Erinacines

Plain language

The 'other' Lion's Mane active. Lives in the mycelium, not the cap. The reason 'mycelium is always inferior' is too simple - if a product is standardized for erinacines specifically, separated mycelium can be the right material.

Definition

Erinacines are diterpenoid compounds (erinacine A through K and beyond) found in the mycelium of Hericium erinaceus, not the fruiting body. They are reported to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis and to cross the blood-brain barrier in animal models. A small set of premium Lion's Mane products use separated mycelium extracts standardized for erinacine content.

Related terms

• Hericenones Aromatic compounds found in the fruiting body of Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus). Implicated in NGF stimulation in vitro.
• Fruiting body The mushroom-shaped structure that grows above ground. Where the species-specific actives concentrate in most medicinal mushrooms.
• Mycelium The thread-like vegetative network of a fungus, growing through soil, wood, or grain substrate.

References

• Kawagishi et al. (1994) - Erinacines from the mycelium of Hericium erinaceum