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Hericium Americanum

Hericium Americanum

Common Names: Bear's Head Tooth, Bear's Head Mushroom

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Culinary
Medicinal

About

Hericium americanum, also known as the Bear's Head Tooth mushroom, is a fascinating and visually striking edible fungus native to North America. This mushroom belongs to the tooth fungus group, characterized by its long, cascading spines that resemble a waterfall of tiny icicles. It typically grows on dead or dying hardwood trees, particularly favoring wounds or broken limbs where it can easily establish itself. The Bear's Head Tooth is not only sought after for its unique and dramatic appearance but also for its culinary and medicinal qualities. It boasts a mild, sweet flavor with a texture similar to crab or lobster, making it a popular choice in gourmet cooking. It can be sautéed, fried, or used as a meat substitute in various dishes, adding a delightful texture and flavor to meals. Beyond its use in the kitchen, Hericium americanum is revered for its potential health benefits. Studies suggest that compounds in this mushroom may support nerve growth and regeneration, making it of interest in research related to neurological diseases. Additionally, it is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and to support the immune system, aligning with the medicinal uses of its close relatives in the Hericium genus. When foraging for Bear's Head Tooth, it is crucial to ensure accurate identification, as its unique morphology generally sets it apart from potentially harmful fungi. This mushroom is a favorite among mushroom hunters for both its striking looks and beneficial properties, making it a prized find in the forests of North America.

Flavors

Sweet

Sweet, delicate flavor

Umami

Savoury, seafood-like taste

Seafood

Seafood-like flavor

Textures

Tender

The mushroom is tender when cooked, especially the younger specimens.

Spongy

Its flesh has a spongy consistency, which can soak up flavors well when cooked.

Fragrances

Fungus

Hericium americanum has the typical earthy aroma associated with many mushrooms.

Fresh

When freshly harvested, it has a pleasant fresh scent.

Physical Characteristics

Caps:

No distinct cap, tooth or spine-like branches 2-10 cm long. White.

Gills:

Has spines instead of gills.

Helps With

Neurological Health

Hericenones and erinacines may stimulate nerve growth factors

Look Alike Species

Hericium Coralloides

Specie:

Hericium coralloides

Edibility:

edible

Differences:More uniform branching, found on both conifers and hardwoods

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References

  • Effect of erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus supplementation on cognition: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study

    • Population aging has led to an increased interest in various dietary supplements in order to preserve cognitive function. The aim of our study was to examine the effects of Hericium erinaceus supplementation (HE) on cognitive function and serum levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Neuropeptide Y (NPY). An 8-week double-blind comparative study involved 33 subjects, randomly assigned to a HE group and a placebo (P) group.

    2024

  • Neuroprotective Effects of Erinacine A on an Experimental Model of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

    • Erinacine A (EA), a natural neuroprotectant, is isolated from a Chinese herbal medicine, Hericium erinaceus. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of EA in a rat model of traumatic optic neuropathy. The optic nerves (ONs) of adult male Wistar rats were crushed using a standardized method and divided into three experimental groups: phosphate-buffered saline (PBS control)-treated group, standard EA dose-treated group (2.64 mg/kg in 0.5 mL of PBS), and double EA dose-treated group (5.28 mg/kg in 0.5 mL of PBS). After ON crush, each group was fed orally every day for 14 days before being euthanized.

    2023

  • Unveiling the Therapeutic Potentials of Mushroom Bioactive Compounds in Alzheimer’s Disease

    • Alzheimer's disease (AD) stands as a prevailing neurodegenerative condition (NDs), leading to the gradual deterioration of brain cells and subsequent declines in memory, thinking, behavior, and emotion. Despite the intensive research efforts and advances, an effective curative treatment for the disease has not yet been found. Mushrooms, esteemed globally for their exquisite flavors and abundant nutritional benefits, also hold a wealth of health-promoting compounds that contribute to improving AD health.

    2023

  • Neuroprotective Metabolites of Hericium erinaceus Promote Neuro-Healthy Aging

    • Frailty is a geriatric syndrome associated with both locomotor and cognitive decline, typically linked to chronic systemic inflammation, i.e., inflammaging. In the current study, we investigated the effect of a two-month oral supplementation with standardized extracts of H. erinaceus, containing a known amount of Erinacine A, Hericenone C, Hericenone D, and L-ergothioneine, on locomotor frailty and cerebellum of aged mice. Locomotor performances were monitored comparing healthy aging and frail mice. Cerebellar volume and cytoarchitecture, together with inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, were assessed focusing on senescent frail animals.

    2021

  • Preclinical Bioavailability, Tissue Distribution, and Protein Binding Studies of Erinacine A, a Bioactive Compound from Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Using Validated LC-MS/MS Method

    • Erinacine A, derived from the mycelia of Hericium erinaceus, has attracted much attention due to its neuroprotective properties. However, very few studies have been conducted on the bioavailability, tissue distribution, and protein binding of erinacine A. This study aimed to investigate the bioavailability, tissue distribution, and protein binding of erinacine A in Sprague-Dawley rats. After oral administration (po) and intravenous administration (iv) of 2.381 g/kg BW of the H. erinaceus mycelia extract (equivalent to 50 mg/kg BW of erinacine A) and 5 mg/kg BW of erinacine A, respectively, the absolute bioavailability of erinacine A was estimated as 24.39%.

    2021

  • Influence of Short-Term Consumption of Hericium erinaceus on Serum Biochemical Markers and the Changes of the Gut Microbiota: A Pilot Study

    • Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus) is widely studied as a medicinal and edible fungus. Recent studies have shown that H. erinaceus has protective effects for diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and cancer, which are related to gut microbiota. To investigate the benefits of H. erinaceus intake on gut microbiota and blood indices in adulthood, we recruited 13 healthy adults to consume H. erinaceus powder as a dietary supplement. Blood changes due to H. erinaceus consumption were determined by routine hematological examination and characterized by serum biochemical markers.

    2021

  • Hericium erinaceus enhances neurotrophic factors and prevents cochlear cell apoptosis in senescence accelerated mice

    • This study aimed to investigate the effects of Hericium erinaceus (HE) on auditory function. Twenty-four 9-month-old male senescence-accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mice were randomly and equally assigned to the control group (group A) and two groups supplemented with 215.25 (group B) or 430.5 mg/kg BW of HE (group C) for 12 weeks. Compared with group A, group C had significantly smaller threshold shifts by auditory brainstem responses at the end of study.

    2020

  • Effects of Hericium erinaceus Mycelium Extracts on the Functional Activity of Purinoceptors and Neuropathic Pain in Mice with L5 Spinal Nerve Ligation

    • Neuropathic pain is a serious clinical problem that is difficult to treat. Purinoceptors (P2Rs) transduce pain perception from the peripheral to the central nervous system and play an important role in the transmission of neuropathic pain signals. We previously found that the crude extracts of Hericium erinaceus mycelium (HE-CE) inhibited P2R-mediated signaling in cells and reduced heat-induced pain in mice. The present study explored the effects of HE-CE on neuropathic pain. We used adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a P2R agonist to generate Ca2+ signaling and neuronal damage in a cell line.

    2020

  • Hericium erinaceus: an edible mushroom with medicinal values

    • The article discusses the medicinal properties of Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as Lion's Mane Mushroom or Hedgehog Mushroom. It highlights the mushroom's rich composition of β-glucan polysaccharides, which contribute to its anti-cancer, immuno-modulating, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activities. The mushroom also exhibits antimicrobial, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, and wound healing properties. Research has shown its effectiveness against various conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular complications, neurodegenerative diseases, and oxidative stress-related disorders. Studies demonstrate its potential in boosting the immune system, regulating lipid metabolism, protecting neurons, and promoting wound healing.

    2020

  • Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus

    • Hericium erinaceus has been recognized as medical mushroom since ancient time, but its scientific evidence for human health has been still uncertain. In this study, we tested a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group comparative study to evaluate the improvement of the cognitive functions by taking supplements containing fruiting body of H. erinaceus for 12 weeks. We performed three kinds of tests: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Benton visual retention test, and Standard verbal paired-associate learning test (S-PA).

    2019
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