage, and stroke.

Lion’s mane mushrooms may also help reduce some of the health risks associated with obesity, as they have been shown to decrease the amount of inflammation fat tissue releases. More studies are needed to determine the potential health benefits in humans, but the results from lab and animal studies are promising.

Immune system  A strong immune system protects the body from bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing pathogens. A weak immune system puts the body at a higher risk of developing infectious diseases.

Animal research shows that lion’s mane mushroom can boost immunity by increasing the activity of the intestinal immune system, which protects the body from pathogens that enter the gut through the mouth or nose. These effects may partly be due to beneficial changes in gut bacteria that stimulate the immune system. A 2012 study even found that supplementing with lion’s mane daily nearly quadrupled the lifespan of mice injected with a lethal dose of salmonella bacteria. The immune-boosting effects of lion’s mane mushrooms are very promising, but this area of research is still developing.

Botanical Name: Hericium erinaceus
English: Hedgehog mushroom, Yamabushitake (in Japan), Monkey head mushroom, Pom pom mushroom, Bearded tooth mushroom, Satyr’s beard mushroom, Old man’s beard mushroom
Origin: China
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Mushroom

General Information:
Lion’s mane mushroom, also known as Hericium erinaceus, is a type of edible and medicinal mushroom that is native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Here are some key pieces of information about lion’s mane mushroom

Appearance: Lion’s mane mushroom has a unique appearance that sets it apart from other mushrooms. It has a round, shaggy-looking fruiting body that resembles a lion’s mane, hence its name. The fruiting body can range in colour from white to brownish-yellow.

Taste and texture: Lion’s mane mushroom has a mild, slightly sweet taste and a firm, meaty texture. When cooked, it can have a texture similar to crab or lobster meat.

Nutritional value: Lion’s mane mushroom is a good source of protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals, including potassium, zinc, and B vitamins. It also contains compounds called beta-glucans, which have immune-boosting properties.

Medicinal properties Lion’s mane mushroom has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat a variety of health conditions, including digestive issues, inflammation, and cognitive decline. Recent studies have shown that lion’s mane mushroom may have neuroprotective properties and could potentially help improve cognitive function and memory.

Culinary uses: Lion’s mane mushroom can be eaten raw or cooked and is often used in dishes like stir- fries, soups, and stews. It can also be sautéed or roasted and used as a meat substitute in vegetarian or vegan dishes.

Availability. Lion’s mane mushroom is becoming more widely available in specialty grocery stores and online retailers. It can also be grown at home using mushroom-growing kits.

How Much To Use
There’s no standard dosage for lion’s mane mushrooms. The safest, most beneficial amount depends on factors like your age and overall health. You may want to talk with a doctor about the right dosage for you.

For improving cognition, some researchers recommend 3 to 5 grams per day. In a 2020 study, people ages 50 and older with mild Alzheimer’s disease symptoms showed significantly improved cognitive function after taking three 350-mg lion’s mane capsules daily for 49 weeks. Taking three 400-mg capsules daily for 8 weeks helped relieve depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders for 77 people who were overweight or had obesity, according to a 2019 study.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.