Plant Comparison
Lions mane vs White clover
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Lions mane and White clover: they share 7 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), cognitive function, …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Lions mane | White clover | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Lions mane |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cognitive function | 7/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Lions mane |
| Cold & flu | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Lions mane |
| Immune support | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Lions mane |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Lions mane |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Lions mane |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Diterpenoid erinacines (concentrated in the mycelium) and aromatic hericenones (in the fruiting body) are the signature low-molecular-weight compounds that stimulate nerve growth factor synthesis and underlie the mushroom's neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects.
Present in small amounts; not significant in normal food or tea use.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from neuroprotective action
inferred from immunomodulator action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from immunomodulator action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antimicrobial action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Mild gastrointestinal upset (nausea, bloating, diarrhoea) is the most common side effect. Rare allergic reactions can occur, particularly in individuals sensitive to mushrooms, and it may slightly lower blood sugar or have mild blood-thinning effects, so caution is advised for people on diabetes or anticoagulant medications.
Generally very safe as a food and in moderate herbal use. Cyanogenic glucosides present in very small amounts — not significant in normal food or tea use. Isoflavones are phytoestrogens (as in red clover) — same precautions apply in hormone-sensitive conditions. Well tolerated by most people.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Wood-decay fungus (not a true plant) forming a distinctive rounded, cushion-like fruiting body covered in long, dangling, tooth-like spines rather than gills or pores, resembling a white or cream 'lion's mane' or icicle cluster. It grows as a single mass rather than a typical cap-and-stem mushroom, on wounds or dead wood of hardwood trees.
Low, creeping perennial herb rooting at the nodes, with trifoliate leaves, each leaflet oval and often marked with a pale chevron. Rounded white (sometimes pink-tinged) flower heads are borne on long stalks above the foliage.[30]
Habitat
Grows on wounds, dead or dying wood of hardwood trees (notably oak and beech) in temperate forests of the Northern Hemisphere; also widely cultivated commercially on hardwood logs or sawdust substrate.
Grows in lawns, pastures, meadows and grassy waste ground; native to Europe and western Asia and now naturalised worldwide, including as a common lawn and forage plant.[30]
Harvesting
Wild fruiting bodies are collected once mature; cultivated material is harvested from logs or substrate at maturity, then used fresh, dried, or processed into mycelium-based supplements.
Flowering heads and leaves are picked through the flowering season and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[30]
Traditional Uses
Lion's mane has a long East Asian culinary and medicinal tradition, valued in Chinese and Japanese medicine as a digestive tonic and, more recently, intensively studied for its unique ability to stimulate nerve growth factor, giving it a modern reputation as a neurotrophic and cognitive-support mushroom.[1]
White clover has a folk tradition, similar to but lighter than its relative red clover, as an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing remedy and mild expectorant, and modern research on its isoflavones and phenolics has additionally investigated antioxidant, kidney-protective and liver-protective activity.[30, 31, 32]
Preparations
Fruiting-body or mycelium extract standardised to erinacine or hericenone content, taken as capsules or powder; the form used in most clinical cognitive-support studies.
Dried flower and leaf infused in hot water as a traditional mild tonic and expectorant tea.
Dosage
A 49-week double-blind randomised trial in mild Alzheimer's disease used three erinacine A-enriched H. erinaceus mycelia capsules per day at 350 mg per capsule, i.e. 1050 mg daily. Other clinical studies of cognitive support commonly use around 1-3 g of dried fruiting body extract daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Not documented
References
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Szucko-Kociuba, I., Trzeciak-Ryczek, A., Kupnicka, P. and Chlubek, D (2023) 'Neurotrophic and Neuroprotective Effects of Hericium erinaceus', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(21). doi:10.3390/ijms242115960 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115960 - Contato, A.G. and Conte-Junior, C.A (2025) 'Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus): A Neuroprotective Fungus with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Potential - A Narrative Review', Nutrients, 17(8), pp. 1307. doi:10.3390/nu17081307 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17081307 - Li, I.C. and Chang, H.H. and Lin, C.H. and Chen, W.P. and Lu, T.H. and Lee, L.Y. and Chen, Y.W. and Chen, Y.P. and Chen, C.C. and Lin, D.P (2020) 'Prevention of Early Alzheimer's Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study', Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 12, pp. 155. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155 - Friedman, M (2015) 'Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health-Promoting Properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane) Mushroom Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia and Their Bioactive Compounds', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 63(32), pp. 7108-7123. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914 - Xie, G. and Tang, L. and Xie, Y. and Xie, L (2022) 'Secondary Metabolites from Hericium erinaceus and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities', Molecules, 27(7), pp. 2157. doi:10.3390/molecules27072157 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27072157 - Li, H., Feng, J., Liu, C., Hou, S., Meng, J., Liu, J.Y. and others (2024) 'Polysaccharides from an edible mushroom, Hericium erinaceus, alleviate ulcerative colitis in mice by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasomes and reestablish intestinal homeostasis', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131251 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131251 - Shi, X.Z., Zhang, X.Y., Wang, Y.Y., Zhao, Y.M. and Wang, J (2024) 'Polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus and its immunomodulatory effects on RAW 264.7 macrophages', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134947 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134947 - Liu, J.H., Li, L., Shang, X.D., Zhang, J.L. and Tan, Q (2016) 'An experimental research on the anti-gastric-cancer activity of hericenone B extracted from Hericium erinaceus', 37(1), pp. 1--8. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=An%20experimental%20research%20on%20the%20anti-gastric-cancer%20activity%20of%20hericenone%20B%20extracted%20from%20Hericium%20erinaceus - Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y. and Tuchida, T (2009) 'Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial', 23(3), pp. 367--372. doi:10.1002/ptr.2634 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2634 - National Institutes of Health (2023) 'Hericium erinaceus'. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=hericium+erinaceus Traditional / reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=hericium+erinaceus - Pellegrino, R. and Gravina, A.G (2025) 'Potential of traditional Chinese medicine in gastrointestinal disorders: Hericium erinaceus in chronic atrophic gastritis', World Journal of Gastroenterology, 31(20). doi:10.3748/wjg.v31.i20.106615 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v31.i20.106615 - Docherty, S., Doughty, F.L. and Smith, E.F (2023) 'The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study', Nutrients, 15(22). doi:10.3390/nu15224842 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224842 - Surendran, G., Saye, J., Binti Mohd Jalil, S., Spreadborough, J., Duong, K., Shatwan, I.M. and others (2025) 'Acute effects of a standardised extract of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane mushroom) on cognition and mood in healthy younger adults: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study', Frontiers in Nutrition. doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1405796 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1405796 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
- Ngangom, L., Venugopal, D. and Pandey, N (2024) 'Investigation of Trifolium repens L. from the Indian Himalayan region as a phyto-therapeutic agent', Natural Product Research, 38(24), pp. 4468-4478. doi:10.1080/14786419.2023.2299319 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2023.2299319 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A (2020) 'Phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties of Trifolium repens', Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 32(3), pp. 20200015. doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0015 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0015 - Sarno, F., Pepe, G., Termolino, P., Carafa, V. and others (2020) 'Trifolium repens Blocks Proliferation in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia via the BCR-ABL/STAT5 Pathway', Cells, 9(2), pp. 379. doi:10.3390/cells9020379 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9020379 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A (2020) 'Nephroprotective property of Trifolium repens leaf extract against paracetamol-induced kidney damage in mice', 3 Biotech, 10(12), pp. 541. doi:10.1007/s13205-020-02539-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-020-02539-0 - Kolodziejczyk-Czepas, J (2012) 'Trifolium species-derived substances and extracts--biological activity and prospects for medicinal applications', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 143(1), pp. 14-23. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.048 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.048 - Chen, Y.H., Chen, P., Wang, Y., Yang, C.H., Wu, X., Wu, C.J., Luo, L., Wang, Q., Niu, C. and Yao, J.Y (2019) 'Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory activity evaluation of chemical constituents in the extract of Trifolium repens L', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 43(9), pp. e12981. doi:10.1111/jfbc.12981 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.12981 - Habibi Zadeh, S.K., Farahpour, M.R. and Kar, H.H (2020) 'The effect of topical administration of an ointment prepared from Trifolium repens hydroethanolic extract on the acceleration of excisional cutaneous wound healing', Wounds, 32(9), pp. 253-261. doi:10.25270/wnds/2020.253261 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.25270/wnds/2020.253261 - Kicel, A. and Wolbis, M (2012) 'Study on the phenolic constituents of the flowers and leaves of Trifolium repens L', Natural Product Research, 26(21), pp. 2050-2054. doi:10.1080/14786419.2011.637217 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2011.637217 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A (2019) 'Effects of phenolic compounds from aqueous extract of Trifolium repens against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 43(9), pp. e12963. doi:10.1111/jfbc.12963 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.12963 - Borczak, B. and Szewczyk, A. and Domagała, D. and Kapusta-Duch, J. and Leszczyńska, T. and Kotuła, M. and Grulova, D (2024) 'Potential Antidiabetic, Antioxidative and Antiproliferative Properties of Functional Wheat Flour Muffins Enriched with White Clover Flowers (Trifolium repens L.)', Int J Mol Sci, 25(18). doi:10.3390/ijms25189909 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25189909 - Rawat, P. and Kumar, B. and Misra, A. and Singh, S.P. and Singh, S.P. and Srivastava, S (2025) 'Effect of hydrolysed Trifolium repens L. extract on menopause-induced obesity and depressive symptoms: an in vitro and in vivo approach', Nat Prod Res, pp. 1-8. doi:10.1080/14786419.2025.2560636 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2025.2560636 - Parić, A. and Mesic, A. and Mahmutović-Dizdarević, I. and Jerković-Mujkić, A. and Žujo, B. and Bašić, N. and Pustahija, F (2024) 'Bioactive potential of Trifolium repens L. essential oil', J Environ Sci Health B, 59(9), pp. 584-594. doi:10.1080/03601234.2024.2396730 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/03601234.2024.2396730 - Renda, G. and Yalçın, F.N. and Nemutlu, E. and Akkol, E.K. and Süntar, I. and Keleş, H. and Ina, H. and Çalış, I. and Ersöz, T (2013) 'Comparative assessment of dermal wound healing potentials of various Trifolium L. extracts and determination of their isoflavone contents as potential active ingredients', J Ethnopharmacol, 148(2), pp. 423-32. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.04.031 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.04.031 - Ahmed, I.A.M. and Matthäus, B. and Özcan, M.M. and Juhaimi, F.A. and Ghafoor, K. and Babiker, E.E. and Osman, M.A. and Alqah, H.A.S (2020) 'Determination of Bioactive Lipid and Antioxidant Activity of Onobrychis, Pimpinella, Trifolium, and Phleum spp. Seed and Oils', J Oleo Sci, 69(11), pp. 1367-1371. doi:10.5650/jos.ess20153 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.5650/jos.ess20153 - Harlow, B.E. and Flythe, M.D. and Goodman, J.P. and Ji, H. and Aiken, G.E (2022) 'Isoflavone Containing Legumes Mitigate Ergot Alkaloid-Induced Vasoconstriction in Goats (Capra hircus)', Animals (Basel), 12(6). doi:10.3390/ani12060750 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060750 - Shang, H. and Li, R. and Wu, H. and Sun, Z (2019) 'Polysaccharides from Trifolium repens L. extracted by different methods and extraction condition optimization', Sci Rep, 9(1), pp. 6353. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-42877-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-42877-5 - Prati, S. and Baravelli, V. and Fabbri, D. and Schwarzinger, C. and Brandolini, V. and Maietti, A. and Tedeschi, P. and Benvenuti, S. and Macchia, M. and Marotti, I. and Bonetti, A. and Catizone, P. and Dinelli, G (2007) 'Composition and content of seed flavonoids in forage and grain legume crops', J Sep Sci, 30(4), pp. 491-501. doi:10.1002/jssc.200600383 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/jssc.200600383 - Woolsey, I.D. and Zeller, W.E. and Blomstrand, B.M. and Øines, Ø. and Enemark, H.L (2022) 'Effects of selected condensed tannins on Cryptosporidium parvum growth and proliferation in HCT-8 cell cultures', Exp Parasitol, 241, pp. 108353. doi:10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108353 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108353 - Hou, K. and Xue, Q. and Shi, L. and Liu, S. and Zhong, X. and Liu, Y. and Wang, C (2026) 'Identification of Trifolium repens as a New Source of Glycyrrhetinic Acid: Pathway Elucidation and Heterologous Reconstruction in Yeast', J Agric Food Chem, 74(19), pp. 15182-15194. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.6c02001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6c02001 - Tundis, R. and Marrelli, M. and Conforti, F. and Tenuta, M.C. and Bonesi, M. and Menichini, F. and Loizzo, M.R (2015) 'Trifolium pratense and T. repens (Leguminosae): Edible Flower Extracts as Functional Ingredients', Foods, 4(3), pp. 338-348. doi:10.3390/foods4030338 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods4030338 - Başar, Y. and Yıldız, İ. and HOSAFLIOĞLU, İ. and Azeroual, A. and Erenler, R (2026) 'The Phytochemical Content and DPPH Activity of Trifolium repens L. Methanol Extract, and In Silico Studies', Adıyaman üniversitesi fen bilimleri dergisi, 16(1), pp. 61-76. doi:10.37094/adyujsci.1813336 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.37094/adyujsci.1813336 - Ayoubi, S.A. and Abdelwahab, I. and Ela, M.A. and Lakany, A.E. and Raafat, K (2026) 'Advanced Hybrid-Green Ultrasound–Infrared–Microwave Trifolium repens Essential oil Isolation with Multi-Target Ethnomedicine Bioactivity against Neuropathy, Inflammation and Multidrug-Resistant Infection', Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, 34(2). doi:10.38212/2224-6614.3595 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.38212/2224-6614.3595 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A. and Ayaz, M. and Murkovic, M (2019) 'Characterization of phenolic compounds using UPLC–HRMS and HPLC–DAD and anti-cholinesterase and anti-oxidant activities of Trifolium repens L. leaves', European Food Research and Technology, 246(3), pp. 485-496. doi:10.1007/s00217-019-03416-8 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-019-03416-8 - Petrović, M. and Stanković, M. and Anđelković, B. and Babić, S. and Zornić, V. and Vasiljević, S. and Stevanović, Z.D (2016) 'Quality Parameters and Antioxidant Activity of Three Clover Species in Relation to the Livestock Diet', Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 44(1), pp. 201-208. doi:10.15835/nbha44110144 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha44110144 - Jakubczyk, K. and Łukomska, A. and Gutowska, I. and Kochman, J. and Janił, J. and Janda, K (2021) 'Edible Flowers Extracts as a Source of Bioactive Compounds with Antioxidant Properties—In Vitro Studies', Applied Sciences, 11(5), pp. 2120-2120. doi:10.3390/app11052120 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052120 - Ngangom, L. and Venugopal, D. and Pandey, N. and Kumar, N (2022) 'In-silico screening and identification of potential bioactive compounds of Trifolium repens against pathogenic bacterial target proteins', Materials Today Proceedings, 73, pp. 142-150. doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2022.09.501 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.09.501 - Amer, B. and Juul, L. and Møller, A.H. and Møller, H.S. and Dalsgaard, T.K (2020) 'Improved solubility of proteins from white and red clover – inhibition of redox enzymes', International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 56(1), pp. 302-311. doi:10.1111/ijfs.14632 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.14632 - Pap, N. and Granato, D. and Järvenpää, E. and Tienaho, J. and Marnila, P. and Hellström, J. and Pihlava, J. and Franco, M. and Stefański, T. and Rinne, M (2024) 'Biorefining of legume and grass biomasses: Technological properties and bioactivities of the green juice', Future Foods, 9, pp. 100331-100331. doi:10.1016/j.fufo.2024.100331 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fufo.2024.100331 - Ahn, C. and Lee, J. and Park, M.J. and Kim, J. and Yang, J. and Yoo, Y. and Jeung, E (2020) 'Cytostatic effects of plant essential oils on human skin and lung cells', Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 19(3), pp. 2008-2018. doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8460 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.8460 - Bhattacharya, S. et al (2013) 'Review of the botanical, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of white clover (Trifolium repens L.)', 7(7), pp. 583--588. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Review%20of%20the%20botanical%2C%20phytochemical%2C%20pharmacological%20and%20toxicological%20properties%20of%20white%20clover%20%28Trifolium%20repens%20L.%29 - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - Klaiber, I. et al (2002) 'Health benefits of isoflavones from clover species', 16(1), pp. 1--8. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Health%20benefits%20of%20isoflavones%20from%20clover%20species - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.