Hedgehog goatee: wild lion’s mane and ingenious pom pom
The hedgehog goatee looks like the hippie of the medicinal mushrooms. Its fruiting body resembles a wild white lion’s mane. That’s why this powerful mushroom carries numerous names like satyr’s beard or monkey head mushroom. The French call it pom pom blanc and the Japanese yamabushitake (hidden mountain mushroom). Currently, gourmets are discovering this delicious edible mushroom with a taste similar to lobster all over the world. But its effects on your health dwarf its aroma profile. Find out interesting facts about this mushroom!
What exactly is the hedgehog goatee?
The hedgehog goatee (Hericium erinaceus) is a species of mushrooms that belong to the group of tooth fungus. The lion’s mane is particularly valued as an edible mushroom in Asia. With a lot of luck, you can also discover the mushroom in local forests. Although it is extremely rare, it occurs in almost all Northern countries.
As a so-called wound parasite, the hedgehog goatee grows on old deciduous trees, preferably oak or beech. It can nestle on dead wood, but always needs a high level of humidity. Wound parasites are also known as saprophytes or saprotrophs.
The power of the saprotrophs
As a saprotroph, the lion’s mane is one of the few fungi that can break down wood fibres. Among other things, this requires the enzyme laccase, which is widespread in nature (1). Experts suspect that laccase in mushrooms meant the end of coal in the history of the earth. Around 300 million years ago, mushrooms learned to digest wood fibres. At the same time, the deposition of hard coal decreased rapidly — a huge turning point in the development of the planet.
Interesting to know: Saprotrophic mushrooms are experts in breaking down plant fibres. Therefore, the rumen flora of ruminants and cows consists largely of these fungi.
Its exotic appearance has given the hedgehog goatee numerous names. In this country it is also known as the lion’s mane, satyr’s beard or bearded tooth fungus. The Vietnamese have given it the name Norugongdengi-beoseot, this almost inexpressible word can be translated deer tail mushroom.
In fact, any deer could consider itself lucky to have such an imposing mushroom for its tail. The hedgehog’s goatee forms up to 25 cm large, white fruiting bodies with many spines that hang down like a mane from hair.
Natural powerhouse for your health
Like all medicinal mushrooms, the lion’s mane is full of natural active ingredients that are medically effective. In addition to sterols, alkaloids and lactones, the mushroom contains the very special molecules erinacine and hericerine (2). These two substances are believed to be responsible for the extraordinary effects of this fungus on nerve cells and the brain.
In addition, the hedgehog’s goatee is made up of almost 40 percent beta-glucans. These complex carbohydrates are indigestible fibre for humans, but the metabolism can put them to good use as food for the gut microbiota.
The unique combination of active ingredients in the hedgehog’s hedgehog is likely to be responsible for its diverse effects on our health. Among other things, it strengthens the immune system, reduces oxidative stress by eliminating free radicals and inhibits inflammation (3).
Good for legal brain doping
Do you sometimes feel like pressure to perform is knocking your brain out of action? You’re not alone in this. Many people try to revamp their brain cells using legal and illegal methods. For example in 2013, the German medical journal spread alarming news: Every fifth student does brain doping (4).
Legal and effective brain doping can be achieved with the lion’s mane that supports your memory and your health at the same time. Several studies show that erinacine and hericerine from the hedgehog’s goatee promote the formation of nerve growth factors, among other things (5–7).
A study by Italian researchers from 2019 showed with animal experiments that the fungus even increases brain performance in old age (8). The plant active ingredients cyathan diterpenoids presumably strengthen the effects of erinacins and hericerins (9).
The nerve growth factor, a so-called neurotrophic factor, is a protein that protects neurons and promotes their growth. For example, it has been proven that the nerve growth factor promotes healing in diseases of the eye such as glaucoma or corneal ulcers (10).
A Japanese study from 2009 also showed that the hedgehog’s whiskers can prevent the onset of dementia (11). Animal experiments have also shown that the monkey’s head even helps offset the effects of Alzheimer’s disease (12).
Wonder weapon for a good gut feeling
The lion’s mane develops amazing powers entering the stomach. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been using Yamabushitake for many centuries for numerous ailments — including to strengthen digestion. In fact, the fungus is able to kill bacteria of the helicobacter pylori variety (13).
This gram-negative rod bacterium attacks the stomach lining and can cause gastritis and stomach ulcers (14). In addition, the fungi are effective against salmonella (15). The monkey’s head also alleviates the symptoms of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract such as colitis or Crohn’s disease. The authors of a study published in 2017 suggest that the hedgehog’s whiskers achieve these effects through its strengthening effect on the intestinal microbiome (16).
Among other things, the large amounts of beta-glucans in the hedgehog’s goatee are responsible for this. This fibre swells up a lot and slows down digestion. They thus have a balancing effect on blood sugar levels, ideal for people with diabetes mellitus (17).
In addition, these fibres seem to really train human immune cells in the intestine (18). In addition, beneficial gut bacteria can feed on beta-glucans (19). Last, but not least: These fibres have a beneficial effect on signal substances for inflammation, for example tumour necrosis factor, inflammation-promoting cytokines and prostaglandins (20).
Feelings of happiness thanks to lion’s mane
The hedgehog’s mustache also has a very positive effect on the mood. Japanese researchers have shown that extract from this mushroom is effective in reducing anxiety and depression after just four weeks (21). Therefore, scientists believe it is possible in the future to use the monkey head as an antidepressant without dangerous side effects (22).
Hedgehog goatee as an edible mushroom
In Asian cuisine, gourmets have long valued the hedgehog’s goatee as a delicacy. Unlike the rather subtle taste of local mushrooms, the lion’s mane is characterised by a pronounced aroma profile. Experts compare the taste to lobster or veal. Meanwhile, people all over the world recognise the nutritional value of this medicinal mushroom. Some mushroom farms therefore grow the monkey head on substrate. You can buy Lion’s Mane fresh today in specialty stores or even order it online. In contrast to other types of mushrooms, the hedgehog whiskers grow very slowly. That explains the not exactly cheap price.
How to prepare the lion’s mane
Healthy and delicious: what more could you want from a food item? You can easily prepare the hedgehog’s goatee. It is important not to wash the mushroom before preparing it. When it comes into contact with water, the spines soak up the liquid and lose their aroma.
The easiest way is to fry the mushroom with some crushed garlic for a few minutes in good olive oil and season it with salt and pepper. Some fresh chilli peppers, cut into small pieces, give the mushroom that certain something, if you like spiciness. Then you serve it with fresh lemon juice. Fresh herbs also go well with it, for example flat leaf parsley, thyme or fresh oregano.
You can also cut it into slices and bread it as a vegetarian schnitzel. Oatmeal is a good alternative to breadcrumbs. They also increase the content of beta-glucans and make the mushroom schnitzel a healthy feast for the palate.
Conclusion: hedgehog’s goatee, lion’s mane, pom pom — bring it on!
The Asians are centuries ahead of us when it comes to medicinal mushrooms. But people all over the world are now catching up quickly. This shows the fact that you can now also buy fresh hedgehog’s goatee in many countries. This mushroom has many names because it looks so funny.
Behind the original exterior, there are qualities that make health-conscious connoisseurs take notice. The monkey head not only tastes like lobster, it also strengthens your health in many ways — from brain performance to digestion and mood. The hedgehog’s goatee is one of the healthy delicacies that everyone can enjoy to their heart’s content — from vegans to paleo fans.
Sources:
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