Hericium erinaceus is a choice edible when young, and the texture of the cooked mushroom is often compared to seafood. This mushroom is cultivated commercially on logs or sterilized sawdust.
It is called hóu tóu gu (
猴头菇 , lit. "monkey head mushroom") in Chinese. This mushroom has been used medicinally for hundreds of years in China, and recent studies have shown that several components have biological activity that include antioxidant effect, the regulation of blood lipid levels and reduction of blood glucose levels. This mushroom was once reserved only for the palates of the royal families.
NGSF (Nerve Growth Stimulant Factor) a compound found in Hericium erinaceus which causes brain neurons to re-grow, potentially helping senility, repairing neurological degradation, increasing intelligence and improving reflexes. Studies also confirm many of its traditional uses, supporting the digestive system, and acting as a tonic for the nervous system. |
