Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder

Description

Why You Will Love It

The Lion’s Mane mushroom is one of nature’s most potent functional foods.  It is a delicious culinary treat, found in a wide variety of recipes.  It is also one of the most unique and beautiful mushrooms to be found in nature.

Along with its delicious flavor, Lion’s Mane provides multiple functional health benefits, including brain and neural support, gastrointestinal protection, and cardiovascular benefits.

The Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder

Lion’s Mane has been traditionally used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a tonic, for supporting overall health and longevity.  It is also believed to increase life energy, or ‘chi’.

In ancient times, Lion’s Mane mushroom was reserved for the exclusive use of royalty.  Traditional accounts claim that it was dried and ground into powder by Buddhist monks and consumed as a tea to heighten focus during meditation and for memorizing lengthy passages of scripture.

The nutritional benefits of Lion’s Mane mushrooms stem primarily from two types of compounds.

1. Erinacines and hericenones both have potent anti-bacterial properties. They also help generate neuropeptides which support nerve and brain function.
2. Polysaccharides help to support the immune system with a high concentration of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds.

The health benefits of Lion’s Mane mushrooms have been well-documented by research, including;

MAY PROTECT AGAINST ULCERS – Ulcers that form within the digestive tract are often caused by an excessive growth of a bacterium called H. pylori.  Another common cause results from continual use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen.

Lion’s mane extract has been shown to protect the stomach lining by inhibiting the growth of H. Pylori [1].  Another study concluded that Lion’s mane extract was more effective in preventing alcohol-induced ulcers than common antacid medications [2].

Lion’s mane extract has also been shown to help prevent other types of tissue damage in the GI tract, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease [3].

MAY HELP PREVENT NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES LIKE DEMENTIA – Compounds contained in Lion’s mane extract may stimulate the growth of new brain cells in older subjects [4].  Lion’s mane extract may also help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.  Animal studies have shown that it helps prevent nerve damage caused by plaques that accumulate in the brain, which is a precursor to Alzheimer’s [5].

HELPS RELIEVE SYMPTOMS OF MILD DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY – One study has shown that Lion’s mane extract reduces depression and anxiety in laboratory animals.  Researchers believe that it is the anti-inflammatory qualities of Lion’s mane extract are the primary active factor [6].  Studies have also shown that Lion’s mane extract improves the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain responsible for emotional responses [7].

MAY SUPPORT CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH – One of the markers that physicians use for determining cardiovascular risk is the level of fats, or triglycerides contained in blood.  Another important marker is obesity.  One research study demonstrated that animals who were fed a high fat diet, and given daily doses of Lion’s mane extract, resulted in 27% lower triglyceride levels and an average weight gain that was 42% less than placebo [8].

Lion’s mane extract has also been shown to reduce the build-up of plaque along artery walls, one of the primary causes of heart attacks [9].

MAY HELP MANAGE SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH DIABETES – Multiple studies have demonstrated that Lion’s mane extract can significantly lower blood sugar levels, in both diabetic and non-diabetic mice, even at very low doses [10].

How to Use Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract

If you’re consuming Lion’s mane mushroom for its nutritional benefits, you want to make sure the product you’re using is Lion’s mane extract, and not the dried, powdered raw plant.  Powdered herbal extracts contain the active components of the plant in significantly higher concentrations than the raw plant itself, which increases the product’s potency.

Lion’s mane extract can be consumed as a tasty tea, or added to your favorite warm or cold beverage.  Many athletes and body builders use it in their pre-workout routines to increase focus.  It can also be added to nearly any type of food, including smoothies, soups, stews, or baked goods.

What Are Lion’s Mane Mushrooms?

Lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are white, globe-shaped fungi.  They develop long, furry spines and are often found growing on hardwood trees in temperate forests in North America, Europe, and Asia.  Instead of the more typical mushroom cap, the mushroom tops are comprised of a clump of teeth.  The purpose of the teeth is to release spores, necessary for reproduction.