# Hericium erinaceus 'Sitake' **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/hericium-erinaceus-sitake **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-24 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Mushroom/Fungi **Also Known As:** Hericium erinaceus, Lion's Mane Mushroom, Bearded Tooth Mushroom, Pom Pom Mushroom, Yamabushitake, Monkey Head Mushroom, Bearded Hedgehog Mushroom, White Beard Mushroom ## Overview Hericium erinaceus 'Sitake' is a cultivated strain of lion's mane mushroom containing hericenones and erinacines, bioactive compounds studied for their potential to stimulate [nerve growth factor](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) (NGF) synthesis. As a named cultivar, its nutritional profile — including 22% protein and 8% dietary fiber — has been characterized, though strain-specific clinical evidence remains absent. ## Health Benefits • No clinical health benefits can be verified from the provided research • Traditional Chinese medicine use is mentioned but without specific applications (evidence quality: traditional use only) • Contains 22% protein and 8% dietary fiber based on nutritional analysis (evidence quality: compositional data only) • Young specimens are preferred for culinary use with crab-like flavor (evidence quality: culinary observation) • Safety in supplement form remains unproven according to available sources (evidence quality: safety warning) ## Mechanism of Action Erinacines, diterpenoid compounds found in the mycelium of Hericium erinaceus strains, are small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and are hypothesized to upregulate NGF mRNA expression via activation of the TrkA receptor pathway. [Hericenone](/ingredients/condition/cognitive)s, isolated from the fruiting body, may independently stimulate NGF secretion from astrocytes and peripheral nerve cells. Whether the Sitake cultivar produces these compounds at meaningfully different concentrations compared to wild-type or other cultivated strains has not been established in published research. ## Clinical Summary No clinical trials have been conducted specifically on the Hericium erinaceus 'Sitake' cultivar, making it impossible to attribute strain-specific health outcomes to this variety. General Hericium erinaceus research includes a small double-blind placebo-controlled trial (n=30) in Japanese adults with mild [cognitive](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) impairment showing improved cognitive scores at 3g/day of dried fruiting body over 16 weeks, though effects reversed after cessation. Additional small trials have explored anxiety, depression, and peripheral nerve regeneration with mixed results and methodological limitations including small sample sizes and short durations. The Sitake strain's nutritional data — 22% protein and 8% dietary fiber — is derived from compositional analysis rather than intervention studies. ## Nutritional Profile Macronutrients (per 100g dry weight): Protein 22%, Dietary fiber 8%, with remaining composition comprising carbohydrates and low fat content typical of Hericium species. Protein fraction contains all essential amino acids with notable concentrations of glutamic acid and aspartic acid. Bioactive compounds include [hericenone](/ingredients/condition/cognitive)s (C-E, identified in fruiting body) and erinacines (A-I, identified in mycelium), both classified as cyathane diterpenoids and aromatic compounds respectively; erinacines show higher CNS bioavailability due to blood-brain barrier permeability. [Beta-glucan](/ingredients/condition/immune-support)s (specifically beta-1,3 and beta-1,6 glucans) present as primary polysaccharide fraction, functioning as [prebiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) dietary fiber with moderate fermentability in the gut. Mineral content includes potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron at concentrations comparable to other edible Hericium species. B-vitamin complex present including riboflavin (B2) and niacin (B3); ergosterol (provitamin D2 precursor) present and converts to vitamin D2 upon UV exposure, concentration dependent on light exposure during cultivation. Bioavailability note: Polysaccharide and hericenone bioavailability is enhanced by cooking or hot-water extraction; raw consumption yields lower absorption of key bioactive fractions. Compositional data is based on nutritional analysis of the ingredient as documented; specific micronutrient concentrations for this particular cultivar ('Sitake') have not been independently verified beyond the 22% protein and 8% fiber figures provided. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges are available in the provided research. The mushroom is consumed as food in gourmet cooking, with young specimens preferred. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Hericium erinaceus is generally regarded as well-tolerated in adults, with adverse events in trials typically limited to mild gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea or bloating. Rare case reports exist of allergic reactions, including respiratory symptoms and skin rashes, particularly in individuals with mold or mushroom allergies, suggesting caution in this population. No well-documented drug-drug interactions have been established, though theoretical concern exists around additive effects with anticoagulants such as warfarin due to platelet aggregation modulation observed in preclinical studies. Safety data during pregnancy and lactation is insufficient, and use is not recommended in these populations without medical supervision. ## Scientific Research No clinical trials, meta-analyses, or PMIDs were found in the provided research. The research explicitly states that medicinal effectiveness, safety in supplements, and active compounds are unproven. ## Historical & Cultural Context The research notes that H. erinaceus is used in traditional Chinese medicine but provides no details about specific applications or historical duration of use. It is valued in gourmet cuisine for its crab-like or lobster-like flavor. ## Synergistic Combinations No synergistic ingredients identified in provided research ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Hericium erinaceus Sitake and how is it different from regular lion's mane? Hericium erinaceus 'Sitake' is a specific cultivated strain of lion's mane mushroom selected for particular growth or nutritional characteristics, including a documented protein content of approximately 22% and dietary fiber of 8% dry weight. While the genus and species are identical to standard lion's mane, cultivar-level differences in bioactive compound concentrations — such as erinacines or hericenones — have not been published for the Sitake strain specifically. No peer-reviewed research compares the Sitake cultivar's potency or efficacy directly against wild-type or other named cultivars. ### Does Hericium erinaceus Sitake improve memory or cognitive function? There is no clinical evidence specifically linking the Sitake cultivar to cognitive improvements. Broader lion's mane research includes a 16-week double-blind trial (n=30) using 3g/day of Hericium erinaceus fruiting body powder in adults with mild cognitive impairment, which showed statistically significant improvements on the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale — however, these results cannot be directly extrapolated to the Sitake strain without cultivar-specific studies. Any cognitive benefit is theorized to stem from erinacine-driven NGF upregulation, a mechanism unconfirmed for this specific strain. ### What bioactive compounds does Hericium erinaceus Sitake contain? As a Hericium erinaceus cultivar, the Sitake strain is expected to contain hericenones (from the fruiting body) and erinacines (from the mycelium), the primary bioactive compound classes identified across the species. Hericenones C through H are aromatic compounds, while erinacines A through K are cyathane-type diterpenoids — erinacine A being among the most studied for its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and stimulate NGF synthesis. However, quantitative data on the specific concentrations of these compounds in the Sitake cultivar has not been published in available research. ### Is Hericium erinaceus Sitake safe to take daily? Based on the broader safety record of Hericium erinaceus, daily consumption at culinary or supplemental doses is generally considered low-risk for healthy adults, with most adverse events being mild and gastrointestinal in nature. The Sitake strain itself has no published safety or toxicology data specific to it as a cultivar. Individuals with mushroom or mold allergies should exercise caution, and anyone on anticoagulant medications such as warfarin should consult a physician due to preliminary preclinical data suggesting possible platelet-modulating activity across the species. ### How much protein does Hericium erinaceus Sitake contain compared to other mushrooms? Hericium erinaceus Sitake has a documented protein content of approximately 22% on a dry-weight basis, which is notably high compared to common culinary mushrooms such as Agaricus bisporus (button mushroom) at roughly 17–19% dry-weight protein. Its 8% dietary fiber content also supports gut health potential, though this is a compositional finding rather than a clinical outcome. These values come from nutritional composition analysis and represent the ingredient's profile as a food source, not as a concentrated supplement extract where ratios would differ significantly. ### Can I get Hericium erinaceus Sitake from food sources, or is supplementation necessary? Hericium erinaceus Sitake is cultivated as an edible mushroom and can be consumed fresh or dried as a food, making dietary intake possible without supplements. Young specimens are preferred for culinary use and are valued for their crab-like flavor, making them a viable whole-food source. However, supplement forms may provide concentrated bioactive compounds in standardized doses compared to variable amounts in culinary mushrooms. ### Is Hericium erinaceus Sitake safe for children or pregnant women to consume? While Hericium erinaceus Sitake is generally recognized as safe for food use with no documented toxicity, specific safety data for children and pregnant women is limited in the scientific literature. As with any mushroom supplement during pregnancy, consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended before supplementing. Food-form consumption as a culinary ingredient carries a lower risk profile than concentrated supplements. ### What is the difference between fresh, dried, and extract forms of Hericium erinaceus Sitake for supplement use? Fresh Hericium erinaceus Sitake provides whole-food nutrition with its full protein (22%) and fiber (8%) content but has higher water weight and shorter shelf life. Dried forms concentrate bioactive compounds and extend shelf stability while reducing volume, though some heat-sensitive compounds may be affected during drying. Extract forms further concentrate specific compounds but may exclude fiber and other nutrients present in whole mushroom forms, making bioavailability and efficacy dependent on extraction method. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*