Nervous system support, more energy on a daily basis, better digestion and improved well-being - these are just a few of the benefits that using coneflower can bring you. This long-established mushroom will work as a natural 'booster' for your mental and physical condition. Find out why you should swap your morning coffee for the so-called lion's mane.

Sophora coneflower - a powerful extract

The coneflower (Latin: Hericium erinaceus) is an edible mushroom that has many names. It is called 'monkey's head mushroom' (Chinese: Hou Tou Gu), 'mountain monk's mushroom' (Japanese: Yamabushitake) or 'lion's mane' (Japanese: Lion's mane) because of its distinctive appearance ^[1]. Soplum has a long history of use, and is commonly consumed in Asian countries ^{[1, 2]}. It grows mainly on deciduous and coniferous trees in Asia, North America, South America, Europe and Australia ^[3].

The traditional view, which applies to Japanese and Chinese medicine, emphasises that lion's mane nourishes the five internal organs - liver, lungs, spleen, heart and kidneys - adding energy , strength and promoting good digestion ^[1].

Lion's Mane active ingredients

Lion's mane is rich in many bioactive compounds, among which are:

• polysaccharides (more than 35 polysaccharides have been isolated in lion's mane extract, including beta-glucans);
• terpenoids (hericenones, erinacins);
• isoindolinones;
• sterols;
• phenolic acids;
• nutrients ^{[1, 4, 5]}.

The aforementioned active ingredients contained in coneflower extract are responsible for numerous properties that support, among other things, the function of the nervous or digestive system.

Lion's mane properties. What does lion's mane help with?

Lion's mane mushrooms are considered good support for the immune, nervous and digestive systems, among others.

Indications are that lion's mane can:

• improve cognitive function, influence the reduction of anxiety and depressed mood;
• exhibit neuroprotective, neurotrophic (regulating the survival, development and function of neural tissue ^[6]) and neuroregenerative potential;
• have an immunomodulatory effect;
• have an antihyperlipidaemic effect;
• have an antihyperglycaemic action;
• have anti-fatigue and anti-ageing potential;
• have a protective effect on the gastrointestinal tract (liver and stomach) and kidneys (hepatoprotective effect) ^{[1, 2, 4]}.

Hericenones and erinacines contained in coneflower may have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, suggesting their potential effects on the central nervous system and possible improvement of its function. There are studies indicating that these compounds may promote the synthesis and secretion of nerve growth factor and exhibit anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. In addition, there are reports suggesting that lion's mane extract, containing these terpenoids, can potentially influence the increase in circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which may have beneficial effects on memory and mood, and stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) biosynthesis.

Hedgehog soprano also has potential applications in combating free radicals and counteracting the effects of oxidative stress. The protective effect may be related to the immunomodulatory properties of the beta-glucans contained in lion's mane. There are reports suggesting that the polysaccharide fraction isolated from the mycelium of lion's mane may have anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer effects on the stomach. However, it should be noted that most of the studies on these effects have been conducted on animals, mainly mice, so further research is needed to assess their potential benefits on human health.

Sophora coneflower - a supplement that will naturally support your condition

Natural solutions in supplementation can bring a number of benefits to the overall health of the body. If you want to take care of proper brain function, are concerned about improving your mood or improving your digestive system, reach for the OSAVI Lion's mane 600 mg product standardised to 40% polysaccharides, 20% beta-glucans. The recommended daily serving is 1 capsule.

[1] Spelman, K., Sutherland, E., & Bagade, A. (2017). Neurological activity of Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus). Journal of Restorative Medicine, 6(1), 19-26. 
[2] 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), 7108-7123. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914 .x;
[3] Mane, E. L. S. Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium) in Detail!. 
[4] He, X., Wang, X., Fang, J., Chang, Y., Ning, N., Guo, H., ... & Zhao, Z. (2017). Structures, biological activities, and industrial applications of the polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) mushroom: A review. International journal of biological macromolecules, 97, 228-237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.01.040 
[5] Docherty S, Doughty FL, Smith EF. 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. 2023; 15(22):4842. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224842 
[6] Lai, P. L., Naidu, M., Sabaratnam, V., Wong, K. H., David, R. P., Kuppusamy, U. R., ... & Malek, S. N. A. (2013). Neurotrophic properties of the Lion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 15(6). DOI: 10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v15.i6.30 
[7] Bing-Ji Ma , Jin-Wen Shen , Hai-You Yu , Yuan Ruan , Ting-Ting Wu & Xu Zhao (2010) Hericenones and erinacines: stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) biosynthesis in Hericium erinaceus , Mycology, 1:2, 92-98, DOI: 10.1080/21501201003735556 
[8] Lew, S. Y., Lim, S. H., Lim, L. W., & Wong, K. H. (2019). Protective effects of Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers.(Lion’s mane mushroom or cendawan bunga kobis) in in Vitro Models of Oxidative Stress. In Malaysian Anatomical Association Conference 2019. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The Journal's web site is located at https://www. medicineandhealthukm. com/ 
[9] Wang, M., Konishi, T., Gao, Y., Xu, D., & Gao, Q. (2015). Anti-gastric ulcer activity of polysaccharide fraction isolated from mycelium culture of lion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (higher Basidiomycetes). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 17(11). DOI: 10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v17.i11.50