Functional mushrooms are everywhere, from coffee blends to capsules to honey. But they're not interchangeable. Each mushroom has its own history, compounds and typical uses. Here's a guide to five of the most popular.
Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus)
What it looks like: A white, shaggy mushroom with cascading spines, sometimes compared to a lion's mane or a pom-pom.
Known for: Lion's mane is the mushroom most associated with focus and cognition. It contains compounds called hericenones, found mainly in the fruiting body, and erinacines, found mainly in the mycelium. Researchers are studying these compounds for their relationship to nerve growth factor. Small human studies have explored lion's mane and cognitive function, with encouraging but early results.
Culinary use: It's a delicious edible mushroom with a mild, seafood-like flavor, often compared to crab or lobster.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum and related species)
What it looks like: A glossy, reddish-brown, woody shelf mushroom.
Known for: Reishi, called lingzhi in Chinese, has been used in traditional East Asian practice for centuries and is often associated with relaxation and evening routines. It contains triterpenes and polysaccharides.
Culinary use: Too tough and bitter to eat whole. It's usually made into teas, tinctures or extracts.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
What it looks like: Technically not a mushroom cap but a sclerotium, a black, charcoal-like mass growing on birch trees in cold climates.
Known for: Chaga is traditionally brewed as a tea in Russia and Northern Europe. It's rich in antioxidant compounds and melanin pigments.
Caution: Chaga is very high in oxalates, which can be a concern for people prone to kidney stones. There have been case reports of kidney problems linked to heavy chaga use. Talk to a healthcare professional before using it regularly.
Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris and Ophiocordyceps sinensis)
What it looks like: Wild Ophiocordyceps sinensis famously grows from caterpillar larvae in the Himalayas and is extremely expensive. Most commercial cordyceps is Cordyceps militaris, which can be cultivated.
Known for: Popular with athletes and associated with energy and stamina. Research on exercise performance is mixed.
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)
What it looks like: A thin, colorful bracket fungus with rings resembling a turkey's fanned tail.
Known for: Turkey tail is one of the most studied mushrooms, particularly for its polysaccharides, PSK and PSP, which have been researched extensively in Japan and China. It's often associated with immune support.
Quick comparison
| Mushroom | Commonly associated with | Edible whole? |
|---|---|---|
| Lion's mane | Focus, cognition | Yes |
| Reishi | Relaxation, evenings | No (too woody) |
| Chaga | Antioxidants | No (tea only) |
| Cordyceps | Energy, exercise | Yes (militaris) |
| Turkey tail | Immune support | No (too tough) |
Choosing a quality mushroom product
Whichever mushroom you choose, quality varies widely:
- Fruiting body vs mycelium: Products made from mycelium grown on grain may contain a lot of starch from the grain.
- Extraction: Mushroom cell walls are made of chitin, which humans digest poorly. Extracts make compounds more available.
- Testing: Look for beta-glucan content and third-party testing.
Safety
Mushroom supplements can interact with medications, including blood thinners and diabetes medications. Talk to a healthcare professional before starting, especially if you're pregnant, nursing or managing a health condition.
Why HYVE chose lion's mane
For a focus-centered product, lion's mane was the natural choice. HYVE Mind Focus & Memory contains 222mg of organic lion's mane extract (20:1, dual-sourced from 100% fruiting body, with no mycelium or grain filler), plus 80mg of L-theanine, organic raw cacao, organic bee pollen and organic vanilla, all in 100% raw, USDA Organic honey.
Each 14g packet is 45 calories, caffeine-free and vanilla-chocolate flavored.
Use WELCOME20 for 20% off your first order.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Not for infants under 12 months or anyone with bee or bee-product allergies.
