Unlocking Spiritual Growth with Lion's Mane
Lion’s mane, also known as Hericium erinaceus, is a functional mushroom that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese herbalism for its ability to improve brain function, gut health, and immunity.[1] Characterized by their white fluffy tops, these mushrooms do a lot more than look pretty on the roots of trees – their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can protect the brain from diseases like Alzheimer’s, affect nerve cells to improve cognitive function, and minimize feelings of depression, all while delivering the body with potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and biotin, which are essential for cell growth and nerve function.[2]
Along with the improved cognitive abilities comes increased feelings of mental clarity, expanded consciousness, heightened intuition, and emotional balance.[1] These feelings have been known to help enhance spiritual experiences by increasing your ability to look introspectively, think deeper about a higher power, and enhance self-awareness. So, if you are someone who already practices spirituality or maybe you are starting to think more spiritually, lion’s mane can be a great addition to your spiritual practice.
Origins of Lion’s Mane
These fluffy white mushrooms were initially discovered about 2,000 years ago in the mountainous regions of China, Korea, and Japan and were quickly popularized for their therapeutic benefits.[3] They typically grow on the trunks of dead hardwood trees such as oak and were popularized by the name “lion’s mane” because that is what they look like as they grow.
Initially, Buddhist monks used lion’s mane mushroom powder in the form of a brewed tea, which allowed them to enhance brain function and focus during meditation. Lion’s mane has also played a large role in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries due to its support of all five of the internal organs - spleen, liver, lung, heart, and kidney.[4] Despite lion’s mane initially being foraged only from the wild, its popularity grew with time and in 1988, Chinese communities started cultivating it. As these functional mushrooms have continued to gain support from health communities, herbalists, and medical researchers, their demand has been on the rise and we now see indoor lion’s mane farming in numerous areas around the globe.
Exploring the Spiritual Benefits of Lion’s Mane
Spirituality can mean many different things to different people, but most spiritual practices share a similar emphasis on connection to the earth, thoughts of a higher power, introspection, self-awareness, and more. This deeper thinking can sometimes be difficult to practice and even harder to fully grasp an understanding of. Taking lion’s mane can help with cognition and focus and can be a great support system during any spiritual practice.
Meditation Aid
Meditation has been used as a tool for spirituality for centuries and is a great way to connect deeper with one’s self and the divine. Finding an ideal state of mental stillness and calm during meditation can be difficult, so taking a supplement like lion’s mane can be helpful to aid your meditation practice. The high amounts of polypeptides found in lion’s mane can help to reduce occasional anxiety and stress and improve cognitive functioning, which in moments of meditation, can be helpful to minimize brain fog, slow your mind, and allow for greater focus on breath or stillness.[5]
Connection to Nature
Not only has lion’s mane been used traditionally by monks as a meditation aid, but it has also been used in more modern spiritual awareness settings as well. With its unique ability to open the mind to the environment and the beauty of nature, lion’s mane mushrooms have been known to help people gain a stronger connection to the natural world and find a deeper understanding of their place in the world, helping to further their spiritual growth.[5]
Mind Awakening
Two of the primary bioactive compounds found in lion’s mane mushrooms, erinacerin and hericenones, have been known to “awaken the mind”. Those compounds work hand in hand with polysaccharides which increase the production of acetylcholine, improving cognitive function and sharpening the mind.[5] These compounds synchronously create a balance between mental clarity and openness which allows you to be more mentally available for the deeper cognition needed during a strong spiritual practice.
How to Incorporate Lion's Mane into Spiritual Practices
Ready to start incorporating lion’s mane into your spiritual practice? With the many lion’s mane products on the market, adding this supplement to your routine is easier than you would think. Lion’s mane mushrooms are available to eat raw, cooked, or dried, which you can add to soups, sauces, or stir-fries. If cooking these mushrooms seems a bit daunting or if you don’t typically enjoy the taste of lion’s mane, you can try one of the many supplements available. These supplements come in many forms ranging from capsules, to extracts, to gummies, and even powders, so how you take lion’s mane is up to your personal preference.
Once you decide on the type of lion’s mane you want to buy, incorporating it into your routine is simple. Lion’s mane comes as a daily supplement, so adding these functional mushrooms into your daily routine can provide you with the many longer term health benefits of lion’s mane. With that being said, a daily routine is more likely to result in minimized feelings of the effects. If you are looking to experience less of the continuous benefits and more of the mental health effects, consuming lion’s mane about 30 minutes before meditation or your spiritual practice can help more specifically during times when you are searching for greater mental clarity or focus.
As with any supplement, it is important to understand the serving size, side effects, and potential interactions before using it for the first time. With lion’s mane, side effects are typically minimal but can include nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, and skin rash (when used topically).[6] Typically, a serving size is 1g of mushroom per day, but when you’re taking a new supplement it is always best to read the specific instructions for the brand you are using.[2] Lastly, because of its effects on blood sugar, the immune system, and blood clotting, there can be certain interactions that you would want to be cautious of.[6] It is advised to speak to your healthcare provider before adding lion’s mane to your routine.
Explore Your Spiritual Side with Lion’s Mane from Botanic Tonics
Practicing spirituality can be difficult at times, especially with the many distractions and stressors of busy daily lives, but it can also be so rewarding to find a sense of inner peace and serenity. Lion’s mane mushrooms can aid in spiritual journey by improving mental clarity, regulating emotions, and increasing focus.*
Whether you already consume lion’s mane mushrooms and supplements or you are new to lion’s mane, Botanic Tonics’ feel free kava tonic could be a great source of not only lion’s mane but also other natural heart openers like rhodiola and kava. With a blend of these powerhouse adaptogens, along with kola nut, which is a natural caffeinator, feel free Tonic creates a balanced feeling of energized relaxation and improves cognitive function, promoting increased focus and productivity.*
Ready to give lion’s mane a go? Try Botanic Tonics.
Sources:
- Unlocking the spiritual benefits of Lion’s Mane Twenty Two https://mytwentytwo.co.uk/blogs/research/unlocking-the-spiritual-benefits-of-lions-mane
- Health benefits of Lion’s Mane mushrooms Health 2023 https://www.health.com/lions-mane-mushroom-benefits-7555400
- Lion’s Mane Irish Botanica https://www.irishbotanica.ie/lions-mane#:~:text=The%20Lion's%20Mane%20mushroom%2C%20also,years%20ago%20in%20mountainous%20regions.
- Lion’s Mane: the history and benefits of this smart mushroom Forage Hyperfoods https://foragehyperfoods.com/en-us/blogs/news/lion-s-mane-the-history-and-benefits-of-this-smart-mushroom
- The enlightening effects of Lion’s Mane: more than just a brain booster Hello Batch https://hellobatch.com/blogs/insights/lions-mane-spiritual-benefits
- Lion’s Mane mushrooms – uses, side effects, and more WebMD https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1536/lions-mane-mushroom
About The Author
Jamal Bouie is an accomplished professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Biomedicine at Salus University. Jamal has worked in several industries; he began his career in pharmaceutical manufacturing and transitioned to the cannabis industry, where he specialized in analytical testing and manufacturing, playing a vital role in ensuring product safety and compliance. Now, Jamal has turned his attention to the dietary supplement field, combining his scientific acumen with his passion for health and wellness.
