Mushrooms: "That's a mushroom!?"

Lion's Mane

Hericium erinaceus: Pom Pom mushroom, Monkey’s Head, Bearded Hedgehog, or “that coral lookin’ thing.” Lion’s Mane is a mushroom of many names and many uses. It is one of our favorites to watch grow as the light pink new growth gives way to its icicle or webbed structure. As these mushrooms grow, so does our excitement to work with this potent medicine. Lion’s Mane is mostly known for its nerve regenerating and strengthening capabilities as it is a catalyst for Nerve Regrowth Factor (NGF) within the mind- it signals to your body to do the work rather than doing it for you. As reflective of its name, the NGF synthesis is derived from the compounds hericenones and erinacines within the mushroom. When taken daily, whether consumed as food or in supplements, hericenones and erinacines work to provide cognitive and neurological improvements in the body. This is beneficial to people who suffer from depression, anxiety, or in more serious cases strokes, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.  Aside from its neurotrophic and neurogenic properties, Lion’s Mane, as well as some closely related species in the Hericium genus, also contains polysaccharides that are responsible for immuno-modulation. These are significant for the body as they have the capacity to provide anti-cancer, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and wound healing properties.