Healthy living, longevity, nootropics and nutrition

On Consciously Natural we fill the informational gap between clickbait and scientific journals by providing in-depth researched articles on nutrition, supplements and many other topics around healthy living. Every article we write will always give you the primary source of information and explain the scientific jargon in simple terms.

Join us on this journey in discovering the truth behind natural health remedies.

Ilya & Marina

cordyceps for sexual health

Can cordyceps boost sex drive?

Cordyceps, originally discovered roughly 2,000 years ago in the Himalayas, are associated with a range of health benefits. Most compellingly, cordyceps have long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an aphrodisiac and treatment for sexual dysfunction. What does the evidence tell us?

Milk thistle, a therapeutic herb, supplements vary in bioavailability.

Guide to Using Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is associated with several health benefits, but that doesn’t mean just taking any milk thistle supplement in any amount will reveal these advantages. The bioavailability of milk thistle is particularly low. Meaning, you may only be metabolizing (and getting the benefits) from just 1% of the amount you take. As with most natural medicines, dosage and timing are key.

milk thistle for health benefits

Health Benefits of Milk Thistle

Milk thistle’s potent antioxidant activity enables to it help treat and prevent several health conditions. Its most compelling uses are to protect the skin, heal the liver, and boost milk production in lactating mothers.

Lion’s Mane side effects

Lion’s Mane mushroom supplements are safe, even in very high doses, and are unlikely to cause any side effects. However, if you are currently taking a blood thinner medication or are diabetic, be aware that there are known interactions between Lion’s Mane and these conditions.

lion's mane mushroom powder appears a dark yellow

Lion’s Mane powder

Lion’s Mane powder refers to the dried and pulverized product made of Lion’s Mane mushroom. The vast majority of research, particularly the research demonstrating the potent health benefits, uses Lion’s Mane powder from some extraction technique (water, alcohol, or both).

All Shilajit benefits for men

Shilajit has a long history of being a supplement that can help men achieve better fertility, energy and higher testosterone levels. The science behind it has shown on multiple occasion that it indeed delivers on the promise.

Shatavari means

Shatavari benefits for women

Shatavari is a medicinal plant with a range of health benefits for women. Shatavari benefits for women include its abilities to improve menstrual health (alleviate PMS, cramps, and excessive bleeding), regulate cycles, reduce symptoms of menopause (i.e. hot flashes, insomnia, etc.), treat PCOS, improve fertility, and to increase milk production while breastfeeding.

The seed cycling chart explains how to seed cycle: for the first half of your menstrual cycle (beginning on the first day of the period to about the 15th day) consume approximately two tablespoons of flax seeds and pumpkin seeds daily; for the second half, sesame and sunflower.

Seed Cycling Chart

Seed cycling may help balance hormones and reduce menstrual cramps. Our seed cycling chart below demonstrates how this works: for the first half of your menstrual cycle (beginning on the first day of the period to about the 15th day) consume approximately two tablespoons of flax seeds and pumpkin seeds daily; for the second half, sesame and sunflower.

Best Lion’s Mane Supplement Type

If you are taking Lion’s Man to enhance your memory or cognition, or to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety, then take a Lion’s Mane supplement extracted with alcohol (either mycelium or fruiting body). This ensures you’re getting the nootropic benefits from the NGF-boosting compounds.

Dog laying on ground, looking sad, and is an example of a senior dog suffering from cognitive dysfunction. One symptom of cognitive dysfunction is change in activity.

Lion’s Mane for Dogs

Several articles online encourage dog owners to give Lion’s Mane to their pets. However, these recommendations and the purported health benefits for dogs are not evidence-backed. There have been no studies to date evaluating the effects of Lion’s Mane on dogs.

How much Lion’s Mane to take

Here, we answer all your questions about how much Lion’s Mane to take, what time of day, for how long, and side effects you may expect. In this article, we dive into these questions to get you the scientifically-backed answers to each one.

a woman holding a cup of coffee with white foam, and a sprinke-ling of brown powder at the top of the mug in the shape of the heart. functions as an example of lions mane powder being put into coffee.

Lion’s Mane coffee and tea

Many mainstream mushroom tea and coffee products just don’t contain enough Lion’s Mane to function as an effective means of supplementation. With only 250mg/serving, they provide only a fraction of the amount evaluated in studies (2-11g/day).

A woman enjoying the beach, without depression or anxiety.

Lion’s Mane for anxiety and depression

Lion’s Mane mushroom may be an effective natural remedy to help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Studies have observed that supplementing 2g/day of powdered fruiting body (or 11g/day of amycenone, a standard extract, sold as Amyloban 3399 capsules) reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety after one to two months.

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