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Hericium erinaceus is known by many names including lion's mane, pom-pom mushroom, hedgehog mushroom, and Satyr's Beard mushroom because of its mane-like appearance. It is called hóu tóu gu (???) and n?m d?u kh?, "monkey head mushroom" in Chinese and Vietnamese respectively, and yamabushitake (???) or "mountain hidden mushroom" in Japanese. In any case, Hericium erinaceus has the same health benefits no matter what you call it. This medicinal edible mushroom has a meaty texture similar to certain types of seafood, which makes it an excellent addition to a variety of recipes. Vegetarians use it an alternative to pork or lamb in Chinese cuisine. Its white flesh attains brownish or yellowish stains as it ages. The attention of the medical community toward Hericium erinaceus focuses on its potential benefits against dementia, primarily Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a severe and common form of dementia that occurs in older people. Early-onset Alzheimer's is extremely rare, but it can occur in individuals as young as 30 or 40 years old. It significantly impairs memory, thinking and behavior and usually involves a devastating lapse in various cognitive abilities including long-term memory and language. Such changes lead to irritability and confusion, while patients in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease often become unable to take care of themselves and handle most daily activities. Scientists have so far discovered that Hericium erinaceus contains threitol and arabitol, which are sugar alcohols, and palmitic acid, which have antioxidant effects that inhibit cancer and regulate lipid and blood sugar levels. At present, the medical community is doing research on lions mane mushrooms and its positive effects to myelination, the process by which a myelin sheath forms around a nerve and stimulates nerve growth and proper nervous function. Consuming lions mane mushrooms can improve memory and other important cognitive faculties, thus inhibiting the onset of dementia. Other compounds from Hericium erinaceus like hericenones and erinacines have been found to retain cognitive functions and the ability to perform mundane activities like feeding, bathing or clothing. Moreover, they counteract cellular death or apoptosis in certain parts of the brain. Like other medicinal mushrooms, lions mane mushrooms can be used to produce ß-glucan (beta-glucan) polysaccharides, which can fight cancer by stimulating the immune system. ß-glucan polysaccharides can boost the production of lymphocytes or white blood cells which are designed to kill cancer cells. Regular intake of lions mane mushrooms in its pure or extract forms thus inhibits the growth of cancerous tumors, making them indispensable components in the fight against cancer.
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