Functional mushrooms: what they are and how to choose
Functional mushrooms are species valued not only for their culinary qualities but above all for a centuries-old tradition of use and the active compounds they contain, such as beta-glucans. Present for thousands of years in the tradition of Far Eastern medicine, today they enter the diet as supplements: as extract powders, capsules and other forms. The best-known functional mushrooms include reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps and chaga.
Functional mushrooms vs adaptogens
These two terms are often confused. „Functional mushrooms" is a broad cultural and botanical category. „Adaptogen" is a narrower term from herbalism: it was introduced by Soviet pharmacologist Nikolai Lazarev in 1947 to describe substances credited with increasing the body’s non-specific resistance to stress. Some functional mushrooms are counted among adaptogens, but not every adaptogen is a mushroom.
| Functional mushrooms | Adaptogens | |
|---|---|---|
| What they are | a category of mushrooms with a tradition of use | a herbalism concept (plants and fungi) |
| Origin of the term | a modern category name | pharmacology, Lazarev, 1947 |
| Examples | reishi, lion’s mane, chaga, cordyceps | reishi, cordyceps, ashwagandha, rhodiola |
Which mushrooms are functional
In our culture you will most often come across the species below. Each has its own centuries-old history. Click through for the full profile.
| Mushroom | Latin name | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Reishi | Ganoderma lucidum | one of the most revered mushrooms in Far Eastern tradition, recorded in herbals for over 2000 years |
| Lion’s Mane | Hericium erinaceus | a distinctive, shaggy mushroom prized in Asian cuisine and tradition |
| Cordyceps | Cordyceps | a rare high-altitude mushroom, historically prized in the Himalayas and TCM |
| Chaga | Inonotus obliquus | a birch-dwelling conk known in Siberian and Eastern European tradition |
| Maitake | Grifola frondosa | the „dancing mushroom", an edible species of Japanese tradition |
| Shiitake | Lentinula edodes | one of the most popular mushrooms of Asian cuisine and tradition |
| Coriolus | Trametes versicolor | the common „turkey tail", a colourful bracket fungus of forests worldwide |
| Tremella | Tremella fuciformis | „snow ear", a jelly mushroom prized in Asia |
| Auricularia | Auricularia | „Judas’s ear", a classic of Far Eastern cuisine |
| Polyporus | Polyporus umbellatus | umbrella polypore, a bracket fungus present in classical Chinese medicine tradition |
| Pornatka | Wolfiporia extensa | Poria cocos (fu ling), an underground fungus of classical Chinese formulas |
In what form to take them
Functional mushrooms most often enter the diet as:
- Extract (e.g. 10:1, standardised for beta-glucans) · a concentrated form
- Whole-mushroom powder, a dried and milled fruiting body · closer to the natural form
- Capsules · a convenient, pre-measured serving
- Drops · extracts in drops, tinctures
The choice is a matter of preference and how you take them. More on the differences: product forms.
Tradition and origin
Functional mushrooms have accompanied humans for millennia, especially in the tradition of Chinese medicine (TCM), where they held a special place in herbals. At Aloha Fungi we view them through the lens of that tradition, combined with modern knowledge of their composition.
Author: Mateusz Rosa, TCM therapist, Doctor of Acupuncture (WFAS). Last updated: June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
- What are functional mushrooms?
- Species of mushrooms valued for their tradition of use and the compounds they contain (e.g. beta-glucans), taken as dietary supplements in the form of extracts, powders, tinctures or capsules.
- How do they differ from adaptogens?
- „Functional mushrooms" is a category of mushrooms. „Adaptogen" is a herbalism term covering plants and fungi. Some functional mushrooms are counted among adaptogens.
- Which functional mushrooms do beginners choose?
- Reishi and lion’s mane are among the most recognisable and a common starting point. The choice depends on your preferences and needs.
- In what form is it best to take them?
- An extract is a concentrated form: extraction concentrates compounds such as beta-glucans, of which there is proportionally less in a milled fruiting body alone. Powder is closer to nature, and capsules are the most convenient. Each form is good; they differ in convenience and intensity.
- Are functional mushrooms safe?
- They are dietary supplements, not medicines, and do not replace a varied diet. If you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a doctor before adding a supplement.
Dietary supplement. Not medical advice and not a substitute for a varied diet.