From the Apothecary: Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
A mane by any other name…
Hericium erinaceus doesn’t look much like the stem-and-cap shrooms we’re used to. It’s a soft, white mass covered in cascading icicle-like teeth. As it matures, those delicate spines grow several centimetres long, creating the fluffy, shaggy appearance behind the name Lion’s Mane. Other common names include Bearded Tooth, Bearded Hedgehog, and Hóu Tóu Gū, or “monkey head mushroom.”
But the strange white mushroom we see is only one part of the whole organism. Like other fungi, most exists hidden from view as mycelium: a branching network of microscopic filaments growing through wood or other substrate. When conditions are right, the mycelium produces the visible mushroom, the fruiting body.
That alone makes fungi profoundly different from the plants we’ve previously featured in this Apothecary series. A mushroom is not the whole organism. Instead, it’s a temporary reproductive structure produced by a much larger fungal body.
Lion’s Mane has centuries of history in East Asia. Today it’s actively studied for its potential effects on the nervous system, digestion, immunity and inflammation.
History & Folklore
The Japanese name for Lion’s Mane, yamabushitake, refers to the yamabushi, mountain ascetics whose traditional clothing features shaggy ornaments thought to resemble the mushroom.
Traditional yamabushi dress. Photo: Chris Gladis
Lion’s Mane is valued in East Asia as both a food and medicinal ingredient. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is associated with the stomach and digestive system. It’s often used for digestive complaints and general weakness.
Historically, Lion’s Mane was gathered from the wild, where it grows on hardwood trees and fallen timber throughout temperate forests. Its unusual appearance and association with traditional medicine have helped give the mushroom a distinctive place in East Asian culture.
Lion’s Mane Contains:
Hericenones, which are aromatic compounds found primarily in the fruiting body. Some preclinical studies suggest they may influence nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein that helps support certain nerve cells in the brain and throughout the nervous system.
Erinacines. This is a group of specialised compounds found mainly in Lion’s Mane mycelium, the hidden network of the fungus that grows through wood or other substrate. Researchers are interested because they appear to influence NGF-related pathways involved in the growth and health of nerve cells.
Lion’s Mane is rich with complex polysaccharides, which are carbohydrate molecules made from chains of simple sugars. Among them are beta-glucans, a type of polysaccharide that forms part of fungal cell walls and interacts with the immune system. These compounds are being studied for possible effects on immunity, inflammation, digestion and the gut microbiome.
Antioxidant compounds, including phenolics and ergothioneine. Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by normal processes in the body as well as things like pollution, smoke, and UV light. Ergothioneine is obtained through the diet and is especially abundant in mushrooms.
Practical Applications
Brain Function
This is the application most responsible for Lion’s Mane’s modern fame. Lab research suggests some of its compounds support nerve growth, protect nerve cells, and influence how they communicate.
There is some human evidence, too. In one small study of adults with mild cognitive impairment, participants taking powdered Lion’s Mane for 16 weeks improved more on cognitive testing than those taking a placebo. Interestingly, gains faded after supplementation stopped.
Emotional Wellbeing
Lion’s Mane has been studied for mood, anxiety, and stress. Early human trials reported improvements in mood, irritability, stress, and mental function.
Lining up with lab research, Lion’s Mane compounds seem to interact with nerve growth and other processes involved in keeping the nervous system healthy.
Digestion & the ’Ol Microbiome
Traditional Chinese use is often centred on the digestive system, particularly for stomach discomfort.
The polysaccharides in Lion’s Mane may influence inflammation, support the intestinal barrier, and affect the communities of microbes living in the gut.
Inflammation & Immune Function
Lab research has found antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity among several of Lion’s Mane compounds, meaning that it may influence how immune and inflammatory processes are regulated in the body.
These antioxidants may also help protect our cells from the everyday wear and tear caused by normal processes in the body, plus things like pollution, smoke, and UV exposure.
Safety & Precautions
Lion’s Mane is an edible mushroom and generally well tolerated. Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding hasn’t been well established, so supplementation should only be used under guidance of your healthcare provider.
Quality is enormously important. Look for clear labelling that identifies the part of the fungus used. Transparent sourcing and extraction information are good signs of a quality product.
At Optimum Health, we carefully source our Lion’s Mane products from trusted brands that clearly identify what you’re getting, so you can choose your Hericium erinaceus confidently.
Shop our collection of Lion's Mane supplements HERE.
As always, connect with us if you have any questions. We’re here to help!
References
Contato, A. G., & Conte-Junior, C. A. (2025). Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus): A neuroprotective fungus with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial potential: A narrative review. Nutrients.
Gladis, C. (2007, February 2). Yamabushi [Photograph]. Flickr.
Menon, A., Jalal, A., Arshad, Z., Nawaz, F. A., & Kashyap, R. (2025). Benefits, side effects, and uses of Hericium erinaceus as a supplement: A systematic review. Frontiers in Nutrition..
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan. (2016, October). 特集1 きのこ(3) [Special feature 1: Mushrooms (3)]. [Japanese; translation assisted by Google Translate.]
Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research.
Niu, B., et al. (2025). Extraction, purification, structural characteristics, biological activities, modifications, and applications from Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides: A review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
Tan, Y. F., Mo, J. S., Wang, Y. K., Zhang, W., Jiang, Y. P., Xu, K. P., Tan, G. S., Liu, S., Li, J., & Wang, W. X. (2024). The ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Hericium. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.