Lion's Mane vs. Ashwagandha: Comparing the Health Benefits
Maybe you’ve had a series of stressful days, or maybe you’re having a hard time staying asleep at night. Whatever brought you here, it’s clear that you’re looking for relief.
Ashwagandha and lion’s mane are both supplements that have become more and more popular over the years for their abilities to soothe feelings of stress and encourage a good night’s sleep. In this article, we’ll unpack the benefits of each supplement and discuss when you might want to use each one.
What Is Lion’s Mane?
You’ve probably guessed by now that we aren’t actually talking about a lion’s furry mane. However, the mushroom known as lion’s mane, opens in a new tab (more formally, Hericium erinaceus) got its name because of its fuzzy, draping appearance.
This mushroom can be found in cooler climates across the Northern United States, Europe, and even Asia, and it’s actually been used in traditional folk medicine for centuries. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for instance, lion’s mane was used to support emotional well-being and cognitive health.
What Are the Benefits of Lion’s Mane?
Sure, lion’s mane is an interesting mushroom to look at, but what about its overall health effects? Surely there’s more to this fungus than meets the eye.
As it turns out, lion’s mane can have several health benefits. These include:
- Supports Mental Health: In one study, opens in a new tab, lion’s mane helped ease feelings of depression and anxiety in women who were going through menopause.
- Encourages Restful Sleep: Lion’s mane can support sleep quality and encourage restfulness. This can also be a byproduct of supporting mental health.
- Supports Gut Health: This mushroom is rich in beta-glucans, which are prebiotic fibers. These fibers feed good gut bacteria, encouraging a balanced gut microbiome.
- Encourages Feelings of Relaxation: Lion’s mane can help ease feelings of stress, opens in a new tab and encourage mental relaxation — which is just one more way it can also encourage a good night’s sleep!
- Supports Focus and Memory: Lion’s mane is a nootropic that can support overall cognitive health and is commonly used to encourage mental focus and quick thinking.
- Encourages Detoxification: This mushroom can encourage the body’s natural detoxification processes, helping remove toxins and supporting overall health.
- Supports Nerve Health: Finally, lion’s mane can support the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), opens in a new tab in the brain, which can encourage the health of your sympathetic nervous system.
What Is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb that hails from India, Africa, and parts of Asia. Its name literally means “smells like a horse,” which is a pretty good description of how this root smells when it’s fresh. You might also see this herb called “Indian ginseng” or “winter cherry.”
Like lion’s mane, ashwagandha is a staple of TCM and Ayurveda. In these traditional settings, it was used to support calmness, relieve stress, and increase libido, opens in a new tab.
What Are the Benefits of Ashwagandha?
Much like lion’s mane, ashwagandha has been studied for years. Throughout all of this research, scientists have found that there are some pretty good reasons why this herb has been so popular in different methods of folk medicine.
The benefits of ashwagandha include:
- Reduces Feelings of Stress: Ashwagandha can lower the body’s production of cortisol, which is aptly called “the stress hormone.” This can help you feel more calm and relaxed.
- Encourages a Good Night’s Sleep: Ashwagandha can also encourage a good night’s sleep, probably because of how it can affect stress.
- Increases Male Fertility: In some studies, ashwagandha increased testosterone levels and sperm quality, opens in a new tab in men.
- Supports Mental Health: Ashwagandha can also help with symptoms of depression and anxiety, likely because of its effects on sleep and stress.
- Increases Athletic Performance: Finally, ashwagandha can actually increase athletic performance, opens in a new tab by supporting efficient oxygen use.
Which Is Better: Lion’s Mane or Ashwagandha?
As you can tell, ashwagandha and lion’s mane have quite a few overlapping benefits. Both of them can ease feelings of stress, support a good night’s sleep, and encourage balanced mental health.
That said, lion’s mane stands out for its ability to help support gut health, detoxification, and NGF production. Meanwhile, ashwagandha may be better for anyone looking to increase testosterone, opens in a new tab or athletic performance.
Both herbs are good at what they do, and both have minimal side effects. Ultimately, which one you take comes down to personal preference and what benefits you’re looking for.
How Can You Take Lion’s Mane and Ashwagandha?
Both of these adaptogens come in liquid and powdered form. Whichever form you take, it’s generally a good idea to start at the lowest dose recommended on your supplement and slowly work your way up to a dose that feels comfortable for you.
If you react to the supplement, stop taking it and consult with a healthcare provider. You should also ask a doctor before taking any supplement if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, have a pre-existing health condition, or take any medications.
Supplements are designed to be easy to take, but some are more convenient than others. For instance, our Mushroom Coffee+ combines the benefits of lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms, collagen protein, coffee extract, and L-theanine into the same cup of coffee.
With this mushroom blend, getting your chill on is sipping on a warm, delicious cup of joe. How’s that for easy? Plus, all of our mushrooms are made with 100 percent fruiting bodies that have been double extracted and grown on wood chips — the quality is the best of the best.
The Bottom Line
Lion’s mane and ashwagandha are both adaptogens that are well-known for their benefits. Each has its own particular niche when it comes to overall wellness, but both can do the main job of supporting mental health, easing feelings of stress, and encouraging a good night’s sleep.
At Everyday Dose, we’re a little partial to mushrooms. Lion’s mane is our personal favorite because of all its benefits for gut health and cognitive health — that said, some people prefer ashwagandha. The great news is that you can try both and see what works best for you! To learn more about natural wellness and different ingredients, visit the Everyday Dose blog, opens in a new tab today.
Sources:
Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake | JStage
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