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Can You Treat Psoriasis with Lion’s Mane Mushrooms?

The lion’s mane mushroom may fight psoriasis, bringing hope for those afflicted with this skin condition.

Let’s delve into the fascinating world of the lion's mane mushroom and explore its potential benefits for individuals struggling with psoriasis.

Discover how this remarkable mushroom's properties could offer relief and support for your skin health journey.

Article Jumplinks:

What is psoriasis?

How can lion’s mane help with psoriasis?

Is lion’s mane good for the skin?

Is lion’s mane good for inflammation?

What are all the benefits of lion’s mane?

Who should not use lion’s mane?

How can you take lion’s mane for psoriasis?

What is the ideal lion’s mane dosage for psoriasis?

How much lion’s mane is in Forij granola?

To learn more about this incredible adaptogenic fungus, read our guide to lion’s mane mushrooms.

What Is Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s mane is an adaptogenic mushroom and one of the healthiest mushrooms you can consume. It commonly grows in North America, northern Asia, and northern Europe and is widely used in alternative medicine for the beneficial effects it has on mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Learn more about how this mushroom works in our adaptogenic mushroom guide.

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis as an autoimmune disease

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin, causing the rapid buildup of skin cells. This leads to the formation of thick, red patches covered with silvery scales. Psoriasis is not contagious and can vary in severity from mild to severe. While the exact cause is unknown, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Symptoms of psoriasis include:

  • red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales
  • dry, cracked skin that may bleed
  • itching or burning sensation in the affected areas
  • swollen and stiff joints (psoriatic arthritis)
  • pitted or ridged nails
  • thickened, inflamed areas of skin (plaque psoriasis)
  • small, scaling spots (guttate psoriasis)
  • smooth, red patches in body folds (inverse psoriasis)
  • flaking or crusting scalp (scalp psoriasis)
  • nail changes, such as discoloration or separation from the nail bed

Lion’s Mane and Psoriasis—A Look at Lion’s Mane Mushroom Clinical Studies

While there isn’t a lot of research on lion’s mane and psoriasis specifically, we do know that lion’s mane can exert an anti-inflammatory effect. Given that psoriasis is an autoimmune disease—and autoimmune disorders involve out-of-control inflammation in the body—it’s not a far stretch to hypothesize that lion’s mane just might slow psoriasis and provide relief from its symptoms.

Plus, lion’s mane seems to stimulate nerve growth and provide pain relief; these qualities can potentially improve the quality of life for those suffering from psoriasis.

Lion’s Mane, Neurogenesis, and Psoriasis

According to a recent study, thefruit bodies oflion’s mane mushrooms contain compounds thatstimulate the growth of newnerve cells by promoting the production ofnerve growth factors (NGF). This study cites that “hericenones and erinacines isolated from the medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus can induce NGF synthesis in nerve cells.”

2023 study found that lion’s mane mushrooms “had a significant impact on the growth ofbrain cells and improved memory formation,” confirming that these mushrooms aid in memory bystimulating the growth of nerve cells.

Foradditional information on this amazing lion’s mane benefit, read our guide to lion’s mane and neurogenesis. Now, let’s get into why neurogenesis is beneficial for people with psoriasis.

study on the connection between nerve cells, immunity, and skin conditions found that “NGF is increasingly recognized as a potent immunomodulator, promoting cross-talk between neuronal cells, glia, and immune cells and facilitating monocyte/macrophage migration through vascular endothelium.”

Through its effects as an immunomodulator, NGF could alleviate symptoms of psoriasis, but more human research is needed to understand this benefit.

Is Lion’s Mane Good for the Skin?

Lion’s mane is anecdotally used to treatskin conditions, such asskin rashes, psoriasis, and eczema, and is an ingredient often found inskin care. However, as of yet, there is nomedically reviewed research on the topic of lion’s mane and skincare.

Lion’s mane does have well-researched antiinflammatory andantioxidative properties, which will certainly aid in healthy skin, especially if your skin is prone to breakouts and rashes (a common symptom of psoriasis and eczema).

Does Lion’s Mane Help with Inflammation?

Lion’s mane is chock-full ofpowerful antioxidants, andresearch suggests that it could alleviate both acute andchronic inflammation associated with psoriasis andpsoriatic arthritis.

Theantiinflammatory and antioxidant properties of lion’s mane were researched in a 2014 animal study. This study found that water-soluble oligosaccharides found in lion’s mane had potentantioxidant activities.

Another study, published in 2022, found that two compounds found in lion’s mane aided inreducing inflammation:

The four typical aromatic compounds were evaluated for their inhibition effects on the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6 and NO, three major proinflammatory mediators, in the macrophage RAW 264.7 model. Two of them showed moderate inhibitory effects indicating their potential anti-inflammatory activity, which may provide the basis for the traditional medical use of H. erincacus.

To learn more about how lion’s manereduces inflammation and oxidative stress, check out our article on the antiinflammatory benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms.

Can Lion’s Mane Alleviate Pain and Repair Nerves?

According to research, lion’s mane can reduce nerve pain and aid innervous system injury recovery. An animal study looked at the effects of lion’s mane on nervedamage caused by a crush injury in rats. This study concluded that “H. erinaceus fresh fruiting bodies could promote the regeneration of injured rat peroneal nerve in the early stage of recovery.”

Another study examined the effects of Hericium erinaceus on nerve pain. Researchers administered the animals cisplatin, an anticancer drug that can cause cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This study concluded that “Hericium erinaceus exhibited therapeutic effects on a mouse model of peripheral neuropathy,” and added that it “may be an efficient and safe therapeutic agent to be used in peripheral neuropathy.”

For more information on taking lion’s mane for pain relief, read our article on lion’s mane and neuropathy.

Potential Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

Lion's mane supports gut health

From the mind to the heart and everything in between, lion’s mane seems to benefit every part of the human body. According to the latest research, the lion’s mane mushroom:

  • improvedmental health and reduced symptoms ofanxiety and depression by regulating the production of neurotransmitters that play a role in mood regulation
  • aided inweight management and promotedweight loss by increasing the body's metabolism and reducing appetite
  • inhibited the growth of cancer cells in laboratory studies, with its effects onbreast cancer and leukemia being particularly beneficial
  • protected againstheart disease by reducing cholesterol levels and improving blood circulation
  • supportedgut health by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which can also aid patients with digestive diseases such asCrohn’s disease and IBS
  • balancedblood sugar levels by increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin
  • reduced the symptoms of chronic illnesses, such asmultiple sclerosis, by reducing inflammation and improving nerve function
  • protectedbrain health andimproved cognitive impairments caused by conditions such asAlzheimer's disease and dementia
  • boosted theimmune system by increasing the production of white blood cells

If we were to list each benefit of lion’s mane, we’d be here all day. Instead, check out our guide topotential health benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms to learn more about this topic.

Lion’s Mane Contraindications

Lion’s mane is safe for most people. However, there are some contraindications to taking lion’s mane mushrooms. If you have allergies to mold, yeast, or other fungi, be cautious when you first start taking lion’s mane.

People who take medication for certainhealth conditions, such as diabetes and blood clotting, may want toavoid lion’s mane until they discuss thesafety and side effects of taking this mushroom with their medication with a doctor.

To learn more about whether you should take lion’s mane, read our blog post on lion’s mane contraindications.

Are You Interested in Taking Lion’s Mane for Psoriasis?

If you want to take lion’s mane for psoriasis, why not try our medicinal mushroom granola? Our delicious medicinal mushroom granola is vegan, gluten-free, is made with organic, high-quality ingredients, and contains a hyperconcentrated lion’s mane extract.

And, if you want more adaptogenic mushroom goodness, we also offer turkey tail mushroom extract, which was also shown to aid in inflammation relief and provide benefits for optimal health. Learn more about the benefits of turkey tail here.

How Much Lion’s Mane Should You Take for Psoriasis?

Due to a lack of research, we don’t know the optimal lion’s mane dosage for psoriasis yet. If you are new to this mushroom, it’s best to start low and work your way up to higher doses as you become accustomed to the effects of this mushroom. For more information, check out our lion’s mane dosage guide.

How Much Lion’s Mane Is in Forij Granola?

Forij granola uses high-qualitylion's mane extractsmade from wholemedicinal mushrooms. Our dual extraction method extracts both water-soluble beta-glucans as well as alcohol-soluble triterpenes. Our decoction process breaks down the indigestible chitin cell walls of the mushroom to get much more of these compounds out than ordinary processes do.

Forij functional granola

One serving of our granola provides 250 mg of hyperconcentratedlion's mane mushroom extract, which is eight times more concentrated than regularlion’s mane supplements. Therefore, you get as much lion's mane potency as you would if you were taking a 2000 mglion’s mane powder, all in one bowl of granola.

FAQ on Lion’s Mane and Psoriasis

What are the negative effects of lion’s mane?

Available research and centuries of usesuggest that lion’s mane has few negative effects. People new to adaptogenic mushrooms may experience slight digestive discomfort when they first start taking lion’s mane, but these side effects should subside within a few days of regular use. To learn more about this topic, head to our blog post on the side effects of lion’s mane

Is it safe to take lion’s mane everyday?

Yes, it is safe to take lion’s mane everyday, even in high doses. Taking this medicinal mushroom regularly will make its long-term benefits more apparent and aid in youroverall health and wellness.

Does lion’s mane affect estrogen?

Due to limited research on the topic of lion’s mane andwomen’s health, there is no conclusive evidence on the effects of lion’s mane on estrogen. However, this mushroom appears to stabilize hormone production, at least in animals, which warrants further research into its effects on hormone production in humans.

Is lion’s mane addictive?

No, lion’s mane is not addictive, even when taken in high doses. Lion’s mane does not contain psilocybin, a compound that causes a ‘high’ in psychedelic mushrooms. We explain why lion's mane won't get you high here.

What is the best mushroom for acne?

Some of the best mushrooms for acne are reishi, chaga, lion’s mane, and cordyceps mushrooms. We take an in-depth dive into the benefits of lion’s mane for acne in a recent blog post; check it out.

Does lion’s mane increase testosterone?

This is one of the mostcommon questions our customers ask us, and the answer is that, while it does not increase testosterone per se, lion’s mane can stabilize testosterone production. We explain this process in-depth in our article on lion’s mane and testosterone. And, forrelated topicscheck out our blog post on lion’s mane and DHT.

Does lion’s mane help hair growth?

Lion’s mane may aid in hair growth, and even prevent hair loss. Learn more about this benefit in our blog post on lion’s mane and hair growth.

What are thelion’s mane spiritual benefits?

Due to thetherapeutic effects of lion’s mane on conditions such asdepression and anxiety, many believe that lion’s mane has spiritual benefits. Shaolin monks in ancient China used this mushroom in their daily practice as a way to improve concentration. They believed it increased their "Qi," a mystical, energetic life force. Check out our blog post on the spiritual benefits of lion’s mane for more information.

What should I look for in alion’s mane mushroom supplement?

Here are some things you should look for when buyinglion’s mane mushroom powders and other supplements with lion’s mane:

  • Look for a product that is certified organic or non-GMO (all Forij products are certified organic and contain no GMO ingredients)
  • Make sure the product has been thoroughly tested by a third-party lab (as our has)
  • Ensure that the lion’s mane extract or powder they use is potent (we use the highest-quality potent lion’s mane extract made with a dual extraction process)

Can I take lion’s mane with otherfunctional mushrooms?

Yes, you can take lion’s mane with any functionalmushroom species, including turkey tail mushrooms,shiitake mushrooms, andmaitake mushrooms. When it comes to medicinal mushrooms, the whole is better than the sum of its parts.

Is the lion’s manemushroom growing process hard?

The lion's mane mushroom growing process can be relatively simple with the use of anorganic mushroom growing kit. These kits provide the necessary materials and instructions to cultivatefresh lion's mane mushrooms at home.

And, if you wanthealthy eating without the obligations associated withgrowing your own lion’s mane, our granola is one way to ensure you’re getting the benefits of this mushroom in a quick, easy, and delicious way.

Resources

  1. Lai, P. L. (2013). Neurotrophic properties of theLion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 15(6), 539–554.https://doi.org/10.1615/intjmedmushr.v15.i6.30
  2. Martínez‐Mármol, R. (2023). Hericerin derivatives activates a pan‐neurotrophic pathway in central hippocampal neurons converging to ERK1 /2 signaling enhancing spatial memory. Journal of Neurochemistry.https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15767
  3. Arck, P. C. (2006). Neuroimmunology of Stress: Skin Takes Center Stage. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 126(8), 1697–1704.https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jid.5700104
  4. Hou, Y. (2015). Composition and antioxidant activity of water-soluble oligosaccharides from Hericium erinaceus. Molecular medicine reports, 11(5), 3794–3799.https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2014.3121
  5. Xie, G. (2022). Secondary Metabolites from Hericium erinaceus and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 27(7), 2157.https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27072157
  6. Wong, K. H. (2011). Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Following Crush Injury to Rat Peroneal Nerve by Aqueous Extract of Medicinal Mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae). Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2011, 580752.https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/neq062
  7. Ramazan, U. (2019) Healing effect of Hericium erinaceus in experimental peripheral neuropathy model. Anatomy: International Journal of Experimental & Clinical Anatomy . 2019 Supplement, Vol. 13 Issue S1, pS37-S37. 1/3p.

Forij Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or illness and should not be taken asmedical advice. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by theFood and Drug Administration (FDA). Before adding lion’s mane to your health and wellness routine, talk to a health care professional about the potential benefits, side effects, and uses of this mushroom.

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