164. Unearthing the Power of Lion's Mane and Reishi for Your Mind and Body – A Deep Dive into Extraction and Efficacy
- dartny091
- Dec 31, 2025
- 8 min read
Written by: Donna Troy Cleary, Clinical Herbalist at Spiral Herbal Remedies
Dec 31, 2025
At Spiral Herbal Remedies, we believe in connecting you with nature's profound wisdom for natural well-being. Today, we delve into an extraordinary blend designed to nourish your nervous system and fortify your immune defenses: our Nerve Blend - Lion's Mane and Reishi Tincture. This is a testament to ancient traditions and modern scientific understanding, crafted to support your cognitive function and overall vitality.
The Synergy of Two Superstars: Nourishing Nerves and Immunity
By combining Lion's Mane and Reishi, our tincture offers a synergistic effect, where the individual benefits of each mushroom are enhanced. This powerful duo works together to:
Enhance memory, focus, mental clarity, and immune system support. In our fast-paced world, mental clarity and a robust immune system are more crucial than ever. This blend brings together two revered medicinal mushrooms, each with a rich history and a growing body of scientific research that backs their incredible benefits.
Lion's Mane: Your Brain's Best Friend Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an incredible fungus, often recognized by its cascading, shaggy appearance, reminiscent of a lion's mane. For centuries, it has been a staple in traditional Eastern medicine, particularly for its ability to support cognitive function and nerve health.
Neurotrophic Effects (Hericenones and Erinacines): Hericenones and erinacines can cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) synthesis [1]. NGF is essential for the growth, differentiation, survival, and maintenance of neurons, which are crucial for a healthy brain and nervous system. This stimulation of NGF contributes to neuroprotection, nerve regeneration, and improved cognitive function. Pre-clinical studies have shown that Lion's Mane can promote nerve growth, maintenance, and survival of neurons and enhance neurite outgrowth in brain cells [2, 20]. These compounds also exhibit neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation in cell and animal models. For instance, Lion's Mane has been observed to mitigate neuron degenerative changes in the hippocampus while promoting neurogenesis in aging mouse models, protecting against neuronal death from ischemic injury while promoting cognitive function [3, 4, 21].
Immunomodulating and Antioxidant Properties (Polysaccharides): The β-glucan polysaccharides in Lion's Mane are immuno-active, contributing to its anti-cancer, immunomodulating, hypo-lipidemic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective actions [5]. Lion's Mane contains high concentrations of phenols, which contribute to its antioxidant effects. [6]. It has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects. [7].
Anxiolytic effects, providing additional support for its potential therapeutic benefit for anxiety.
Reishi: The Mushroom of Immortality
Reishi's immune-balancing properties are historic, but its role in this Nerve Blend is equally important. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), often called the "Mushroom of Immortality" in Eastern cultures, has been used for centuries for various ailments, helping the body adapt to stress and maintain balance. The nickname, "Mushroom of Immortality," stems from its historical observation of promoting longevity and vitality. Now science has discovered a wide range of therapeutic properties, including significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor effects, along with an ability to regenerate cells in the memory centers of the brain.
Immune Support and Antitumor Activity (Polysaccharides): Reishi's polysaccharides, particularly β-D-glucans, are known for their immunostimulatory properties and contribute to its anticancer effects [8]. They enhance immune response, possess anti-tumor activity, and have immunomodulatory effects [9]. Clinical studies suggest that Reishi can improve immune function measures in cancer patients [10].
Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Hepatoprotective Effects (Triterpenes): Reishi's triterpenes, including ganoderic acids, ganoderenic acids, ganoderol, ganoderiol, and lucidenic acids, are responsible for many of its major medicinal properties [11]. These compounds exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective activities [12]. Triterpenes may also inhibit tumor invasion and metastasis [13]. Both triterpenoids and polysaccharides can also help reduce inflammation [14].
Potential to stimulate Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein crucial for neuron growth, differentiation, and survival in the central nervous system (the Brain and Spinal Cord). [17] This BDNF stimulation by Reishi may have significant implications for the cerebral cortex, enhancing synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, which are vital for cognitive functions.[18] Such an effect could help maintain optimal memory function. Like Lion's Mane, this potentially mitigates age-related cognitive decline and supports brain health as we age by fostering neuronal resilience and repair mechanisms. [19]
Neuroprotective and Anti-aging Properties: Reishi extracts have shown anti-aging properties, particularly in heart, liver, and brain tissues [15]. Its anti-aging activity is mainly attributed to its ability to modulate the immune system, scavenge free radicals, inhibit oxidative stress, and prevent neurodegenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress [16].
Why Our Double Decoction is the Gold Standard for Bioavailability. At Spiral Herbal Remedies, we understand that the power of these mushrooms lies not just in their presence but in your body's ability to access them. This is why our Lion's Mane and Reishi Tincture is prepared using a meticulous double decoction method, which is the best way to ensure you receive the full spectrum of their medicinal properties.
The Limitations of Other Preparations: Many commercially available mushroom products, such as powders, capsules, teas, or coffees, fall short in delivering the full therapeutic potential of Lion's Mane and Reishi.
Powders and Capsules: Often contain dried, ground mushroom material that has not undergone extraction. While they contain the mushroom, many of the beneficial compounds, particularly polysaccharides (like beta-glucans) and triterpenes, are locked within the tough chitin cell walls of the mushroom. The human digestive system struggles to break down chitin effectively, meaning these valuable compounds pass through your body largely unabsorbed, reducing their bioavailability.
Teas and Coffees: A simple hot water infusion (like a tea) or adding mushroom powder to coffee only extracts water-soluble compounds, leaving fat-soluble or alcohol-soluble compounds behind. This does not offer the complete medicinal profile of the mushroom.
Inclusion of Growing Medium: A significant concern with mushroom powders and extracts is the inclusion of the mushroom's growing medium (mycelium grown on grain), rather than just the fruiting body. The fruiting body is the part of the mushroom that contains the desired bioactive compounds. Products primarily using mycelium grown on grain may have diluted concentrations of these beneficial compounds because they contain grain starch, diminishing the efficacy of the product. At Spiral Herbal Remedies, we use only the fruiting bodies.
The Superiority of Double Decoction Our double decoction method specifically addresses these challenges, ensuring maximum extraction and bioavailability of the crucial compounds in Lion's Mane and Reishi.
Hot Water Decoction (for Polysaccharides): The first step involves a long, slow hot water extraction (decoction) of the mushroom fruiting bodies. This process is critical for breaking down the chitin cell walls and releasing the water-soluble compounds, particularly the beneficial polysaccharides, including β-glucans. Polysaccharides are known for their immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties.
Alcohol Extraction (for Triterpenes and Other Compounds): Following the hot water decoction, the mushroom material undergoes an alcohol extraction. This step is essential for extracting the fat-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds, such as the triterpenes (hericenones and erinacines in Lion's Mane, and ganoderic acids in Reishi). These compounds are responsible for many of the neurotrophic, memory-enhancing, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects.
By performing both hot water and alcohol extractions, and then carefully combining these potent extracts into a tincture, we ensure that a broad spectrum of the mushrooms' medicinal constituents is captured and made available to your body for absorption and use. This comprehensive approach is what sets our tincture apart, providing a highly concentrated and bioavailable product that honors the full therapeutic potential of these incredible fungi.
The Source Matters: Pristine Environments and Ethical Sourcing. The efficacy and purity of our products begin with the quality of our ingredients. We meticulously source our mushrooms to ensure they are of the highest standard.
·Sustainably Wild-Harvested: We personally wild-harvest a significant portion of our mushrooms from pristine state parks, ensuring they grow in their natural, unadulterated environments, far from toxins. This practice allows the mushrooms to develop their full spectrum of beneficial compounds. We strictly adhere to sustainable foraging guidelines, only harvesting a third of the mushrooms we find and focusing on specimens that have already released their spores, to ensure the long-term viability of mushroom populations.
Outdoor Grown, Not Factory Farmed: For species that do not grow locally, we utilize mushrooms that are cultivated outdoors. This environment exposes the mushrooms to the same stressors they're exposed to in their natural habitats, promoting the robust development of their defense mechanisms, which serve as medicinal properties for us, without the compromises associated with indoor factory farming operations. This approach ensures purity and potency, guaranteeing that our mushrooms are free from harmful contaminants and rich in therapeutic compounds. Our commitment to ethical and sustainable sourcing is not just about environmental responsibility; it's about delivering a product that is as pure, potent, and effective as nature intended.
Experience the Transformation. At Spiral Herbal Remedies, we are committed to helping you on your path to natural well-being. Our Nerve Blend: Lion's Mane and Reishi Tincture embodies this commitment, offering a holistic approach to supporting your mind and body. We invite you to explore the profound potential of this ancient wisdom, backed by modern understanding.
Ready for enhanced cognitive function and resilient immunity? Discover our Nerve Blend: Lion's Mane and Reishi Tincture and unlock the legacy of these medicinal mushrooms for your brain and body.
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References
[1] Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, I. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), 367-372.
[2] Ma, B. J., et al. (2010). Hericenones and erinacines: A review of their neurotrophic effects. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(18), 9897-9903.
[3] Lai, P. L., et al. (2013). Neurotrophical properties of the Lion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 15(6), 539-554.
[4] Kim, Y., et al. (2020). Hericium erinaceus as an Anti-oxidative and Anti-inflammatory Agent for the Protection against Ischemic Injury. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(2), 522.
[5] Friedman, M. (2015). Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health-Promoting Properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane) Mushroom. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 63(32), 7108-7123.
[6] Vigna, J., et al. (2016). Antioxidant and Antihyperlipidemic Activity of Hericium erinaceus in D-Galactose-Induced Aging Mice. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 2960680.
[7] Mori, K., et al. (2010). Anti-inflammatory effect of Hericium erinaceus mycelial extract. Journal of Traditional Medicines, 27(3), 108-111.
[8] Wachtel-Galor, S., Yuen, J., Buswell, J. A., & Benzie, I. F. F. (2011). Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi): A Medicinal Mushroom. In I. F. F. Benzie & S. Wachtel-Galor (Eds.), Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis.
[9] Lin, Z. B., & Zhang, H. N. (2004). Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum and its possible mechanisms. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 25(11), 1387-1395.
[10] Gao, Y., Zhou, S., Jiang, W., Huang, M., & Dai, X. (2003). Effects of ganopoly (a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract) on the immune functions in advanced-stage cancer patients. Immunological Investigations, 32(3), 201-215.
[11] Chen, X., et al. (2020). Ganoderma lucidum triterpenes: A review of their chemical diversity, pharmacology, and molecular mechanisms. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 68(1), 1-19.
[12] Gao, Y., et al. (2005). Antioxidant properties of triterpenes from Ganoderma lucidum. Phytotherapy Research, 19(6), 543-546.
[13] Sliva, D. (2003). Ganoderma lucidum in cancer research. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 301(4), 867-872.
[14] Boh, B. (2013). Ganoderma lucidum: A potent pharmacological macrofungus. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 7(11), 606-613.
[15] Cui, H. Y., et al. (2012). Anti-aging effect of Ganoderma lucidum in D-galactose-induced aging mouse model. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 33(2), 241-247.
[16] Zhou, S., et al. (2012). Neuroprotective effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 142(3), 779-786
Unearthing the Power of Lion's Mane and Reishi for Your Mind and Body – A Deep Dive into Extraction and Efficacy
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