hericium erinaceus

Hericium erinaceus (lion’s mane) is an edible and medicinal mushroom native to Asia and North America. It is characterized by its white globe-shaped fruiting body with long shaggy spines resembling a lion’s mane. Traditionally used in East Asian medicine for infections and cognitive health support[5][1], it is now widely available as a food ingredient and dietary supplement in forms such as powders and capsules[1][8]. Lion’s mane contains bioactive compounds including hericenones and erinacines (terpenoids), polysaccharides (notably beta-glucans), phenolic acids, sterols, and lactones[5]. These compounds have demonstrated antioxidant[2][3], anti-inflammatory[2][4], neuroprotective[6], immunomodulatory[5], antimicrobial[5], cognition-enhancing[1][4][6] effects in preclinical studies. Hericenones and erinacines can cross the blood-brain barrier to promote nerve growth factor synthesis—potentially supporting nerve regeneration and cognitive function. Limited clinical data suggest possible benefits for mild cognitive impairment or mood; however no product has been approved for any medical indication in humans. Lion’s mane may also support gut health by modulating the microbiome.

Other names

lion's manelion's mane mushroombear's head mushroombearded hedgehog mushroombearded tooth fungushog head fungushou tou gumonkey head mushroomold man's beard mushroompom pom mushroomsatyr's beard funguswhite beard mushroomyamabushitake