Lion's Mane
「Focus · Clarity」
Lion’s Mane has been valued in Chinese herbal practices for enhancing cognitive function, promoting memory and focus. As a natural adaptogen, it helps to support mental clarity and mental performance. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is considered beneficial for “nourishing the mind” and supporting overall brain health.

Reishi
「Calm · Balance」
Reishi, known as the “Mushroom of Immortality,” has been revered in Chinese medicine for centuries. Traditionally used to support overall vitality, it is believed to promote relaxation and balance, helping to manage stress and maintain emotional well-being. Rich in antioxidants, it may also support the immune system and contribute to healthy aging.

Cordyceps
「Energy · Stamina」
Cordyceps is a prized mushroom in Chinese medicine, traditionally used to support energy, endurance, and overall vitality. Known for its potential to enhance physical performance, it is often regarded as an adaptogen that helps the body manage stress and recover faster from exertion. It’s commonly used to support stamina and lung health.

Chaga
「Defend · Restore」
Chaga, often found in the cold regions of China, is renowned for its potent antioxidant properties. It has been traditionally used to support the immune system, combat oxidative stress, and promote overall well-being. In Chinese medicine, Chaga is considered to help “clear heat” and balance the body’s internal systems.

Tremella
「Hydrate · Glow」
Tremella, known as “Silver Ear,” has long been used in Chinese culture for its beauty benefits, particularly its ability to support skin hydration and elasticity. Rich in polysaccharides, it is believed to enhance the body’s immune response and support healthy aging by promoting cell regeneration and moisture retention in the skin.

Maitake
「Support · Strength」
Maitake, or “dancing mushroom,” has been prized in Chinese herbalism for its potential to support immune health. Traditionally, it is believed to nourish the “Qi” (vital energy) and enhance vitality. Maitake is also considered beneficial for supporting metabolic health and maintaining balanced blood sugar levels.

Shiitake
「Vitality · Immunity」
Shiitake mushrooms have a deep-rooted presence in Chinese culture, where they are considered a symbol of health and longevity. Used for centuries in Chinese medicine, they are believed to help strengthen the immune system, support cardiovascular health, and maintain a healthy liver. They are also rich in compounds that may have anti-inflammatory properties.

Not necessarily.

In the past, extraction ratios (like 10:1 or 15:1) were used to suggest how concentrated an extract was — but they don’t actually tell you much about quality or potency.
Here’s why:

• No standardisation: Two products labeled “10:1” might contain very different amounts of active compounds.

• Source matters: Mushroom quality depends on how and where it’s grown.

• Processing counts: A precise extraction method can pull out more beneficial compounds.

• Labels can mislead: Some brands base ratios on fresh mushrooms (mostly water), which inflates the numbers.
  

What really matters is lab testing.
Look for confirmed levels of beta-glucans (immune support), triterpenes (calming & anti-inflammatory), or cordycepin (energy and endurance). That’s what tells you the extract is truly potent — not just the ratio.

Beta-glucans are natural polysaccharides — a type of dietary fibre — found in the cell walls of mushrooms, yeast, grains, and even some bacteria.
But their structure, and therefore their activity, depends on the source.

• Cereal beta-glucans (from oats or barley): mostly linear (1,3; 1,4)

• Yeast beta-glucans: branched (1,3; 1,6)

• Mushroom beta-glucans: complex (1,3)-β backbone with (1,6)-linked side chains, often bound to proteins or other sugars → forming hetero‑glucans or proteoglycans

This structural complexity is believed to be the main reason mushroom beta-glucans are more immunologically active than those from yeast or grains.
They may even form triple‑helix shapes, linked to enhanced immune-modulating activity.

“As described by author and practitioner Martin Powell: ‘In contrast to the relatively inexpensive commercially available beta-glucans from yeast, mushroom beta-glucans have more diverse structures and, as a consequence, higher levels of immunological activity.’”

— Martin Powell, Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide

Polysaccharides are a broad class of carbohydrates — including starch, cellulose, chitin, maltodextrin, and glycogen. Depending on their structure, they can be classified as alpha-glucans or beta-glucans.

• Alpha-glucans (e.g. from starch or maltodextrin) are not biologically active in functional mushroom products.

• Beta-glucans, found in mushrooms, are the key active compounds known for their immune-supporting properties.
  

While many mushroom supplements label “polysaccharide content,” this can be misleading — because polysaccharide levels can be artificially inflated by adding non-active fillers like starch or maltodextrin.

That’s why beta-glucan content is a much more accurate marker of mushroom extract quality.
High-quality brands often measure both beta-glucans and starch levels to ensure transparency and potency.

The fruiting body is the part of the mushroom you can see — the cap, stem, and gills that grow above ground or on a host (like wood). It contains spores and is traditionally used in food and herbal medicine.
The mycelium is the root-like network that grows underground or inside a substrate. It’s the growing and feeding stage of the mushroom life cycle — important, but not the mushroom itself.

Compared to mycelium, fruiting bodies offer:

• More beta-glucans (immune-supporting compounds)

• Fewer fillers — mycelium products often contain 50–80% starch from the grain they’re grown on

• Higher levels of other bioactive compounds

Mycelium-based products are easier and cheaper to mass-produce through fermentation, but often contain less of what people look for in functional mushrooms.

In the EU, Cordyceps militaris is only approved in mycelium form. Products using Cordyceps fruiting bodies are not compliant with EU Novel Food regulations.