With the release of our second variation of lion’s mane extract, many people are asking which one is better water or alcohol extracts, or what is the difference?
In this article, we aim to lay out all the details.
First off, let’s start with a little background. Water and alcohol are used for their solvent properties. They draw out the various components of different herbs and mushrooms. Some herbs are best done with water. Some herbs are best done with alcohol.
In general, when it comes to the medicinal mushrooms, water and alcohol draw out different components. In general, here a dual extract is best.
- Polysaccharides, such as the immune system enhancing beta-glucans, are best drawn out with water.
- Terpenes, such as hericenones and erinacines, extract better in alcohol.
These classes of molecules are true across all different kinds of mushrooms.
So, this begs the question, is there an active component that we’re looking for?
The main benefit of lion’s mane is in its promotion of NGF (nerve growth factor). This is the main thing we’ve identified that sets this mushroom apart from others, including chaga, reishi and cordyceps. This is what is being looked into for helping with cognitive function and in various diseases where that declines.
In one study (1) the alcohol extract of lion’s mane increased NGF expression in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Meanwhile, the water extract did not, nor did any of the other mushrooms tested.
This study went on further to isolate hericenones C, D, and E. Despite other research pointing to these as being the “actives” they were not found to increase NGF here.
Later, they fed dry powdered Lion’s Mane supplement to mice and found NGF in the hippocampus grew, but not in the cortex. This was dry powder, not an alcohol extract.
Other studies have further complicated the issue.
Another study only used a water extract of lion’s mane and they found “the aqueous extract of H. erinaceus contained neuroactive compounds which induced NGF-synthesis and promoted neurite outgrowth in NG108-15 cells.” (2)
Still other studies find erinacines in mycelia, though these have not been identified in the fruiting bodies. (Though they probably are there.) These have been shown to stimulate NGF. (3)
There are also plenty of other compounds too, some with very chemical-heavy names: (4)
- ergosterol peroxide
- cerevisterol
- 3β,5α,9α-trihydroxy-ergosta-7,22-dien-6-one
- inoterpene A
- astradoric acid C
- botulin
- oleanolic acid
- ursolic acid
- hemisceramide
- 3,4-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4′-methyl-2′-oxo-3′-pentenyl)-9(7H)-oxo-2H-furo[3,4-h]benzopyran (say this five times fast!)
In short, we have only scratched the surface of the science around the benefits of lion’s mane.
We know with some pretty good certainty that it has NGF promoting effects.
But we don’t know much about what specifically does this, what is best in isolating it, what types of cells it affects, wherein the nervous system they work, or the whole host of possible synergistic effects.
So which extract is better?
My guess is that the 8:1 dual extract will have some stronger NGF effects and likely nootropic effects. This is because it is going to have pulled more of the components out from the mushrooms. Remember it is a dual extract so it is extracting with both water and alcohol. Then it is concentrated down.
But our 1:1 extract will still have some of these components, and thus, benefits. Here you’ll likely get greater immune system and digestive benefits (the other reasons people like lion’s mane) because there are more beta-glucans, and likely more of some other things too, simply because you can take a greater quantity.
Further research may reveal more, but that is how I’d make recommendations on which extract to get now.
References:
- Mori, K., Obara, Y., Hirota, M., Azumi, Y., Kinugasa, S., Inatomi, S., & Nakahata, N. (2008). Nerve Growth Factor-Inducing Activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 Human Astrocytoma Cells. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 31(9), 1727-1732.
- Lai, P., Naidu, M., Sabaratnam, V., Wong, K., David, R. P., Kuppusamy, U. R., . . . Malek, S. N. (2013). Neurotrophic Properties of the Lions Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 15(6), 539-554.
- Lee EW, Shizuki K, Hosokawa S, Suzuki M, et al. Two novel diterpenoids, erinacines H and I from the mycelia of Hericium erinaceum. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2000 Nov;64(11):2402-5.
- Zhang, C., Yin, X., Cao, C., Wei, J., Zhang, Q., & Gao, J. (2015). Chemical constituents from Hericium erinaceus and their ability to stimulate NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth on PC12 cells. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 25(22), 5078-5082.
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Paul Ceman says
I just got done watching this Paul Stamet’s talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q0un2GPsSQ
At one point he says that the mycelium of lions mane is more potent than the fruiting body. I’m paraphrasing of course. Is there a way to extract directly from inoculated grain?
Jim Troy says
Wouldn’t boiling the mushroom lead to a major degradation of the phenolic and organic acids? Is there a way to cold extract or another method to break down the cell walls without the use of heat?
Logan Christopher says
Yes, some things will likely be lost. This is why the alcohol extraction is usually done first in a dual extraction.
A lower temperature could be used under vacuum pressure. That’s outside the abilities or equipment of most people though.
Sarah brundell says
I have a lions mane fruit body ready to prepare for medicinal use. My question is if I am to follow the dual extraction method am I to first powder the mushrooms and then use the extraction methods or use the fresh fruit body? Do you have a guide on the 8:1 extraction process?
Logan Christopher says
Yes, you can use the fresh mushrooms. They do not need to be powdered, but broken down into smaller chunks is helpful.
This graphic shows the process used to make our 8:1 powder. https://cdn.lostempireherbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/lions-mane-8_1-process.jpg
Laura says
If you boil the lions mane first before extracting with alcohol, will the heat destroy the terpenes and render the dual extraction less potent?
Logan Christopher says
I am not sure if heat destroys terpenes but undoubtedly it would some other components. It is standard practice to do the alcohol extraction before the water extraction.
Tracey says
Hi i was wondering if you could give me a recipe for making a lions mane extract with alcohol. I keep trying to find one but cant. I would need it an easy recipe lol i hope
Thank you
Tracey
Logan Christopher says
Yes, I can do that but are you working with whole lion’s mane mushrooms or a powder?
Christina V espinosa says
I’m new at this, what do u mean 1:8, 1 oz alcohol, 8 oz water or vice versa
Chelsea Satterthwaite says
Hi Christina! Great question! Strength ratios describe the weight of the starting herb and the volume of menstruum (combined liquids) used to extract it, and are also known as the extraction rate. So, for example, a 1:4 ratio means 1 gram (g) of herb is extracted with 4 milliliters (mL) of menstruum.
In the future, if you have questions, please direct them to our customer service team. They would be glad to help!
Graham Upson says
I would like to know your comments on just drying and powdering lions mane for not all of us are able to do any type of extraction acuratelty. What beneficial affects are available from a simple dried powder.
Thank you.
Justin Snyder says
Hi Graham and thanks for your question. I just asked an expert and this was their response.
“”they should boil it first for a couple hours to break down the cell walls so they can absorb it. Making a tea with it is the best way. Or they could boil it and then dry it and powder it. But they need to break those cell walls down or they won’t get through the chitin.”
Hope this helps and please let us know if you have more questions!
Dave says
Why not specify the terpenes in Lion’s Mane dual extract if these are the potential NGF-promotors ?
Logan Christopher says
Sometimes the testing methods for certain compounds are not good enough to be accurate.