Substrate Types: Lion's mane grows best on supplemented hardwood sawdust. Supplement with wheat bran at 10-20%. Higher spawn rates are effective with Lions Mane, increasing the chances that full colonization will take place. Lion’s Mane will also grow well on the “master’s mix".
Lion’s Mane, also known as yamabushitake, is a dietary mushroom that possesses highly effective cognitive-enhancing benefits.
As one of the key ingredients in the Mind Lab Pro formula, this remarkable fungus can be eaten raw, cooked, or as a supplement.
However, did you know you can also grow this mushroom in your own home?
Surprisingly, the process of growing and caring for your lion’s mane mushroom isn’t as complicated as it may sound.
We have put together this short guide to caring for your lion’s mane, should you decide to grow them at home!
But first, what is lion’s mane, and what are the proposed benefits?
The Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Lion’s mane has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine. The mushroom gets its name from its unique-looking white spines that droop downwards, resembling an actual lion’s mane!
Some of the noted health benefits of lion’s mane include:
- Improved cognitive function
- Antioxidant properties
- Protection against digestive ulcers
- Anti-depressant and anxiolytic properties
How to Grow Lion’s Mane Mushroom
There are a few ways to grow lion’s mane at home, ranging from beginner to expert level. You can check out the different ways to grow the mushroom by checking out this Lion's Mane growth article.
Though if you’re new to the hobby, we recommend a home growing kit, which is essentially a fully colonized mushroom fruiting block.
This way, all the hard work is done for you - all you have to do is prepare the block, follow our basic care instructions, and you’ll be harvesting the mushroom in no time.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Care Guide
Caring for your mushrooms isn’t a difficult task, and you don’t have to live in a special environment to grow them.
You simply have to ensure the block is properly prepared, and the humid conditions are met - practically care-free!
Here are some of our key care points:
- Once you have the block, cut “x’s” into the side of the bag - these holes are where your mushrooms will fruit out of.
- To maintain a relatively humid environment, place a sheet of perforated plastic over the block, ensuring there is plenty of space between the block and the plastic.
- Mist inside the bag with a spray bottle a few times a day while fanning in fresh air.
- Lion’s mane fruits will naturally begin to form through the holes in the bag.
- It takes around 10 days until your mushrooms will be ready to harvest.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom: When to Harvest
Lion’s mane mushroom is easily identified by its unique-looking spines, often called teeth, that grow off the main body.
As the mushroom grows, these spines will first grow outwards before then cascading downwards, to when it more closely resembles a lion’s mane.
Once you are confident that they look ready to harvest, gently cut the fruited body off the bag with a knife. The base of the mushroom is often hard, so it should be cut off.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom Care: FAQs
Q: How can I store the mushrooms?A: Once you’ve harvested your lion’s mane, you can store them in a fridge for up to a week.
Q: Why are my mushrooms going brown?A: Brown can sometimes be a sign of dryness or over-maturation of the mushroom. Humidity should be kept high, and airflow kept to a minimum.
Q: Can you eat lion’s mane raw?A: Yes, lion’s mane can be enjoyed raw, cooked, dried, steeped in tea, or as a supplement.
Q: Is Lion’s mane safe?A: Studies suggest that lion’s mane is safe, even at high doses. However, it is not suitable for anyone who has an allergy to mushrooms.
