Shiitake Archives - StonehengeHealth.com

You’ve probably heard plenty of hype around Lion’s Mane mushrooms.

While the hype may be new, the practice of using them is not. The history of Lion’s Mane is rich with ancient cultural, medicinal, and culinary significance, especially in Asian traditions.

Lion’s Mane offers incredible health benefits as a functional mushroom, from boosting brain power to supporting immunity.

While Lion’s Mane (scientific name Hericium erinaceus) often steals the spotlight, the truth is that combining it with other functional mushrooms can amplify results and address multiple health goals.

Here’s a brief overview of Lion’s Mane and how to create powerful combinations tailored to your needs.

What Makes Lion’s Mane Special?

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) stands out in functional mushrooms thanks to its benefits for the brain and nervous system. Here’s why it’s earned its reputation:

• Cognitive support: Hericenones and erinacines support Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), aiding in memory, focus, and mental clarity.*

• Mood stability: Supports the gut-brain axis, helping to improve mood.*

• Antioxidant power: Helps fight oxidative stress for overall wellness.*

While Lion’s Mane is incredible for brain health, it can be even more effective when combined with other functional mushrooms.

Boost the Benefits of Lion’s Mane by Stacking it with These Mushrooms

Lion’s Mane is incredible, but combining it with other functional mushrooms can take your wellness game to the next level. Together, these mushrooms offer many benefits that support your brain, immune system, and stress response.*

Combined with Lion’s Mane, these mushrooms’ unique properties create a well-rounded approach to health and wellness.

1. Chaga: Antioxidant Powerhouse

Chaga, often called the “King of Mushrooms,” contains essential nutrients such as B-complex vitamins, zinc, and antioxidants.

These nutrients help fight free radicals, protect cells from oxidative stress, and support overall wellness.* Adding Chaga to your stack with Lion’s Mane creates a one-two punch for brain and immune health, ensuring your body stays resilient and sharp.*

2. Maitake: Adaptogenic Ally

Known as the “Dancing Mushroom” in Japanese, Maitake is cherished for its adaptogenic properties.

Adaptogens are nature’s stress balancers, helping your body cope with occasional mental and physical stressors. When paired with Lion’s Mane, Maitake keeps your mind calm and your body energized, enabling you to stay focused and centered throughout the day.*

3. Shiitake: Immune System Support

Shiitake mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their immune-boosting and antioxidant properties.

Combined with Lion’s Mane, they create a balanced approach to staying healthy, even during seasonal challenges.*

4. Reishi: Stress-Relief Specialist

Reishi mushrooms are the ultimate stress-soothing adaptogen.*

Known as the “Mushroom of Immortality” in ancient Chinese medicine, Reishi supports immune health and promotes relaxation, making it a perfect complement to Lion’s Mane’s cognitive and mood-enhancing benefits.* This duo ensures you’re thinking clearly and feeling calm and collected.*

This stack covers everything from enhanced cognitive function and stress response to immune support and antioxidant benefits.*

How to Get Started with Functional Mushrooms

There are two main ways to incorporate these mushrooms into your routine:

1. Standalone Extracts

Opt for high-quality powders or tinctures. This approach lets you control the dosage and create custom blends.

2. Blended Formulas

Simplify your routine with pre-made blends like Stonehenge Health’s Dynamic Mushrooms, which combines Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake, and Chaga in one convenient supplement.

Each functional mushroom has unique properties, but their effects often complement one another. When used together, they create a holistic approach to wellness, targeting multiple aspects of your health, such as:

• Supports cognitive health and function*

• Promotes cognitive processing speed and efficiency*

• Promotes healthy mental reaction time*

• Promotes feelings of happiness*

• Promotes feelings of motivation*

• Helps ease feelings of stress*

• May support immune health*

• May support healthy digestion*

Final Thoughts

Instead of juggling multiple extracts or powders, simplify your routine with Stonehenge Health’s Dynamic Mushrooms.

This expertly crafted blend combines five of the most powerful mushrooms in their optimal forms—giving you all the benefits of functional mushrooms in one convenient, easy-to-take supplement.*

Whether tackling a busy day, looking to unwind, or aiming to feel your best year-round, Dynamic Mushrooms has your back.*

When you’re feeling unwell, your body instinctively knows what to do – sleep.

This isn’t a mere whim but a vital part of your body’s defense strategy. Sleep is a powerful tool for energy conservation, allowing your body to focus its resources on fighting off the illness. But it’s more than just an energy saver; sleep also facilitates cellular repair and regeneration, playing a pivotal role in your body’s healing process.

Interestingly, sleep also bolsters your fever response, a key player in enhancing your immune system’s effectiveness.

As you sleep, your immune activities heighten significantly, contributing to your increased need for sleep when you’re sick. Your body’s working overtime to heal and safeguard itself, and this process is most efficient during restful periods.

Therefore, when symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or headaches emerge, prioritizing sleep becomes essential in your recovery journey.

Understanding the Immune System

Doctor shows health protection symbol on blurred background.

The immune system, our body’s built-in shield, is a sophisticated network of cells, tissues, and organs that collaborate to protect us from harmful pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s composed of two main subsystems: the innate (non-specific) immune system and the adaptive (specific) immune system, both of which work together to fend off infections and illnesses.¹

Role of Sleep in Immune Function

During sleep, your body synthesizes and releases cytokines, proteins that are crucial in managing infection and inflammation, thus initiating an immune response.² When deprived of sleep, the production of these protective cytokines can decrease. Additionally, the count of antibodies and cells that fight infections also reduces during periods of inadequate sleep.

Sleep and Immune Memory

Sleep also influences the adaptive immune system, which utilizes “immune memory” to combat previously faced pathogens effectively.³ Studies have shown that getting a good night’s sleep after receiving a vaccine can boost the immune system’s memory response. Conversely, a lack of sleep can impair the body’s ability to remember and respond to threats, leaving it more vulnerable.⁴

Sleep Deprivation and Increased Susceptibility to Illness

Middle-aged 50s sick frozen woman seated on sofa in living room covered with warm plaid sneezing holding paper napkin blow out runny nose feels unhealthy, seasonal cold, weakened immune system concept

Research has consistently shown a link between lack of sleep and increased susceptibility to illnesses.⁵ For instance, one study found that individuals who slept less than seven hours per night were almost three times more likely to catch a cold than those who slept for eight hours or more. Persistent lack of sleep can precipitate severe health conditions such as weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and potentially, premature death.⁶

The Reciprocal Relationship Between Sleep and Immune Response

Senior woman enjoying autumn colors at sunset

The relationship between sleep and immunity is reciprocal. While quality sleep fortifies your immune system, your immune system, in turn, helps regulate your sleep patterns. This is mainly due to the cytokines released during an immune response that also promote sleep.

This intricate interplay underscores that sleep is essential in maintaining a robust immune response. So the next time you contemplate skipping sleep, remember that it’s not just your energy levels at stake, but your body’s natural defenses too.

In the broader health perspective, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and quality sleep make up the trifecta of wellness. Therefore, it’s important to give each component its due attention. Remember, a well-rested you is a healthier you!

How to relax and support your immune system at the same time…

An emerging trend in the realm of relaxation is the use of adaptogens. These natural substances aid in building resilience to the physical and mental impacts of stress to your body, fostering a greater sense of tranquility.^7-8 Among the extensively studied adaptogens, functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Maitake, and Reishi have gained attention.

Functional mushrooms also support your immune system.* Stonehenge Health has formulated Dynamic Mushrooms by expertly combining Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Maitake, Reishi, and Shiitake mushrooms. Incorporating Dynamic Mushrooms into a holistic lifestyle can help you maintain that cool and collected vibe needed to thrive.*

Sources:
1. Asif N, Iqbal R, Nazir CF. Human immune system during sleep. Am J Clin Exp Immunol. 2017 Dec 20;6(6):92-96.
2. Brain basics: Understanding sleep. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm.
3. Besedovsky L, Lange T, Born J. Sleep and immune function. Pflugers Arch. 2012 Jan;463(1):121-37.
4. Zimmermann, P., & Curtis, N. (2019). Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 32(2), e00084-18.
5. Cirelli C. Definition and consequences of sleep deprivation. http://www.uptodate.com/home.
6. Spiegel, K., Tasali, E., Leproult, R., & Van Cauter, E. (2009). Effects of poor and short sleep on glucose metabolism and obesity risk. Nature reviews. Endocrinology, 5(5), 253–261.
7. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2017 Aug;1401(1):49-64.
8. Liao LY et al. Chin Med. 2018 Nov 16;13:57.

Tag: Shiitake

Create the Ultimate Functional Mushroom Stack with Lion’s Mane

Feeling Sick? Get Some Sleep