Lion's Mane and Blood Health: Cholesterol, Blood Clots, and Circulation
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Quick answer: Lion's mane may have mild blood-thinning effects and could potentially support healthy cholesterol levels based on limited research. If you're on blood thinners or have clotting disorders, you need to know the risks. For most healthy people, these effects are minor and generally beneficial.
Here's everything you need to know about lion's mane and your cardiovascular system.
Blood Clotting: What You Need to Know
The Anticoagulant Effect
What the research suggests:
Laboratory and animal studies indicate that lion's mane contains compounds that may inhibit platelet aggregation—the process where blood cells clump together to form clots.
The mechanism:
- Certain polysaccharides and other compounds in lion's mane may affect how platelets stick together
- This doesn't mean your blood becomes dangerously thin
- The effect appears to be mild compared to pharmaceutical anticoagulants
- Similar to how garlic, ginger, or turmeric have mild blood-thinning properties
Important context: We lack robust human studies measuring actual clotting times or bleeding risk in people taking lion's mane supplements at normal doses. Most evidence comes from test tube studies or high-dose animal research.
What This Means for Healthy People
For most individuals without clotting issues:
The mild antiplatelet effect is unlikely to cause problems and might even be beneficial:
- Could support healthy circulation
- Might reduce risk of unwanted clot formation
- Similar to the cardiovascular benefits of eating anti-inflammatory foods
- You probably won't notice any difference in day-to-day life
What you might notice (or more likely, won't notice):
- Minor cuts might bleed slightly longer (though most people don't notice this)
- Bruising might be marginally easier (again, usually not noticeable)
- No significant changes in how your body handles injuries
The reality: If you eat garlic, take fish oil, or drink green tea regularly, you're already consuming substances with similar mild anticoagulant properties. Lion's mane isn't dramatically different.
When Blood Thinning Becomes a Problem
You should NOT take lion's mane if you have:
Bleeding disorders:
- Haemophilia (A or B)
- Von Willebrand disease
- Severe thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
- Any inherited clotting disorder
Why it's dangerous: Your blood already doesn't clot properly. Even a mild additional anticoagulant effect could lead to spontaneous bleeding, difficulty controlling bleeding from injuries, or dangerous internal bleeding.
Taking blood-thinning medications:
- Warfarin (Coumadin)
- Apixaban (Eliquis)
- Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
- Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Regular aspirin use (for cardiovascular protection)
Why it's risky: Combining lion's mane with pharmaceutical anticoagulants could potentially enhance their effects, increasing your risk of bleeding complications. Even though lion's mane's effect is mild, when added to powerful medications, the cumulative effect matters.
What to do:
- Do not start lion's mane without consulting your doctor if you're on any anticoagulant
- If your doctor approves (with monitoring), start with the lowest possible dose
- Watch for unusual bruising, bleeding gums, blood in urine/stool, or prolonged bleeding from cuts
- Report any concerning symptoms immediately
Read our comprehensive guide on drug interactions for more details.
Surgery and Dental Procedures
Critical timing:
Because of the potential blood-thinning effect, you should stop taking lion's mane well before any procedure where bleeding control matters.
The protocol:
- Stop at least 2 weeks (14 days) before scheduled surgery
- This includes major surgeries, minor procedures, and dental work involving extraction or cutting
- Inform your surgeon and anaesthetist that you've been taking it
- Don't restart until your surgeon clears you post-operatively (usually 1-2 weeks after)
Why this matters: During surgery, doctors need to control bleeding precisely. Any substance that affects clotting—even mildly—increases surgical risk and can complicate healing.
Don't forget about:
- Dental extractions
- Endoscopic procedures with biopsy
- Cosmetic procedures
- Any injection or procedure that could cause bleeding
Better safe than sorry—always disclose all supplements to your medical team.
Does Lion's Mane Cause Blood Clots?
Let's address this concern directly because it comes up frequently.
The Short Answer: No
Where confusion comes from:
- Misunderstanding of the research (it actually has anti-clotting properties, not pro-clotting)
- Confusion with other supplements
- Misattributed health events
- Internet misinformation spreading
The actual science: Lion's mane has the opposite effect—it may mildly reduce clotting tendency, not increase it.
No documented cases exist of:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from lion's mane
- Pulmonary embolism from lion's mane
- Stroke caused by lion's mane
- Any thrombotic event attributed to lion's mane
If You're at Risk for Clots
Some people have increased clotting risk due to:
- Factor V Leiden or other genetic clotting disorders
- History of DVT or pulmonary embolism
- Prolonged immobility
- Certain cancers
- Oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy
- Smoking combined with other risk factors
For these individuals: Lion's mane's mild anticoagulant effect might actually be theoretically beneficial rather than harmful, though you should still consult your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you're on anticoagulants for clot prevention.
The key principle: Lion's mane doesn't make your blood more prone to clotting. If anything, it might make it slightly less prone to clotting.
Lion's Mane and Cholesterol
This is where things get more interesting and potentially beneficial.
What Research Suggests
Animal studies show promise:
Several rodent studies have found that lion's mane supplementation may:
- Reduce total cholesterol levels
- Lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol
- Potentially increase HDL ("good") cholesterol
- Reduce triglycerides
The mechanisms proposed:
- May reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestines
- Could enhance cholesterol excretion
- Might improve lipid metabolism
- Anti-inflammatory effects could indirectly benefit lipid profiles
The research reality: These are primarily animal studies with limited human data. We can't make definitive claims about cholesterol effects in humans based on rat studies alone.
What This Means in Practice
For people with high cholesterol:
Lion's mane is not a replacement for:
- Statin medications (atorvastatin, simvastatin, etc.)
- Dietary changes (reducing saturated fat, increasing fibre)
- Exercise and weight management
- Other prescribed cholesterol treatments
However, it might:
- Provide modest additional support alongside proper treatment
- Be worth trying as part of a comprehensive approach
- Offer anti-inflammatory benefits that support cardiovascular health
Realistic expectations:
- Don't expect dramatic cholesterol reductions
- Any effect would be gradual (8-12 weeks minimum to see changes)
- You'd need to monitor with blood tests to know if it's helping
- It works best as part of a broader strategy, not as a standalone treatment
Should You Try It for Cholesterol?
Yes, if:
- You're already implementing lifestyle changes (diet, exercise)
- You're looking for additional natural support
- Your cholesterol is borderline high, not dangerously elevated
- You're interested in the cognitive benefits anyway
- Your doctor approves
Probably not, if:
- Your cholesterol is very high and requires immediate aggressive treatment
- You're expecting it to replace proven interventions
- You're not willing to make dietary and lifestyle changes
- You can't afford it alongside necessary medications
The sensible approach: Think of lion's mane as a potential bonus for cardiovascular health if you're taking it primarily for cognitive benefits. Don't take it solely for cholesterol when stronger, better-studied options exist.
Monitoring Your Cholesterol
If trying lion's mane for cardiovascular support:
Get baseline testing:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Possibly apoB and other advanced markers
Retest after 3 months:
- This gives enough time to see if there's any effect
- Compare results to baseline
- Discuss with your GP whether changes are meaningful
Don't stop medications without medical supervision:
- Even if your cholesterol improves, this could be from multiple factors
- Never discontinue prescribed statins or other medications without your doctor's approval
- Lion's mane is complementary, not a replacement
Blood Pressure Effects
Lion's mane might have mild effects on blood pressure, though research is limited.
What We Know
Theoretical mechanisms:
- Anti-inflammatory properties might support healthy blood vessels
- Stress reduction could indirectly lower blood pressure
- Some compounds may have mild vasodilatory effects
Evidence level: Weak. Mostly extrapolated from general cardiovascular benefits rather than specific blood pressure studies.
For People with Low Blood Pressure
If you have hypotension:
Some people with already low blood pressure wonder if lion's mane could worsen it.
Warning signs that it might be affecting you:
- Dizziness when standing up
- Lightheadedness throughout the day
- Feeling faint or weak
- Unusual fatigue
What to do:
- Start with a low dose if you have borderline low blood pressure
- Monitor how you feel
- Stop if you experience any of the above symptoms
- Most people with normal to low blood pressure tolerate it fine
For People with High Blood Pressure
The good news: Lion's mane is unlikely to interfere with blood pressure medications and might provide modest additional cardiovascular support.
Continue taking your prescribed medications:
- Don't view lion's mane as a blood pressure treatment
- Keep monitoring your blood pressure as directed
- Report any unusual readings to your doctor
Potential complementary benefits:
- Stress reduction might indirectly help with blood pressure
- Anti-inflammatory effects support vascular health
- General cardiovascular support
See more about interactions with blood pressure medications.
Circulation and Cardiovascular Health
Beyond clotting and cholesterol, lion's mane might support overall cardiovascular function.
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Why inflammation matters for cardiovascular health:
Chronic inflammation damages blood vessels, promotes plaque formation, and increases cardiovascular disease risk. Lion's mane contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties.
The compounds responsible:
- Beta-glucans
- Polysaccharides
- Hericenones and erinacines
- Various antioxidants
Learn more about these active compounds.
What this might mean:
- Reduced vascular inflammation over time
- Better endothelial function (the lining of blood vessels)
- Support for healthy circulation
- General cardiovascular protection
The caveat: These benefits are extrapolated from the compounds' known properties rather than proven in cardiovascular-specific human trials.
Oxidative Stress Reduction
The theory:
Oxidative stress damages blood vessels and contributes to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup). Antioxidants in lion's mane might help protect against this damage.
Realistic expectations:
- Lion's mane isn't a magic bullet for heart health
- Effects would be subtle and long-term
- Works best as part of comprehensive cardiovascular care
- Think of it as one piece of a bigger puzzle
Overall Heart Health Strategy
Where lion's mane fits:
Lion's mane is a minor supporting player in cardiovascular health, not the star. The fundamentals matter far more:
More important than supplements:
- Don't smoke
- Exercise regularly (150+ minutes weekly)
- Maintain healthy weight
- Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Manage stress effectively
- Get adequate sleep (7-9 hours)
- Take prescribed medications as directed
- Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol
Where supplements help:
- As complementary support to the above
- When you're already doing the fundamentals
- For additional marginal gains
- As part of a holistic approach
Lion's mane offers potential cardiovascular benefits, but only after you've sorted the basics.
Real User Experiences with Blood Health
What People Actually Report
Most common experience (90%+): No noticeable changes in bleeding, bruising, or any cardiovascular symptoms.
People take lion's mane for cognitive benefits and simply don't notice anything different about their blood or circulation.
Occasional reports of easier bruising:
- Usually minor and not clinically significant
- Often attributable to other factors (aging, medications, vitamin deficiencies)
- Rarely causes people to stop taking it
Rare reports of improved circulation:
- "My hands and feet feel warmer"
- "I think my circulation is better"
- Subjective and hard to verify
- Could be placebo or related to other health changes
No widespread reports of:
- Dangerous bleeding
- Blood clots
- Cardiovascular problems
- Significant cholesterol changes (though most people don't test this)
Should You Get Blood Work Done?
When Testing Makes Sense
Consider getting blood work if:
- You have existing cardiovascular concerns
- You're taking lion's mane specifically hoping for cholesterol or cardiovascular benefits
- You're on medications that require monitoring
- You want concrete data on whether it's helping
- You have risk factors for heart disease
What to test:
- Lipid panel (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides)
- Inflammatory markers (hs-CRP if concerned about inflammation)
- Blood glucose (relevant for metabolic health)
- Potentially clotting factors if you have bleeding concerns
Timing:
- Get baseline before starting lion's mane
- Retest after 12 weeks of consistent use
- This allows enough time to see any changes
When Testing Is Probably Unnecessary
You likely don't need blood work if:
- You're young and healthy with no cardiovascular risk factors
- You're taking lion's mane purely for cognitive benefits
- You have no bleeding concerns
- Testing would cause financial strain
- You're not on any relevant medications
Reality check: Most people taking lion's mane will never need cardiovascular blood work because the effects are subtle and they're taking it for brain benefits, not heart benefits.
Combining Lion's Mane with Heart-Healthy Supplements
Lion's mane plays well with most cardiovascular supplements, but awareness helps.
Safe and Potentially Synergistic Combinations
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil):
- Both have mild blood-thinning properties
- Generally safe together
- Combined effect on bleeding is still modest
- Excellent for brain and heart health
- If on blood thinners, inform your doctor about the combination
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10):
- No interactions
- Often taken by people on statins
- Complementary for cardiovascular and mitochondrial health
Magnesium:
- No interactions
- Supports heart rhythm and blood pressure
- Safe to combine
- Take magnesium in evening, lion's mane in morning for optimal timing
Vitamin D:
- No cardiovascular interactions
- Generally beneficial to combine
- Supports overall health
Combinations Requiring Caution
Garlic supplements (high dose):
- Also has blood-thinning properties
- Combined effect might be more pronounced
- Probably fine at culinary amounts
- Be cautious with concentrated garlic supplements if on blood thinners
Ginkgo biloba:
- Another supplement with anticoagulant effects
- Combined with lion's mane, total blood-thinning effect increases
- Extra caution needed if on blood thinners
High-dose vitamin E:
- Can affect blood clotting
- Combined with lion's mane, monitor for increased bruising
- Normal dietary amounts are fine
Turmeric/curcumin (high dose):
- Anti-inflammatory and mild blood-thinning properties
- Generally safe together but cumulative effects exist
- Be mindful if taking multiple anti-inflammatory supplements
See our complete guide on supplement combinations.
Summary: Blood Health Considerations
| Aspect | Effect | Evidence Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood clotting | Mild antiplatelet effect | Moderate (mostly animal studies) | Caution with bleeding disorders and blood thinners |
| Cholesterol | Possible modest reduction | Weak (animal studies) | Not a primary cholesterol treatment |
| Blood pressure | Possibly mild reduction | Very weak | Monitor if you have hypotension |
| Circulation | Potential improvement | Weak (theoretical) | Indirect benefits possible |
| Blood clots | Does NOT cause | N/A | Safe for those at risk of clots |
Practical Guidelines for Safe Use
If you're healthy with no cardiovascular concerns:
- Take lion's mane without worry about blood effects
- Use standard dosing
- Focus on the cognitive benefits it's actually proven for
If you have cardiovascular disease:
- Consult your cardiologist before starting
- Lion's mane is unlikely to help significantly but probably won't hurt
- Focus on prescribed treatments and lifestyle changes first
- Consider it as minor complementary support
If you're on blood thinners or have bleeding disorders:
- Get medical clearance before starting
- Start with very low doses if approved
- Monitor for unusual bruising or bleeding
- Stop 2 weeks before any surgery
If you're trying it for cholesterol:
- Get baseline lipid panel
- Continue prescribed medications
- Implement dietary and lifestyle changes
- Retest after 12 weeks to assess any benefit
- Don't expect dramatic results
Our UK-manufactured capsules and gummies provide consistent, controlled dosing for safe supplementation.
The Bottom Line
Blood thinning effects: Real but mild. Matters if you have bleeding disorders, take anticoagulants, or have upcoming surgery. For healthy people, it's unlikely to cause problems.
Cholesterol effects: Possible but not dramatic. Don't rely on lion's mane as primary cholesterol treatment. It might provide modest additional support.
Blood clot risk: Zero evidence that lion's mane causes clots. If anything, mild antiplatelet effects might theoretically reduce clot risk.
Overall cardiovascular impact: Likely positive but subtle. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties might support heart health long-term, but robust human evidence is lacking.
The realistic approach: Take lion's mane for its proven cognitive benefits and neuroprotective properties. Any cardiovascular benefits are a potential bonus, not the primary reason to take it. Always prioritise proven cardiovascular interventions (diet, exercise, medications when needed) over supplements.
For most healthy people, blood-related concerns shouldn't stop you from trying lion's mane. Just be informed, especially if you have relevant medical conditions or take blood-thinning medications.
Ready to try lion's mane safely? Explore our quality UK supplements and follow proper dosage guidelines for best results.
Key Takeaway: Lion's mane has mild blood-thinning effects that matter if you have bleeding disorders, take anticoagulants, or have upcoming surgery. For healthy people, these effects are minor. Cholesterol benefits are possible but not proven in humans. Take it for brain health, not cardiovascular treatment.