The lion’s mane mushroom is one of the most unusual looking varieties of mushroom. True to its name, this mushroom has noodle- or hair-like structures that resemble the mane of a lion. Its looks, however, are just part of what makes this mushroom unique – it’s also a superfood with unparalleled benefits for your brain and nervous system.

In Asia, it’s been said that the lion’s mane gives you “nerves of steel and the memory of a lion.” These days, science is revealing the truth behind this saying. While the science behind this mushroom is in its infancy, evidence points to it having therapeutic benefits for numerous diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system.

The world’s first “smart mushroom”

For centuries, Buddhist monks have consumed lion’s mane tea before meditation to enhance their powers of concentration. This, along with other benefits of the mushroom for the brain and nervous system – supporting cognitive function including memory, attention and creativity – have led experts to call it mother nature’s first “smart mushroom.”

Lion’s mane’s benefits for the brain and nervous system come from a group of compounds in the fungus that regenerate myelin. This is the insulating sheath that protects nerve fibers. This opens the door to a world of neuroprotective benefits.

In one study – one of the few human studies on lion’s mane to date – explored the mushroom’s neuroprotective benefits by giving it to older adults with mild cognitive impairment. After 16 weeks wherein one group consumed 250 mg of powdered lion’s mane a day and another a placebo, the former scored significantly higher on the cognitive function scale, with no adverse effects.

This study hints at just some of the benefits that Lion’s mane provides for your brain and nervous system. Here are some of those benefits:

Helps regenerate your nerves

Lion’s mane’s ability to protect your nerves from damage comes from how it stimulates the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). NGF is a protein that plays an important role in the maintenance and regeneration of the nerve cells in both your central and peripheral nervous systems.

Specifically, lion’s mane contains two unique compounds: hericenones and erinacines. The erinacines found in lion’s mane are among the most powerful NGF inducers in the world. These compounds make lion’s mane is the only mushroom to demonstrate significant potential for nerve regeneration. One animal study from 2014 shows that an oral extract of lion’s mane was highly effective in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration after surgically induced injuries.

Helps fight Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

Lion’s mane has been shown to help fight neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This is due to its ability to help reduce beta-amyloid plaques. These proteins form fatty membranes that surround nerve cells and interfere with neurotransmission and are thought to play a role in the diseases mentioned above.

In a study on mice that had been beta-amyloid formation artificially induced, researchers found that a diet that included lion’s mane mushroom greatly improved their cognitive ability. In addition, the mice seemed to gain new cognitive skins during the experiment.

Helps relieve anxiety and depression

In addition to fighting neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, it seems that lion’s mane can also help relieve anxiety and depression.

Research has shown that lion’s mane extract has anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce mild symptoms of anxiety and depression, at least in mice. In addition, further research has also shown that lion’s mane’s regenerative effects can help improve the hippocampus’s function, the region of the brain responsible for processing memories and emotional responses.

Cooking with lion’s mane

With all of lion’s mane’s benefits for your brain and nervous system, alongside its many other health benefits, you may be wondering about how to add it to your diet. After all, lion’s mane isn’t a mushroom that you may normally encounter – its unruly and even creepy appearance means that it usually fails to be visible in the aisles of grocery stores.

If you’re interested in how to cook with this unique looking mushroom here is a recipe you can try.

Roasted lion’s mane mushrooms with sherried shallots

This recipe combines the meaty flavor of lion’s mane mushrooms with the sweet and tangy flavor of shallots. A hearty dish, this works well as a light entrée with a fall salad and some crusty bread but can work as a side dish as well.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 cups vertically sliced shallots
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/3 cup dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 12 ounces lion’s mane mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon butter, cut into 12 pieces
• 1 tablespoon sliced fresh chives

Preparation:

Shallots

1. Preheat your oven to 425 F.
2. Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat.
3. Add shallots, thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; sauté 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Add sherry; cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until very tender.
5. Stir in vinegar and black pepper. Remove from heat; keep warm.

Mushrooms

1. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil; swirl to coat. Add mushrooms, fuzzy side down; cook 4 minutes or until browned. Turn mushrooms over; top each with 1 butter piece.
3. Place pan in oven; bake mushrooms at 425° for 5 minutes or until tender.
4. Remove from oven; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
5. Spoon about 1/2 cup shallot mixture onto 4 plates; top each serving with 3 mushrooms. Drizzle any pan juices over servings. Sprinkle evenly with chives.

The unique, shaggy appearance of the lion’s mane mushroom belies a potent superfood that provides a plethora of benefits for your health. Among these benefits is a well-known ability to both regenerate and protect your brain and nervous system, boosting your cognitive ability and keeping your mind sharp. With this in mind, add this unique mushroom to your repertoire if you have the chance.

Sources:

GreenMedInfo.com 1

GreenMedInfo.com 2

JStage.JST.GO.jp 1

Link.Springer.com

JStage.JST.GO.jp 2

ScienceDirect.com

LiebertPub.com

MyRecipes.com