What to Look for in Functional Mushrooms

Functional mushrooms are having a moment - and for good reason. These powerful fungi have been used for centuries to support brain function, energy, immunity, and overall well-being. But with so many mushroom products on the market, how do you know you're getting the good stuff?

Not all mushroom supplements are created equal. Some are packed with beneficial compounds, while others are full of fillers and ineffective ingredients. If you’re investing in functional mushrooms, you want to make sure they’re high-quality, potent, and actually doing what they claim.

In this guide, we’ll cover exactly what to look out for when buying functional mushrooms.

Understanding Functional Mushrooms

Functional mushrooms aren’t quite the same as the ones you use to cook. These mushrooms are packed with compounds that may support everything from focus to skin hydration to immunity. They’ve been used in traditional medicine for centuries and are now backed by growing scientific research.

Some of the most popular (and powerful) functional mushrooms include:

• Lion’s Mane: Thought to support brain function, memory, and nerve health.
• Reishi: Hailed as the “mushroom of immortality,” is known for its calming and immune-supporting properties.
• Chaga: Contains a powerhouse of antioxidants that may help fight oxidative stress.
• Cordyceps: Loved by athletes for its potential to boost energy and endurance.
• Tramella: Often referred to as the “beauty mushroom,” is rich in polysaccharides that may help hydrate and support skin health.

When looking for a mushroom powder, it’s important to ensure you’re actually getting all of the benefits they offer. That means knowing where the mushrooms come from, how they’re processed, and what’s really inside the product.

Identifying High-Quality Functional Mushrooms

Not all mushroom supplements and powders will deliver on what they promise. This is because some are diluted, poorly sourced, or processed in a way that destroys their active compounds. 

Here’s what to look for when buying a mushroom powder: 

Mushroom Sourcing – Wild vs. Cultivated

Where mushrooms are grown makes a huge difference in their quality.

• Wild-harvested mushrooms: These grow in their natural environment and may have a richer nutrient profile. But if they’re picked from polluted areas, they can also absorb toxins.
• Organically cultivated mushrooms: Grown under controlled conditions, ensuring they’re free from pesticides and contaminants.

For the best quality functional mushrooms, look for organic mushrooms that have been tested for heavy metals and toxins.

The DIRTEA way: we source our mushrooms from pristine, controlled environments to ensure purity and potency. All mushrooms are organically grown and third-party tested for heavy metals, pesticides, and contaminants.

Whole Fruiting Body vs. Mycelium on Grain

This is a big one. Many mushroom supplements on the market contain mycelium on grain, which is essentially the root structure of the mushroom grown on a starchy substrate (like rice or oats). The problem? These products often contain more grain than actual mushroom.

What you want is 100% fruiting body extract. This is the part of the mushroom where most of the beneficial compounds, like beta-glucans, are found. Always check the label - if it lists “myceliated grain” or just “mycelium,” there’s a good chance you’re paying for filler.

The DIRTEA way: we only use 100% fruiting body extracts, ensuring that every product contains the most potent, bioactive compounds without unnecessary grain fillers.

Extraction Methods 

Functional mushrooms need to be extracted properly to unlock their full potential.

• Water extraction pulls out beta-glucans, which are great for immune support.
• Alcohol extraction isolates triterpenes and other compounds that may help with stress and inflammation.
• Dual-extraction (using both water and alcohol) gives you the best of both worlds.
  

 

If a mushroom product doesn’t mention how it’s extracted, it might not be potent enough to make a difference.

The DIRTEA way: We use dual-extraction methods, ensuring that every drop of mushroom extract is packed with bioavailable compounds for maximum effectiveness.

Standardisation and Beta-Glucan Content

Beta-glucans are one of the key compounds that make functional mushrooms so beneficial. High-quality supplements will specify the beta-glucan content on the label (e.g., “contains 30% beta-glucans”).

Be wary of brands that only mention “polysaccharides” without specifics. Polysaccharides can include starches and fillers, which don’t offer the same benefits as beta-glucans.

The DIRTEA Way: DIRTEA products list beta-glucan content clearly, so you know exactly what you’re getting. No vague labels - just complete transparency.

Spotting Low-Quality or Misleading Products

There are plenty of mushroom products out there that look great but don’t actually deliver. 

Here’s what to avoid:

Beware of Fillers and Additives

• Low-quality mushroom supplements often bulk up their products with:
• Rice or oat fillers – Common in mycelium-based products.
• Maltodextrin – A cheap additive that dilutes the potency.
• Unspecified “mushroom blends” – These often contain tiny amounts of each mushroom, making them ineffective.

Look for products that say 100% mushroom extract with no unnecessary fillers.

Organic and Third-Party Testing

Since mushrooms absorb whatever’s in their environment, you want to make sure yours are organically grown and tested for contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides.

Top brands (like DIRTEA) will publish third-party lab results to prove their purity. If a company doesn’t provide this information, that’s a red flag.

Transparency in Labelling

A good brand will tell you exactly what’s in their product. Watch out for vague labels that use terms like:

• “Proprietary mushroom blend” (without specifying how much of each mushroom is included). 
• “Mushroom mycelium” (without mentioning fruiting body).
• “Polysaccharides” (without stating beta-glucan content).

If the label isn’t clear, the product probably isn’t high-quality.

Enter DIRTEA Functional Mushrooms 

With so many mushroom products on the market, quality truly matters. Choosing the right functional mushrooms ensures you get the full spectrum of benefits - whether that’s sharper focus, stronger immunity, or sustained energy. But not all products deliver on their promises, and low-quality options may contain fillers, low-potency extracts, or even harmful contaminants.

To make sure you’re getting functional mushrooms that actually work, here’s a quick-fire checklist of what to look for:

• Organic, properly sourced mushrooms: Free from pesticides and heavy metals.
• 100% fruiting body extract: No mycelium on grain, no unnecessary fillers.
• Dual-extraction processing: Ensuring the highest level of active compounds.
• Clearly labelled beta-glucan content: Not just vague "polysaccharides" claims.
• Third-party testing for purity and potency: Transparency is key.

By taking the time to research and choose high-quality, science-backed mushroom products, you’re investing in your long-term well-being. Functional mushrooms work best when taken consistently, so it’s worth choosing a trusted brand that delivers purity, potency, and proven results.

Want to know more about how we source and extract our mushrooms. Take a look at our quality and ingredients commitments. 

DIRTEA Functional Mushrooms 

Ready to experience the full power of premium mushrooms? Explore DIRTEA’s range of functional mushroom products and feel the difference in your daily routine.  

FAQs

What’s the difference between fruiting body and mycelium in mushroom supplements?

The fruiting body is the part of the mushroom that contains the highest concentration of beneficial compounds, such as beta-glucans. Mycelium is the root-like structure of the fungus and is often grown on grain. Many low-quality supplements contain mycelium on grain, which means you're getting more filler and less active mushroom compounds.

Why is dual-extraction important for functional mushrooms?

Dual-extraction ensures that both water-soluble (beta-glucans) and alcohol-soluble (triterpenes) compounds are extracted, providing the full range of benefits. Without proper extraction, the mushrooms may not deliver their full potency.

How can I tell if a mushroom supplement contains fillers?

Check the ingredients list. If you see "mycelium on grain," "rice powder," "oat flour," or "maltodextrin," the product likely contains fillers. High-quality supplements will list "100% fruiting body extract" without the unnecessary additives.