What is Mushroom Powder?

What if you could boost your health with just a sprinkle? Introducing mushroom powder 🍄

In a nutshell, mushroom powder is made of ground mushrooms. Often known for their medicinal qualities, mushrooms are an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and used widely in many other cultures for their therapeutic effects.¹

Easily consumed as a powder, mushrooms have incredible health benefits – packed with essential amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. They also boast immunomodulating and cholesterol-fighting properties; these mighty mushrooms are a powerful addition!

The functional mushroom powder market has boomed in recent years, with market research estimating a whopping 8.8% growth year on year from 2024-2033.² But do the mushrooms live up to the hype? We will take you through everything you never thought you needed to know about mushrooms and what to watch out for when searching for the best mushroom powder supplement.

How is mushroom powder made?

Extraction is the standardised procedure according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It makes it possible to release the valuable polysaccharides that are bound into the cell walls of the mushroom and make them bioavailable to the human metabolism.

Several different extraction techniques, such as hot water or alcohol, can be used to create mushroom powder. Not all mushroom powders use extraction techniques! When choosing a mushroom powder, we recommend selecting one that has been produced using an extraction method – not just simply dried up and ground! We also recommend avoiding mushroom powder that has added fillers, finding a good quality powder is key.

What method does Chuckling Goat use?

The mushrooms and dried extracts are ground with the shellbroken method. We then use hot water extraction which starts with hot water in various stages. The dried and finely pulverised mushrooms undergo controlled heating in water, breaking down chitin and protein bonds to release the active compounds. This solvent-free method ensures purity and potency.

The benefits of mushroom powder

Here at Chuckling Goat we consider mushroom powder a Gut Health Essential. While each mushroom has its own strengths, they share many beneficial properties. You may be surprised such a small mushroom can pack a punch!

Coral-coloured background. Image describing "what is mushroom powder".

Immunomodulating properties – Medicinal mushrooms contain chitin, beta-glucans and glycoproteins. These can help regulate and enhance the immune system’s response to infections and diseases. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) and Ganoderma (Ganoderma spp.) have some of the highest beta-glucan content.³
Cholesterol levels – They can promote healthy cholesterol levels. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes), Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) and Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) are particularly known for their hypocholesterolemic effects.⁴
Blood sugar stabilisation properties – Some evidence shows the beta-glucans in mushrooms can have an anti-hyperglycemic effect, slowing down sugar absorption and boosting the body’s ability to use insulin.⁵
Adaptogenic properties – Some medicinal mushrooms are adaptogens, helping your body manage stress and maintain balance. These clever fungi support your adrenal system and promote homeostasis, helping make you more resilient to stress. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and Cordyceps are particularly known for their adaptogenic benefits.⁶
Indole alkaloids – These support liver detoxification and hormonal balance.
Carotenoids – Support healthy skin and contribute to cardiovascular health.
Prebiotic fibre – They are a great source of indigestible prebiotic fibre due to the chitin and beta-glucans contained. The fibre descends intact to the colon, helping to diversify and increase beneficial gut bacterial species.⁷⁸
Polyphenols – These have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.⁹
Enzymes – Crucial for all physiological processes.
Amino acids – Mushrooms contain all the essential amino acids, including lysine and tryptophan. These provide the raw materials for enzymes, hormones and antibodies as well as building muscle and muscle repair.¹⁰
Vitamins and minerals – They contain calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, selenium, vitamin C, B vitamins (B2, B3, B5 and folate), vitamin A, beta carotene and vitamin K.¹¹ When exposed to UV light, they also contain vitamin D2.¹²

As you can see, mushroom powder can be a modest but mighty addition to your day!

Differences between medicinal mushrooms

There are many different types of medicinal mushrooms. They not only have different physical appearances but also slightly different properties. Let’s take a look at some of the five more well-known mushrooms (all included in our Complete Mushroom Blend) so you can see just how versatile and varied they can be.

1. Reishi

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a well-known therapeutic mushroom that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.¹³ It is rich in antioxidants, making it excellent for anti-ageing and skin repair. It is an adaptogen known for its calming effects as it can help regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.¹⁴ The HPA axis is your body’s central and main stress response system. Reishi also contains high levels of beta-glucans and is a mushroom with one of the highest immunomodulating benefits.¹⁵

2. Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) contains compounds that exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.¹⁶ There is also research to show cognitive benefits with it supporting neurogenesis in people with mild Alzheimer’s disease.¹⁷ Research suggests that Lion’s Mane may also be an adaptogenic mushroom, helping reverse stress-related changes to neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin in mice.¹⁸

3. Turkey Tail

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is a well-known medicinal mushroom. With a resemblance to a Turkey’s plumage, it is easy to see how it got its name! It contains polysaccharides that stimulate B and T cell proliferation, suggesting potential benefits for weakened immune systems. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and contributes to liver and gut health.¹⁹

4. Chaga

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Studies have shown in animals it has blood glucose lowering properties. Its antioxidant properties have been shown to help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol.²⁰

5. Cordyceps

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) have a unique appearance, growing in thin caterpillar-like shapes. With a rich history in traditional Chinese medicine, it has been used to reduce fatigue and increase libido. Research also shows that is could enhance exercise performance by reducing inflammation and improving oxygen utilisation.²¹ Alongside Reishi and Lion’s Mane, it is also another popular adaptogenic mushroom with research showing it may reduce the effects of stress on the body.²²

Chuckling Goat Complete Mushroom Blend contains a total of THIRTEEN different mushrooms! For a full rundown of the differences between the mushrooms contained in our Complete Mushroom Blend, check out our article on the Power of Medicinal Mushrooms.

How can you use mushroom powder?

Here at HQ we love mixing it in with our morning Gut Brain Smoothie. You can also mix it in with your favourite hot drink – such as coffee or hot chocolate. We would recommend adding the mushroom powder right before you enjoy your hot drink.

Prefer to keep things simple? Just stir it in a glass of water, kefir, or milk!

You can find more inspiration on how to incorporate mushroom powder into your daily routine with our article five ways to take our mushroom blend.

Image of Chuckling Complete Goat Mushroom Powder being added to a Chuckling Goat branded coffee travel mug.

Side effects of mushroom powder

There are some documented side affects of certain mushrooms, these can include:²³²⁴²⁵

Skin inflammation
Abdominal discomfort
Higher white blood cell count
Nausea
Dizziness
Headaches

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is generally considered safe for most people when consumed in moderation. It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries for its potential health benefits. Limited scientific evidence suggests that high doses of certain Reishi extracts may have hepatotoxic (liver-toxic) effects. However, these studies typically use concentrated extracts rather than whole mushroom powder, and the doses involved may not reflect typical human consumption.

There have also been rare, documented cases of liver toxicity linked to Reishi, powder²⁶ but for most people, both Reishi extract and whole mushroom powder are well tolerated. If you have any concerns, we recommend consulting your GP before use. Our Complete Mushroom Blend contains 13 different mushrooms in equal amounts, ensuring a balanced and diverse intake.

How much should you consume?

You might be wondering, can I take mushroom powder every day? The answer is yes!

The recommended amount of mushroom powder will depend on the supplement you are taking, be sure to check the label. We recommend taking 4 grams (one heaped teaspoon) of our Complete Mushroom Blend – this is plenty to reap the therapeutic benefits.

While unusual, if you do experience uncomfortable symptoms or side effects, we recommend dropping down to a minimal dosage (e.g. 1/4 TSP) and slowly re-introducing, as long as it is safe to do so. For contraindications of certain medications, we recommend checking with your GP.

Why choose Chuckling Goat’s mushroom powder?

We believe our Complete Mushroom Blend is one of the most comprehensive available. Our meticulously crafted mushroom powder formula contains thirteen of nature’s most powerful mushrooms.

Mixed at a ratio of equal parts, we use the following 13 mushrooms in our powder –

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Agaricus blazei (Agaricus blazei)
Umbrella Polypore (Polyporus umbellatus)
Wood Ear (Auricularia polytricha)
Shaggy Ink Cap (Coprinus comatus)
Snow Fungus (Tremella fuciformis)
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

We don’t add fillers to our mushroom powder – beware of companies that do! We source our mushrooms from experienced growers in China with a with a well-founded knowledge of mushroom cultivation. The mushrooms we use are tested for heavy metals, pesticides, microbiological and radioactive impurities, as well as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). They also undergo analysis to confirm essential active ingredients such as polysaccharides and beta-glucans.

Our Complete Mushroom Blend is made from the entire fruiting bodies of the mushroom and contains a whopping of 1.2 µg of vitamin D – that’s 23% of your Reference Intake (RI).

One of the newer additions to the Chuckling Goat roster, you can read more about how our mushroom powder came to be from Co-Director Shann – I shroom, you shroom, we all shroom for mushrooms. We are confident that our mushroom powder rises above the rest! If you’re not sure, why don’t you try it for yourself 😉

So there you have it, a deep dive into all things mushroom powder! From longstanding traditional uses to new research, it’s clear that these fungi can provide significant benefits. While the buzz around mushroom powder continues to grow, here at Chuckling Goat we believe it – or at least ours – definitely measures up to the hype.

As we are not medically trained here, we advise you to check with your GP or medical professional before adding a new supplement to your regimen. Please note, we also do not recommend any of our products other than Kefir during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8am to 8pm.