Key takeaways
- Hericenones are associated with the Lion’s Mane fruiting body.
- Erinacines are found mainly in the mycelium.
- Lion’s Mane also contains beta-glucans, sterols and ergothioneine.
- Fruiting body products shouldn’t be assumed to contain erinacines.
Lion’s Mane contains compounds found in very few other organisms, along with others common to many mushrooms. This article introduces the main ones.
Hericenones
Hericenones are aromatic compounds associated with the Lion’s Mane fruiting body. They have been studied mainly in the laboratory. See Hericenones Explained.
Erinacines
Erinacines are a group of diterpenoid compounds found mainly in Lion’s Mane mycelium, rather than the fruiting body. Much of the research on them uses mycelium grown under specific laboratory conditions. See Erinacines Explained.
Beta-glucans and other polysaccharides
Like other mushrooms, Lion’s Mane contains cell-wall polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, drawn out mainly by hot water.
Other compounds
- Sterols, such as ergosterol.
- Ergothioneine.
- Protein, fibre and minerals, which make it a nutritious food.
Where they end up in an extract
Polysaccharides dissolve in hot water; hericenones and sterols dissolve better in alcohol. A dual extract of fruiting bodies therefore contains a broader range than either solvent alone. Because erinacines are found mainly in the mycelium, fruiting body products shouldn’t be assumed to contain them. See Lion’s Mane Fruiting Body vs Mycelium.