Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a medicinal mushroom traditionally used in Chinese medicine for memory, focus, digestion and the nervous system. Lab and animal research suggests its compounds influence nerve growth factor, though human research is still early. Start with ยผ teaspoon of fruiting-body extract a day, build up as it suits you, and judge it after a month.
Reviewed by Ainsley Rose, Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy), NHAA member.
What is Lion's Mane?
Lion's Mane is a white, shaggy mushroom with a cascading, coral-like look. It grows on hardwood trees in Asia, and it has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries for clarity and vitality. SuperFeast Lion's Mane powder is a fruiting-body extract, sourced Dรฌ Dร o from Zhejiang and Heilongjiang.
Today Lion's Mane is best known as a natural nootropic: something people take to support focus, memory and mental performance.
The top 4 benefits of Lion's Mane
Lion's Mane has long been used in Chinese medicine as a tonic for the mind and the digestion. Modern research is mostly lab and animal studies so far, but it gives useful clues about why the tradition rates it so highly.
1. Focus and mental clarity
Lion's Mane is traditionally used to sharpen the mind and support memory. Lab studies have found that compounds in Lion's Mane can stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein that helps maintain healthy nerve cells. These include hericenones, found in the fruiting body, and erinacines, found mainly in the mycelium (Kawagishi et al., 1991; Kawagishi et al., 1994).
In one study, Lion's Mane extract increased NGF production in a human brain cell line in the lab, and mice fed Lion's Mane showed more NGF activity in the hippocampus, the brain's memory centre (Mori et al., 2008).
Chinese medicine sees it through the digestion. Lion's Mane strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, which are linked with clear thinking, so a steady gut supports a steady, focused mind.
2. Memory
Lion's Mane was historically used to nourish the "sea of marrow", the classical term for the brain and spinal cord. In older mice, two months of Lion's Mane in the diet improved recognition memory (Ratto et al., 2019). Human research is still early, so we see this as a promising sign rather than a promise.
3. The nervous system over time
Chinese medicine uses Lion's Mane to strengthen Qi in the digestion and calm the spirit, building the foundations that keep the nervous system steady. It's a herb to take daily over time. Its effects build gradually rather than all at once.
4. Digestive health
Long before it was known as a brain mushroom, Lion's Mane was used in East Asian herbal tradition to support digestive health. Chinese medicine sees the Spleen and Stomach as the source of the Qi and Blood that feed the mind, which is why a mushroom for digestion and a mushroom for clarity turn out to be the same one. Many people notice Lion's Mane sits gently with their digestion, and it pairs well with our herbs for digestion.
How to use Lion's Mane
Start small: ยผ teaspoon is a great beginning. Work your way up to a full heaped teaspoon daily, as desired. It's fully extracted and temperature stable, so it goes into hot or cold drinks and food.
Try it in:
- Your morning coffee or matcha
- Soups, curries or broths
- Smoothies
Taste: honeycomb, burnt butter and toasted wood.
Why SuperFeast Lion's Mane?
Our Lion's Mane powder is:
- A 10:1 full-spectrum extract
- Grown in the wild mountains of Zhejiang and Heilongjiang, China
- Dรฌ Dร o (ๅฐ้) sourced and grown on wild oak
- 100% fruiting body (no mycelium, no grain)
- Non-standardised
Lion's Mane FAQs
How long does Lion's Mane take to work?
Most people notice a difference after a few weeks of daily use. Lion's Mane is a tonic mushroom, so its effects build gradually. Take it every day rather than only on busy days, and judge how you feel after the first month.
How much Lion's Mane should I take a day?
Start with ยผ teaspoon a day and build up to a heaped teaspoon if it suits you. Always follow the directions on the label.
Is Lion's Mane good for brain fog?
Lion's Mane is traditionally used to support focus and mental clarity, which is why many people reach for it when brain fog sets in. Brain fog can have medical causes too, so if it's ongoing, sudden or comes with other symptoms, see your GP. You'll find more in our herbs for brain fog and focus.
Can I put Lion's Mane in my coffee?
Yes. It's fully extracted and heat stable, so it stirs straight into hot coffee. Many people add it to their morning cup, and some use it to cut back to one coffee a day.
Does Lion's Mane have side effects?
Lion's Mane is generally well tolerated. A small number of people notice mild digestive changes when they start. It may increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders, and may interact with blood thinners or blood pressure medication, so check with your doctor first if that's you. Stop taking it at least 2 weeks before surgery. Avoid it if you're allergic to mushrooms, and check with your healthcare practitioner if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
- Kawagishi, H. et al. (1991). Hericenones C, D and E, stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF)-synthesis, from the mushroom Hericium erinaceum. Tetrahedron Letters.
- Kawagishi, H. et al. (1994). Erinacines A, B and C, strong stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF)-synthesis, from the mycelia of Hericium erinaceum. Tetrahedron Letters.
- Mori, K. et al. (2008). Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 31(9), 1727โ1732.
- Ratto, D. et al. (2019). Hericium erinaceus improves recognition memory and induces hippocampal and cerebellar neurogenesis in frail mice during aging. Nutrients, 11(4), 715.
About the author
Dan Sipple is a fully qualified naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist with a Bachelor of Health Science. He is a registered member of the Australian National Therapists Association (ANTA).
