With the abundance of mushroom supplements on the market – and more appearing every year – it's important to know what you’re getting within each one. What percentages of fruiting body and/or mycelium are included? How are the mushrooms cultivated? What does full spectrum mean and is it an accurate claim to make? Whether a company sells products with fruiting body, mycelium, or both, it’s important to look beyond the label to ensure you’re getting the best quality.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your health care practitioner before adding any new herbs to your wellness routine.
What Does Full Spectrum Actually Mean?
Using the term “full spectrum” for a mushroom extract insinuates that it contains all the compounds that naturally occur in the whole mushroom – fruiting body and mycelium included. However, when mycelium is cultivated on a grain substrate, that grain will make its way into the final product, diluting the potency.
Ultimately, "full spectrum" is a marketing term for broader nutrients, and there is no regulation on how that term can be used. When Health Canada approves product claims, it is only for individual ingredients and extraction methods, not the "full spectrum" concept itself. This is why it’s so important to understand what exactly is in the product you intend to purchase.
How Do You Determine What is in a Mushroom Supplement?
Check the label to see if the ingredient list contains:
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The type of mushroom included.
- The amount of mushroom included (typically in mg).
- The mushroom extract ratio*, if applicable.
- Whether it states fruiting body or mycelium/stroma.
- Where the mushrooms are sourced from.
If you can’t find this information on the label, don’t hesitate to contact the company directly for more information. Learn more about what to look for in a high-quality mushroom supplement here.
*The extract ratio explains the amount of mushroom medicine you receive per serving. For example, our Reishi Concentrated Mushroom Powder has an extract ratio of 12:1. This means that every 1 gram (¼ tsp) of Reishi Mushroom Powder is equivalent to 12 grams of whole, fruiting body reishi. Working with a mushroom supplement that has a high extract ratio means that it will be more potent and easier to digest, giving you a high concentration of wellness benefits in a small amount of product.
What is the Difference Between Mycelium and Fruiting Body?
Mycelium
Mycelium is the root-like structure that serves as the vegetative part of the mushroom. It is responsible for sending vital nutrients up to the fruiting body. Mycelium supplements are typically cultivated in a lab and are grown on grain-based substrates, such as rice. Much of that substrate ends up in the final mycelium product as filler, limiting its potency.
Mycelium is a more cost-effective option for many companies, as the cultivation can be done locally, and in less time than for fruiting body.
Fruiting Body
The fruiting body is what is referred to as the “mushroom.” This is the visible part of the fungus that produces spores and carries on the mushroom life cycle. For thousands of years, people have consumed fruiting body mushrooms to support longevity and vitality.
While fruiting body mushrooms involve a longer cultivation process, they are often grown on wood to replicate the natural environment in which wild mushrooms thrive. This growing method ensures that the mushroom contains a wide variety of active compounds and phytochemicals needed to nourish human health.
Why Does Harmonic Arts Only Use Fruiting Body?
We use organic, fruiting body mushrooms because they have the highest concentration and variety of active compounds. This includes a greater than 30% polysaccharide content.
The organic farms we partner with pride themselves on cultivating fruiting body mushrooms on traditional mediums to closely resemble a wild environment. This ensures the mushroom receives the right nourishment to produce a fruiting body with the essential polysaccharides to support human health. Working with 100% fruiting body mushroom extracts allows us to create a potent mushroom product that's packed with benefits.
Curious to learn more about our mushrooms? Click here.
