With its unmistakable cascading white spines, lion's mane is one of the most recognisable — and most discussed — functional mushrooms. Here's what it actually is, and how it's used.
What is lion's mane?
Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a striking white mushroom that grows in shaggy, icicle-like clusters on hardwood trees. Unlike many functional mushrooms, it's genuinely a culinary mushroom too – prized in cooking for a delicate, seafood-like flavour often compared to crab. As a supplement, it's sold as powders, capsules and extracts.
An honest note on what we can say
Lion's mane does not currently hold authorised health claims in Great Britain. That means – whatever you may read elsewhere – we can't tell you it does specific things for your health, and we'd rather be honest about that than repeat claims we can't stand behind. What we can do is tell you what it is and let you explore it.
How is it taken?
Beyond the kitchen, lion's mane is most often taken as a powder, capsule or concentrated extract. Powders can be added to drinks; capsules offer a simple measured option.
Should I take lion's mane?
An individual decision, and one worth discussing with a healthcare professional rather than basing on online reading – especially if you take other medication, or you're pregnant, breastfeeding or managing a health condition.
You can read more in our Discover blog piece, Lion's mane benefits: what to know.
Explore our lion's mane range, or browse all our functional mushrooms.