Hericium erinaceus
Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as the Lion's Mane mushroom, is a traditional Chinese edible fungus with significant medicinal value. Its scientific name is Hericium erinaceus (Bull. ex Fr.) Pers., and it is also referred to by several other names, including Robinia pseudoacacia, Drink Laba (a Tibetan term), and Bears Head Hericium. Taxonomically, it belongs to the Basidiomycetes phylum, under the order Non-Pleurotales, family Hericidae, and genus Hericium.
Hericium erinaceus has long been valued in traditional Chinese medicine and is often called one of the "Four Famous Dishes" along with bear paws, sea cucumbers, and shark fins. It is also referenced in the saying, "Shan Zhen Hericium and Dried Seafood Bird's Nest," highlighting its high nutritional and medicinal status. Since the 1970s, modern medical research has confirmed its therapeutic potential, showing effectiveness in treating conditions such as indigestion, gastric ulcers, antral gastritis, stomach pain, bloating, and neurasthenia.
Recent studies have also revealed that Hericium erinaceus may possess anti-cancer properties. It has demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on S-180 mouse sarcoma, and clinical trials involving 166 patients with gastric, cardiac, and esophageal cancers showed a total effective rate of 69.3%, with 15% being markedly effective. When combined with chemotherapy drugs like 5-fluorouracil, Hericium-based preparations have been shown to reduce side effects and improve patient survival rates.
The fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus resembles a monkey’s head, hence its common name. Fresh specimens are white, turning light brown when dried. The fruit body is large, with a diameter ranging from 3.5 to 10 cm, and features a narrow base. All parts except the base are covered with dense, straight, and drooping spines, typically 1–3 cm in length and 1–2 mm in diameter. These spines are coated with a firm layer. Under a microscope, the spores appear nearly spherical, transparent, and smooth-walled.
This mushroom grows on standing or dead wood of hardwood trees such as walnuts and eucalyptus, or on injured areas of living trees. It is found in various provinces across China, including Heilongjiang, Jilin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Zhejiang, Hunan, Gansu, Sichuan, Tibet, and Guizhou.
Harvesting occurs during summer and autumn, followed by drying for storage and use. The mushroom contains polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides, and oxalic acid. Research into its pharmacological properties has led to the development of oral tablets containing dry extract of Hericium erinaceus, which show some efficacy against mouse sarcoma (S180) and skin cancer.
Clinically, Hericium erinaceus is used in the treatment of gastric, colorectal, and esophageal cancers. For example, since 1975, Hericium tablets have been administered to 134 gastric cancer patients, achieving an effective rate of 13.4% and a total effective rate of 78.5%. In Shanghai, among 166 cases of upper gastrointestinal cancer, 106 showed marked improvement, with a total effective rate of 63.9%. In Jiangsu, 117 advanced intestinal cancer patients received treatment, resulting in an effective rate of 12.6% and a total effective rate of 79.3%.
According to reports from China, the total effective rate for gastric cancer was 68.6%, and for esophageal cancer, it was 78.5%. It has also been noted that Hericium erinaceus has a noticeable curative effect in treating digestive system malignancies such as gastric and cardiac cancers, with a total effective rate of 69.3%, of which 15% were significantly improved.
Surgical Skin Marker,Surgical Skin Marker With Ruler,Surgical Skin Marker Pen,Surgical Skin Markers
Suzhou Letai Medical Technology Co.,Ltd. , https://www.letaihealthcare.com