Hericium erinaceus
Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as 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 various names such as Hericium erinaceus, Robinia pseudoacacia, and "Drink Laba" in Tibetan. In English, it is often called "Bear's Head Hericium." Taxonomically, it belongs to the Basidiomycetes, non-Pleurotales, and the family Hericidae.
This mushroom has been historically regarded as one of the "Four Famous Dishes" alongside bear’s paw, sea cucumber, and shark’s fin, and it is famously known as "Shan Zhen Hericium and Dried Seafood Bird's Nest." Since the 1970s, modern research has confirmed its therapeutic potential. Clinical studies have shown that it can help treat conditions like indigestion, gastric ulcers, antral gastritis, stomach pain, bloating, and neurasthenia. More recently, it has gained attention for its anti-cancer properties. Studies indicate that it exhibits a significant inhibitory effect on S-180 mouse sarcoma, and clinical trials involving 166 patients with gastric, cardiac, and esophageal cancers showed a 69.3% effective rate, with 15% being markedly effective. When combined with chemotherapy drugs like 5-fluorouracil, Hericium erinaceus helps reduce side effects and improves patient survival.
The fruiting body of *Hericium erinaceus* resembles a monkey's head, which is why it got its name. Fresh mushrooms are white, turning light brown when dried. They are large, typically measuring between 3.5 to 10 cm in diameter, with a narrow base. The surface is covered with dense, straight, needle-like spines that range from 1 to 3 cm in length and 1–2 mm in diameter. 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 parts of living trees. It is found in provinces across China, including Heilongjiang, Jilin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Zhejiang, Hunan, Gansu, Sichuan, Tibet, and Guizhou. Harvesting occurs during summer and autumn, and the mushroom is then dried for use.
The composition of *Hericium erinaceus* includes polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides, and oxalic acid. Its pharmacological properties have been studied extensively, with oral tablets made from its mycelium showing some effectiveness against mouse sarcoma (S180) and skin cancer.
In clinical settings, Hericium erinaceus has been used to treat various cancers, including gastric, colorectal, and esophageal cancers. A standard dosage is 3–4 tablets per time, three times daily, containing 0.13g of dry extract. Since 1975, it has been used in the treatment of digestive tract tumors. For instance, in 134 gastric cancer cases, the effective rate was 13.4%, with a total effective rate of 78.5%. In Shanghai, 166 patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers saw marked improvement in 106 cases, with a total effective rate of 63.9%. In Jiangsu, 117 advanced intestinal cancer patients had an effective rate of 12.6% and a total effective rate of 79.3%.
According to reports from China, *Hericium erinaceus* has demonstrated a notable curative effect in treating gastric, cardiac, and other digestive system malignancies, with a total effective rate of 69.3%, of which 15% were significantly improved. These findings highlight its growing importance in both traditional and modern medicine.
Tens Electrodes,Electrode Pads,Tens Gel,Stim Pads
Suzhou Letai Medical Technology Co.,Ltd. , https://www.letaihealthcare.com