Lafayette County Master Gardeners: “Lion’s Mane,” by Ginny Cheek

by Ginny Cheek, Lafayete County Master Gardener

Ah, Lion’s Mane!  This is a fungus (Hericium erinaceus) that looks like something straight out of a fantasy novel. They have long flowing tendrils that make them look like a cross between a sea anemone and a wig made of cotton candy. Beautiful mushrooms!

They are not just pretty to look at, but also good for you. They have been called “the smart mushroom” because of their potential cognitive benefits. You read that right—according to some studies, they might be able to help improve memory and concentration, as well as potentially protect against certain neurological diseases. The Journal of Education, Health, and Sport published a review of the literature for studies evaluating the impact of Lion’s Mane on neurological and cognitive disorders. The results indicate that many studies have shown that Hericium erinaceus can be beneficial as an alternative therapy in the treatment of depressive and cognitive disorders. Because the mushroom shows a strong neuroprotective nature it may benefit those with Alzheimer’s disease or in post-traumatic brain injury. Most of the studies have been performed on animal models, therefore more research is needed.

This is one of the easier mushrooms to grow yourself. The internet has kits available where all you do is spray the box inoculated with Lion’s Mane a couple of times a day with water, and in a couple of weeks (depending on humidity and temperature) you should have your first flush of Lion’s Mane! Pluck it off, keep spritzing, and you should have several more flushes of the tasty treat. Then when it stops producing, bury the substrate (the growing medium) in a pile of hardwood chips and you could get several more harvests out of your kit.

I was so excited last year to find a Lion’s Mane about the size of a softball growing out of a tree about five feet up an oak tree in Coontown. With permission from the owner, I cut it off, and brought it home and cooked it. Did I feel any smarter? You be the judge of that!

For more information on mushrooms, consider joining the North American Mycological Association. For only $30 for non-affiliated members, you will receive six issues of The Mycophile, full access to the expanded website, and a standing invitation to all NAMA-sponsored forays. Members enjoy all the benefits NAMA has to offer, including their newsletter, The Mycophile, which is full of educational articles and news about upcoming forays. For further information and identification keys on many types of mushrooms, you might want to check out www.mushroomexpert.com.