Wellness Blog
Introducing Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps, Medicinal Mushrooms
Mushrooms are members of the fungi kingdom, which is estimated to have 2 to 4 million different species. It’s one of the most diverse groups around! That being said, most of us know only grocery store varieties such as crimini, portabella, or button. These varieties offer great nutritional benefits, but there are so many more beneficial mushrooms out there. Other cultures, especially in Asia, have ventured deeper into mushroom cuisine, and some delicious highlights include enoki, wood ear, and shiitake. Two of my favorite mushrooms also happen to be used frequently in TCM: lion’s mane and cordyceps.
Lion’s mane mushroom is a traditional Chinese herb known as hou tuo gu and has been used for thousands of years. This mushroom gets its name from its billowing white fibrous strands that look like a lion’s mane. It has been shown to increase the synthesis of nerve growth factor or NGF.1 Through increased synthesis of NGF, there may be enhanced recovery from nerve damage or nerve injury, which may be a benefit to patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, or to healthy people looking to support brain and general memory. Additionally, lion’s mane could decrease neuronal damage caused by the build-up Read More
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