Mushrooms have been part of traditional wellness practices for thousands of years, from Chinese and Japanese tonic traditions to the birch forests of Siberia and Northern Europe. Today a handful of them are among the most studied natural products in the world. Here's how the five best-known ones differ.
Why mushrooms are different from herbs
Mushrooms aren't plants. They're the fruiting bodies of fungi, and their chemistry reflects that. Two groups of compounds get most of the attention:
- Polysaccharides, especially beta-glucans. These complex carbohydrates are the main focus of research on mushrooms and the immune system. They're water-soluble.
- Triterpenes, such as the bitter ganoderic acids in reishi. These are better extracted with alcohol.
That's why the extraction method matters with mushrooms. Our Chaga 2X, for example, is extracted with both hot water and alcohol (a "dual extraction") so it captures both groups.
Reishi: the calming tonic
Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi), known as lingzhi in Chinese, has a reputation in traditional practice as a mushroom for long life and a settled spirit. It's bitter, woody and not something you'd cook with. It's taken as an extract.
Traditionally used to: support the immune system, promote a calm, grounded state, and support liver health. It's one of the few calming adaptogens, which makes it a good evening option.*
Chaga: the birch-forest antioxidant
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) grows on birch trees in cold northern forests across Russia, Scandinavia, Canada and the northern US. It looks like a lump of burnt charcoal on the outside, with a rust-orange interior. It has a long folk history in Siberia, where it was brewed as a tea.
Traditionally used to: support the immune system and overall vitality. Chaga is also notably rich in antioxidant compounds.* Our Chaga 2X is a double-strength, wild-harvested Canadian chaga extract.
Lion's mane: the mushroom for the mind
Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) looks like a white, shaggy waterfall of icicles. It's also a delicious edible mushroom. It contains two unusual families of compounds, hericenones and erinacines, that researchers study for their relationship to nerve health.
Traditionally used to: support focus, memory and overall cognitive function, which has made it a favorite among people looking for a caffeine-free way to support mental clarity.*
Cordyceps: the endurance mushroom
Cordyceps has an unusual history. The wild species grows on caterpillars high on the Tibetan Plateau, where herders noticed that animals grazing on it seemed more energetic. Today it's cultivated, which keeps it consistent and sustainable.
Traditionally used to: support stamina, exercise performance and healthy lung function. It's the most energizing of the five.* It's also a key ingredient in our Endure formula for athletes and in ImmuMend.
Turkey tail: the immune mushroom
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is one of the most common mushrooms in the world. You've almost certainly walked past its striped, fan-shaped brackets on a fallen log. Its polysaccharides are among the most extensively studied of any mushroom.
Traditionally used to: support healthy immune activity and digestive balance, including a healthy gut microbiome.*
Which mushroom is right for you?
- For calm and evening use: reishi.
- For focus and mental clarity: lion's mane.
- For energy, stamina and training: cordyceps.
- For year-round immune support: turkey tail or chaga.
- For a bit of everything: ImmuMend, which pairs reishi and cordyceps with seven adaptogenic herbs.
How to take mushroom extracts
Like other adaptogens, mushrooms work best taken daily over several weeks. Add the suggested dose to a little water, tea or juice. Most people take them between meals. If you're new to mushrooms, start with one at a time so you can tell how it suits you.
As with any supplement, check with your healthcare provider first if you're pregnant or nursing, take medication (including blood thinners or immune-modulating drugs), or have an upcoming surgery.
Shop this guide: Reishi · Chaga 2X · Lion's Mane · Cordyceps · Turkey Tail · ImmuMend
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Photo: Reishi mushroom by Wendell Smith, licensed under CC BY 2.0.