Mushroom Powerhouse: Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane, that unique looking white mushroom that sits on our tables at farmer’s market. Perhaps you have seen and asked about it, or asked yourself what could that mushroom be?
Lion’s Mane is a very versatile mushroom. A funky looking powerhouse of good things! It can be cooked in your main dishes, side dishes or used in a dehydrated form. Here at Chesed Farms we not only offer it fresh but we also offer dehydrated Lion’s Mane mushroom powder because we love all of the potential benefits Lion’s Mane has to offer.
The latin name for Lion’s Mane is hericium erinaceus. Both the species and genus name mean hedgehog. Lion’s Mane translates to hedgehog hedgehog. The translation refers to the bushy “mane” of the organism. In German the name for Lion’s Mane translates to hedgehog goatee. In English, you might have heard Lion’s Mane referred to as bearded hedgehog or hedgehog mushroom.
Although its name might refer to a hedgehog, this mushroom has a wonderful taste and packs so much flavor. Fresh Lion’s Mane has a texture that can mimic that of lobster and crab or chicken with a flavor suggestive of eggplant. It is a great alternative to seafood or chicken in vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Powdered Lion’s Mane is a great way to add all of the benefits of this mushroom to your morning smoothie, coffee, tea or oatmeal. It is mild in flavor, making a great option for an added “superfood” boost without altering the taste.
In the wild, these mushrooms grow in temperate forests throughout the Northern Hemisphere and have a history of being used in traditional Chinese medicine and in both medicinal and culinary uses throughout Asia and Europe.
With all wild and natural herbs, foods and drinks the benefits of these products have not been FDA verified, however, there are many potential benefits to including Lion's Mane in your diet. These potential health benefits vary from supporting cognitive health, mood, possibly assisting with anxiety and inflammation.
Lion’s mane is a food that is said to produce a natural source of health-promoting chemicals. Chemicals that are found in lion’s mane may show properties that are anti-cancer, anti-microbial and have antioxidant activity...talk about the potential benefits of a disease-fighting powerhouse!
Mushrooms produce compounds that help with nerve growth factor synthesis. Erinacines stimulate neurons to regrow. This means that there is the potential for mushrooms to be used in treatment of: senility, Alzheimer’s disease, repairing neurological trauma from strokes, and improving muscle/motor. When studied, the main type of erinacine may have a protective effect against Parkinson’s disease and have antitumor activity in gastric cancer.
Lion’s Mane is great for possible cognitive support. This “smart” mushroom is said to support memory, cognition, and mental clarity when used in supplement form. It also has the possibility of promoting balanced mood, digestive wellness and balanced immune response and could support quality of sleep, and blood sugar levels that are already within normal range, as well as, balanced energy levels.
That isn’t all, Lion’s Mane also has properties that are: antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, immunostimulant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, and antihyperglycemic properties. When it is taken in tablet form, Lion’s Mane has proved, in studies in China and Japan, to be effective on ulcers, inflammations, tumors and alimentary canal. It has been reported to be used in pill form to treat gastric and esophageal carcinoma as well.
This is why we are such big fans of lion's mane mushrooms at Chesed Farms and why it is important for us to provide access to such a great culinary choice!
We aren't the only ones who are fans of this mushroom, as you can imagine, check out one of our past blog posts with Lindsey Thompson, local nutritionist and acupuncturist where she talks with Sundown Hazen about the health benefits of mushrooms.
