Reishi, Cordyceps and Lion's Mane: Three Mushrooms Explained

Mushroom supplements have moved from specialist shops to the mainstream, and three names come up more than any others: reishi, cordyceps and lion's mane. They look nothing alike, they grow in very different places, and their labels can be hard to compare. This guide explains what each mushroom is, where it comes from and which details on the label actually matter.

What are functional mushroom supplements?

These are dried mushrooms or mushroom extracts sold as food supplements, usually in capsules or powders. They are not vitamins or minerals, and no health claims are authorised for reishi, cordyceps or lion's mane in the UK. What you can compare is what goes into the capsule: the species, the part of the mushroom used, how it was extracted and what it is standardised to.

The three mushrooms and where they come from

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Reishi is a shelf-like fungus with a glossy, reddish-brown, almost varnished cap. It grows on the trunks and stumps of hardwood trees and has a long history in East Asian traditions, where it is known as lingzhi in China. It is woody and very bitter, so it is not a culinary mushroom. It is almost always taken as an extract or tea.

Cordyceps

The name cordyceps covers a group of fungi. Wild Cordyceps sinensis (now often classified as Ophiocordyceps sinensis) grows on caterpillar larvae on the high plateaus of Tibet and the Himalayas and is extremely scarce and costly. Most cordyceps sold today is cultivated rather than wild-harvested, and labels name the species and part used.

Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Lion's mane is unmistakable: a white, rounded mushroom covered in long, hanging spines that look like a shaggy beard or icicles. It grows on dead or dying hardwood trees in Europe, Asia and North America, and is also enjoyed as a culinary mushroom, with a texture often compared to crab or lobster.

Forms and what to look for on a label

• Fruiting body or mycelium. The fruiting body is the mushroom you can see. Mycelium is the root-like network, often grown on grain, which can leave starch in the final product. The label should say which part is used.
• Extract or powder. Extracts are often given as a ratio, such as 30:1.
• Standardisation. Polysaccharide and beta-glucan percentages are common markers. A beta-glucan figure is more specific, because a polysaccharide figure can include starch.
• Species name. Look for the Latin name, not just "mushroom blend".
• Amount per capsule, serving size and capsule type.

How people take them

Take mushroom supplements as stated on the label, at the serving size given, and do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Some labels suggest taking them with a meal. If you take a blend as well as a single mushroom, check whether the same species appears twice.

Who should check with a doctor or pharmacist first

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking a mushroom supplement if any of the following apply to you:

• you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding
• you take any prescription medication or are under medical supervision
• you are under 18 (our products are not intended for anyone under 18)
• you have a known allergy or sensitivity to mushrooms or moulds

Frequently asked questions

Are these the same as magic mushrooms?

No. Reishi, cordyceps and lion's mane are not psychoactive. They are completely different species.

Can I take more than one mushroom supplement?

They are separate products with separate labels. Follow each label and ask a pharmacist if you take any medication.

Why does the colour vary between batches?

Mushrooms are natural materials, and colour can vary with growing conditions and harvest. This is normal for a single-ingredient extract.

Mother Nature products

• Reishi Mushroom Extract 500mg Vegan Capsules: 500 mg Ganoderma lucidum fruiting body extract per capsule, standardised to 50% polysaccharides. 1 to 2 capsules daily, preferably with a meal.
• Cordyceps Sinensis Mushroom 500mg Vegan Capsules: 500 mg cordyceps extract from the dry fruiting body per capsule, 30:1 ratio, standardised to 50% polysaccharides. 1 to 2 capsules daily.
• Lion's Mane Mushroom 500mg Vegan Capsules: 500 mg Hericium erinaceus fruiting body extract per capsule, standardised to 50% polysaccharides and 40% beta-glucan. 1 to 2 capsules daily.

All three are in vegan HPMC capsules with no fillers or binders. See the full range in our Mushrooms collection.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.