Mushroom Capsules: What's Inside, How to Take Them and How to Compare Brands
Capsules are the most popular way to take mushroom extracts, and it isn't hard to see why. No taste, no measuring, no pipette dripping on the kitchen counter. Two capsules, a glass of water, done.
The trouble is that two bottles of mushroom capsules can look identical on a shelf and be completely different inside. This guide covers what is actually in a mushroom capsule, how to compare one bottle against another, how to take them, and how to pay less for them without cutting corners.
What's actually inside a mushroom capsule
Every capsule has two parts: the shell and the fill.
The shell
Most supplement capsules are made from either gelatin, which is an animal product, or HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), a plant-based cellulose. If you are vegan or vegetarian, the shell is the first thing to check, because a vegan-friendly mushroom powder inside a gelatin capsule is not a vegan product.
Ours are plant-based HPMC capsules, with no gelatin.
The fill
This is where products really differ. The powder inside a mushroom capsule might be:
- An extract, where the mushroom has been steeped in hot water, alcohol or both, and the concentrated result dried into a powder.
- Ground whole mushroom, simply dried and milled, with nothing drawn out or concentrated.
- Mycelium grown on grain, where the root-like network of the fungus was grown on oats or rice and the whole lot, grain included, was milled together.
- Any of the above plus fillers or flow agents, added to bulk out the capsule or help the powder run through the filling machine.
Our single-mushroom capsules contain a 10:1 dual-extracted mushroom extract with no grain, starch or filler. For lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps and turkey tail, that extract is made from 100% fruiting bodies. If you want the full explanation of ratios and fruiting bodies, we've written it up in what a mushroom extract actually is.
How to compare two bottles of mushroom capsules
Ignore the front of the bottle for a minute and go straight to the details. A good label should answer all of these:
- Which species, in Latin? Hericium erinaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, Cordyceps militaris, Trametes versicolor. Precision here tends to go with precision elsewhere.
- How many milligrams of extract per serving? Not the "equivalent" figure. The actual amount of extract.
- What ratio? 10:1, 8:1, 20:1. Useful context, but only alongside the milligrams.
- Fruiting body or mycelium? And if mycelium, grown on what?
- How was it extracted? Hot water, alcohol, or both.
- What else is in the capsule? Check the ingredient list for fillers and the shell material.
- How many servings per bottle, and what is the price per serving? A cheap bottle with half the servings is not cheap.
- Is there a batch Certificate of Analysis? And does it say what was actually tested?
- Where is it made? A traceable supply chain is easier to trust than "made in the EU/non-EU".
Our capsule range, side by side
Every bottle in our single-mushroom range follows the same spec: 60 capsules of 500mg, two capsules per serving, 1,000mg of 10:1 dual-extracted extract per serving (the equivalent of 10,000mg of raw mushroom), 30 servings per bottle, in recyclable amber glass. Mushrooms are cultivated in Finland, and the finished capsules are bottled in Sheffield.
| Capsules | Species | Price | Per serving | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lion's Mane | Hericium erinaceus | £19.99 | about 67p | Morning |
| Cordyceps | Cordyceps militaris | £19.99 | about 67p | Earlier in the day |
| Reishi | Ganoderma lucidum | £19.99 | about 67p | Evening |
| Turkey Tail | Trametes versicolor | £24.99 | about 83p | Whenever suits you |
| Tremella | Tremella fuciformis | £19.99 | about 67p | Alongside your routine |
Prices are one-time purchase prices at the time of writing. The whole range lives in our capsule collection.
How to take mushroom capsules
Two capsules a day with water. You can take both together or split them across the day, one in the morning and one later, if that suits you better. Don't exceed the recommended daily intake on the label.
On timing, the suggestions on our product pages follow tradition rather than anything more exotic: lion's mane and cordyceps are usually taken earlier in the day, reishi in the evening, and turkey tail and tremella whenever it fits. Honestly, the most important thing is taking them consistently. Tie them to something you already do every day, like breakfast, the first coffee or brushing your teeth, and you won't have to think about it.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical care, speak to your GP or pharmacist before use.
Capsules vs other formats
Capsules win on convenience and on knowing exactly what you are taking: a fixed serving of extract, no taste, no preparation. Where they lose is flexibility. You can't take half a capsule very gracefully, and some people simply don't like swallowing them.
If that is you, a tincture lets you adjust your serving within the label guidance and can go straight into a drink. We compare lion's mane capsules and tinctures in how to take lion's mane, and tinctures in more depth in our mushroom tinctures guide.
How to pay less for mushroom capsules
There are two ways to bring the price down, and it is worth knowing which one suits you, because they don't stack.
Buy 2 Get 1 Free. This is permanent. Add any three qualifying products to your cart and the lowest-priced one is free. Mix and match across the whole range, species and formats included. Three £19.99 capsule bottles come to £39.98 instead of £59.97, which works out at about 44p a serving. Six qualifying items gets you two free.
Subscription. Most products are available on a monthly subscription at 10% off, so a £19.99 bottle is £17.99.
The catch: Buy 2 Get 1 Free applies to one-time purchases, not subscriptions, and it can't be combined with other discount codes. So if you take one mushroom every day, a subscription is the simple option. If you take two or three, or want to try a few, Buy 2 Get 1 Free is the better deal.
Frequently asked questions
Are mushroom capsules vegan?
It depends on the shell. Gelatin capsules are not. Ours use plant-based HPMC capsules with no gelatin, grain, starch or filler.
How long does a bottle of mushroom capsules last?
Ours hold 60 capsules. At two a day, that is 30 servings, or about a month.
Can I take capsules of different mushrooms on the same day?
Our labels give a serving for each product, so take each one at its stated serving and don't exceed it. If you are taking medication or have a medical condition, speak to your GP or pharmacist before combining supplements.
Why are your capsules in amber glass?
Amber glass cuts down the light reaching what is inside, and it is recyclable. It is heavier than a plastic tub, but it is a better container for something you will keep in a cupboard for a month.
How should I store mushroom capsules?
Somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight, with the lid on tight. Keep them out of reach of children.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Mushroom Dispensary products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, speak to your GP or pharmacist before use.