Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps and Turkey Tail have been used for hundreds of years in traditional practices across Asia and Europe, and these days they’re sold as food supplements. Here’s a bit about each one, how people take them, and what to look for on the label.
No health claims are authorised for these mushrooms in the UK, so we’ll tell you what they are rather than what they do. They’re food supplements, not medicines.
What “adaptogen” means
It’s a word used for certain plants and mushrooms with a long history in traditional herbal practice, like ashwagandha and Reishi. It isn’t an official category under UK food law, and the research on these ingredients is still early.
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
A white, shaggy mushroom that grows on hardwood trees and, if you squint, looks a bit like a lion’s mane. It’s eaten as food in East Asia and has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. Researchers are looking at the natural compounds in it, called hericenones and erinacines.
We have FungaPower Lion’s Mane capsules and Lion’s Mane powder.
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Fan-shaped, with stripes of brown, grey and orange, and you’ll often see it on fallen logs. It’s far too tough to eat, so it’s normally taken as an extract. It contains polysaccharides called PSK and PSP, which scientists have studied.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Reishi has a shiny red-brown cap and tastes very bitter. It’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for about 2,000 years and is sometimes called the “mushroom of immortality”. Because of the taste, most people take it as capsules or powder.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
Chaga grows on birch trees in cold northern places. From the outside it looks like a lump of burnt charcoal, but it’s orange-brown inside. In Russia and northern Europe it’s traditionally brewed as a tea. It’s naturally high in oxalates, so anyone with kidney problems should avoid it.
Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris)
A bright orange, club-shaped mushroom. Wild Cordyceps sinensis is rare and very expensive, so most supplements, ours included, use farmed Cordyceps militaris.
How people take them
Capsules are the easiest if you want the same amount every day. Powders can be stirred into coffee, tea, smoothies or food. Or there’s mushroom coffee, which is coffee blended with mushroom extracts. Whatever you go for, stick to the daily amount on the label.
Reading the label
Check whether it’s made from the fruiting body or the mycelium, and whether it’s an extract. Some products give a polysaccharide percentage, such as 30%. And compare the mg per capsule or scoop rather than just the price of the tub, as serving sizes vary a lot.
Safety
- Don’t take them if you’re allergic to mushrooms or moulds.
- If you take any medication, especially blood thinners, diabetes medication or immunosuppressants, speak to your GP or pharmacist first, as some mushrooms may interact with them.
- Not recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor says otherwise.
- Avoid Chaga if you have kidney problems.
- If you notice any side effects, stop and get advice.
Supplements shouldn’t replace a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Our mushroom range includes FungaPower and The Shroom Shop. You can buy online, or pick them up at the shop in Camden.
