Lion’s Mane Vs Ginkgo Biloba

by Vorst Canada September 23, 2022

Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.

Lion’s mane and ginkgo biloba both have an interesting relation to brain health. People who are hoping to attain a sharp and strong cognitive function often compare lion’s mane vs ginkgo biloba. Though both botanical extracts are effective in improving brain function and memory, their composition and mechanism of action differ from each other. Let's explore how they work and what their potential benefits are.

In this article, we’ll compare lion’s mane vs ginkgo biloba basically in terms of their composition and potential benefits. But before we get into the difference between the effects of lion’s mane and ginkgo biloba, it’s important to know exactly what they are. So, let’s get started.

What is a lion’s mane?
What is ginkgo biloba?
Lion’s mane vs ginkgo biloba: bioactive components and medicinal properties
Lion’s mane vs ginkgo biloba: mechanism of action and potential health benefits
Final words

What is a lion’s mane?

Lion’s mane, otherwise called Hericium erinaceus or yamabushitake or hou you gu, is a shaggy, white mushroom that grows on dead trees and looks like a lion’s mane as the name suggests. It has long been used in cooking and medicine for centuries in Asian countries such as India, Japan, Korea, and China.

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What is ginkgo biloba?

Ginkgo biloba, otherwise called the Maidenhair tree, is an ancient medicinal plant that is the only living species of the entire Ginkgoales family that has been surviving since the Jurassic period. For centuries, ginkgo biloba has been used for brain health to improve various aspects of brain functions, making it one of the most widely sought-after as well as studied herbs to ameliorate brain function.

Lion’s mane vs ginkgo biloba: bioactive components and medicinal properties

According to current research findings, there are at least 32 active ingredients in the lion’s mane mushrooms. It’s rich in a type of complex carbohydrate structure called polysaccharides. In fact, this shaggy fungus has been extensively researched for a wide range of therapeutic purposes due to the presence of these polysaccharides.

Though the amount of vitamin and mineral content is very little in lion’s mane, it’s assumed to be a good source of selenium, iron, zinc, and potassium. Lion’s mane has neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, immune-boosting, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties.

Ginkgo biloba, on the other hand, has been extensively researched for a whole variety of pharmacological purposes mainly due to its two primary bioactive compounds that are present in varying concentrations: terpenoids such as diterpenes and ginkgolides and flavonoids such as ginkgetin and bilobetin.

Ginkgo biloba shows antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antiallergic, hypolipidemic, vasodilation, diuretic, anti-aging, neuroprotective, antihypertensive, cytotoxic anticancer, and cardioprotective effects on the body.

Lion’s mane vs ginkgo biloba: mechanism of action and potential health benefits

Lion’s mane can promote brain function by increasing “neurite outgrowth”, the growth of dendrites and axons from nerve cells or neurons, within the brain and its associated organs. This happens due to two specific compounds that lion’s mane contains - hericenones and ericasins - that have an incredible ability to stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), according to studies.

The nerve growth factor has an essential role in the development and function of nerve cells in the brain. By enhancing this growth, lion’s mane possesses the potential to slow and even reverse the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain, which is a big deal in the entire brain health research to treat and prevent various neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Here are a few common and proven ways how lion’s mane can benefit the human body:

Lion’s mane health benefits

Protects nerve cells in the brain from becoming damaged
Improves cognitive functions as well as helps address cognitive impairments
Slows and even reverses age-related dementia
Speeds up recovery of nerve cells from injury
Protects the lining of the gut and reduces the risk of stomach ulcers
Reduces oxidative stress and inflammation
Reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack
Helps prevent and manage diabetes
Boosts immune response
Reduces symptoms of psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, or mood disorders
May help fight against certain types of cancer

On the other hand, ginkgo biloba and the biologically active compounds it contains has a miraculous ability to impact the rheological properties of the blood and even the entire circulatory system. It has the potential to lower the adhesive qualities of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes) and also to decrease the release of mediators, which plays a significant role in reducing the risk of blood clotting (thrombosis) and atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a process of depositing unwanted materials such as fats and cholesterols at the artery walls that potentially increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Ginkgo biloba also demonstrates vasodilation effects, meaning it expands blood vessels and ensures smooth blood flow that, in turn, helps keep blood pressure at a healthy level.

Here are a few common and proven ways how ginkgo biloba can benefit the human body:

Ginkgo biloba health benefits

Reduces blood viscosity and risk of blood clotting
Induces the expansion of blood vessels, ensures smooth blood flow, lowers blood pressure as well as the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack
Improves glomerular filtration and overall kidney function that potentially helps increase the reabsorption of water and sodium in the body
May help treat and prevent proteinuria, a condition in which protein content releases through urine
Prevents damage to nerve cells in the brain and slows age-related cognitive changes such as dementia and difficulty focus
Stimulates the production of adrenaline hormone and helps manage symptoms of depression
Increases blood flow to the brain and helps relieve vascular origin issues such as headaches
Helps slow down the mechanism of age-related vision loss
Inhibits growth of certain types of cancer cells

Final words

Both lion’s mane and ginkgo biloba have been used to promote brain function and overall well-being for centuries. If we compare lion’s mane and ginkgo biloba, the main difference lies in their composition and mechanism of action. Lion’s mane is mainly studied for its “Neurite growth” activities in the brain, while ginkgo biloba is valued for its capacity to improve circulation in the brain and throughout the body.

Therefore, it depends on specific health conditions what would be the right supplement for a person. Consider discussing with a certified naturopath before starting any supplements.

Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Lion’s Mane 1000 mg Per Serving Vegan Capsule

Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Ginkgo Biloba 60 mg Capsules

Important resources:

Lion’s Mane Vs Ginkgo Biloba

Table of contents

What is a lion’s mane?

What is ginkgo biloba?

Lion’s mane vs ginkgo biloba: bioactive components and medicinal properties

Lion’s mane vs ginkgo biloba: mechanism of action and potential health benefits

Lion’s mane health benefits

Ginkgo biloba health benefits

Final words