Hericium

Ingredients

Hericium in dietary supplements most commonly refers to Hericium erinaceus, also known as Lion’s Mane mushroom or Yamabushitake. It naturally contains polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, as well as bioactive compounds such as hericenones and erinacines. Hericenones are primarily associated with the fruiting body, while erinacines are predominantly found in the mycelium. The exact composition and concentration depend on the mushroom part, extraction method, and product formulation.

Hericium erinaceus, commonly called Lion’s Mane mushroom, is an edible mushroom that has been used traditionally in Asian herbal practices and is now widely used in functional foods and dietary supplements.

Hericium contains several naturally occurring compounds, including polysaccharides, beta-glucans, hericenones, erinacines, and phenolic compounds. Research has focused particularly on its potential antioxidant and neurotrophic properties, including compounds associated with nerve growth factor (NGF) activity.

Hericium supplements may be made from fruiting bodies, mycelium, or a combination of both. Products may be available as mushroom powder, capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, or standardized mushroom extracts. Because the bioactive profile can differ substantially between fruiting-body and mycelial preparations, consumers should check the botanical name, mushroom part, extract ratio, standardization, and serving size on the product label.

Human research on Hericium is still developing, and clinical studies have generally been relatively small and varied in design. A recent systematic review reported potential effects involving cognition and other areas but also noted limitations in the current evidence base.