If you’re into alternative health and medicine, you’ve probably known about lion’s mane for years. But, for the average person, this may sound like just another one of these obscure supplements with largely unproven benefits. This is certainly not the case with lion’s mane. It has well-documented benefits and could change your life, especially when it comes to brain function. Let’s take a look at what a lion’s mane is exactly, its benefits, and how to use it for maximum efficiency.
What is Lion’s Mane, Exactly?
Lion’s mane is a shaggy mushroom that has been used in Asia for centuries. It is both used as a medicinal supplement as well as in cooking. It can be enjoyed raw, dry, cooked, and has even been described to have a seafood-like quality to it, like lobster or crab. You can also use extracts or steep it like tea.
What are the Benefits of Lion’s Mane
The benefits of lion’s mane are too many to count, but where it shows the most promise is in relation to cognition and preserving mental health.
One of the most proven benefits of lion’s mane is the prevention of dementia. One particular study found that people who were suffering from cognitive decline had better mental performance after taking the supplement for four months. Another study in mice found that it was able to stop the formation of amyloid-beta plaques in the brain, which can cause damage to brain cells and trigger Alzheimer’s.
Not only has lion’s mane been shown to improve cognitive function and memory, but it has also mood-regulating properties. It has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It does so by interacting with the hippocampus and fostering the growth and preservation of nerves in the area.
It’s important to note that lion’s mane doesn’t affect the brain only. Some studies have shown that it could help with everything from fighting ulcers to helping manage diabetes symptoms.
How to Take Lion’s Mane for Maximum Effects
There are many ways that you can take lion’s mane, and they’ll all allow you to benefit from its properties. The simplest way is to get it fresh and cook it. It is usually best sauteed in some oil with simple seasonings and ingredients like salt, pepper, and garlic.
If you want to take it in tea form, you can use it fresh or dried. It is usually recommended that you steep fresh or dried lion’s mane for longer than you would traditional tea, as it will allow you to extract all of those nutrients. Some recipes suggest that you let it steep for about 20 minutes for better results.
Then you have supplements. This is the most convenient way to get lion’s mane, but not always the most transparent, so make sure you buy from a reputable source. You can also get it in powdered form, which you can add to hot beverages, cold beverages, or recipes.
Now that you know a bit more about lion’s mane, we suggest you look more into it and its many wonders. You could start feeling much better and be impressed by the improvement in performance that you get.
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