Mushroom powder is simply dried and ground mushroom, which contains all the components of the mushroom, including chitin. However, chitin is insoluble in water and makes it difficult to absorb the active ingredients. The powder must be brewed like a tea to release the beneficial components.

Mushroom extract is a concentrate of active substances obtained by extraction. It is chitin-free, contains beta-glucans and other bioavailable compounds. The extract can be simply taken with water or added to drinks and food, and is absorbed faster.

Yes, mushroom powder should be brewed with hot water, like tea, or boiled for better release of active substances. The chitin shell of mushrooms does not dissolve in the stomach, so dry powder without heat treatment is poorly absorbed.

Mushroom extract, unlike powder, can be taken with water or added to food without the need for brewing.

You should start taking the extract gradually to determine the individual reaction of the body.

If it is capsules, it is recommended to start with 1 capsule per day, gradually increasing to the recommended dose.

If it is a powdered extract, it is best to start with half a teaspoon (or 1 g) for the first dose, washed down with water or added to a drink.

After a day or two, if the body responds well, you can move up to the full recommended dose. This approach helps minimize possible reactions and allows the body to adapt to the product.

Yes, mushroom powders and extracts can be combined with each other, since each mushroom has a unique composition of active substances and can complement the effects of other mushrooms.

How to combine correctly:

Start slowly - each type should be taken separately for the first time. Start with half the dose (0.5 teaspoon for powder or 1 capsule for extract) and see how your body reacts. After a few hours, you can try a different mushroom.

Make sure there are no individual reactions before mixing.

If both mushrooms are well tolerated, you can take them together.

Proportions:

For mushroom powders, you can mix 0.5-1 teaspoon of each or pour everything into one container and brew 1-2 teaspoons per serving.

For capsule extracts, take together at the recommended dosage.

For powder extracts, you can combine at a dosage of 0.5-1 g of each mushroom.

Combining mushrooms can have a synergistic effect, enhancing their beneficial properties. However, it is important to follow an individual approach and take into account the needs of the body.

There are three main forms of mushroom products, and each has its own characteristics in action and absorption:

1. Mushroom powder (not extract)

• This is a dried and crushed mushroom without extraction.
• Contains all components of the mushroom, including fiber, proteins, enzymes, and active substances.
• It usually contains 2-7% beta-glucans , but their bioavailability is lower due to the presence of chitin.
• It usually requires heat treatment (brewing, boiling) or alcohol tincture to make the active ingredients available to the body.
• Suitable for those who want to get all the components of the mushroom, including fiber and additional trace elements.

2. Extract in powder form

• This is a concentrate of active substances obtained by extraction.
• It contains 20% or more beta-glucans , which makes it significantly more effective than regular mushroom powder.
• It does not contain chitin , so it does not require heat treatment - you can simply drink it with water.
• Due to its high concentration, it acts faster and more effectively.
• Beneficial at higher dosages , for example, if you need to take 6 g per day .
• The best choice for those looking for maximum concentration and fast action .

3. Extract capsules

• They contain the same extract as in powder form, but dosed in capsules of 350 mg of active ingredient .
• The most convenient option for taking it is that you don't need to weigh or mix.
• The dosage is smaller and clearer , which is convenient for controlling the amount of product taken.
• The action begins a little slower because the capsule needs to dissolve in the stomach.
• Ideal for those who don't want to taste mushrooms or for whom convenience is important.

Where will the effect be better?

• The maximum effect is in the extract , since it contains the largest amount of active substances.
• Faster to digest – extract in powder form , as it can be taken without a capsule.
• Capsules are more convenient to take because they have no taste and are already dosed.
• If you want to get the full spectrum of mushroom substances , then you should consider mushroom powder , but it must be heat-treated.
• If a large dosage is required (for example, 6 g per day) , a powdered extract is a more advantageous option, since to achieve such a dosage in capsules you would have to take a much larger amount.

The choice depends on your needs: if the concentration of active substances is important, the best option is an extract (in powder or capsules), if you need a complex composition of the mushroom, mushroom powder .

Yes, the weight of powdered extracts and capsules is different.

Powdered extracts in mushroom products typically contain 350 mg of the active ingredient per capsule , and a standard package contains 90 capsules . Fermented mycelia and some other products may have 450 mg per capsule , depending on the formulation.

In comparison, the powder form is more beneficial for higher dosages . For example, if you need to take 6 g of extract per day , you will need a much larger amount in capsules than in powder. On the other hand, capsules are more convenient to take, as they are already dosed and tasteless.

The choice between powder and capsules depends on your needs:

• If dosage accuracy and convenience of administration are important , it is better to choose capsules .
• If you need to take larger dosages , the powder form will be more beneficial.

It is worth remembering:

Mushroom powder is not an extract, but simply a crushed fruiting body. We recommend first brewing it with boiling water and letting it steep to a temperature that is comfortable for you to consume.

How to combine different powders:

Start with one mushroom.

Take 0.5 teaspoon of the first powder (for example, blackberry).

After a few hours, try the second mushroom (also with 0.5 teaspoon).

Add the third mushroom separately in the same way if the reaction is normal.

When all types are well absorbed, you can mix them together, 0.5–1 teaspoon of each.

You can store all the powders together in a common jar and use them as a mixture.

How to take the mixture

Edible mushrooms:

Lion's mane mushroom, shiitake, maitake, chanterelle, auricularia, Agaricus blazei - can be consumed as tea, added to hot dishes (soups, porridge, etc.), and if well tolerated - even in "cold" dishes: smoothies, salads, or simply washed down with water.

Please note:

When consumed in cold dishes or without brewing, the bioavailability of active substances may be lower, and the effect may be different than with traditional infusion.

Inedible mushrooms:

Reishi, chaga, sanhwan, cordyceps, trametes — we recommend using only as an infusion/tea (brew with boiling water, let it infuse to a comfortable temperature).

We do not recommend adding them to food to avoid unnecessary strain on the liver and digestive system. There is research on possible hepatotoxicity with long-term consumption of non-edible mushrooms in raw form.

Special cases:

In general, for mushrooms, in some situations, making an alcohol tincture can be used - this is discussed separately in the instructions.