The Wunderground Guide to Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

Scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, lions mane is a powerful mushroom that we chose for its brain-boosting benefits. Lions mane has been proven to impact concentration and focus, and is generally known as "the brain mushroom". Able to influence our mental stamina and concentration, lion’s mane is a "functional mushroom" that provides protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals in addition to bioactive substances that support a variety of the body’s functions and processes acting as a natural antibiotic, anticarcinogenic, antifatigue agent and more. 

At Wunderground, we aim to create the most delicious and efficacious adaptogenic mushroom coffee, so you’ll feel and perform better. "Fungi made the world as we know it. As some of the first life forms on the planet, they consumed minerals locked in rocks, creating what we now know as soil. Without them, there would be no plants on land, and therefore, no animals. No us," says Climate correspondent Somini Sengupta in her recent article for the NYTimes.

How It’s Harvested

To harvest Lion’s Mane, growers pay close attention to its color, harvesting before it turns pink or brown, but after it’s had enough time to grow and increase in size. Once ready, growers simply cut close to the base with a sharp knife. As this mushroom can bruise easily, it needs to be handled with care as it’s transported. Afterward, Lion’s Mane is typically refrigerated in a ventilated container for use while cooking, or carefully dried out.

Purely Sourced

We source our USDA organic-certified lions mane from a 100-year old farming operation in China. We’ll look at local sourcing when the US market catches up in terms of expertise, efficacy, and technology found in Eastern cultures where mushrooms have been a part of medicine and diet dating back 2,000 years.

Wunderground's Brainchild coffee provides 500mg of 8:1 potent mushroom extracts (250mg of which are Lion’s Mane) in over 12-oz cup. Potency-wise, this is greater than a typical 1000mg supplement made with ground mushroom or mycelium powder (versus an extract). Brainchild’s infusion is much more “bioavailable” — making it more easily absorbed into our bodies and benefits more immediately notable.

The Benefits 

Lions mane is a complex and deeply nourishing mushroom, providing cognitive support, amplifying gut health and invigorating immune function. Abundant in bioative compounds, this powerhouse mushroom is anti-inflammatory and known to promote nerve growth.

Helps You Get Brainy 

You know those days when you feel out-of-focus and can’t remember where you put your keys, or can’t concentrate on work? That's where lion mane comes in. Known to help improve focus, boost concentration, and aid in learning and memory — we love lions mane for it’s spark of creative wunder. 

Our favorite way to soak up all that Lion’s Mane has to offer is with Brainchild, one of our mushroom-infused coffees. We drink Brainchild to help lift brain fog — a cup of this in the morning = a really productive day.

Boosts the Immune System

An immunity boost is always a good thing, and Lion’s Mane does just that. Packed with antioxidants, like selenium and vitamin C, studies have shown that mushrooms can stimulate the activity of immune cells.

Calms the Nervous System (& Helps With Sleep!)

Lion’s Mane effects the nervous system, and is used for insomnia. When we sleep better, we stress less.

While Lion’s Mane won’t make you sleepy on its own, Dream Supply is the perfect choice to rest better. A tea made from Lion’s Mane, Chamomile, and Reishi (another powerful adaptogenic mushroom), it relieves stress and calms you down so you can breathe easy.

Want to learn about our other favorite mushrooms and how they can change your life? Follow along on TWITTER & stay tuned.

Want to learn about our other favorite mushrooms? Stay tuned: we’ll be breaking down Reishi, Chaga, and Cordyceps in the weeks to come.