About
Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as Lion’s Mane Mushroom, is a distinctive and highly prized edible fungus recognized for its cascading, icicle-like spines and unique neuroprotective properties. Native to North America, Europe, and Asia, this mushroom grows on hardwood trees, especially oak and beech, and is most often found in late summer and fall. Its mild, seafood-like flavor and powerful nootropic potential have made it a rising star in culinary and wellness circles.
History
Lion’s Mane has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine to enhance brain function, support digestion, and promote nerve regeneration. Known in ancient texts as a tonic for vitality and longevity, it was once reserved for royalty due to its rarity and reputed cognitive benefits.
Scientifically identified under the genus Hericium, its name is derived from Latin meaning “hedgehog” due to its spiny appearance. Over time, it gained global attention not only for its culinary value but also for compounds such as hericenones and erinacines—unique to H. erinaceus—which stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), crucial for brain health.
Overview
Hericium erinaceus is a saprophytic and sometimes parasitic fungus, forming large, snow-white clusters that resemble a lion’s mane or pom-pom. These fruiting bodies can reach the size of a football and are easily cultivated on hardwood substrates like sawdust or logs. In the wild, it appears on dying or dead broadleaf trees.
Nutritionally, Lion’s Mane is rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Medicinally, it is widely studied for its neuroregenerative effects, memory enhancement, and potential treatment of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Its ease of cultivation and broad range of applications have made it a flagship species in the world of functional mushrooms.
Physical Characteristics
Caps:
None
Gills:
None
Choosing the Right Products
• Look for content guarentees:
Polysaccharides can be misleading as starch is a polysaccharide. Many Lions Mane products are mycelium grown on grain. These supplements often contain large quantities of starches. Look for products that guarantee diterpine or erinacine content.
Cognitive Effects
Memory
Lion's Mane has been shown to potentially support memory and improve cognitive function. It may help enhance both short-term and long-term memory recall.
Focus
Some individuals report improved focus and mental clarity when supplementing with Lion's Mane. It may help enhance cognitive performance, increase alertness, and reduce mental fatigue.
Calm
Studies have shown that Lions Mane may have positive effects on mood and emotional well-being. It is believed to support a healthy stress response and may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Helps With
Dementia
Shown to enhance nerve growth and alleviate symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases
Alzheimers
Shown to enhance nerve growth and alleviate symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases
Immune System
Boosts immune system through its antioxidant capabilities
Digestion
Reduces inflammation and supports overall gut health
Stress
Lion's Mane may have positive effects on mood and emotional well-being. It is believed to support a healthy stress response and may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Inflammation
Lion's Mane has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce inflammation in the body. It is believed to support the immune system and promote overall health and well-being.
Ulcers
Lion's Mane mushroom supports the gut and promotes a sense of calm while preparing the body for a good night's rest.
Insomnia
Lion's Mane mushroom supports the gut and promotes a sense of calm while preparing the body for a good night's rest.
Fertility
This mushroom is believed to support reproductive wellness and hormonal balance.
Gut Microbiome
Known anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce gut inflammation, beneficial for individuals with IBD and other gut disorders. Moreover, Lion's Mane mushrooms can enhance the integrity of the gut lining, reducing the risk of leaky gut syndrome.
Medicinal Chemistry
Similar Species
Species: Hericium coralloides
Edibility: edible
Key Differences: Hericium coralloides has more of a coral-like structure, while Hericium erinaceus has long spines giving it a shaggy appearance.
Species: Hericium coralloides
Edibility: edible
Nutrition Facts
Mushroom Ratings
4.7
Based on 3 Reviews
5
★4
★3
★2
★1
★Share your thoughts
If you've consumed this mushroom, share your thoughts with our community
01/29/2025
Javier Villarreal
07/10/2024
Zack Mooney
07/18/2024
Zack Mooney
Related Mushrooms
Bear's Head Tooth
Hericium Americanum
5
References
Lion’s Mane for Your Brain and Body
Exploring the Phytochemical Compositions, Antioxidant Activity, and Nutritional Potentials of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms
Exploring the Cognitive and Other Unique Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom: A Systematic Review
Isolation and Evaluation of Erinacine A Contents in Mycelia of Hericium erinaceus Strains
Effect of erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus supplementation on cognition: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study
The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study
Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production—A Review
Neuroprotective Effects of Erinacine A on an Experimental Model of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy
Neuroprotective Metabolites of Hericium erinaceus Promote Neuro-Healthy Aging
Preclinical Bioavailability, Tissue Distribution, and Protein Binding Studies of Erinacine A, a Bioactive Compound from Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Using Validated LC-MS/MS Method
Lion’s mane mushrooms, known for their distinctive shaggy appearance, have a long history of human use and have more recently gained popularity for their culinary and medicinal benefits. They contain unique bioactive compounds, such as hericenones and erinacines, which have been shown to stimulate brain cell growth. Studies suggest potential cognitive benefits, particularly for individuals with mild Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as improvements in mood and overall well-being. However, further research with larger sample sizes is necessary to confirm these effects. Beyond cognitive health, lion’s mane exhibits strong immune-boosting and antioxidant properties. Research also indicates potential benefits in managing heart disease and diabetes risk factors, including reductions in cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels. Despite these promising findings, certain individuals—such as those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, undergoing surgery, taking blood thinners, or receiving organ transplants—should avoid lion’s mane. While scientific interest in lion’s mane mushrooms continues to grow, much of the current evidence is based on non-human animal and laboratory studies. More human research is needed to determine the full extent of its health benefits for a growing interested public. Nonetheless, the identification of specific lion’s mane bioactive compounds has sparked significant interest in both research and medical communities, paving the way for future applications in brain, heart, blood and overall health.
2025
This review provides a bibliometric analysis of the recent literature on biological activities, highlights trends in the field, and highlights the countries and journals with the highest contribution. It also discusses the nutritional value of the total content of phenolic and other phytochemicals in some species of mushrooms.
2024
Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) emerges as a promising natural supplement with remarkable potential to enhance cognitive function, mitigate inflammation, and bolster antioxidant defenses. The bioactive compounds erinacines, hericenones, and polysaccharides contribute to its medicinal properties, particularly in cognitive health, immune modulation, and anti-inflammatory effects. The synthesized evidence from preclinical and clinical trials provides a solid foundation for its medicinal versatility, offering valuable insights into its efficacy in improving cognitive function, reducing anxiety, and enhancing overall well-being.
2024
Hericium erinaceus has long been favored for its remarkable nutritional and health-promoting benefits, and erinacine A is the key component responsible for the neuroprotective properties of H. erinaceus. Establishing an efficient method for separating erinacine A from H. erinaceus and screening the erinacine A-enriched strains is crucial to maximizing its benefits. Herein, we first reported that high-speed counter current chromatography (HSCCC) is an effective method for separating high-purity erinacine A.
2024
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
This pilot trial tentatively suggests that H. erinaceus may improve speed of performance and exert a stress-reduction effect. However, it is crucial that further investigation is conducted employing larger sample sizes. Despite this, the key advantage of this trial is that the novel findings can be used in the development of supplementary trials to further investigate the effects of H. erinaceus on cognitive function, mood and wellbeing.
2023
Medicinal mushrooms, e.g., Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers.), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst.), Chaga (Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát), Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones and Spatafora), Shiitake (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler), and Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd), are considered new-generation foods and are of growing interest to consumers. They are characterised by a high content of biologically active compounds, including (1,3)(1,6)-β-d-glucans, which are classified as dietary fibre, triterpenes, phenolic compounds, and sterols.
2023
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
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
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