The world of medicinal mushrooms is vast—and increasingly popular.  

This surge in popularity is long overdue. I believe mushrooms are some of the most fascinating organisms on the planet, playing a vital role in our ecosystems and contributing to our well-being in numerous ways. However, where we often go wrong is by lumping all medicinal mushrooms into one broad category. While many medicinal mushrooms share certain benefits, each has unique properties that can vary greatly. Understanding these differences is key to choosing the right product for your health.

The medicinal mushroom supplement industry is a 12 billion dollar market, and with the growing demand for mushroom-based products, quality can be compromised. So, how do you ensure your products are up to par? In this post, we’ll explore common red flags to watch out for when it comes to mushroom suppliers and products and dive into some of the top medicinal mushrooms you’re most likely to encounter.

Red Flags to Watch for in Mushroom Products

When selecting mushroom-based supplements or products, you must watch for certain red flags to ensure a high-quality, authentic product. Here are some key things to look out for:

1. Lack of Organic Certification and Transparency on Sourcing

Mushrooms are excellent absorbers of their environment, which means they also absorb toxins, heavy metals, and pesticides. If a product isn’t organic or doesn’t provide transparency about its sourcing, there’s a much higher risk of contamination. Always choose certified organic mushrooms, ensuring they’ve been grown in a controlled, toxin-free environment.

Additionally, mushrooms like chaga are increasingly endangered due to overharvesting in the wild. If a company uses wild-harvested mushrooms without disclosing this information or is not transparent about its sourcing practices, it’s a significant red flag. Always opt for brands that prioritize sustainability and disclose where and how their mushrooms are grown.

2. Mislabeling or Fake Mushrooms

One alarming issue in the mushroom supplement industry is mislabeling—companies selling products that don’t even contain the mushrooms they claim. For instance, a study testing 19 different reishi supplements found that 75% were not authentic Ganoderma lucidum (the valid medicinal reishi species). This raises the serious concern that some companies use low-quality or completely different species, hoping to cash in on the medicinal mushroom trend without offering actual benefits. It’s vital to research your supplier thoroughly to ensure they are reputable and knowledgeable about the mushrooms they use. Don’t just trust any brand that pops up—they should provide evidence of their authenticity and product testing. If a mushroom product doesn’t have the Latin name of the mushrooms to verify species, I’d also recommend staying clear of that product.

3. Proprietary Blends with No Dosage Transparency

Proprietary blends are standard, but they can be problematic when they don’t disclose the amount of each mushroom in the mix. It’s difficult to gauge whether the product will provide the therapeutic benefits you seek without knowing how much of each mushroom is in the blend. It’s often the case that more expensive, high-quality mushrooms are included in tiny quantities, rendering them ineffective. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always look for brands that disclose the exact amount of each mushroom in the product.

Furthermore, pay attention to the beta-glucan content. Beta-glucans are the key compounds responsible for many of mushrooms' medicinal benefits, including immune support. Instead of focusing on “polysaccharide content,” which is often a marketing gimmick (and can refer to low-quality fillers), look for products that specifically mention the number of beta-glucans. This is a far more accurate measure of the product’s potency.

4. Lack of Extraction (or Poor Quality Extraction)

Mushrooms contain rigid cell walls that make them hard to digest and absorb without proper extraction. Whether through heat or alcohol extraction, this process helps break down the cell wall, unlocking the beneficial compounds inside. If you’re purchasing a powder or capsule, check that it has been adequately extracted—otherwise, you’re not getting the full therapeutic benefits. This is also why cooking mushrooms in your meals is essential: cooking helps break down their rigid cell walls, making the nutrients more bioavailable.

5. Exaggerated Ratios in Extracts

Another standard marketing ploy is the exaggerated extraction ratio, which promises that higher ratios mean more potent products. However, a higher ratio in mushrooms doesn’t necessarily equal greater potency. Each mushroom has an optimal extraction standard for maximum therapeutic benefits, and going overboard can be unsustainable and unnecessary. Stick with reputable brands that adhere to proven extraction methods.

6. Mycelium vs. Fruiting Body

The mycelium vs. fruiting body debate often raises questions. Both have medicinal benefits, but the problem with mycelium is that when it’s grown on a grain substrate, it’s difficult to separate it from the grain, often resulting in the final product containing more grain than actual mycelium. If you’re interested in mycelium, look for liquid culture forms, which are more concentrated and free from grain fillers. However, a fruiting body and mycelium combination is ideal, as each offers different benefits. But in most cases, fruiting bodies are the superior choice and are more commonly used in high-quality supplements.

Medicinal Mushrooms 

All mushrooms are medicinal in their own right, whether we’re talking about the common button mushroom or a wild bolete. At their core, mushrooms are food—and consuming them provides a wealth of nutrients and health benefits all on their own. Food is medicine, first and foremost! But when we shift our focus to their therapeutic potential, there are four particular mushrooms that you’ve likely encountered, each known for its unique properties and powerful healing effects. Let’s dive into these top medicinal mushrooms and explore what makes them stand out.

Reishi, Ganoderma lingzhi/lucidum 

Reishi, also known by its Chinese name Ling Zhi, which translates to “spirit plant” or “mushroom of immortality,” is my favorite. The name spirit plant is especially fitting, as Reishi is known for its profound calming effects and ability to nourish the heart and spirit, or Shen, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I often call it the calm-heart mushroom!

Reishi was first documented over 2,000 years ago in the Shennong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica), where it was classified In the “superior herb” section with its six distinct colors believed to correspond to the elements of nature, each color representing a unique medicinal virtue. The mushroom is often depicted in Chinese folklore, art, and poetry. While the first written record is ancient, Reishi has likely been used for over 4,000 years.

Like many other medicinal mushrooms, Reishi contains beta-glucan polysaccharides, which play a key role in immune modulation. These compounds make it particularly beneficial for individuals with autoimmune conditions and seasonal allergies like hay fever. Beta-glucans help stimulate the production of macrophages, the immune system’s frontline defenders, thus strengthening overall immune function.

Reishi is also packed with bitter triterpenoids—over 150 distinct types—responsible for many medicinal effects. These bitter compounds give Reishi its characteristic taste and contribute to its role as a nervine herb, calming shen and helping to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and insomnia. In TCM, Reishi is often used for disturbed shen, a condition of emotional imbalance that can manifest as stress and mental tension.

Beyond its calming effects, Reishi supports cardiovascular health. Bitter triterpenoids like ganoderic acid help regulate cholesterol levels, lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) and improving HDL (good cholesterol) while promoting healthy blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity. This combination of actions helps reduce the risk of heart disease and supports overall circulatory health. Additionally, Reishi’s liver-supporting properties are key to its heart-health benefits, as the liver plays an essential role in regulating cholesterol and blood sugar.

Reishi also has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which makes it effective in treating conditions like arthritis, bronchitis, and asthma. Reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress helps protect the body from the damaging effects of chronic inflammation. If you’ve ever tasted Reishi, you’ll notice its distinctive bitterness—a sign that you’re likely getting a high-quality product and something to look for in your Reishi supplements.

Cordyceps, Cordyceps militaris,  Ophiocordyceps Sinensis

Cordyceps, also known as the Chinese caterpillar fungus, is a fascinating medicinal mushroom that thrives as a parasitic fungus on the larvae of ghost moths. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it has been used as a tonic for at least 500 years, commonly incorporated into soups, stews, and even stuffed duck. This is a friendly reminder that mushrooms are a healing medicine and food that should be regularly incorporated into your diet! Cordyceps gained attention in 1993 when Chinese athletes who broke world records credited it as part of their training regimen. Its adaptogenic properties make it an excellent support for energy levels and stamina, and it helps with efficient oxygen use during exercise, all of which contribute to improved athletic performance. Additionally, Cordyceps is recognized for its cardiovascular benefits, helping to strengthen the heart and support overall vitality.

However, with its growing popularity, Cordyceps now faces threats from poaching and overharvesting, making sustainably cultivated species the only viable source. Ensuring that any Cordyceps products you purchase are sourced responsibly is essential. In addition to supporting energy and heart health, Cordyceps stands out for its therapeutic actions on the kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system. It is nephroprotective and helpful for degenerative kidney diseases like Berger’s disease. I especially love pairing Cordyceps with herbs like nettle seed for kidney support.

Cordyceps is also highly valued for its ability to support fertility and sexual function in both men and women. It has been used for centuries to improve reproductive health, increase libido, and address impotence. Studies, such as one published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2009, suggest that Cordyceps supplementation can improve erectile function by boosting nitric oxide production, which enhances blood flow to the genital area. In men, Cordyceps helps improve testosterone levels, sperm count, and motility. In contrast, in women, it can help balance hormones and support ovulation, making it an effective herb for those dealing with infertility.

Furthermore, Cordyceps has a protective action on the lungs, making it beneficial for respiratory conditions like bronchitis, COPD, and asthma, and even for reducing lung fibrosis (scarring of lung tissue). It helps reduce inflammation, opens airways, and acts as an antiviral. The primary compounds responsible for Cordyceps’ medicinal effects include Polysaccharides, which help modulate immune function by stimulating macrophages and natural killer cells, boosting immune defense, and reducing oxidative stress, Cordycepin which enhances cellular energy production (ATP) and has anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties, helping reduce lung and kidney scarring, adenosine, a purine nucleoside that improves blood circulation, particularly to the lungs and reproductive organs, enhancing overall oxygenation and energy levels, fatty acids which support cellular health and function, contributing to Cordyceps’ anti-inflammatory and heart-protective actions, among many others!

Chaga, Inonotus obliquus

Chaga is a fascinating medicinal fungus, though technically, it’s not an actual mushroom, but rather a sclerotium—a dense, hard mass that forms on the bark of trees, most often birch. It is another parasitic mushroom and can live on its host for up to 20 years, slowly weakening and eventually killing the tree (typically birch). Found primarily in the colder climates of the Northern Hemisphere, Chaga thrives in harsh, wintry environments.

Chaga has a long history of use, dating back at least 5,000 years. The earliest evidence of its use was found in the pouch of the famous Ötzi the Iceman, a mummified man discovered in the Alps. This suggests that Chaga may have helped our ancestors survive the harsh winters by serving as a fire starter. Indigenous peoples like the Khanty of Siberia and the Gitksan of British Columbia have used Chaga for centuries. The mushroom also made its way into the oldest known Chinese pharmacopeia, the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman’s Materia Medica), where it was called the king of mushrooms.

Chaga is prized for its wealth of polysaccharides and triterpenoids, contributing to its most notable benefit: anti-tumor activity. As early as the 1950s, clinical trials were conducted in Russia at the Moscow Medical Institute, where Chaga demonstrated immunomodulatory effects and success in inhibiting tumor growth. Its potential as a natural treatment for various cancers—including breast, colon, cervical, stomach, prostate, and lung cancers—has been the subject of ongoing research. The potent triterpenoids in Chaga, including betulinic acid, are thought to be primarily responsible for their anti-cancer effects, helping to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in tumor cells while sparing healthy cells.

Beyond its anti-cancer properties, Chaga is celebrated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, which contribute to its ability to lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels, and support heart health by helping to reduce blood pressure. Its powerful antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), help protect the body from oxidative stress, making it an ideal herb for supporting overall wellness and longevity. Unfortunately, Chaga is increasingly overharvested and can only be found on 1 in 20,000 birch trees. Choosing products with complete transparency and confirming that they are sourced responsibly and ethically are crucial to ensure sustainability. I also recommend reaching for other mushrooms for overall immune, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory support and only use chaga for its specific antitumor action.

Lions Mane, Hericium erinaceus

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a striking tooth fungus that grows on hardwood trees like oak and beech throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. Its use dates back to the Tang Dynasty in China, over 1,000 years ago, where it was revered for its medicinal properties. However, it wasn’t until 1988 that formal cultivation of Lion’s Mane began in China, and since then, it has become one of the most sought-after functional mushrooms for its potent effects on brain health. While its ability to support cognitive function is widely known, what’s fascinating is how Lion’s Mane contributes to neurological wellness.

Two primary compounds in Lion’s Mane—erinacines and hericenones—are responsible for its brain-boosting benefits. These compounds stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein essential for neurons' growth, maintenance, and survival. By promoting NGF production, Lion’s Mane helps regenerate nerve cells and rebuild myelin—the protective sheath around nerves—crucial for supporting the nervous system and improving brain health. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with neurological trauma or diseases such as brain injury and dementia. Additionally, studies have shown that Lion’s Mane can enhance the reconnection of damaged or weakened neural pathways, thereby improving cognitive function, memory, and overall brain health.

One of the most exciting aspects of Lion’s Mane is its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing its active compounds to influence the central nervous system directly. A study published in Biomedical Research (2009) found that Lion’s Mane supplementation improved cognitive function in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment, suggesting its potential in treating conditions like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. This rewiring of neurological pathways can help enhance synaptic connections, promoting clearer thinking, better memory, and improved mental clarity.

Beyond its well-known neurological benefits, Lion’s Mane is also used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a tonic for the heart, kidneys, spleen, liver, and lungs. It is used to support digestive health, particularly in treating issues like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and its antitumor polysaccharides have even been used for gastrointestinal tumors. Thankfully, cultivating lion's mane is easy and effective, not putting it at risk; however, as it is in high demand, be sure to use the previous information on product red flags when purchasing lion's mane mushroom products.

Conclusion

Phew! I know that was a lot of information, but I hope it’s helped you navigate the often overwhelming world of mushroom products. Now, you should understand a few of the top functional mushrooms you’re likely to encounter and how they can support your health in various ways. With this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right products for your needs and reap the incredible benefits these fungi offer!