Functional Mushroom Extracts

What are functional mushrooms?

Functional mushrooms are a group of mushroom species that have been valued for centuries in traditional medicine systems across Asia, Northern Europe, and the Americas. Unlike regular culinary mushrooms, these species contain high concentrations of bioactive compounds such as beta-glucans, polysaccharides, triterpenes, and other naturally occurring substances that are the subject of active scientific research worldwide.

The term "functional" is used to distinguish these mushrooms from ordinary edible varieties. They have a long history of traditional use and are now increasingly studied by universities and research institutions across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Interest in functional mushroom extracts has grown rapidly in recent years, and the body of published research continues to expand. For instance, Lion’s Mane is currently being tested in Alzheimer research, many top-athletes use cordyceps to improve vitality, Reishi is often credited to improve sleep, boost the immune system and reduce anxiety and Chaga has been historically used for its anti-inflammatory properties. Research on functional mushrooms is rising, gaining stronger support for their proposed benefits to human physical and mental health by the day. 

Our range of mushroom extracts

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a distinctive mushroom with shaggy, icicle-like spines. It has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries and is one of the most actively researched functional mushrooms today, with multiple clinical trials investigating its bioactive compounds erinacines and hericenones. Our Lion’s Mane extract is made from 100% fruiting body, grown on a substrate of hardwood sawdust and organic wheat bran.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis CS-4) originates from the Tibetan highlands and is traditionally the most expensive mushroom in the world. Wild specimens sell for up to $100,000/kg in China. Our extract uses CS-4 mycelium, a farmed derivative from the natural cordyceps, which scientists have confirmed to be chemically comparable to the wild mushroom. Cordyceps has a long history of use among athletes in Asia and is now the subject of a growing number of randomised controlled trials.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is often called the "mushroom of immortality" and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for roughly 4,000 years. It is one of the most broadly studied functional mushrooms, especially in the area of immunology. Our Reishi is grown on solid oak wood, closely mimicking its natural growing conditions. It is the only mushroom in our range that naturally contains high levels of triterpenes and ganoderic acids.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is not a typical mushroom at all. It grows as a dark, hard mass on the trunks of living birch trees and is wild-harvested, not cultivated. Traditional use spans from Siberia to Scandinavia to Canada. Our Chaga is collected from birch trees in northeast China. In comparative studies, Chaga has consistently shown some of the highest antioxidant activity among functional mushroom species.

What sets our mushroom extracts apart

There is a big difference between mushroom products on the market. Many competitors sell blended products that mix mycelium grown on grain with the substrate itself. This means a significant portion of the product is actually rice, millet, or other cereals, not mushroom. Such extracts do not contain the idiosyncratic compounds that are crucial for the attributed benefits of the extracts. The U.S. FDA has even issued guidelines to prevent these "mycelium on grain" products from being marketed as mushrooms.

Our extracts are different:

• Made from 100% mushroom (fruiting body or pure mycelium, depending on species)

• Individual growing substrates tailored to each mushroom species for optimal compound development

• Hot water extraction with an indicative ratio of 8:1 to 12:1

• Polysaccharide content at 30% or more

• Certified organic (DE-ÖKO-003)

• Every batch tested in Europe by the independent AGROLAB laboratory group

• SEC analysis developed specifically for mushrooms in a GMP Pharma environment

• Full residue sampling and traceability from harvest to finished product

Why order mushroom extracts at Kraatje?

You might know Kraatje.eu as one of Europe’s most trusted kratom shops. We bring the same commitment to quality, transparency, and customer service to our functional mushroom range. Our mushroom extracts come from a trusted European supplier with decades of experience in mushroom cultivation, and every product goes through the same rigorous quality standards we apply to everything in our shop.

Order on weekdays before 16:00 (Fridays before 12:00) and we ship the same day. Delivery to the UK and across Europe typically takes 1-3 business days. Our customers rate us 9.6 out of 10 based on more than 7,250 reviews. That score covers everything we sell, and we work hard every day to keep it that way.

New to functional mushrooms?

If you are just getting started, it helps to understand that each mushroom has its own unique profile. Lion’s Mane is the most popular choice for people interested in the latest neuroscience research on erinacines and hericenones. Cordyceps is traditionally associated with energy and endurance and is widely used by athletes in Asia. Reishi has the longest history of traditional use and the broadest research base, particularly around immune cell populations. Chaga stands out for its exceptional antioxidant profile and its centuries-old tradition as a tonic tea in Northern Europe and Siberia.

Not sure where to start? Pick one that matches your interest, or try a combination. Traditional practitioners in Asia have been combining functional mushrooms for centuries.