Key Constituents

Erinacines and hericenones^[1]

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.

Polysaccharides (beta-glucans)^{[2, 3]}

High-molecular-weight fruiting-body and mycelial polysaccharides with immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and prebiotic activity — alleviating ulcerative colitis, activating macrophages and supporting gut microbiota.

Polysaccharides

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 2, 4, 5, 6]}

Digestive aid^{[2, 4, 5, 6, 7]}

Immunomodulator / immune support^{[3, 4, 5, 6]}

Neuroprotective / cognition support^{[1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[1, 2, 4, 5, 6]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^{[2, 4, 5, 6, 7]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Cognitive function^{[1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9]}Good · 7/10

inferred from neuroprotective action

more plants for cognitive function →detailed sources →

Cold & flu^{[3, 4, 5, 6]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from immunomodulator action

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →

Immune support^{[3, 4, 5, 6]}Moderate · 5/10

more plants for immune support →detailed sources →

Indigestion^{[2, 4, 5, 6, 7]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[1, 2, 4, 5, 6]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Memory^{[1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9]}Good · 7/10

inferred from neuroprotective action

more plants for memory →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[1, 2, 4, 5, 6]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[4, 5, 6]}Caution

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.

Safety note^{[4, 5, 6]}Info

Duke (2002) does not include a dedicated entry for Lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) in the Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition.

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
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
Find this source
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. Randomized trial
Find this source
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

Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio