Page 271 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Chaga mushrooms must be taken with care for long accumulate. They can also inhibit absorption of some
term use. They are high in oxalates, which can cause nutrients. Very high doses may be toxic but it is gener-
kidney stones or other kidney problems when they ally considered a very safe herb.

Lion's Mane Mushroom,

Hericium erinaceus

Lion’s Mane is a popular food and medicine through-
out Asia. It is also called bearded tooth mushroom,
bearded hedgehog mushroom, bearded tooth fungus,
and pom pom mushroom. Its strengths lie in healing
the brain and nervous system, but it has many other
useful benefits. It is a powerful antioxidant and anti-
inflammatory.

Identification: Look for lion’s mane mushrooms
around the middle of August through the autumn. encourage regrowth and recovery of nerve function. It
They grow on dead and wounded hardwood trees of all slows down and is said to even reverse cell degenera-
kinds, but they prefer beech, oak, and maple trees. tion in the brain, which is important in diseases like
These fungi look like a clump of white icicles flowing Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis
downward to a point. Each spine is about ½ inch to 2 and Diabetes, where nerve damage is a primary or sec-
inches (1.25 cm to 5 cm) long and is soft and pliable. ondary symptom of the disease. It also increases ace-
The spines and spores are white, with the spines turn- tylcholine and choline acetyltransferase, which are se-
ing yellowish to light pink as they mature. There are a verely depleted in Alzheimer’s patients and necessary
few mushrooms that are similar to lion’s mane in for nerve cell communication.
looks. They are all related and considered edible. One Heals the Nervous System, Stimulates
identifying characteristic of the lion’s mane mushroom Nerve Growth Factor: The nervous system is im-
is the downward growing spines. Coral fungi is similar, portant to every bodily function and causes major
but its teeth point upward. You should be careful of problems when damaged. Lion’s mane mushrooms
your identification when harvesting any wild mush- can speed recovery to damaged nervous system tissue
rooms. Always consult a mushroom expert when you in the brain and spinal cord, and stimulate the repair
are unsure. of damaged nerve cells. Lion’s mane has been shown to
Edible Use: Lion’s mane mushrooms are edible and stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which is im-
tasty. The flavor and texture is like crab or lobster. The portant in the repair of the myelin sheath. Studies
mushrooms can be eaten cooked, or dried show great potential for myelination and regeneration
and steeped into a tea. of nerves. I feel so strongly about the regenerative
properties of lion’s mane on the nervous systems
Medicinal Use: I use Lion’s that I use it every day for Multiple Sclerosis.
mane daily as a double-ex-
tracted tincture. It can also be Protects Against Cancer: Lion’s mane
taken as a tea or in powdered has had good results in treating lung cancer,
form. It seems to work best stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, liver
with regular use. cancer, leukemia, cervical cancer, stomach
cancer, skin cancer, colon cancer, and breast
Enhances Brain Function cancer. I imagine it will be proven to be effective
and Memory, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS: in treating other cancers as well. It stimulates the im-
Lion’s mane mushrooms are known for their ability to mune system and helps kill off cancer cells, controls tu-
enhance memory, stimulate cognitive function, pre- mor growth, and prevents cancer from spreading to
vent and treat neurodegenerative diseases, and other parts of the body.
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