Mushroom Supplements

What are functional mushrooms?

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

The term "functional" distinguishes these mushrooms from ordinary edible varieties. They have a long history of traditional use and are studied by universities and research institutions across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Interest in mushroom supplements has grown strongly in recent years and the body of published research continues to expand. Each species carries its own tradition: Cordyceps has a long history of use among athletes in Asia, Reishi has held a central place in traditional Chinese practice for roughly 4,000 years, and Chaga has been drunk as a tonic tea across Northern Europe and Siberia for centuries.

Our range of mushroom extracts

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a distinctive mushroom with long, icicle-like spines. It has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese practice for centuries and is today one of the most actively researched functional mushrooms, with studies into its characteristic 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 of the natural Cordyceps, which researchers have confirmed to be chemically comparable to the wild mushroom. Cordyceps has a long tradition 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 practice for roughly 4,000 years. It is one of the most well-documented mushrooms in history. 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 and naturally contains melanin and betulinic acid, derived from the birch bark it grows on.

Compare our four mushroom extracts

How to judge the quality of a mushroom extract?

Three things determine what you are actually buying:

1. Source material: Fruiting body contains the highest concentration of mushroom-specific compounds; "mycelium on grain" products consist largely of rice or millet. Quality is often determined by the beta-glucans or polysaccharides in the extract. When a producer uses rice or millet, the polysaccharides of the extract get mixed with those of the grain, which inflates the polysaccharide figure without carrying the essential compounds of the mushroom.
2. Extraction method: A hot water mushroom extract with a ratio of 8:1 or higher concentrates the water-soluble compounds; a ground powder without extraction is a very different product, even when the label looks the same. If a mushroom powder is not a strong extract, you would need to consume far more of it to approach the desired result. That is why extracts are the way to go: 2 capsules and done, instead of multiple tablespoons.
3. Polysaccharide or beta-glucan percentage: A measured polysaccharide content of 30% or more, or a high beta-glucan content of 20% or more, verified by an independent laboratory, is often a good indicator of extract quality. Beta-glucans are the primary bioactive compounds in mushroom extracts; a beta-glucan is a type of polysaccharide.

What sets our 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. This artificially inflates the beta-glucan and polysaccharide figures. Such products do not contain the characteristic compounds you may expect from a good mushroom supplement. 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 of 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
• Each capsule contains around 0.5g of pure extract

Why order mushroom supplements 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 mushroom capsules and extract range. Our mushroom supplements 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 to 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 mushroom supplements?

If you are just getting started, it helps to know that each mushroom has its own unique profile and its own tradition. Lion's Mane is the most popular choice for people interested in the researched compounds erinacines and hericenones. Cordyceps has a long tradition of use among athletes in Asia. Reishi has the longest history of traditional use of the four. Chaga stands out for its centuries-old tradition as a tonic tea in Northern Europe and Siberia.

Not sure where to start? Pick the mushroom that matches your interest, or try a combination: traditional practitioners in Asia have been combining functional mushrooms for centuries. All our extracts are available as both mushroom capsules and powder, so you can choose the format that suits you best.

Frequently asked questions about mushroom supplements