The Lion’s Mane, also known as the Horsehair or Monkey Mask mushroom, is a yellow-orange fungus. It’s commonly found in wooded areas and has been used for medicinal purposes for a long time.

The main benefits of eating this type of mushroom are its high protein content and numerous vitamins and minerals. In this article, let’s further unpack the benefits of Lion’s Mane mushrooms.

Consuming Lion’s Mane mushrooms can give you the following health benefits:

• Improved cognitive function - Lion’s Mane mushrooms are well known for their ability to improve cognitive function and may even be a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Reduced anxiety and depression - Many people who suffer from anxiety and depression have reported that consuming Lion’s Mane mushrooms has helped reduce their symptoms.
• Better sleep - Many people who have trouble sleeping have said that Lion’s Mane mushrooms have helped improve their sleep quality.
• Increased strength - Lion’s Mane mushrooms are high in protein and essential for building and repairing muscle tissue.
• The improved immune system - Lion’s Mane is high in vitamins and minerals, especially B vitamins, which are essential for energy and a healthy immune system.
• Improved gut health - Lion’s Mane is high in fiber, which helps to maintain a healthy digestive system.
• Improved gut bacteria - Lion’s Mane is also high in antioxidants, which helps to keep the bacteria in your gut healthy and balanced.
• Better metabolism - Lion’s Mane mushrooms are also rich in minerals like magnesium, which supports your metabolism and helps with energy production.

How to consume Lion’s Mane mushrooms?

Knowing how to correctly consume Lion’s Mane mushrooms is essential for the best results. While there are many ways to consume Lion’s Mane, the most common is taking a Lion’s Mane supplement, drinking a Lion’s Mane tea, and adding it to your favorite recipes.

• Lion’s Mane supplements - If you prefer to take a supplement, you will want to consume 400-800 mg of Lion’s Mane daily.
• Lion’s Mane tea - If you prefer to drink tea, you will want to use 2-3 grams of Lion’s Mane per 8 fl oz of water.
• Adding it to your favorite recipes - If you prefer to cook with Lion’s Mane, you can add it to your favorite soups, stews, or casseroles to increase the dietary fiber content.
• You can also make your beverages. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are great in teas, hot or iced coffees, smoothies, and other beverages.
• You can use Lion’s Mane in baked goods or other recipes like stir-fries, but you will want to add it towards the end of the cooking process to avoid over-cooking the mushrooms.

Know about the side effects of Lion’s mane mushroom.

While Lion’s Mane mushrooms are generally safe to consume, some people may experience unwanted side effects. Common side effects include: 

• Stomach cramping - Some people may experience cramping in their stomach as the mushrooms are broken down, especially if you are new to consuming them.
• Nausea - If you consume too many Lion’s Mane mushrooms at once, you may experience nausea.
• Diarrhea - If you consume too many Lion’s Mane mushrooms at once, you may experience diarrhea as your body tries to break them down.
• Urge to urinate - If you consume too many Lion’s Mane mushrooms at once, you may experience an urge to urinate more frequently.
• Allergic reactions - If you are allergic to maitake mushrooms, your allergies may be triggered by Lion’s Mane. If you experience any of these symptoms, you may want to reduce your dosage or stop consuming Lion’s Mane altogether, especially if the symptoms are persistent.

What does a dose of Lion’s Mane mushrooms mean?

Depending on which method of consumption you prefer, you may want to know the recommended dose of Lion’s Mane mushrooms.

• Lion’s Mane supplements - Most supplements will include the recommended dose, but if you use loose powder or dried Lion’s Mane, you will want to consume around 1-2 grams daily.
• Lion’s Mane tea - Again, if you use loose powder or dried Lion’s Mane, you will want to consume around 1-2 grams per 8 fl oz of water.
• Adding it to your favorite recipes - The recommended amount varies depending on your recipe. You will want to add it towards the end of the cooking process to avoid over-cooking the mushrooms.

Benefits of vitamins and minerals in a serving of Lion’s Mane mushrooms

Lion’s Mane mushrooms are high in vitamins and minerals, but you may be wondering which ones are most abundant and why they are essential. The most abundant vitamins and minerals in a Lion’s Mane mushroom serving are:

• Vitamin B is essential for energy production, forming red blood cells, and fighting infection and disease.
• Vitamin C - Vitamin C is essential for building and repairing your bones, blood vessels, and muscles. It also plays a role in your immune system and helps to prevent oxidative damage.
• Vitamin D - Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption, supports your immune system, and may promote better sleep.
• Vitamin E - Vitamin E is essential for healthy skin, hair, and nails. It also works to promote good circulation.
• Vitamin K - Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and bone health.
• Folate - Folate is needed for DNA and RNA production, metabolism, and the formation of red blood cells.
• Potassium is essential for electrolyte balance and healthy muscle contraction and may also help reduce your risk of heart disease.
• Magnesium is essential for healthy bones, muscles, nerves, and heart function.

Benefits of proteins in a serving of Lion’s Mane mushrooms

Lion’s Mane mushrooms are high in protein, essential for muscle growth and repair. You may wonder how much protein is in a serving of Lion’s Mane mushrooms.

• A serving of Lion’s Mane mushrooms contains around 12 grams of protein, about a quarter of your recommended intake.
• You can meet your daily protein needs by consuming two servings of Lion’s Mane mushrooms.
• A serving of Lion’s Mane mushrooms is also a good source of B vitamins, iron, and zinc.

How to make your shiitake mushroom brew?

If you want to add Lion’s Mane mushrooms to your diet, you may consider making a shiitake mushroom brew.

Shiitake mushrooms are a type of Lion’s Mane mushroom commonly consumed in Asian cultures. They have a more robust flavor and can be used in many dishes.

To make a shiitake mushroom brew, you will want to find a high-quality shiitake mushroom product. You can buy a shiitake mushroom extract or use dried mushrooms in a bag.

You will then want to steep the shiitake mushrooms in boiling water, either by putting them in a tea ball or straining bag or by bringing the water to a boil and then letting it sit for at least 10 minutes.

You can use the shiitake mushroom brew in many different ways. You can drink it by itself, add it to your favorite beverages, or add it to recipes for extra vitamins and minerals.

Conclusion

Lion’s Mane mushrooms are delicious and nutritious mushrooms that can benefit your health in several ways. These mushrooms are rich in vitamins and minerals and contain a high amount of protein, making them a great addition to your diet.