Blackberry (blackberry) comb is a rare representative of its kingdom. It is edible, healthy and, when prepared properly, is very tasty. However, this mushroom is not only quite rare, but also little known, and therefore inexperienced mushroom pickers often bypass it.

Characteristic

The blackberry comb mushroom belongs to the Hericium family of the order Russula. It is quite large and can be eaten. It can be described as follows:

• the body of the fungus is irregular in shape, often in the form of a pear or spherical, slightly flattened on the sides;
• adult blackberries are dark - from yellow to brown, young ones are white or creamy;
• the weight of one mushroom can be up to 1.5 kg;
• width - no more than 20 cm;
• from the lower surface of the body of the comb blackberry hangs a lot of soft outgrowths, shaped like needles, their length is not more than 6 cm;

  On a note! It is this part of the fruiting body of the comb blackberry that is a hymenophore and makes it very similar to a hedgehog!

• dense pulp is whitish and does not darken even when cut, but, when dried, turns yellow;
• the taste of the pulp is compared to shrimp.

Blackberry (blackberry) comb is a saprotroph - an organism that receives the substances necessary for normal growth and development by destroying the body of other plants. Therefore, it can be found on stumps and on tree trunks. The most preferred for this fungus will be beech, birch or oak. At the same time, settling on living plants, he "chooses" damaged places, for example, saw cuts and broken parts of large branches.

The blackberry comb mushroom is most common in areas with a warm and humid climate, therefore it is most often found in the forests of the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories, the Amur Region, the Crimea, as well as in the Caucasus and northern China. As for the central and northern regions of the Russian Federation, it is extremely rare to find a blackberry mushroom in this territory.

The fruiting season begins in the last month of summer and continues until mid-autumn. However, if you managed to find a blackberry mushroom on one of the trees, then further searches can be stopped at this point, since it usually grows “alone”.

Benefits and treatment

The medicinal properties of the blackberry comb mushroom have not yet been fully studied, however, something about its benefits is still known.

• Its extract helps fight memory disorders, including the elderly.
• It is believed that the substances present in its composition, with proper therapy, can prevent cancer.
• It is used as an anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent, as well as to get rid of warts.
• The consumption of blackberry comb has a positive effect on the nervous system - depression and increased excitability recede.

  On a note! According to representatives of traditional medicine, blackberry preparations are able to correct the emotional state and facilitate the course of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases!

• When it is used, the concentration of cholesterol in the blood is reduced and the prevention of diseases of the vascular system is ensured.

On a note! The wild blackberry comb mushroom is now a rarity, plus everything, it is listed in the Red Book. It is actively cultivated in some countries, including Russia, but the product grown in this way, although affordable, is considered less useful!

Cooking features

There is an opinion that only young blackberries can be tasty, but this assumption is erroneous. A mature mushroom is also quite capable of fully revealing all its taste qualities, and the recipe for preparing blackberry comb does not have any complicated secrets - it just needs to be boiled in salted water. After a short heat treatment, blackberries become softer, which allows them to be used in a wide variety of dishes.

Mushroom soup with melted cheese

For four servings you will need:

• blackberry mushroom - 300 g;
• chicken meat - 180 g;
• processed cheese - 200 g;
• potatoes - 3 medium tubers;
• butter - about a tablespoon;
• medium head of onion;
• salt pepper.

Pour one and a half liters of water into a saucepan and cook the chicken fillet for 20 minutes from the moment of boiling, salt. We take out the meat from the broth and cut into small cubes.
Finely chop the onion and fry it in butter for about 5 minutes. The mushroom is arbitrarily cut, pre-boiled (if necessary) and added to the onion. Stir, season to taste with salt and pepper.

We return the broth to the stove and heat it up. We cut the potatoes into small cubes and send them to the broth. After a quarter of an hour, when the potatoes become soft, add mushrooms with onions, and after another five to seven minutes, put the chicken fillet.

At the end, you need to add melted cheese to the pan and mix everything well until the last ingredient is completely dissolved.

Mushrooms with vegetables in Chinese

The recipes from blackberry mushroom continue with a dish of Chinese cuisine, which is cooked in a wok. For two servings you will need:

• blackberry mushroom - 150-170 g;
• bell pepper - 2 pcs.;
• sesame seed - a teaspoon;
• sesame oil - 20-30 ml;
• soy sauce - 30 ml;
• oyster sauce - half a teaspoon;
• sugar - half a teaspoon.

Finely chop the mushrooms and boil if necessary. Pepper cut into thin long strips.

Advice! The dish will look more appetizing if the bell peppers are multi-colored!

Heat the oil in a wok well and brown the mushrooms. Add pepper and fry everything until the latter softens. Pour in the oyster sauce, then soy sauce, add the indicated amount of sugar. Mix everything thoroughly and leave for about a minute. At the end, add sesame seeds, stir again and immediately remove from the stove. Keep covered for about 10 minutes, then serve.

Stewed blackberries in cream with lentils

For two servings you will need:

• blackberry mushroom - 200-250 g;
• lentils - 200 g;
• butter - a couple of tablespoons;
• chicken fillet - 100-150 g;
• cream - 150 ml;
• soy sauce - 20 ml;
• flour - a third of a teaspoon;
• rosemary, parsley, ground pepper.

We wash the lentils several times, fill them with water in a ratio of 1: 2 and cook for half an hour.

In a frying pan, dilute a tablespoon of butter and fry mushrooms on it, which, if necessary, boil a little first. We also heat the butter in another pan and brown the diced chicken fillet on it. When the meat is covered with a delicious crust, add mushrooms, half a serving of cream, soy sauce, a sprig of rosemary, pepper to it. Mix everything, close the lid and leave for seven minutes.

Add flour to the rest of the cream and mix thoroughly. Pour the butter-flour mixture into the pan and cook with constant stirring for several minutes. When the mixture thickens enough, remove everything from the stove.

If you manage to get a comb blackberry, then by all means prepare one of the proposed dishes from it. In addition, do not forget that this product is primarily a mushroom, and therefore it is quite possible to prepare it for future use and then ... a couple of dried mushrooms added to soup or roast will surely cheer you up on a cold winter evening.

All materials on the site are presented for informational purposes only. Before using any means, consultation with a doctor is MANDATORY!

The bearded mushroom is able to surprise everyone who saw it for the first time. It's funny, but only a few will be able to recognize in him an inhabitant of the mushroom kingdom. The reason for this is his appearance. Looking at the bearded man point-blank, you will rather decide that you have a fabulous animal in front of you than a motionless one. However, this is really a mushroom, however, with many oddities and surprises.

general information

The bearded mushroom, or combed hedgehog, is a unique representative of the Hericium family, the Russula order. Its main feature lies in its unusual appearance, which is not typical for mushrooms of this order. It was she who served as the reason for such colorful common folk names as "bearded mushroom", "lion's mane", "grandfather's beard", "noodle mushroom" and "Pom-Pom mushroom". Scientists call it the combed urchin, or Hericium erinaceus.

Spreading

This is a very rare mushroom - its numbers are rapidly falling every year. The reason for this is environmental pollution, large-scale deforestation and unreasonable collection by people. To date, combed urchin is on the verge of extinction, and therefore it is listed in the Red Book.

In its natural environment, the fungus can be found in North America, Russia and China. In particular, he prefers areas with a temperate, warm climate. For example, if we talk about our Motherland, then the "lion's head" can be seen in the Primorsky Territory, the Amur Region, the Crimea, as well as in the deciduous forests of Khabarovsk.

Appearance

For those who want to understand what a bearded mushroom looks like, a photo is the best option. After all, without it it is quite difficult to recreate a verbal image, even remotely resembling the amazing appearance of a mushroom. And yet, if you decide to do this, it is best to imagine a white hedgehog or a mountain of vermicelli attached to a tree trunk. Agree, the picture is rather unusual.

If we talk about size, then the crested hedgehog grows on average up to 20-25 cm in diameter. At the same time, its white processes - “needles” can reach 6-8 cm in length. Such a miracle weighs about 1-1.5 kg, which is very impressive. However, such standards apply only to wild-growing specimens - a bearded mushroom bred on a farm can be much larger and heavier.

The body of the combed urchin is dense. Inside the pulp is colored white or cream, without any impurities. And only at the end of its life, when the fungus begins to dry out, it acquires yellow tones.

habitat

Today, it is possible to meet the combed urchin only in remote regions. It does not tolerate any air pollution, and therefore rarely grows in roadside areas. This means that everyone who wants to find him must get used to the idea that the hunt can drag on for several days. True, many are ready to make such a sacrifice, just to see live how the bearded mushroom grows. The photo of this handsome man is a truly glorious award, proving the perseverance and perseverance of any naturalist.

So, where to look for it? Deciduous forests located away from the city and major highways are best suited. In this case, you should look for areas with high humidity, as the hedgehog does not tolerate drought. For example, you can search the area around ponds, rivers, lakes, or swamps.

As for trees, in our region most often the bearded mushroom grows on oak, beech or birch, and he likes the latter the most. "Lion's head" is illegible in wood, and therefore can germinate both on a healthy trunk and on a rotten one. Most often, only one mushroom lives on a tree, but there are exceptions.

gourmet dish

Mushroom noodles are very popular in the culinary world. The reason for everything is its extraordinary shape and excellent taste. Some gourmets claim that the pulp of the mushroom tastes somewhat like shrimp. Agree, many will like such a delicacy, especially considering the fact that this is a dietary food.

It's no surprise that lion's mane is on the menu of many prestigious restaurants. At the same time, it is served both after heat treatment and raw. The only negative is the high price of such a dish. But for those who love new tastes and sensations, this is not such a huge barrier.

Healing properties

In China, healers have long used the bearded mushroom in their practices. The beneficial properties of this vegetable "hedgehog" are well known to them. In particular, it was they who told the world that the hedgehog is able to help a person with sclerosis. This knowledge also helped pharmacists produce the medicine needed to treat patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

In addition, the mushroom has an anti-inflammatory effect. In Russia, healers used it to treat stomach diseases and tumors. There is also evidence that bearded vulture mushroom extract is being used in research into finding a cure for cancer.

Built environment

As mentioned earlier, combed urchin is listed in the Red Book. This means that the extraction of this mushroom in natural conditions is strictly prohibited. Therefore, today special farms are being opened around the world, where the bearded vulture mushroom is grown under artificial conditions. This is a rather complicated process, but modern farmers have succeeded well in it - domestic mushrooms not only have the same properties as wild mushrooms, but also significantly exceed them in size.

Asian healers remain the only problem. According to their beliefs, only forest mushrooms have magical Qi energy. Therefore, in these parts, even today, there is a relentless struggle for a natural treasure. Unfortunately, this can lead to the complete extinction of the species within their region.

Ongoing research has shown that consumption of Lion's Mane (Lion's Mane) helps boost brain function. The use of this mushroom is currently being studied for neurological disorders such as dementia and Parkinson's disease.

Unusual in appearance edible mushroom traditionally consumed in the East. When boiled, it resembles shrimp meat. Contains substances that activate the synthesis of a protein involved in the growth of nerve cells, is used in medicine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and senile sclerosis. Chinese healers use it to treat chronic gastritis and stomach ulcers. Regular consumption of lion's mane improves the condition of the nervous system, stimulates the immune system. Fruiting body up to 20 cm in size and weighing up to 1.5 kg, round or irregular in shape, from cream to light beige. The flesh is whitish, fleshy. Turns yellow when dry. The hymenophore is prickly, has the appearance of thin needles hanging down, which makes the mushroom look like a hedgehog.

Breeding Tips: Grow both outdoors and indoors at a temperature of 10 to 27°C. Favorable time for planting mushrooms on a tree base in natural conditions is from April to October, indoors - throughout the year. As a wood base, a fresh (no more than one month after felling), moist (minimum moisture content of 50-60%) log of hard hardwood trees without signs of rot, with bark and without branches, 10-20 cm in diameter, 100 cm long is used. dry wood is soaked in water for 2-3 days, excess water is allowed to drain. The impregnated wood is placed in a warm, ventilated room for several days.

Growing and care:
1. In the prepared log, holes are drilled with a diameter of 0.8 cm and a length of 4 cm in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of about 10-15 cm from each other.
2. Insert the mushroom sticks into the holes until they stop (the operation is done with sterile gloves or hands disinfected with alcohol).
3. Place the log on the ground in a warm, shady place and leave it to grow mycelium. During this time, it is necessary to keep the log moist (water 2-3 times a week for 10-15 minutes).
4. After the beginnings of the fungus appear, the log is placed in cold water for 12-24 hours. Then they are installed vertically or obliquely in a bright room, in a greenhouse or in the open air.
5. In winter, a log with a mycelium is sprinkled with leaves or transferred to the basement.

Fruiting: after 6-9 months from the beginning of sowing logs with mycelium. After picking mushrooms, the mycelium needs rest, for this, the log is less often watered for 2 weeks.

Productivity: High. It depends on the size of the collected mushrooms, but it is better to cut off small fruiting bodies, because. they keep better.

Ingredients: Mushroom mycelium "Lion's mane" on wood sticks.

Store the unopened package in a cool, dry place, possibly in a refrigerator at a positive temperature.

Hericium (hericium), comb blackberry, mushroom noodles (mushroom noodles)

Hericium or e zhevik (hedgehog) comb refers to rare edible mushrooms from the Hericium family. Latin name Hericius erinaceus.

The global distribution area is quite wide: Europe, North America, China, Japan and Russia. Quite rare everywhere. In Russia, it is found from the Crimea to southern Primorye. In Primorsky Krai and the Jewish Autonomous Region, it is listed in the Red Book. In China, it is successfully cultivated on special plantations.

The first mention of this unusual mushroom dates back to the third century BC. in the Canons of the Chinese healer Wu Xing. The healers of Russia have also long known this mushroom well and used it in their potions. However, it was described only in the 18th century, during Menshikov's expedition to Primorye, where it is described as "... a plant that looks like a beard."

The unusual shape of the fungus has given it a large number of alternative names: bearded tooth, hog's head, old man's beard, grandfather's beard, white hedgehog, bear's head, lion's mane(English), monkey head(Chinese), pom pom(French) jellyfish mushroom(Japanese). Among the mushroom pickers of the Far East, the mushroom is better known under the name "noodle mushroom" or "mushroom noodle".

mushroom noodles - a good edible mushroom, which, moreover, has a rather unusual taste. Some gourmets believe that the taste of the mushroom resembles something between chicken and meat of marine crustaceans - shrimp, lobster, crab. More than 30 aromatic substances were found in the fruiting bodies of Hericium pectinate, which is much more than in the legendary shiitake. This circumstance, in combination with the high nutritional properties of the mushroom, has led to the great value and popularity of gericium in gourmet restaurants.

Medicinal properties of blackberry comb

In addition to high culinary qualities, comb blackberry also has unique medicinal properties. This unusual mushroom is especially popular in Oriental medicine, where it has long been used as an antiseptic and immunostimulating agent in the treatment of gastritis, stomach ulcers, and lung diseases, as well as a stimulant of the digestive system. In addition, the ability of hericium to inhibit the biological processes of aging and related disorders of the nervous system is well known. In Chinese folk medicine, the extract of the fruiting body of Hericium pectinate has been successfully used to treat leukemia and cancer of the esophagus.

The fungus has not yet been studied well enough by modern science. However, studies conducted (mainly in Japan and China) confirm the high medicinal value of blackberry comb. Back in the 60s, Japanese scientists found that fungal poliosis has strong antitumor properties. Later, numerous studies of the medicinal properties of gericium were carried out in China. As a result, it was found that polyose extracted from the culture liquid of the fungus effectively increases the activity of anti-cancer cells - macrophages and prevents a decrease in the number of leukocytes. Moreover, these properties are most effective in the treatment of leukemia and cancer of the esophagus. It was also found that the combined use of gericium with similar preparations from other fungi significantly increases the antitumor effect. The antitumor properties of blackberry comb were also confirmed by Russian and Korean researchers.

As a result of these studies, the following active substances were found in the fruit bodies of Hericium comb: ergosterol, beta-glucans, cyatane derivatives, erinacins and hericenones. Of the substances with antitumor activity, five (!) Polysaccharides, phenols and fatty acids were isolated. Significant antibacterial, antifungal and immunostimulatory activity of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the fungus was confirmed. In addition, the ability of gericium to reduce blood sugar levels has been revealed.

Research in the field of neuralgia has revealed another interesting feature of hericium. More recently, in Japan, a substance called a stimulator of nerve tissue repair, or nerve growth factor (NGF), was isolated from a mushroom, which is a special type of protein that promotes the regeneration of brain neurons. Dr. Takashi Mitsuno believes that the extract of this unique mushroom can be an effective tool in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease - the most common form of senile dementia associated with degenerative processes in the nerve cells of the brain responsible for cognitive information. To date, effective means of combating this disease do not exist, methods of prevention are not known to modern medicine. Existing medications (amiridine, tacrine, cerebrolysin and their analogues) can only slightly slow down the development of the disease, but none of them contributes to recovery processes.

Summarizing the above and taking into account the experience of using the fungus in folk medicine of the East, indications for the use of hericium comb can be reduced to the following list:

1. Leukemia and oncological diseases of the stomach, esophagus, pancreas, liver. It is effective both as part of complex therapy and separately, when other methods are not acceptable. Increases the effectiveness of chemical and radiation therapy from 2 to 7 times, reduces side effects;

2. Benign neoplasms - polyps, cysts, adenomas, etc.;

3. Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, neurosis, insomnia, depression;

4. Gastritis, stomach ulcer;

5. Strengthening immunity and maintaining homeostasis;

6. Gynecological diseases;

7. Slowing down the processes of aging and cell degeneration.

Dried mushroom powder is usually used as the active substance for preparing extracts at home.

Hericium comb tincture

To prepare a tincture of Hericium comb for 0.5 liters of vodka or 40% alcohol, take 35 g of dry mushroom powder. Insist two weeks in a dark cool place.

Take half an hour before meals: for tumor diseases, 1 tablespoon 3 times a day, for other diseases - a teaspoon 2-3 times a day.

You can also make an infusion from dried mushrooms. To do this, 2-3 g of chopped dry mushroom is poured into 0.5 liters. warm boiled water and insist 6-8 hours in a warm place. Drink without filtering (together with the mushroom) for 30 minutes. 1/3 cup before meals.

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If you've been into the world of nootropics lately, then you've probably noticed that a certain member of the mushroom kingdom has become more common. This mighty mushroom is quite impressive and, one might say, completely "magical", but probably not in the way that you are used to thinking about mushrooms.

We are, of course, talking about the Lion's Mane. This brain-enhancing mushroom clearly has some significant nootropic effects, and we know all the details about why it should be a staple in any nootropic stack, especially since it is so different from the standard choline/L-tyrosine type compounds that are commonly used. start taking nootropic supplements.

Lion's Mane is an amazing mushroom that has some unique nootropic properties, including an increase in Nerve Growth Factor.

What is Lion's Mane?

Scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, Lion's Mane is an edible mushroom that has been widely used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries for its medicinal properties. You may have met him before under one of his other names, such as:

• Bear's Head

• Hedgehog Mushroom
• Hou-tou (Chinese) / Houtou

• Monkey's mushroom
• Old Man's Beard

• Yamabushitake (Japanese) / Yamabushitake

What does Lion's Mane do?

Lion's mane mushroom is naturally rich in several vitamins and minerals, and also contains some absolutely unique substances, including compounds such as erinacins, erinacine lactones, glycoproteins, hericerols, and polysaccharides (beta-glucans). These bioactive compounds are believed to be the substances responsible for many of the positive effects of Lion's Mane. The long list of benefits (which we'll take a closer look at below) includes:

• Fight against aging
• Antibacterial effect
• Antitumor effect
• Fighting Fatigue
• Antioxidant effect
• Cognitive Improvement
• Neuroprotective effect
• Hepatoprotective effect
• Glucose-lowering effect
• Anxiety reduction
• Reducing inflammation
• Protection against stomach ulcers
• Immune System Support

Effects on nerve growth factor

While Lion's Mane has a long list of diverse effects, it has recently gained significant popularity as a nootropic when it was found to affect nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein vital for nerve cell function and survival. Lion's Mane has been shown to increase the amount of nerve growth factor in the brain and improve cognition by increasing neuronal growth, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall brain health.

Suffice to say, Lion's Mane is an incredibly intriguing and unique nootropic that can be a valuable addition to any brain function supplementation regimen. Now let's take a little deeper look at the many benefits that this mushroom has.

Benefits of Lion's Mane

• brain function

The main reason for our discussion is the nootropic effect of Lion's Mane, so there is no better way to start describing its benefits with how it improves brain function. Clinical studies have shown that this mushroom specifically increases cognition by improving memorization and recall.

In Japan, a clinical study was conducted in 50-80 year old people with mild cognitive decline who took Lion's Mane extract (3 g daily) for 16 weeks. Study participants taking the extract experienced an increase in cognitive function without any side effects.

In addition, studies in mice have shown that Lion's Mane improves both memory and cognition in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, but these results still need to be replicated in humans.

Lion's mane is able to stimulate the growth of brain cells.

• Nerve regeneration

Lion's mane is one of the most powerful natural brain stimulants due to its ability to increase nerve growth factor (NGF) production. Indeed, one Japanese study found that Lion's Mane is the only type of mushroom that improves the synthesis of nerve growth factor. Researchers have determined that the hercenones and erinacins present in this medicinal mushroom can induce NGF production in nerve cells.

As we briefly mentioned above, NGF is a protein in the brain (a neuropeptide) that supports neurons, the cells responsible for your brain processes and information transfer. So, whether you're studying for an important exam, writing a long article about nootropics (like this one), or just trying to focus better at work, Lion's Mane can help you.

Additional animal studies have shown that Lion's Mane has the ability to repair nerves and enhance nerve growth in the brain and throughout the body.

• Neuroprotective action

Acetylcholine is a vital neurotransmitter that maintains communication between nerve cells. Unfortunately, levels of the "learning neurotransmitter" decrease with age, leading to cognitive decline and the progression of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Lion's Mane has been shown to have strong neuroprotective effects. Studies conducted on rats with Alzheimer's disease have shown that Lion's Mane increases the levels of acetylcholine and choline acetyltransferase (an enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine) in the blood and hypothalamus.

In mouse studies, Lion's Mane has been noted to prevent the loss of spatial short-term memory as well as visual recognition memory. Other studies have shown that it reduces the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, which is important because beta-amyloid plays a role in brain degradation in people with Alzheimer's disease and also has neurotoxicity. The pinnacle of Lion's Mane's neuroprotective effects is that it also exhibits some anti-dementia properties.

• Anxiety and depression

Lion's mane not only improves attention and memory, but also helps to cope with feelings of anxiety and depression. A 4-week study involving women (aged 41±5.6 years) suffering from menopausal symptoms (lack of concentration, anxiety, heart palpitations, irritability, etc.) showed that taking Lion's Mane alleviates menopausal symptoms and improves sleep quality.

Uniquely, the women ate cookies that contained 0.5 g of Lion's Mane powder four times a day, for a total of 2 g of Lion's Mane fruiting body powder.

You may not be aware of this, but inflammation plays a key role in depression. Substances present in lion's mane (such as amycenone) have been shown to reduce inflammation and have antidepressant effects.

• Fighting Fatigue

Believe it or not, Lion's Mane can be a valuable substance for enhancing physical performance. This multifunctional mushroom is known to increase forced swim time, glycogen content, and antioxidant enzyme activity in mice/rats. In addition, it reduces three key markers of fatigue: lactic acid, malondialdehyde, and blood urea. As far as is known, Lion's Mane also increases the flying ability of flies. Thanks to this research, Lion's Mane was included in the first cordyceps-based performance enhancing ingredient, PeakO2.

The effect of Hericium erinaceus on the time of an unexpected voyage. Values ​​are presented as mean ± SD. *R<0,05, по сравнению с группой C. С – контроль; LHT – группа, принимающая низкие дозы; MHT – группа, принимающая средние дозы; ННТ, HHT – группа, принимающая высокие дозы.

Effect of Hericium erinaceus on blood lactic acid and serum urea. Values ​​are expressed as mean ± SD. *R<0,05, по сравнению с группой C. С – контроль; LHT – группа, принимающая низкие дозы; MHT – группа, принимающая средние дозы; ННТ, HHT – группа, принимающая высокие дозы.

It's no secret that adequate sleep is essential for recovery, cognitive function, and overall health. Sleep is the time when your body recovers the most and is essential for everyone, even babies and the elderly, regardless of what the 20-year-olds think. And you know what? Lion's Mane Improves Sleep Too!

Lion's Mane can enhance the quality of your sleep by improving your circadian rhythm. In a mouse study, there was evidence that this mushroom reduces activity at the end of REM sleep and improves the sleep-wake cycle. Based on this, the researchers hypothesized that Lion's Mane may be beneficial in disorders associated with circadian rhythm disturbances such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or sleep phase disorder.

• Blood sugar

In addition to improving cognition, Lion's Mane also shows promise as a diabetes supplement. A study in mice showed that it could reduce blood glucose in normal and diabetic mice by almost 50%. Moreover, it has been shown to increase glucose tolerance and insulin release, resulting in improved blood glucose control.

To top it all off, the mighty mushroom may also be helpful for treating diabetic neuralgia, as research has shown that Lion's Mane raises pain threshold.

• Fight against aging

Lipofuscin is a metabolic waste product of the aging process in humans and animals. It constantly accumulates during cell aging, which contributes to cellular depletion. Lion's mane has been described to reduce lipofuscin levels in mice.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a powerful antioxidant that fights reactive oxygen species (ROS). The problem is that SOD activity decreases with age, reducing antioxidant capacity and accelerating aging. The polysaccharides contained in Lion's Mane have been shown to increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the brain and liver. Some studies have also shown that Lion's Mane has the ability to fight aging in human cell cultures.

• Cardiovascular health

Lion's Mane has been shown to reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol in rats fed a high fat diet while increasing HDL ("good") cholesterol. Other studies have shown that this mushroom prevents weight gain, reduces body fat and triglyceride levels. Researchers believe that the reduction in cholesterol levels may be due to a decrease in fat absorption and an increase in the rate of cholesterol breakdown.

• Anti-inflammatory effect

We have already mentioned that Lion's Mane can increase SOD activity, but these are not all of its antioxidant properties. Studies have shown that this mushroom can reduce excess ROS, inflammatory factors (eg NF-kB), prostaglandins, and nitric oxide. It also improves symptoms associated with intestinal inflammation, intestinal bleeding, as well as inflammatory cytokines. And to top it all off, Lion's Mane also prevents inflammation of the adipose tissue associated with obesity.

Other benefits

Since the focus of this article is on the nootropic effects of Lion's Mane, we'll just list the other benefits associated with consuming the mushroom and won't cover them in detail:

• Improves immune system function
• Causes cancer cell death
• Has an antibacterial effect
• Reduces HIV activity
• Increases circulation (by reducing blood clotting)
• Protects the intestines and liver
• Increases collagen content
• Improves bone density

Dosage

The dosage of Lion's Mane really depends on the quality (strength) of the extract. Ideally, you should choose one that contains at least 20% beta-glucans. A good starting dose of Lion's Mane extract, containing 20-30% beta-glucans, is 500-1000 mg.

However, if you are using a weaker extract, then you need to take a few grams to get enough of the active substance that we described above. Two studies were conducted in people who took Lion's Mane at a dose of 1000 mg (96% pure) three times a day, for a total of 3 g of the extract. And in another study, a total of 2 g per day, divided into 4 doses of 0.5 g cookies, was used to treat anxiety and depression.

Side effects

Lion's mane is generally considered safe and does not lead to side effects due to its use. In non-serious sources, it is noted that some people feel a slight itch of the skin, which is believed to be caused by increased synthesis of nerve growth factor.

Extensively tested in mice, Lion's Mane does not show any signs of toxicity, even at doses up to 5 g/kg.

combination

Lion's Mane is best for long-term use, but if you're looking for any immediate/acute effects from a super mushroom, then consider taking it with racetams (like our favorite phenylpiracetam), as well as a high-quality choline supplement like alpha-glycerophosphocholine or CDP-choline to prevent choline depletion-induced headaches.

For long-term health and cognitive benefits, take Lion's Mane along with uridine (from CDP-choline) and fish oil, which support cell membranes, and Acetyl-L-Carnitine, which reduces apoptosis (death) in brain cells. You can also supplement zinc if your diet is deficient, because zinc is involved in the regulation of synaptic function.

Conclusion

Lion's Mane is an exceptionally potent mushroom that has a number of nootropic and general health benefits. Simply put, this magic mushroom deserves a lot more attention and should be included in any nootropic stack.