To treat gastritis, acid reflux and ulcer we have a powerful ally on our side, a medicinal and edible mushroom, Hericium erinaceus, which can be easily found in the form of a supplement. This mushroom has been shown to protect the gastric mucosa, counteracting inflammation and regulating the production of gastric juices. This is what emerges from two scientific studies, published within a few years of each other by the same team of Canadian and Chinese scientists (Wang et al, Int. J. Biol. Macromol., Jun 2022 - Wang et al., Int. J. Biol. Macromol., Jun 2022 - Wang et al. al, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2018).
The properties of the Hericium erinaceus mushroom
Hericium erinaceus is a mushroom also known as the monkey's head mushroom, due to its somewhat bizarre appearance, with long hanging filaments, which make it look just like the head of a primate. The mushroom is native to Asia, America and Europe and is also considered a real medicine. Studies have shown its ability to protect the brain and nervous system and improve memory (Li et al, Behav Neurol, 2018). And from today we know that the Hericium erinaceus mushroom is also able to protect the gastric mucosa, but let's try to understand better.
Hericium erinaceus protects the stomach, here are the results of the studies
In both studies, the scientists investigated the effects of taking the Hericium erinaceus mushroom in case of ulcer in mice. The result is that the mushroom has important gastroprotective properties. In fact, taking the mushroom allowed to regulate the secretion of gastric juices, to reduce inflammation and to increase gastroprotective substances, such as epidermal growth factor and prostaglandins, which stimulate the healing processes, inhibit gastric secretion, protect the gastric mucosa from attack by pathogens and stimulate the production of protective mucus, for a healthy and intact gastric mucosa. Not only that, the fungus has reduced the area of the gastric mucosa affected by the ulcer. The beneficial action of the Hericium erinaceus mushroom is to be found, as the authors of the study state, in the polysaccharides, substances that give the mushroom most of its health properties.
Conclusions
Hericium erinaceus mushroom is therefore useful in counteracting conditions such as heartburn, acid reflux, gastritis and gastric ulcers. You can find the mushroom, as mentioned in the introduction, in the form of a supplement. For the dosage, follow the directions on the package, but generally it is about taking 2 tablets a day, after meals, accompanied with a glass of water. The fungus is generally considered safe but be careful to buy only controlled products to avoid contamination from heavy metals, pollutants and pathogens.
