Introducing Our Lions Mane Tincture!
There have been some exciting changes taking place in the Three Vegan Soulz lab!
Its Lion's Man-ia!
We are thrilled to introduce the first addition to our new mushroom wellness collection, Lions Mane, available in an Alcohol-Free Tincture.
We have been studying the effects of mushrooms on overall health-especially when it comes to mental wellness-for a long time. We knew we wanted to introduce a line of products which would incorporate all of these incredible benefits, but we wanted to be sure that everything was as close to perfection as possible. We consulted with herbalists and mushroom cultivation specialists in order to get our formulation just right.
In August, we realized that we were as close to that point of perfection as we ever would be, and so we launched our much-anticipated lions mane tincture; the first in an upcoming line of tinctures and other products that will each be based on a different mushroom!
Formulating and preparing our lions mane line of products has been such a labor of love and we are confident that you will fall in love with these special brews, and with the changes that you notice in mind and body after a couple of weeks of using just a couple dropperfuls a day. In honor of our just released tincture, we present you with a bio which represents the fascinating lions mane mushroom, and all that it has to offer.
Where does it come from? And what’s with the name? Will I hallucinate?
Lion's mane mushroom, otherwise known by its fancy Latin name: Hericium Erinaceus, or perhaps less likely known by a couple of silly ones: bearded tooth fungus, old man beard, or bearded hedgehog (in Latin, Hericium literally means hedgehog), is an edible, NON HALLUCINAGENIC mushroom belonging to the tooth fungus group. Yes, that’s the real name for a group of mushrooms which are native to North America, Europe and Asia.
Thankfully, the actual mushrooms have nothing to do with actual tooth fungus. The silly nick names are due to the mushrooms long spines which resemble the mane of a lion, “fine teeth” or a hedgehog 😊
They can be grown pretty much anywhere, and are relatively easy to cultivate, especially due to the prevailing practice of intensive indoor production using the many lions mane growth kits on the market today.
When grown in the wild, lion's mane can grow up to 10 pounds. Their growth typically occurs on dead trees and logs, but also on injured, living trees, specifically hardwoods such as maple, ash, oak, and eucalyptus. It is both a saprotroph (an organism that feeds on decomposing organic material) and a parasite (receives nourishment from living organisms). Lion's mane's natural season is generally from late summer through fall and winter, as it can withstand cold temperatures and frost conditions.
These mushrooms are slowly but surely becoming increasingly available, especially in the U.S., as mushrooms lovers learn more about this spectacular specialty mushroom. It has a mild flavor and is often used in culinary dishes. Vegans especially love it, and it has become a popular replacement for crab and lobster dishes.
Lions mane has been deemed safe for consumption by the FDA. They are purely functional and do not contain psilocybin-the hallucinogenic compound found in psychedelic mushrooms-or any other psychoactive materials.
History:
Lions mane has been used in traditional eastern medicine for centuries. It has been revered for its cognitive power by Buddhist monks, who were known to use powdered Lion’s Mane to increase brain focus during meditation. They also hailed it to combat the deficiency of Qi, or “life force”.
It’s said that the Yamabushi mountain monks wear a garment around their necks with long strands of fur to resemble the Lion’s Mane mushroom. Lions Mane is often referred to by Japanese locals as “Yamabushitake” or “mountain priest”, after this sect of Buddhist monks.
It has been known as a wild foraged mushroom for centuries, and though it has long been used for medicinal and culinary purposes, due to its limited availability it was often reserved for royalty and the elite. The intentional cultivation of Hericium was first reported in China in 1988, coinciding with an expanding curiosity surrounding the mushroom. It is now widely cultivated indoors, as all around the world interest in its health benefits have exploded.
Health Benefits:
These unique mushrooms are believed to offer several potential health benefits, including:
Cognitive and Nervous System Support:
They don’t call lions mane the “smart mushroom” for nothing. There are several ways in which these mushrooms can support healthy cognitive function, improved memory and attentions span.
- Research suggests that lion's mane mushrooms may promote cognitive function and support brain health by stimulating the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein essential for the growth and maintenance of neurons.
- Hericenones and erinacines are two plant compounds found in lions mane which are considered to be neuroprotective; meaning that they have the capability to generate new brain cells while protecting against neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer’s or Parkinsons. Preliminary research suggests that certain key erinacines may play a role in recovery after an ischemic stroke.
- Additionally, several test tube studies have suggested that polysaccharides, another potent compound found in lion's mane may protect neurons or make them function better. The naturally occurring fatty acids in these mushrooms may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease-induced cell death.
Mood And Mental Well-Being:
- Scientific studies indicate that the neuroprotective properties - particularly their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects - in lion's mane mushrooms can potentially benefit and strengthen our nervous system and overall cognitive health.
- Much of the available research focuses on lion's mane's potential for relieving depression symptoms related to menopause.
- Lions mane is well known around the naturopathic community for its ability to lessen symptoms of depression.
- We asked our tincture beta testers to rate, on a scale of one to ten, their overall sense of well-being prior to administering our lions mane tincture, and again after using it every day for one week. On average, it was reported that before administering the tincture, the rating for their sense of well-being was a 5, and after the week of consistent dosing, the rating averaged an 8! All our testers reported at least some improvement in their mood and a general reduction in their feelings of anxiousness.
Digestive Health:
Lion's mane mushrooms have been used as a gastrointestinal treatment for over 2,000 years in eastern medicine, and modern science has proven its effectiveness in treating this ailment. Lions mane contains compounds, such as beta-glucans and naturally occurring pre-biotics, that have been shown to support digestive health and contribute to a healthy gut microbiome.
Anti-inflammatory Properties:
Studies of the biomolecules of mushrooms show a prominent therapeutic response against lifestyle-related diseases and anti-inflammatory effects, which could potentially benefit overall health and wellness.
Protects Against Stomach Ulcers
- Stomach ulcers can occur due to an overgrowth of a certain type of bacteria known as H. pylori. Stomach ulcers can also result from the long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can damage the stomach's mucous layer, or as a result of alcohol abuse.
- Extracts of Lion's Mane have been shown to provide significant reduction of alcohol-induced ulcers, and to assist in maintaining adequate levels of antioxidant enzymes that help protect against damage to the gastric mucous layer from medicines or other toxins.
A Word About How Our Tincture Is Prepared:
As you can see by the information we have provided for you here, lions mane mushrooms carry loads of health benefits.
Fortunately, many people are catching on to these benefits and seeking them out. Unfortunately, they are not carried in most standard grocery stores, and it can take some due diligence, searching through various specialty shops to locate them.
No worries though. Our tincture saves you the trouble of sourcing, preparing and eating these mushrooms in their natural state, as we have concentrated the beneficial components of the mushroom into a convenient and easy-to-use liquid form.We work in conjunction with experts in mushroom cultivation and chemistry to bring you the freshest, top of the line and additive free combinations. Our tincture is prepared from the extracts of the mycelium; the root-like network from which mushrooms grow, and the fruiting body, which is the bulb, or the main component of the mushroom.
This extract is made without using alcohol as a solvent. Instead, we use all-natural vegetable glycerin or vinegar as a base for extraction. As with all of our products, there are no additional preservatives or additives. This special brew takes a bit of time and experimentation to arrive at the perfect strength and consistency, which is unique to each batch.
It is recommended to take several drops per day and store the tincture in a cool dry place. It is shelf stable, and we recommend using within 4 weeks.
Pineapple Mango Lions Mane Smoothie:
1 cup Ice
½ cup water
Quarter sized slice of ginger, peeled
½ cup spinach or Kale
½ cup Pineapple
1 Mango, peeled and sliced
2 Tbsp honey
2 or 3 dropperfuls of Three Vegan Soulz Lions Mane tincture
1 or 2 Tsp’s Chia seeds
Combine all ingredients in blender except for chia seeds. Blend until smooth and at desired consistency. If too thick add more water, if too thin, add a bit more ice.
Top with Chia seeds, if desired.
Makes 1 serving
Enjoy!
Coming soon: More new and exciting mushroom products! Stay tuned!
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Disclaimer: Some research shows lion’s mane mushroom may lower blood sugar levels. It could have an additive effect when paired with other herbs or supplements that lower blood sugar, causing your levels to drop too low.
Lion’s mane mushroom may have antiplatelet effects, meaning it prevents blood clots from forming. This could increase your risk for bleeding, especially when used with anticoagulant medications, or blood thinners.
Talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you may have about drug interactions with lion’s mane.