If you are looking for a natural way to boost your energy, improve your focus and more, then you may already be on the lookout for the best mushroom supplements. In recent years, the health and wellness world has witnessed a huge surge in the popularity of functional mushrooms, affectionately known as the 'shroom boom.' These remarkable fungi are no ordinary mushrooms; they are powerful natural healers. Functional mushrooms, also known as medicinal mushrooms, have emerged as a trend and are celebrated for their profound health benefits and the potential to improve our well-being holistically.
Functional mushrooms come in various forms, but one of the most prevalent and versatile is the mushroom powder. This fine, earthy substance encapsulates potent properties. From cordyceps mushroom supplements to reishi, turkey tail, lion’s mane, chaga, and more - each medicinal mushroom possesses unique properties, making them an excellent natural health remedy. However, it's important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen to ensure it's appropriate for you or any medication you may be on.
The best mushroom supplements at a glance:
• Best mushroom for energy: DIRTEA Chaga Mushroom Powder - View on Amazon UK
• Best mushroom for focus: Erbology Lion's Mane Mushroom Powder - View on Amazon UK
• Best mushroom blend: Wellgard Vital Mushrooms Powder - View on Wellgard
At the heart of the fascination with functional mushrooms is their natural healing prowess. Unlike synthetic alternatives, mushroom powders are gifts from the Earth. These mushrooms are rich in beta-glucans, potent compounds sourced from fungal cell walls. They also nourish the microbiome, cultivating a flourishing environment for beneficial gut bacteria, promoting digestive health and cardiovascular well-being, and supporting our immunity.
So, let's dive deeper into the world of functional mushrooms. We are going to explore their potential to heal holistically and have recruited help from DIRTEA- a leading brand in its area - to help us with our product choices. To get the full picture, we spoke to Clarissa Berry, Nutritionist for DIRTEA, so be sure to read her guide below the roundup. So, without further ado, let's take a look at the best mushroom supplements that nourish and heal your body and soul.
Best mushroom supplements UK
Best mushroom for energy
Chaga is the world's most antioxidant-rich food on the planet, with more antioxidants in 1 teaspoon than 600 blueberries. This potent powder is fantastic for your immunity, skin, and energy levels. Made from 100 per cent organic chaga extract, this powder from DIRTEA has a subtle earthy taste that is perfect for smoothies and hot drinks.
Customer review: "I would give this product 6 stars if I could. Filled with antioxidants, my body is enjoying stronger hair and nails and a natural energy boost that lasts the entire day!"
Pros
- Chaga mushroom powder fortifies your immune system, offering a natural defence against illnesses.
- It supports healthy skin, providing antioxidants that combat cell damage and promote a vibrant complexion.
- Full of antioxidants
Cons
- The earthy taste may not appeal to everyone's palate.
- Capsule form may be easier to use
Best mushroom for skin
Beauty always starts from within, and by ingesting tremella - known as the beauty mushroom powder you can feel the effects inside and out. Tremella mushroom is considered the 'Fountain of Youth' in Chinese medicine, and this pouch is your ticket to hydrated, firmer, and brighter skin. Tremella, known as the snow mushroom, is rich in vitamin D, antioxidants, dietary fibre, and anti-ageing nutrients. It's still not fully understood how, but it's theorised that tremella may block ageing pathways in the skin while protecting it against free radicals. It can enhance collagen synthesis and help you achieve that glowing complexion. It can also boost memory, focus, and digestion while relishing in the delicious taste of this superfood.
Pros
- Aids in hydrating and brightening the skin
- It enhances memory, focus, and clarity.
- Easily blend this powder into various drinks or foods for a versatile intake.
Cons
- You should talk to your doctor before taking tremella if you have blood sugar or thyroid problems. Most people can take tremella without any complications
Best mushroom for endurance
hifasdaterra.com
Cordyceps, sometimes called the performance mushroom, is excellent for sports and oxygenation. This powder from Vital Powder Superfood is made from hand-picked, sun-dried mushrooms that offer an unparalleled nutritional boost. Upgrade your smoothies, yoghurts, cocoa, and more with this raw superfood that supports your cognitive performance and resilience, too.
Customer review: "A great energy boost every day."
Pros
- Cordyceps Vital Powder offers a concentrated dose of nutrients, supporting overall well-being.
- Its adaptogenic properties make it suitable for mixing into a wide range of foods and drinks.
- Cordyceps enhances cognitive function, providing sustained energy and mental clarity.
Cons
- The earthy taste of Cordyceps might take some getting used to for those new to mushroom supplements.
Best mushroom for focus
If improving your cognitive performance is your health goal, then Lion's Mane is an excellent place to start. This organic Lion's Mane Mushroom Powder is rich in beta-glucans and secondary metabolites that support mood, focus, and stress adaptation. It's your adaptable source of brain fuel that can be mixed into your hot drinks and blended into your breakfast and smoothies.
Customer review: "Feels like there's been a slight change in my mindset since taking it. Much more focused and disciplined. I have been taking it in my coffee early morning. Great stuff to date."
Pros
- Lion's Mane powder may improve mood, focus, and mental clarity
- Rich in beta-glucans, Lion's Mane contributes to a strengthened immune system.
Cons
- Some may prefer capsules
Best mushroom for calming effects
Reishi is hailed as the queen of the mushrooms. This powder could be the key to improved sleep quality and stress relief. The DIRTEA Reishi Mushroom Powder is a pure, potent, and organic blend that enhances your sleep experience by increasing non-REM sleep. This versatile powder can help you adapt to stress, improve mental clarity, and boost your immunity.
Customer review: "Reishi mushroom is a natural nootropic long associated with calm-inducing, sleep-enhancing effects and immune system benefits, and this tea mix is a straightforward and convenient way to work it into your diet. The pack contains 60g of the reddish-brown powder, which is enough for a single 2g (one teaspoon) helping daily for a month, ideally just before bed. We love the no-nonsense pouch packaging, which is really handy, non-bulky and easy to store away. While it's not the cheapest source of reishi out there, Dirtea is a trusted supplement brew brand, and we wouldn't hesitate in recommending it if you want an easy way to give it a try."
Pros
- Reishi promotes quality sleep by increasing non-REM or deep sleep
- Helps with rest and restoration.
- Reishi supports the immune system, detoxifies, and shields the liver
Cons
- Some may prefer capsules
Best mushroom for mental performance on the go
The Nutrition Geeks Lions Mane supplements combine 4000mg of lion's mane extract with Vitamin B1 and Black Pepper for enhanced absorption. Easy to consume and sustainably packaged, this is an excellent way to improve cognitive function.
Customer review: "I've been taking these for a couple of weeks now, and I feel so much more focused."
Pros
- Lions Mane Focus+ combines Lion's Mane with Vitamin B1 for cognitive support.
- Easy-to-swallow tablets
- Sustainable packaging
Cons
- Lion's mane is generally well tolerated, but the most common side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort.
Best mushroom for gut health
The vegishake Organic Turkey Mushroom HPMC Capsules contain non-GMO, vegan-friendly capsules. Turkey Tail is a fantastic functional mushroom designed to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and support gut health. This mushroom powder contains compounds called polysaccharopeptides, which have been shown to help repair the lining of the gut, reduce inflammation and help alleviate symptoms of a leaky gut.
Customer review: "Good product in capsule form and excellent service."
Pros
- The capsules offer a convenient way to consume organic mushroom powder.
- Great for gut health support
- Option of 30 to 400 capsules
- Each capsule contains 600mg of organic mushroom powder
Cons
- Best value for 400 capsules
Best mushroom blend
wellgard.co.uk
If you are looking for a mushroom blend that doesn't include coffee, then this is an excellent pick. The Wellgard Vital Mushrooms Powder is an award-winning blend of six organic mushroom extracts to nourish your body and mind with 300mg of polysaccharides per serving. It includes Shiitake, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Maitake and Reishi. With no added grains or fillers, this is a fantastic addition to your wellness arsenal.
Customer review: "I did try quite a few of the mushroom supplements but must admit that these are the best yet. I do feel better after taking them regularly; even my husband likes them."
Pros
- This blend of six mushrooms, certified organic mushroom powders
- 300mg of polysaccharides per serving
- Substitute for mushroom coffee
Cons
- Some may find the taste too strong
Buyer's guide to functional mushrooms
Offering mushroom-infused powders, coffees and cacao super blends for cold and hot drinks, DIRTEA has a range of beautifully branded products to align with every health goal. We spoke to Clarissa Berry, Nutritionist for DIRTEA, on the healing powers of mushrooms, adaptogens and Ayurvedic herbs to naturally enhance your wellbeing. Whether you are looking for a natural powder to boost your energy, immunity, skin, focus, calm or sleep - there is a mushroom for you.
What functional mushrooms are available, and what ones should you take for different health benefits?
'The functional mushrooms that have been most studied include reishi, turkey tail, lion’s mane, chaga and cordyceps', Clarissa tells us. 'Each variety of medicinal mushrooms has unique properties, so choose the right one to suit your particular needs. I usually recommend taking one consistently for at least 1-2 months to experience the benefits, although you may feel some effects immediately.' Here are the different mushrooms for different benefits:
Immunity
'Of all the active components in medicinal mushrooms, beta-glucans are one of the most prominent. They come from the cell walls of fungi and convey incredible healing properties to the body. They can support the health of the immune system, stimulating or calming it where needed. They also feed the good bacteria in our microbiome, which supports gut and cardiovascular health as well as immunity. Reishi, turkey tail and chaga mushrooms supplements are especially rich in beta-glucans, which makes them powerful allies to boost the body’s defences. As one of the world’s most antioxidant-rich foods (with more antioxidants in 1 teaspoon than 600 blueberries!), chaga is able to further promote healthy immunity while supporting full-body health and longevity.'
Sleep
'Functional mushrooms give the body tools to better withstand stress and more energy to deal with daily problems. Reishi stimulates the brain to produce calming neurotransmitters, and studies show that it can help soothe anxious feelings and promote healthy sleep. Reishi extract powder is an excellent way to wind down in the evening before bed.'
Energy and focus
'For energy levels and focus throughout the day, I recommend cordyceps and lion’s mane. Lion’s mane can improve memory, focus and cognition by supporting brain function. Taken in the morning before work or during a mid-afternoon slump, it’s a brilliant way to support brain power throughout the day. Cordyceps helps more on a physical level, providing a smooth and sustained, caffeine-free energy boost by improving the body’s ability to use oxygen and supporting cellular energy systems. Many use it pre-workout to enhance their energy, endurance and recovery.'
Gut health
'Functional mushrooms are rich in specific fibre molecules that selectively nourish beneficial microorganisms living in the gut, increasing populations of good bacteria and contributing to improved gut health. Turkey tail, along with reishi and chaga, are especially good for gut health and also help support healthy immunity in the gut, which further supports digestive health. Lion’s mane is another mushroom that can promote healthy digestion, as it has been shown to help rebalance the gut microbiota while offering nervous system support.'
Skin
'While it may seem surprising that mushrooms can support skin health, both chaga and tremella have beautifying properties. Chaga’s abundance of antioxidants neutralises free radicals, helping to reduce cell damage and slow skin ageing. It is also one of the richest food sources of the skin pigment melanin, which offers UV protection from the inside out. Tremella, on the other hand, has unique compounds that can stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid in the skin, supporting proper skin hydration levels and a glowing complexion.'
Best mushroom supplements FAQs
How do mushroom supplements work?
When we spoke to Clarissa, she said that functional mushrooms contain specific, unique compounds that support health in various ways. 'For example, by boosting immunity, nourishing healthy gut microbes, improving focus or enhancing skin hydration. Some people experience immediate benefits, but their effects are also cumulative so it is best to take a mushroom supplement consistently over a period of several weeks in order to experience results.'
What is the right serving size?
For the mushroom powders, it is recommended by DIRTEA to use 2g per serving, approximately half a teaspoon.
Best time to take mushroom supplements?
'The best time to take mushroom supplements depends on the effect that you are hoping to experience', says Clarissa. 'Energising mushrooms, such as cordyceps and chaga, are best taken in the morning or before a workout. Reishi is wonderful in the evening to wind down after a long day.'
'Lion’s mane can be taken to boost focus whenever you’re in need of it, for example, first thing in the morning or after lunch to avoid the 3 pm slump. Turkey tail and tremella can help to boost immunity, gut health and skin health taken any time of day.'
How to incorporate mushroom supplements or powder into your diet?
'DIRTEA’s functional mushroom extract powders are entirely heat stable and so can be added to your diet in any number of ways. They taste delicious as a tea, mixed with hot water, and some people prefer to add milk or a little honey. If you don’t like the taste, you can simply blend the mushroom powder into your smoothie, yoghurt bowl, coffee or any other food or drink.'
What makes mushrooms different to other types of supplements?
Clarissa clarifies that most functional mushrooms that we use today (not the psychedelic kind) have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine to boost immunity, balance hormones, improve sleep and more. 'Functional mushrooms are classed as ‘adaptogens’ such as ashwagandha, which means that they provide the body with tools to better cope with stress and help to bring the body into a state of harmony.'
'This also means that they are very safe to consume, as their role is to strengthen and support the body’s natural processes. Their action is very balanced: they provide a natural energy boost while soothing the nervous system to reduce anxiety and promote focus.'
Ellen Kinsey was a Senior Health and Wellness Product Writer and has been a part of Bauer Media since 2020. She has left Bauer Media to study Ayurveda in India to expand her knowledge and skills in the health and wellness field, where she plans to continue making journalistic contributions.
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