What if there were one natural treatment that could restore brain function, regrow damaged nerves and reverse the progression of multiple sclerosis? There may be! Lion’s mane mushroom has been used medicinally in Asia for centuries, but for some reason it’s one of the best-kept secrets in the West.
Besides being called "lion’s mane," Hericium erinaceus, is known by several other names including bearded tooth mushroom, bearded hedgehog, bearded tooth fungus and others. In Japan, it’s known as yamabushitake, which means “mountain priest mushroom.” It has a variety of other names, depending on the country.
In Asia, it is said that lion’s mane gives you “nerves of steel and the memory of a lion,” and from what science is revealing, that’s apt prose. Thus far, evidence exists that lion’s mane mushroom confers the following health benefits:
Improved cognitive function
Nerve regeneration, remyelination, and increased Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)
Improved digestive function and relief from gastritis
Immunosupportive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
Anticoagulant; mild ACE inhibitor; improved lipid profile
The science about lion’s mane is in its infancy, but evidence already points to unparalleled therapeutic benefits for numerous diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, summarized in the table below, and the list seems to be growing by the day.
Conditions That May Benefit from Lion’s Mane Mushroom Dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) Parkinson’s disease Peripheral neuropathy Muscle cramps and spasms Multiple sclerosis (MS) Stroke recovery Seizures and seizure-like post-stroke episodes Anxiety and Depression
According to world renown fungi expert Paul Stamets, lion’s mane may be the first “smart mushroom,” providing support specifically for cognitive function, including memory, attention and creativity. It is reported that Buddhist monks have consumed Lion’s mane tea for centuries before meditation in order to enhance their powers of concentration.
This unique fungus contains a group of compounds that regenerate myelin along the axons, which opens the door to a world of neuroprotective benefits.
In one of the few human studies to date, older adults with mild cognitive impairment were given 250 mg powdered lion’s mane three times a day for 16 weeks and compared to another group receiving a placebo. The lion’s mane group scored significantly higher on the cognitive function scale compared with placebo, with no adverse effects. This study should prompt scientists to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of these fungi for dementia patients.
One of the reasons for his mushroom’s exceptional neuroprotective powers is its ability to stimulate synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). NGF is a protein that plays a major role in the maintenance, survival and regeneration of neurons in both your central and peripheral nervous systems. Lion’s mane contains two unique types of compounds, hericenones and erinacines. The erinacines found in Hericium erinaceus mycelium are among the most powerful NGF inducers in the natural world, able to cross your blood-brain barrier and stimulate production of new neurons within the brain itself.
With many neurological disorders, the brain is unable to manufacture NGF—in fact, this is thought to be one of the primary mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease. Making matters worse, myelin sheaths and the blood-brain barrier prevent your body from accessing external sources of NGF, and this contributes to the progressive deterioration of brain neurons over time.
Lion’s mane is the only mushroom to demonstrate significant potential for nerve regeneration. In a groundbreaking 2014 study, an oral extract proved effective in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration after surgically-induced crush-injuries in rats.
NGF also plays important roles in myelination, including protecting oligodendrocytes (myelin-producing cells) and the production of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). In 2003, lion’s mane extract was found to stimulate nerve myelination, which was confirmed by a later study (2013). This finding has huge implications for helping individuals with multiple sclerosis, a disease characterized by progressive demyelination.
As an aside, there is actually another mushroom that may prove helpful with demyelination—Phellinus igniarius, otherwise known as willow bracket. One study found its extract suppressed demyelination as well as suppressing many of the immune cells active (or overactive) in multiple sclerosis.
Lion’s mane has also been shown to reduce beta-amyloid plaques. Beta-amyloid plaques are proteins that form in the fatty membranes that surround nerve cells, interfering with neurotransmission. These plaques are thought to play a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
In a compelling animal study, mice were injected with neurotoxic peptides (to induce plaque formation), in order to assess the effects of lion’s mane on the type of amyloid plaque seen in Alzheimer’s sufferers. As the plaque developed, the mice lost their ability to memorize the maze, but when they were fed a diet containing lion’s mane mushroom, their performance in the maze significantly improved. In addition to regaining their former cognitive skills, they gained NEW cognitive skills—something akin to curiosity, as measured by greater time spent exploring novel objects compared to familiar ones. The reduction of beta amyloid plaques in the mushroom-fed mice was remarkable.
Lion’s mane also shows potential in the treatment of anxiety and depression. In a study involving menopausal women, the mushroom reduced depression and anxiety by some mechanism other than its NGF-enhancing properties. The effects were particularly strong in lowering anxiety, reducing feelings of “irritation” and enhancing concentration. So the Buddhist monks were right!
As with many mushrooms, lion’s mane has a number of other therapeutic actions resulting from its anti-inflammatory and immunosupportive properties, including the following:
Cancer: One animal study found an extract of lion’s mane inhibited the spread of colon cancer cells to the lung by 66 to 69 percent; the mushroom has also been shown to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells and inhibits angiogenesis
Thrombosis: Hericenone B appears to “potently and specifically inhibit collagen-induced platelet aggregation”
Mild ACE Inhibitor: The exact molecule underlying this effect is not currently known, but it is thought to be a bioactive peptide
Lipids: Reported to reduce triglycerides and improve LDL and HDL levels (lion’s mane mycelium, specifically)
Fat Metabolism: Increases the expression of several genes involved in fat metabolism
Wound Healing: Topical application of the extract was found to accelerate wound healing
Lion’s mane mushroom has earned its right to be in your kitchen pantry and medicine cabinet. I’m sure we’ll be seeing many more studies illuminating its therapeutic potential in the near future.
Although the mushroom’s availability is limited to hardwood forests and a few gourmet food shops, kits are available that allow you to grow your own lion’s mane at home. Lion’s mane mushrooms are 20 percent protein and can be prepared using standard culinary techniques, just like any other edible mushroom. Mushroom Forager describes this oddball’s appearance as sort of like a “faceless hedgehog,” or a truffula tree out of The Lorax—so, they’re rather easy to spot. Does it taste like chicken? No, in this case lobster... or so they say, as I’ve not partaken myself.
According to Mushroom Forager:
“Lion’s mane has no look-alikes, edible or poisonous, and all forms are edible and delicious in the kitchen.”
You’ll will find lion’s mane in the forests of North America, Europe and Asia during the summer and fall, typically attached to dead or dying hardwood trees and logs, including maple, beech, oak, birch, walnut and sycamore. Lion’s mane is also widely available as a supplement and comes in powders and liquid extracts. Some serious allergic reactions have been reported, so please take ample precautions.
Read more at: GreenMedInfo.com
Through Brighteon University (www.BrightU.com), Sayer Ji is now making available the full download of his Regenerate Yourself Masterclass. Find the full download at this link. All revenues help support both Sayer Ji's Green Med Info as well as Brighteon University.
This full download gives you a total of 14 modules of highly informative video content:
MODULE 1 – Regenerate: The New Biology Revolution Learn about the New Biology, focusing on the amazing capability of your body to regenerate, food as information, alternative sources of energy, and the revolutionary implications all this has to nutrition, medicine, genetics, and your lifespan and healthspan!
MODULE 2 – Regenerate Your Heart and Brain Learn about the incredible new science of cardiac, endothelial progenitor, and neuronal stem cells, and how to use food and lifestyle practices to literally regenerate your heart and brain!
MODULE 3 – Regenerate Your Metabolism, Optimize Your Weight Learn about the incredible new science of cardiac, endothelial progenitor, and neuronal stem cells, and how to use food and lifestyle practices to literally regenerate your heart and brain!
MODULE 4 – Regenerate Yourself Through Detoxification You’ll learn about ways to encourage the elimination of harmful chemicals and even natural metabolic byproducts that interfere with self-regeneration.
MODULE 5 – Regenerate Your Endocrine System & Promote Longevity As we age, our hormones taper off, and our body starts to struggle to renew. Find out powerful ways to take back control of the process, and even reverse biological aging with evidence-based strategies!
MODULE 6 – Regenerate Your Immune System From fasting to the incorporation of specific immunomodulatory super foods, the best way to prevent cancer and infection is to support your body’s innate defenses.
MODULE 7 – Regenerate Yourself Through Fitness You’ll learn from our fitness expert Hamad Shirazi, on ways to use movement as medicine, and incorporate simple practices to renew, strengthen, and optimize your bodily and mental fitness.
ADVANCED MODULE 1 – Regenerative Nutrition Deep Dive (Heart, Brain, Liver) Learn about the top specific foods, spices, remedies and practices that enable you to regenerate your heart, brain and liver.
ADVANCED MODULE 2 – Regenerative Nutrition Deep Dive (Bone, Skin, Aging) Learn about the top specific foods, spices, remedies and practices that enable you to regenerate your bone, skin and both decelerate and reverse premature aging.
ADVANCED MODULE 3 – Regenerate: Cancer & The New Biology Learn how to avoid a modern medical pitfall all too commonly overlooked in the name of “preventing cancer,” and “saving lives.” Get in depth information into cancer’s true nature, and ways to avoid becoming a cancer statistic due to over-diagnosis and over-treatment. As well as learn common evidence-based alternatives signaled in the biomedical literature.
ADVANCED MODULE 4 – Regenerative Fitness with Hamad Shirazi You’ll receive a full Regenerative Fitness program and teaching module from Sayer’s own personal coach and fitness adviser, who helped him regenerate his body to peak performance and resolve chronic mobility and back problems.
ADVANCED MODULE 5 – Regenerative Supplements An overview on the topic of supplements (do’s and don’ts, pros and cons), as well as specific supplements that Sayer has studied for 20 years, with his top recommendations in each major class of bodily concerns.
ADVANCED MODULE 6 – Regenerate: Sayer’s Life Hacks Learn what Sayer does daily to generate a regenerative lifestyle. Avoid these common mistakes, and take advantage of these common hacks, to realize (and hopefully exceed!) your health goals.
ADVANCED MODULE 7 – Regenerative Cooking with Tania Melkonian Chef Tania Melkonian and Sayer Ji present a special series of recipes from the Regenerate RX Menu plan, revealing practical culinary tips, as well as in depth information into the regenerative and healing properties of commonly available food ingredients and spices!
Get the full download of all this video content (plus additional bonus interviews) at: https://brighteonuniversity.com/products/regenerate-yourself-masterclass-digital-file
Natural alternatives to OTC drugs for your survival medicine cabinet
By Olivia Cook // Share
Sleep deprivation linked to health issues like obesity and cognitive decline
By Zoey Sky // Share
Tim Arrigo: RESILIENCE is the only way to overcome an ADDICTION
By Kevin Hughes // Share
Prevent urinary tract infections naturally with this antioxidant-rich superfood
By Evangelyn Rodriguez // Share
Study shows avocado leaves can help repair injuries in major organs
By Zoey Sky // Share
FDA’s failure to act leaves Americans at risk from recalled drugs
By isabelle // Share
NYC Mayor Eric Adams' right-hand woman Ingrid Lewis-Martin resigns
By bellecarter // Share
Elon Musk seeks to turn SpaceX's Starbase into a Texas city
By kevinhughes // Share
Israel shuts down embassy in Ireland over anti-Israel policies
By bellecarter // Share