Hericium erinaceus is a valuable edible fungus, which is listed as one of the eight delicacies. In ancient times, there was a saying that "the monkey head in the mountain, the bird's nest with seafood". Hericium erinaceus, shark's fin, bear's paw and bird's nest are also known as the four famous dishes. Hericium erinaceus with paws, Hericium erinaceus with white paws, Hericium erinaceus with braised sauce, Hericium erinaceus with three fresh ingredients, and Hericium erinaceus with vegetable tree, the traditional dishes in the official kitchens, are all delicious delicacies.

Hericium erinaceus is rich in nutrition, containing 26.3 grams of protein per 100 grams. Twice as much as mushrooms. It contains as many as 17 kinds of amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids. It also contains a variety of inorganic salts and vitamins.

Hericium erinaceus has long been regarded as a good nourishing food by Chinese medicine. "Medicinal Fungi in China" states: "Hericium erinaceus is flat in nature and sweet in taste, which benefits the five internal organs, helps digestion, nourishes and fights cancer." Clinically, it has good curative effect on neurasthenia and digestive tract ulcer. According to relevant reports, the total effective rate of treating gastric and duodenal ulcer with Hericium erinaceus is 87.7%. The effective rate for chronic gastritis (including chronic atrophic gastritis) is 85.2%. The effective rate is 90% for general symptoms such as poor appetite, stomachache and bloating.

In recent years, in the screening of anticancer drugs, Hericium erinaceus has been found to have obvious anticancer function on skin and muscle cancer. At present, there are Hericium erinaceus tablets, Hericium erinaceus granules, Weilening and other drugs mainly based on Hericium erinaceus, which are well received by patients.