Lion's mane
Hericium erinaceus · 猴头菇
Mushrooms. Chinese Medicine and Folk & home remedies.
Also called Bearded tooth mushroom, Monkey head mushroom, Yamabushitake, Hericium
Pinyin: Hóu Tóu Gū
Spanish: Melena de león
A white, shaggy mushroom that looks like a lion's mane and is studied for memory and mood.
Did you know? Its Japanese name, yamabushitake, comes from the white brush-like robes worn by mountain monks (yamabushi) in Japan.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Memory & focus. A few small Japanese trials in older adults report better memory scores. Trials are small and short, and results are not firm.Early proof
- Low mood. Small early trials in Japan report less anxiety and low mood. More and larger studies are needed.Early proof
- Digestion & gut health. Used in traditional medicine for stomach ulcers and indigestion. Human evidence is limited, and lab studies are the main support.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
In Chinese medicine and food tradition, lion's mane (hou tou gu) has been used for stomach complaints for centuries.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Brain tonic, Nervine, Nutritive. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Studies used different daily amounts of dried powder or extract for weeks to months. Extracts vary a lot, so check whether the label lists fruiting body or mycelium.
Powder, capsule, tea and tincture.
Where to get it
Grows on dead or dying hardwood trees in Asia, Europe and North America. Most supplements are grown on grain, and some use mycelium rather than the fruiting body.
Be careful
Usually well tolerated. Rare allergic reactions, including skin rash and breathing trouble, have been reported. People allergic to mushrooms should avoid it. Little is known about use in pregnancy or with blood-thinning drugs.
Avoid if: mushroom allergy; pregnancy; breastfeeding; bleeding disorders.
Mixing with other things
- Use cautionBlood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
Lab studies suggest possible blood-thinning effects. Use caution with warfarin or similar drugs.
Adds up with others that may slow blood clotting: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 40 more.
Found in these formulas
Mushroom coffee (Modern)
The honest take
Lion's mane shows real promise for memory and mood in small early trials, but the science is still young. Most of the strong claims about nerve growth and brain repair come from lab and animal work. Look for products that list the fruiting body and the amount used.