Want to learn the benefits of Lion’s Mane and the best Lion’s Mane products for your wellness ritual? Whether you’re after all-day mental clarity, balanced energy or healthy immune function, let’s explore all you need to know, and our most popular bestsellers – loved by our Naturopaths.
What is Lion's Mane?
Lion's Mane is a super impressive Functional Mushroom that has it all. It's got the personality, (an interesting traditional use and history); the looks – (it really does look like a luxurious, white Lion's Mane); and the brains – (there’s impressive research on its brain and mood support.
Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is part of the Functional Mushroom family. This group of fungi are prized for their health supporting properties - some have been used in the East for thousands of years. Lion's Mane grows on dead trunks of hardwood tress like oak, beech and Japanese walnut.
Lion’s Mane – special compounds
Lion’s Mane has lots of interesting health supporting compounds, including:
- For mental clarity and focus: Hericenone – this compound supports healthy levels of NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) in the brain so you feel ‘switched on’
- For healthy aging and cell health: Antioxidants – they provide protection against free radical damage
- For balanced gut health: Polysaccharides – this prebiotic helps your beneficial bacteria flourish
- Robust immune function: Beta glucans – studies show they support your immune response
Lion's Mane health benefits
Research shows that Lion's Mane is the
Functional Mushroom to choose if you're looking to support overall brain and nervous system wellness.
In traditional Chinese practice (dating back hundreds of years), Lion's Mane is used to support a healthy, happy mood and feelings of relaxation. A 2009 study in Japan showed that Lion's Mane supports healthy brain aging, including mental clarity and focus. Research published in 2010 also shows that Lion's Mane is useful to support a healthy buoyant mood and relaxed outlook - for this particular study the Lion's Mane extract was baked into cookies... delicious! Lion’s Mane also supports a
happy gut and a healthy immune system – qualities it shares with other functional mushrooms.
How to use Lion's Mane
As well as being an excellent supplement to support brain and mental wellness, the fruiting body of Lion’s Mane is a popular ingredient in Chinese and Japanese culinary dishes, and in gourmet cooking. Its flavour is mild and delicate, making it super versatile. It’s available in Lion's Mane capsules as a liquid elixir, as a powder, as well as in powdered mushroom blends. Try adding a powder or liquid to hot water to make a tonic or tea or sprinkling powder on baking and desserts. It can be added to savoury dishes too.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom nutrition facts
Lion's Mane itself is suitable to take if you're following a paleo, keto, low carb or vegan diet. Lion's Mane extract tends to be fairly low in macro nutrients - that is carbs, protein and fat. If you're following a particular diet, choosing a powder without other ingredients is your best option. The polysaccharides it yields make it a great ‘gut loving' supplement too.
Lion's Mane contraindications
Lion's Mane is generally well tolerated and there are no known adverse effects when taken at the recommended dose. If you are taking medications, it's always a good idea to check with your health professional before you start taking a new supplement.
Our top picks
Wondering where to buy Lion's Mane? Our range of Lion’s Mane has something to suit everyone. From energy support to mental clarity and brain health support, here are some of our top Lion's Mane products. These are our top selling products and Naturopath top picks.
Best Lion's Mane Capsules:
Flow State Lion’s Mane Capsules
This is the top selling Lion’s Mane product here at HealthPost. It’s also a Naturopath top pick – I take them when I want to feel ‘switched on’ during the work week. You can take them every day if you’re looking to support happy mood and healthy brain aging. Or, you can simply take 2 capsules on days where you need to focus and perform mentally. This organic extract is third party tested to ensure high levels of those special Lion’s Mane compounds. 2 capsules a day is all you need.
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Best Lion’s Mane Powder:
Matakana Superfoods Lion's Mane
This Lion's Mane powdered extract is a 12;1 extract, so it’s a stronger, more concentrated extract compared to standard powdered Lions Mane. For nervous system support, take ½ a teaspoon daily.Lab analysis shows this extract contains the active constituents: polysaccharides, beta glucans, hericenones and neurotrophic factors to support mental clarity and focus as well as positive brain aging. This Lion's Mane Powder can be used to make an instant tea - just add hot water and sweeten if needed.
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Best Lion’s Mane Liquid:
Life Cykel Lion’s Mane Mushroom Liquid Extract
This is a liquid Lion's Mane extract to support overall brain health. It's made with a base of Kakadu plum, which is high in antioxidants and adds a nice fruity flavour. Research shows that consistency is key when it comes to Lion’s Mane for brain aging and mood so ideally this is an everyday supplement. This vegan friendly extract offers the ease and convenience of a liquid, and you only need to take 2ml per day, so it's super simple. It's heat stable so it can even be added to your herbal tea. The fruity flavour of the Kakadu plum makes this ideal to add to your favourite fruit smoothie or dessert recipes.
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Best Lion’s Mane Blend:
Flow State MyComplete Capsules
Looking to combine the benefits of Lion’s Mane with other mushrooms? These capsules contain 6 of the best mushrooms – Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Cordyceps, Maitake, Reishi and Turkey Tail. You’ll be covering all your mushroom bases – brain health, antioxidant protection, blood sugar balance, immune and gut health support – just to name a few. They’re a great choice when you’re wondering where to start – functional mushrooms are all so great – why choose just one? Flow State is a Kiwi brand, who third party test their capsules – so you know you’re getting quality too. Did you know? HealthPost have the largest range of Functional Mushrooms across Aotearoa – with Flow State being a top bestseller, loved by our community.
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Ready to explore other types of Functional Mushrooms? Here's 9 fantastic functional mushrooms to match your health goals. Not sure where to start? We share everything you need to know about functional mushrooms.
| Shop all Lion's Mane → | Shop Functional Mushrooms → |
TAPS PP8204
Always read the label and use as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.
- Pure Ritual (SuperFeast), Upper Moutere
- Nutrition Store Online (Life Cykel & Four Sigmatic), Auckland
- Misty Day, Auckland
- Flow State, Auckland