Lion's mane mushroom
Scientific names: Hericium erinaceus
Family: Hericiaceae
Alternate names: Bearded Tooth, Crinière de Lion, Hedgehog Fungus, Hydne Hérisson, Lion's Mane, Monkey Head, Monkey's Head, Pom Pom, Pompom, Satyr's Beard, Tree Hedgehog, Yamabushitake
Actions: Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Anti-fatigue, Antioxidant, Antiplatelet, Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, Hepatoprotective, Immunomodulating, Neuroprotective, Neurotrophic, Renoprotective, Weight loss, Wound healing
Background
Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a mushroom that grows on trunks of dead hardwood trees such as oak. It has a long history of use in East Asian medicine.
Lion's mane mushroom might improve nerve development and function. It might also protect nerves from becoming damaged. It also seems to help protect the lining in the stomach.
People use lion's mane mushroom for Alzheimer disease, dementia, stomach problems, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using lion's mane mushroom for COVID-19.
Lion's mane mushroom might improve nerve development and function. It might also protect nerves from becoming damaged. It also seems to help protect the lining in the stomach.
People use lion's mane mushroom for Alzheimer disease, dementia, stomach problems, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using lion's mane mushroom for COVID-19.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Lion's mane mushroom is possibly safe when used in a dose of 1 gram daily for 16 weeks. Side effects are mild and may include stomach discomfort.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lion's mane mushroom is safe when applied to the skin or what the side effects might be.
Auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pemphigus vulgaris (a skin condition), and others: Lion's mane mushroom might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using lion's mane mushroom.
Bleeding conditions: Lion's mane mushroom might slow blood clotting. This might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding conditions.
Surgery: Lion's mane mushroom might slow blood clotting and reduce blood glucose levels. This might cause extra bleeding, and interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using lion's mane mushroom at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lion's mane mushroom is safe when applied to the skin or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lion's mane mushroom is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pemphigus vulgaris (a skin condition), and others: Lion's mane mushroom might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using lion's mane mushroom.
Bleeding conditions: Lion's mane mushroom might slow blood clotting. This might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding conditions.
Surgery: Lion's mane mushroom might slow blood clotting and reduce blood glucose levels. This might cause extra bleeding, and interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using lion's mane mushroom at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using lion's mane mushroom for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of lion's mane mushroom might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Lion's mane mushroom might lower blood sugar levels. Taking lion's mane mushroom along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Lion's mane mushroom can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking lion's mane mushroom along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Lion's mane mushroom might slow blood clotting. Taking lion's mane mushroom along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Lion's mane mushroom might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Lion's mane mushroom might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Lion's mane mushroom might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
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Per 3 g:
- Hericium erinaceus (Lion's mane) (mushroom)
- Echinacea angustifolia
- Astragalus membranaceus
- Sambucus nigra (fruit)
- Lycium barbarum
- Rosa canina
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
- Echinacea purpurea
- Sambucus nigra
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (root)
- Olea europaea (leaf)
- Calendula officinalis
- Origanum vulgare
- Uncaria tomentosa
- Mentha x piperita
- Thymus vulgaris
- Cola acuminata
- Foeniculum vulgare
- Inula helenium
- Asclepias tuberosa
- Achillea millefolium
- Armoracia rusticana
- Capsicum spp.
- Allium sativum
- Allium cepa
- Zingiber officinale
- Cordyceps sinensis (mushroom)
- Ganoderma lucidum (mushroom)
- Lentinula edodes (mushroom)
- Tremella fuciformis (mushroom)
- Trametes versicolor (mushroom)
- Salvia eremostachya
- Inonotus obliquus (mushroom)
- Ilex paraguariensis
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Per 8 g:
- Hericium erinaceus (Lion's mane) (fruiting body) ext.
- Lepidium meyenii powder
- Tremella fuciformis (fruiting body) ext.
- Kakadu plum powder
- Vanilla planifolia (Vanilla bean)
- Pouteria lucuma (fruit) powder
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Per 2 mL:
- Hericium erinaceus (Lion's mane) (fruiting body)
- Water
- Alcohol
- Kakadu plum flavour
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Per 10 g:
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Per scoop (15g) (Tropical):
- Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom 500 mg
- Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) 1.0 g
- Organic Cracked-Cell Chlorella (1.6% Spermidine) 750 mg
- Organic Alfalfa Grass 600 mg
- Brassica oleracea italica 6 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 38 mg
- Taurine 1.5 g
- Acetyl L-carnitine (Acetyl-L-carnitine) 500 mg
- L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha-GPC) 500 mg
- L-tyrosine 500 mg
- Trimethylglycine (TMG) 500 mg
- Glycine 500 mg
- Nicotinamide riboside chloride (Vitamin B3) 300 mg
- Hyaluronic acid sodium salt (Sodium hyaluronate) 100 mg
- L-theanine 100 mg
- Citrus limon (juice) (Lemon) 737 mg
- Organic Barley Grass 600 mg
- Organic Wheatgrass 500 mg
- Organic Beetroot Juice 36 mg
- Organic Carrot Juice 36 mg
- Organic Kale Leaf (freeze dried) 21 mg
- Organic Spinach Leaf (freeze dried) 21 mg
- Organic Acai Berry (freeze dried) 18 mg
- Organic Apple Juice 6 mg
- Organic Grape Juice 6 mg
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 600 mg
- Acacia sp. (gum) 500 mg
- Green banana starch 500 mg
- Bacillus coagulans 15 billion
- Sea Mineral Complex 300 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 3 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 2 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 20 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 5 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 3 mg
- Biotin 330 µg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 400 µg
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12) 220 µg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 170 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 80 mg
- Menaquinone 7 (Vitamin K2) 20 µg
- Calcium citrate 307 mg
- Chromium nicotinate 200 µg equiv. chromium 25 µg
- Iron amino acid chelate 18 mg equiv. iron 3.6 mg
- Copper gluconate 2 mg equiv. copper 195 µg
- Magnesium citrate 170 mg equiv. magnesium 34 mg
- Manganese amino acid chelate 4 mg equiv. manganese 400 µg
- Selenomethionine 5 mg equiv. selenium 20 µg
- Zinc citrate 50 mg equiv. zinc 17 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 300 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. 250 mg
- Panax ginseng ext. 150 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 113 mg
- Theobroma cacao ext. 75 mg
- Vitis vinifera ext. 60 mg
- Rosmarinus officinalis ext. 60 mg
- Centella asiatica ext. 38 mg
- Rhodiola rosea ext. 38 mg
- Organic Cordyceps Militaris Mushroom 120 mg
- Organic Reishi Mushroom 120 mg
- Natural pineapple flavour
- Natural flavours
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Xanthan gum
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This monograph was last reviewed on 24/03/2025 11:00:00 and last updated on 02/09/2022 03:01:51. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
