Hedgehog mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is also known as Lion’s mane mushroom. The hedgehog mushroom, with its many long thick needle-like or hair-like extensions appear like a cascading waterfall, a lion’s mane, or the pokey exterior of a hedgehog. This nutritionally functional food is one of the all around best medicinal mushrooms due to its amazing constituents that bring a wide variety of health benefits.
In a review by MA Khan, M Tania, et al., called Hericium erinaceus: an edible mushroom with medicinal values, the hedgehog mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) was covered. This edible delight is also one of the “beneficial medicines” and had “a long history of usage in traditional Chinese medicine” says the authors.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is known as TCM and typically uses a number of medicinal mushrooms as well as herbs in its practice of bringing healing and therapy to people. Hedgehog mushroom, as well as other medicinal mushrooms like reishi, shiitake, and maitake, have been used in TCM for thousands of years.
Hedgehog mushroom health benefits
Hericium erinaceus mushroom
The medicinal properties of the hedgehog mushroom are numerous. Beta glucan, which is a polysaccharide fiber, is present in the fungus, and provides an incredible boost to the immune system. Building immunity to colds, flu, and general illness is an important factor in staying healthy.
According to the reviewers, the hedgehog mushroom is “rich in some physiologically important components, especially β-glucan polysaccharides, which are responsible for anti-cancer, immuno-modulating, hypolipidemic, antioxidant and neuro-protective activities of this mushroom.”
The neuroprotective effects deal with the neurochemistry of the brain and nervous system, providing both a route to improved function, but also helps with memory, focus, and concentration. You can find hedgehog mushroom supplements (usually by the more common name “Lion’s mane” mushroom, or Hericium erinaceus) at health food stores or supplement shops for this purpose.
The H. erinaceus or hedgehog mushroom also has “been reported to have anti-microbial, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, wound healing properties among other therapeutic potentials.”
It seems the health benefits of the hedgehog mushroom go on and on, and that both medical science and laypeople alike have recognized that the bioactive compounds in this mushroom serve human health by providing these medicinal properties.
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The author of this story is a freelance contributor to National Nutraceuticals’ online news portals, such as Amino Acid Information Center at http://www.aminoacidinformation.com and Vancouver Health News at http://www.VancouverHealthNews.ca. National Nutraceuticals, Inc. also owns and operates a Today’s Word of Wisdom at http://todayswordofwisdom.com.
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References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23735479
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