Lion’s mane mushrooms, also known as hou tou gu or yamabushitake, are large, white, shaggy mushrooms that resemble a lion’s mane as they grow. They have both culinary and medical uses. Lion’s mane mushrooms can be enjoyed raw, cooked, dried or steeped as a tea. Their extracts often used in over-the-counter health supplements. Lion’s mane mushrooms contain bioactive substances that have beneficial effects on the body, especially the brain, heart and gut. Here are 9 health benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms and their extracts.
1. Could Protect Against Dementia
2. Helps Relieve Mild Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
3. May Speed Recovery from Nervous System Injuries
4. Protects Against Ulcers in the Digestive Tract
5. Reduces Heart Disease Risk
6. Helps Manage Diabetes Symptoms
7. May Help Fight Cancer
8. Reduces Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
9. Boosts the Immune System