Buying Guide | Mushroom Extracts

It’s finally here, Erinamax, our liquid culture lion’s mane mycelium standardized to 0.5% erinacine A! If you’ve been a part of the supplement scene for a while, and specifically the functional mushroom side of things, then you will immediately grasp the sheer importance of this product release! The mycelium of the lion’s mane mushroom can generate a very unique nerve growth factor (NGF) boosting compound called erinacine A.* To generate significant levels of erinacine A you need giant bioreactors in which you can grow lion’s mane mycelium to exacting standards in a liquid growth medium.* The common way of producing lion’s mane mycelium by cultivating the mycelium on grains simply does not yield significant amounts of erinacine A! Add to that the complexity of analytical testing and it starts to become eerily clear just how difficult it is to produce a genuine erinacine A containing lion’s mane product.

So, what can an erinacine A containing liquid culture lion’s mane mycelium do for you? The main appeal of erinacine A is that it can boost the synthesis of NGF, a compound which is a major driver of neuroplasticity and nerve regeneration.* By enhancing the level of NGF with erinacine A, we can dial in cognitive function, mood, focus and neuroprotection while also helping with pain management, specifically when it comes to nerve related pain.* It’s no wonder that erinacine A containing lion’s mane mycelium was always viewed as one of the “holy grail” mushroom supplements. Despite it being so sought after, we believe that with this release we have likely created the only real erinacine A containing lion’s mane mycelium on the market!

Hericium erinaceus, or more commonly known as Lion’s Mane mushroom, is an edible mushroom belonging to the tooth fungi group. It’s sometimes referred to as bearded tooth mushroom, hedgehog mushroom, and even pom pom mushroom. Lion’s mane mushroom grows naturally in the wild in Europe, Asia, and North America, and has been used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries. Lion’s Mane mushroom grows long dangling spines that usually appear in clusters with likeness to a lion’s mane, pom pom, or hedgehog, as some names for Lion’s mane mushroom suggest. In the wild, Lion’s Mane mushroom grows starting generally in the late summer through the fall and grows primarily on hardwood trees. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are prized for their nutritional and culinary characteristics. You can find fresh Lion’s mane mushroom in the wild or at some Asian markets. Hericium erinaceus carries several polysaccharides like B-glucan, heteroglycans, heteroxylans, and several cyanthane derivative triterpenes known as hericenone and erinacine. These compounds are said to be responsible for Lion’s Mane benefits. The latter compounds are found in the fruiting body and mycelium respectively.

Hericium erinaceus, or more commonly known as Lion’s Mane mushroom, is an edible mushroom belonging to the tooth fungi group. It’s sometimes referred to as bearded tooth mushroom, hedgehog mushroom, and even pom pom mushroom. Lion’s mane mushroom grows naturally in the wild in Europe, Asia, and North America, and has been used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries. Lion’s Mane mushroom grows long dangling spines that usually appear in clusters with likeness to a lion’s mane, pom pom, or hedgehog, as some names for Lion’s mane mushroom suggest. In the wild, Lion’s Mane mushroom grows starting generally in the late summer through the fall and grows primarily on hardwood trees. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are prized for their nutritional and culinary characteristics. You can find fresh Lion’s mane mushroom in the wild or at some Asian markets. Hericium erinaceus carries several polysaccharides like B-glucan, heteroglycans, heteroxylans, and several cyanthane derivative triterpenes known as hericenone and erinacine. These compounds are said to be responsible for Lion’s Mane benefits. The latter compounds are found in the fruiting body and mycelium respectively.

Hericium erinaceus, or more commonly known as Lion’s Mane mushroom, is an edible mushroom belonging to the tooth fungi group. It’s sometimes referred to as bearded tooth mushroom, hedgehog mushroom, and even pom pom mushroom. Lion’s mane mushroom grows naturally in the wild in Europe, Asia, and North America, and has been used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries. Lion’s Mane mushroom grows long dangling spines that usually appear in clusters with likeness to a lion’s mane, pom pom, or hedgehog, as some names for Lion’s mane mushroom suggest. In the wild, Lion’s Mane mushroom grows starting generally in the late summer through the fall and grows primarily on hardwood trees. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are prized for their nutritional and culinary characteristics. You can find fresh Lion’s mane mushroom in the wild or at some Asian markets. Hericium erinaceus carries several polysaccharides like B-glucan, heteroglycans, heteroxylans, and several cyanthane derivative triterpenes known as hericenone and erinacine. These compounds are said to be responsible for Lion’s Mane benefits. The latter compounds are found in the fruiting body and mycelium respectively.

Lentinula edodes is an edible mushroom native to East Asia and is consumed and cultivated in many Asian countries. Lentinula edodes is more commonly known as Shiitake mushroom and has been used in various Traditional Chinese practices for centuries. Shiitake mushrooms also have a role in traditional health practices of Korea, Japan, and parts of Russia. In the 12th century, people began growing shiitake mushrooms in the mountains of central China. Shiitake mushroom cultivators would then use the plant spores from dead trees and wood logs to speed up the shiitake mushroom growth cycle. Once harvested, cultivators would use fresh and dried shiitake mushrooms for culinary and health purposes.

Red Reishi Mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum and lingzhi mushrooms, have a long history of use, dating as far back as the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago. Red Reishi mushrooms are identified by a shiny red cap with a kidney like shape with white or brown pores on the underside. Red Reishi mushroom is soft and corky but the red-varnished cap lends them a vibrant appearance.

Red Reishi Mushroom Extract has been prized all over the world for its various reported benefits. Various studies and anecdotal evidence suggests that Red Reishi Mushroom Extract uses include promoting cellular function and immune health. Red Reishi mushroom constituents include polysaccharides like beta-glucans, ganoderic acids, coumarin, mannitol, alkaloids, and fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIPs), which help to support healthy immune function.

Red Reishi Mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum and lingzhi mushrooms, have a long history of use, dating as far back as the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago. Red Reishi mushrooms are identified by a shiny red cap with a kidney like shape with white or brown pores on the underside. Red Reishi mushroom is soft and corky but the red-varnished cap lends them a vibrant appearance.

Red Reishi Mushroom Extract has been prized all over the world for its various reported benefits. Various studies and anecdotal evidence suggests that Red Reishi Mushroom Extract uses include promoting cellular function and immune health. Red Reishi mushroom constituents include polysaccharides like beta-glucans, ganoderic acids, coumarin, mannitol, alkaloids, and fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIPs), which help to support healthy immune function.

This is the most potent reishi fruiting body extract on the planet in relation to ganoderic acids! Reishi is actually commonly referred to as the “mushroom of immortality” so it is no surprise that it can promote healthy aging. A few recent studies have shown that ganoderic acids actually help prevent cells from becoming sennecent. When a cell becomes sennecent, it remains highly metabolically active, however, cell division stops. These senescent cells then often convert to the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, which are senescent cells that secrete large amounts of inflammatory compounds. It is thought that senescent cells, especially those of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, are a hallmark of aging. Thus, preventing cells from turning senescent is paramount to healthy aging. Think of it like a highway on which cars routinely break down, but the cars are not removed. These stationary cars then start to rust and leak fluids over time, which degrades the road, and can make it very difficult for functioning cars to drive on these highways littered with leaking car wrecks. Basically, they are useless, dangerous and difficult to remove. The easiest way to prevent this, would be to prevent the cars from breaking down in the first place. This is exactly what the ganoderic acids seem to do for our cells!

The ganoderic acids also exert very beneficial effects in the brain. In fact, the prevention of senescent cells in the brain, is a fantastic strategy for protecting our brains from the deleterious effects of aging. In addition to this, the ganoderic acids can help regulate both neuroinflammation and neuro-oxidation, which results in a neuroprotective effect. Furthermore, the ganoderic acids seem to positively impact neuroplasticity, which can be great for cognitive function and mood. Most interestingly, the ganoderic acids appear to have unique GABAergic effects. We like to describe the effect as a very natural sense of calm, it is quite unique! This effect also appears to translate to significantly improved sleep quality over time. The ganoderic acids also are responsible for a lot of reishi’s unique immune boosting properties. Out of all of the uses for reishi, the immune boosting effects are often the most cherished and well known, so being able to concentrate some of the main immune modulators, makes this ultra potent reishi a star contender for fortifying your immune system. This truly is the ultimate reishi fruiting body extract!

Tremella fuciformis is a mushroom known to grow in tropical climates and can be found growing on hard woods after heavy rains. Tremella fuciformis is more commonly known as White jelly mushroom or Snow Fungus and is one of the most popular fungi in health and culinary practices in China. Tremella fuciformis is a white, almost translucent, fungus that grows all over Asia and in warmer climates all over the world. White jelly mushroom is also nicknamed silver ear for the way it looks growing on fallen logs where it grows.

Turkey tail mushroom is a common polypore mushroom that has earned its name from its resemblance to the colorful plumage of a turkey’s tail. Also known as Trametes versicolor and Polyporus versicolor, Turkey tail mushroom can be found growing on fallen logs and tree stumps all over the world. The top surface of the Trametes versicolor cap shows typical concentric zones of different colors. The flesh is 1–3 mm thick and has a dense leathery texture. Turkey tail mushroom commonly grows in tiled layers. Turkey tail mushroom caps most commonly grow into a rust-brown or darker brown color, sometimes with blackish regions. Traditional Chinese practices have utilized Turkey tail mushroom health benefits for centuries.

Grifola frondosa is a unique polypore mushroom native to China and northeastern parts of North America and Japan and is known for many health benefits. Grifola frondosa is more commonly known as Maitake mushroom and grows at the bases of trees, particularly oak trees, in clusters. Maitake mushroom tends to grow during the late summer and early autumn. The Maitake mushroom fruiting bodies can grow up to 100cm and have grayish-brown spoon shaped caps. The underside of Grifola frondosa mushroom caps have approximately one to three pores per millimeter and the white stalk has a branch like structure that gets stiff and tough as the Grifola frondosa mushroom grows. This characteristic has lent Maitake mushroom nicknames like hen-of-the-woods, ram's head and sheep's head mushroom.

In Traditional Chinese and Japanese herbology, Maitake mushroom is a choice mushroom since it was believed that consuming Maitake mushroom can help balance the body and help return altered bodily systems to a healthy level. Many cultures actually consider Grifola frondosa a delicacy since maitake mushrooms are known to be chewy and succulent with a spicy yet earthy taste when cooked. Maitake mushroom is widely consumed in Japan and other Asian countries and its popularity in the western hemisphere is growing rapidly.