Transparency
Sourcing standards
Not all functional mushroom supplements are equal. These are the standards we apply when evaluating every brand and product referenced on this site.
Fruiting body extract only
Not mycelium on grain. Grain-based products dilute active compound concentration — beta-glucan content is often 1–5% vs 25–40% in quality fruiting body extracts.
Beta-glucan ≥25% verified
Confirmed by third-party Certificate of Analysis (COA). We check actual test results, not marketing claims.
Heavy metal testing
Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury must test below USP limits per batch. Mushrooms are bioaccumulators — substrate quality matters.
Organic certification
USDA Organic or equivalent. Substrate quality directly affects active compound concentration in the final extract.
Dual extraction where relevant
Hot water extraction for beta-glucans. Alcohol extraction for triterpenes (essential for reishi). Both needed for full-spectrum potency.
How to read a COA
Request the Certificate of Analysis from the manufacturer. Look for: beta-glucan percentage (target ≥25%), heavy metal results vs USP limits, microbial testing results, and the testing lab name. Reputable brands make COAs available without being asked.