Journal

Soplowka jezowata jak wyglada, gdzie rosnie: lion's mane in the wild

Soplowka jezowata jak wyglada, gdzie rosnie: a rare, protected mushroom in Poland, growing on old deciduous trees. See its look, habitat, and legal status.

Mateusz Rosa

TCM therapist · Doctor of Acupuncture (WFAS) · author of a book on functional mushrooms

September 1, 20263 min read

Contents

What does lion's mane look like in the wild?
Where does lion's mane grow, and why is it rare?
Can you forage lion's mane in a Polish forest?
FAQ

Soplowka jezowata jak wyglada, gdzie rosnie? In English: what does lion's mane look like, and where does it grow? It's a white, round fruiting body covered in long, hanging spines, growing on old deciduous trunks, mainly beech and oak. In Poland it's rare and protected, so foraging wild fruiting bodies is against the law. This post covers the species from a natural-history angle; the dried lion's mane for supplementation comes from controlled cultivation, not forest foraging.

What does lion's mane look like in the wild?

The fruiting body is white or cream, roughly ball-shaped, without the typical cap and stem of other mushrooms. The surface is covered in long, thin, hanging spines that can yellow over time. The smell is mild, faintly mushroomy. A fresh fruiting body can reach ten to twenty-odd centimetres across, depending on age and conditions.

Where does lion's mane grow, and why is it rare?

Lion's mane is a tree-dwelling fungus, growing out of bark damage or dead wood on old deciduous trees, mostly beech. In Poland it needs old-growth stands, forests with many old, mature trees, shrinking year by year with forestry. That's the main reason it's rare here, not any difficulty telling it apart from other fungi.

Can you forage lion's mane in a Polish forest?

No. Under the Polish regulation on fungal species protection (Journal of Laws 2014, item 1408), wild lion's mane is strictly protected: picking, damaging or removing fruiting bodies is prohibited. If you spot it, photograph and report it to the local forest office. See fruiting body vs mycelium on grain for how cultivated supplements differ.

FAQ

Is lion's mane a protected species in Poland? Yes, it is under strict species protection in Poland (Minister of the Environment regulation of 9 October 2014, Journal of Laws 2014, item 1408), due to its rarity and dependence on old-growth forest. Check the current fungal species protection regulation before any activity in the field.

Can I eat a wild lion's mane I found? Even if you identify the species correctly, foraging protected lion's mane from nature is against the law. Products for use come from legal, controlled cultivation.

Which trees does lion's mane usually grow on? Most often beech, less often other deciduous trees, usually at sites of bark damage or on dead wood on old trees.

The full species profile is on the lion's mane page, and the cultivated product is on the lion's mane product card. For where the English name comes from, see lion's mane, what it's called in Polish.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. A food supplement does not replace a varied diet or a healthy lifestyle. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Lion's mane in scientific research

What was studied, on how many people and with what level of evidence. This overview describes studies, not the effects of a product.

human studies

placebo-controlled RCTs (incl. 1 pilot)

1991–2026

years of publication

Menon A. et al., 2025
B
systematic review
26 studies, including only 5 RCTs · number of people: not reported
The review collected studies on the use of Hericium erinaceus as a supplement in the context of cognitive function and reported adverse effects. The authors noted that adverse effects are usually not reported in the literature.
PMID 40959699
Mori K. et al., 2009
C
RCT, double-blind, placebo-controlled
30 people, 50 to 80 years, Japan
The study examined the effect of taking Hericium erinaceus on a cognitive function scale score in a group of 30 Japanese people aged 50 to 80 with mild cognitive impairment. Very small sample from a single population, the differences faded within 4 weeks after discontinuation.
PMID 18844328
Nagano M. et al., 2010
C
RCT, double-blind, placebo-controlled
30 women
The study examined the effect of 4 weeks of Hericium erinaceus intake on questionnaire scores for mood, perimenopausal symptoms and sleep quality in a group of 30 women. Very small sample, women only.
PMID 20834180
Saitsu Y. et al., 2019
C
RCT, double-blind, placebo-controlled
not reported
The study examined the effect of 12 weeks of taking a Hericium erinaceus fruiting-body supplement on cognitive function test results in a group of adult participants. The authors noted that evidence regarding human health remains uncertain.
PMID 31413233
Li I.C. et al., 2020
D
pilot RCT, placebo-controlled
49 randomised, 41 completed
The study examined the effect of 49 weeks of taking erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelia on cognitive test results and safety parameters in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. Small, pilot sample size, larger studies needed.
PMID 32581767
Docherty S. et al., 2023
D
pilot RCT
41 healthy adults
The study examined the effect of a single dose and 28 days of Hericium erinaceus supplementation on cognitive test results, perceived stress and mood in a group of 41 healthy adults. Small sample, null results alongside positive ones, replication needed.
PMID 38004235
Surendran G. et al., 2025
C
crossover RCT, placebo-controlled, single dose
18 healthy adults
The study examined the effect of a single dose of a standardised Hericium erinaceus fruiting-body extract on cognitive test results and mood measured 90 minutes after administration in a group of 18 healthy young adults. Very small sample requiring replication.
PMID 40276537
Spangenberg E.T. et al., 2025
E
systematic review of preclinical studies · preclinical studies (in vitro and rodent)
not applicable, 23 studies
The review collected preclinical studies (in vitro and in rodents) on the role of erinacines in neuroprotection models. No standardisation of erinacine measurement, inconsistent reporting of strains and extraction methods.
PMID 40626304
Kawagishi H. et al., 1991
E
compound isolation + in vitro test · preclinical studies (in vitro and rodent)
not applicable
The study examined, through compound isolation from the fruiting body and an in vitro test, which substances (hericenones C, D, E) stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis. Historical chemistry paper (1991).
DOI 10.1016/0040-4039(91)80039-9
Friedman M., 2015
E
narrative review · preclinical studies (in vitro and rodent)
not applicable
The narrative review collected data on the chemical composition, nutritional value and reported health properties of lion's mane. The author emphasises that many properties come from preclinical studies.
PMID 26244378
Lai P.L. et al., 2013
E
in vitro · preclinical studies (in vitro and rodent)
not applicable
The study examined the effect of an aqueous extract on nerve fibre outgrowth in an in vitro cell culture, alone and combined with NGF. The preparation did not protect cells from oxidative damage despite its neurotrophic effect.
PMID 24266378
Nakatsugawa M. et al., 2003
D
case report, safety
1 patient, 63-year-old man
The case report documented acute respiratory failure (pneumonitis) in a 63-year-old man after taking a lion's mane extract 4 months earlier. Single case, safety data, not an efficacy study.
PMID 14714963
Daoust J. et al., 2026
C
RCT, double-blind, placebo-controlled (preprint, not peer-reviewed)
109 people (57+52), 40-75 years, 8 weeks
The study (preprint, not peer-reviewed) examined the effect of 8 weeks of 2 g daily fruiting-body and mycelium biomass supplementation on visual attention, working memory, sleep quality and mood tests in 109 adults aged 40-75 with reported cognitive difficulties. The authors themselves describe the results as "modest". Preprint status means no scientific peer review.
DOI 10.64898/2026.04.13.26350781
Cornford N., Charnley M., 2025
E
narrative review · preclinical studies (in vitro and rodent)
not applicable (3 human studies + 13 animal studies discussed in the review)
The narrative review analysed 3 human clinical studies and 13 animal studies on the prevention and delayed progression of Alzheimer's disease. The authors point to the need for additional human clinical studies.
DOI 10.1017/S0954422425000058

Study (author, year)	Type	Participants	What was studied	Level
Menon A. et al., 2025 PMID 40959699	systematic review	26 studies, including only 5 RCTs · number of people: not reported	The review collected studies on the use of Hericium erinaceus as a supplement in the context of cognitive function and reported adverse effects. The authors noted that adverse effects are usually not reported in the literature.	B
Mori K. et al., 2009 PMID 18844328	RCT, double-blind, placebo-controlled	30 people, 50 to 80 years, Japan	The study examined the effect of taking Hericium erinaceus on a cognitive function scale score in a group of 30 Japanese people aged 50 to 80 with mild cognitive impairment. Very small sample from a single population, the differences faded within 4 weeks after discontinuation.	C
Nagano M. et al., 2010 PMID 20834180	RCT, double-blind, placebo-controlled	30 women	The study examined the effect of 4 weeks of Hericium erinaceus intake on questionnaire scores for mood, perimenopausal symptoms and sleep quality in a group of 30 women. Very small sample, women only.	C
Saitsu Y. et al., 2019 PMID 31413233	RCT, double-blind, placebo-controlled	not reported	The study examined the effect of 12 weeks of taking a Hericium erinaceus fruiting-body supplement on cognitive function test results in a group of adult participants. The authors noted that evidence regarding human health remains uncertain.	C
Li I.C. et al., 2020 PMID 32581767	pilot RCT, placebo-controlled	49 randomised, 41 completed	The study examined the effect of 49 weeks of taking erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelia on cognitive test results and safety parameters in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. Small, pilot sample size, larger studies needed.	D
Docherty S. et al., 2023 PMID 38004235	pilot RCT	41 healthy adults	The study examined the effect of a single dose and 28 days of Hericium erinaceus supplementation on cognitive test results, perceived stress and mood in a group of 41 healthy adults. Small sample, null results alongside positive ones, replication needed.	D
Surendran G. et al., 2025 PMID 40276537	crossover RCT, placebo-controlled, single dose	18 healthy adults	The study examined the effect of a single dose of a standardised Hericium erinaceus fruiting-body extract on cognitive test results and mood measured 90 minutes after administration in a group of 18 healthy young adults. Very small sample requiring replication.	C
Spangenberg E.T. et al., 2025 PMID 40626304	systematic review of preclinical studiespreclinical studies (in vitro and rodent)	not applicable, 23 studies	The review collected preclinical studies (in vitro and in rodents) on the role of erinacines in neuroprotection models. No standardisation of erinacine measurement, inconsistent reporting of strains and extraction methods.	E
Kawagishi H. et al., 1991 DOI 10.1016/0040-4039(91)80039-9	compound isolation + in vitro testpreclinical studies (in vitro and rodent)	not applicable	The study examined, through compound isolation from the fruiting body and an in vitro test, which substances (hericenones C, D, E) stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis. Historical chemistry paper (1991).	E
Friedman M., 2015 PMID 26244378	narrative reviewpreclinical studies (in vitro and rodent)	not applicable	The narrative review collected data on the chemical composition, nutritional value and reported health properties of lion's mane. The author emphasises that many properties come from preclinical studies.	E
Lai P.L. et al., 2013 PMID 24266378	in vitropreclinical studies (in vitro and rodent)	not applicable	The study examined the effect of an aqueous extract on nerve fibre outgrowth in an in vitro cell culture, alone and combined with NGF. The preparation did not protect cells from oxidative damage despite its neurotrophic effect.	E
Nakatsugawa M. et al., 2003 PMID 14714963	case report, safety	1 patient, 63-year-old man	The case report documented acute respiratory failure (pneumonitis) in a 63-year-old man after taking a lion's mane extract 4 months earlier. Single case, safety data, not an efficacy study.	D
Daoust J. et al., 2026 DOI 10.64898/2026.04.13.26350781	RCT, double-blind, placebo-controlled (preprint, not peer-reviewed)	109 people (57+52), 40-75 years, 8 weeks	The study (preprint, not peer-reviewed) examined the effect of 8 weeks of 2 g daily fruiting-body and mycelium biomass supplementation on visual attention, working memory, sleep quality and mood tests in 109 adults aged 40-75 with reported cognitive difficulties. The authors themselves describe the results as "modest". Preprint status means no scientific peer review.	C
Cornford N., Charnley M., 2025 DOI 10.1017/S0954422425000058	narrative reviewpreclinical studies (in vitro and rodent)	not applicable (3 human studies + 13 animal studies discussed in the review)	The narrative review analysed 3 human clinical studies and 13 animal studies on the prevention and delayed progression of Alzheimer's disease. The authors point to the need for additional human clinical studies.	E

Evidence levels: A · Cochrane review · B · systematic review · C · placebo RCT · D · pilot RCT · E · preclinical studies

What these studies don't say

Samples are usually small, most from a single population.
Results describe research interventions, not a dietary supplement.
The presence of a study is not a health claim.
1 entry/entries are case reports about safety, not efficacy studies.

Source: Aloha Fungi literature review, 1 September 2026; entries verified via PubMed or by DOI (Crossref). See the research

Sources and trails

Discover functional mushrooms

See our products Visit the Forest Atlas

Back to the blog