Enhance your Thanksgiving dinner with this mood boosting supermushroom salad that works to take your cognitive function to the next level.

Used medicinally in Asia for centuries, lion’s mane is becoming increasingly popular in the Western wellness culture as science starts to back up its reputation and health benefits .

 

How Lion’s Mane Mushroom Affects the Brain

There are many compounds present in lion’s mane that provide the mushroom with its medicinal and healing benefits. The benefit that lion’s mane is commonly known for is its effect on neuronal health, including–but not limited to:

• Memory and Focus Improvement
  

Lion’s mane mushrooms contain compounds that stimulate the growth of brain cells and protect them from damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease.

Studies have shown that lion’s mane helps improve focus by stimulating nerve growth factor (NGF). These neurons are like messengers, sending and processing information from the brain to the rest of the body. They are a neuropeptide that help regulate growth, maintenance, and survival of neurons or nerve cells. This research also shows that it can help improve photographic and short-term memory.

 

• Reduces Depression and Anxiety

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental illnesses affecting people today.

This mushroom likely has an effect on the autonomous nervous system because of its ability to stimulate NGF. One part of this system is the sympathetic nervous system which controls fight or flight reactions.

In depression and anxiety, the sympathetic nervous system is in overdrive (while the parasympathetic nervous system is lowered). NGF can help improve the balance of the autonomous nervous system and reduce depression and anxiety.

Other Uses of Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane is well known as a brain-supporting mushroom, but that’s not its only ability. This wonderful white and long-haired mushroom can aid in supporting the digestive system and the immune system. With the additional health benefits below, alongside the cognitive function support, makes lion’s mane an amazing overall choice to add to your next recipe or alongside your other healing herbal supplements.

Other known benefits:

• Improves insulin sensitivity  
• Supports heart health
• Improve gastric symptoms  
• Improves immune system

 

Cooking with Lion’s Mane

Aside from its diverse health benefits, Lion’s Mane is a very delicious mushroom and can perfectly be a substitute for mushrooms you may usually use such as white mushrooms or oyster mushrooms. With its meatier texture, it is also commonly used as a fish substitute in many vegan dishes. 

It may seem a little intimidating to try sometime new, but trust me, it will be delicious! It is easy to use and you feel great after eating whatever you make with it knowing the health benefits that come along with this white, hairy healing mushroom.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs. mixed baby potatoes, quartered
• .5 lbs. Lions Mane Mushrooms
• .5 lbs Shiitake Mushrooms
• 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• ¾ tsp. Himalayan salt
• ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 2 tsp CURED Roasted Garlic Lemon Pepper Spice
• ⅓ cup finely chopped shallots
• 1 garlic clove, sliced thin
• 1 Tbsp. fresh chopped sage
• ½ cup vegetable broth
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp. maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp. coconut butter
• ¾ cup fresh parsley leaves
• ½ cup thinly sliced celery
• 2 peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples
• ⅓ cup dried cranberries

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat stove top to medium-heat with a medium-skillet.
2. Place potatoes in pan with 1 Tbsp. of the oil, ½ tsp. of the salt, and ¼ tsp. black pepper. Cook for until browned and tender, place mushrooms in pan after potatoes are almost fully cooked. Cook until lightly brown and soft.
3. While potatoes and mushrooms are cooking, combine remaining 1 Tbsp. oil, shallots, garlic, and sage in a medium skillet over medium-heat; cook 2 minutes. Whisk together broth, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup; add to pan, and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 10 to 12 minutes, or until mixture begins to reduce. Stir in coconut butter, and remaining ¼ tsp. each of salt and black pepper. Remove from heat.
4. Combine potatoes, cider-mustard sauce, parsley, celery, apples, and cranberries in a large serving bowl; gently toss to coat.
5. Top with CURED Roast Garlic Lemon Pepper Spice
6. For extra crispiness, place in oven at 400 for 5-8mins