Science, facts and the latest research, made simple
Science, facts and the latest research, made simple
The Mushroom Guide

Meet the functional mushrooms

The five mushrooms people ask about most: what they look like, what they're known for, how they taste and how people take them.

Lion's mane mushroom
Known for: focus, memory, mental clarity

Lion's Mane

Hericium erinaceus

Lion's mane looks nothing like a typical mushroom. Instead of a cap and stem, it grows as a white cascade of soft spines that hang like icicles, which is how it got its name.

It's the most popular functional mushroom for the brain. People add it to their morning routine for focus and clarity, and it's often paired with coffee.

Taste
Mild, a little like crab or lobster
Common forms
Gummies, powder, coffee, tinctures
Where it grows
On hardwood trees like oak and beech
Best for
Focus, memory, mental clarity
Read the lion's mane article →
Reishi mushrooms
Known for: calm, stress, sleep

Reishi

Ganoderma lucidum

Reishi is easy to spot thanks to its glossy, lacquered red-brown cap. It's been brewed as a tea for centuries and has a reputation as the calming mushroom.

Most people take reishi in the evening as part of a wind-down routine. Because it tastes bitter, gummies and blends are the easiest way to take it.

Taste
Bitter and woody
Common forms
Tea, gummies, tinctures, capsules
Where it grows
At the base of hardwood trees
Best for
Calm, stress, sleep
Read the reishi article →
Cordyceps mushrooms
Known for: energy, stamina, workouts

Cordyceps

Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps militaris grows as slender, bright orange stalks. The version used in supplements today is cultivated, which makes it consistent and widely available.

It's the go-to mushroom for energy and stamina, and it's popular with people who train or want a caffeine-free lift during the day.

Taste
Mild and slightly savory
Common forms
Powder, tinctures, pre-workout blends
Where it grows
Cultivated; bright orange fruiting bodies
Best for
Energy, stamina, workouts
Read the cordyceps article →
Turkey tail mushrooms
Known for: immune support, gut health

Turkey Tail

Trametes versicolor

Turkey tail gets its name from its fan-shaped, striped brackets that look like a turkey's tail feathers. It's one of the most common mushrooms in forests around the world.

It's one of the most studied mushrooms for immune support, and a popular pick for gut health because of its naturally occurring fibers.

Taste
Earthy, slightly bitter
Common forms
Capsules, powder, tea
Where it grows
In layered rosettes on dead logs
Best for
Immune support, gut health
Read the turkey tail article →
Chaga on a birch tree
Known for: antioxidants, immunity

Chaga

Inonotus obliquus

Chaga doesn't look like a mushroom at all. It grows as a black, cracked lump on birch trees, with a rusty orange interior.

It's traditionally brewed as a tea and is known for its antioxidants. Many people use it as a coffee alternative in cold months.

Taste
Earthy with a hint of vanilla
Common forms
Tea, tinctures, powder
Where it grows
On birch trees in cold climates
Best for
Antioxidants, immunity
Read the chaga article →
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