Lion's mane, reishi and cordyceps: what each one does
They are three different mushrooms with different traditions of use: lion's mane is associated with mental focus, reishi with calm and cordyceps with physical endurance. None of the three currently has an authorized health claim in the European Union, so what follows describes their composition and traditional use, not a proven effect.
Lion's mane, reishi or cordyceps: at a glance
| Mushroom | Traditional use | Characteristic compounds | Usually taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lion's mane | Focus and mental clarity | Hericenones and erinacines | Morning or daytime |
| Reishi | Calm and balance | Triterpenes (bitter) and beta-glucans | Afternoon or before bed |
| Cordyceps | Physical endurance | Cordycepin (mainly in militaris) | Before training or daytime |
Traditional uses, not proven effects: none of the three has an EU-authorized health claim.
Why we speak so carefully here
It's worth starting here, because it explains the tone of the rest of the article. In the European Union, linking an ingredient to a specific benefit requires that link to be on the list of authorized claims. Vitamins and minerals have theirs. The vast majority of botanicals are still pending evaluation.
That doesn't mean there's nothing there. It means nobody can promise you a result, and any store that does is breaking the rules. What we can tell you is what they are, what they contain and what they've been used for.
The figure that separates a good extract from a bad one
Before the three mushrooms, the technical part, because it's what decides whether the product is worth anything.
Fruiting body or mycelium
The mushroom you recognize —the cap— is the fruiting body. Mycelium is the network of filaments that grows underground or in the substrate. Extract can be made from either, but they aren't the same: mycelium is often grown on grain, and if it isn't separated properly, much of the final powder is that grain.
When a label just says "lion's mane extract" without specifying which part, the missing information is usually the unflattering kind.
Beta-glucans, not just polysaccharides
The compound studied in functional mushrooms is beta-glucans. Many products list "total polysaccharides", a broader category that's easier to inflate: the starch in the growing grain is also a polysaccharide. An extract that states its beta-glucan percentage is giving you the demanding figure.
Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus)
It's the strangest-looking one: a cascade of white spines. In Japan it's known as yamabushitake, and in Asian cooking it's eaten as food, with a texture reminiscent of seafood.
It's the one people associate with focus and mental clarity, and the one that has attracted the most research interest, especially for two families of compounds unique to this mushroom: hericenones from the fruiting body and erinacines from the mycelium. Human research exists but is still limited in size and duration, which is why it hasn't been enough for an authorized claim.
Typical format: capsules of standardized extract, 500-1,000 mg a day in most products.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Woody, glossy, impossible to eat: it's only consumed as an extract or decoction. In traditional Chinese medicine it's called lingzhi and appears in centuries-old texts, almost always in the context of calm and balance, not energy.
Its characteristic compounds are triterpenes, responsible for its intense bitterness, along with beta-glucans. A practical detail: if a reishi isn't bitter, it probably contains little real extract. It's one of the few times taste is an indicator.
It's usually taken in the evening or before bed, given its traditional association with relaxation.
Cordyceps
An important distinction is needed here. The original cordyceps, Cordyceps sinensis, is a parasitic fungus that grows on larvae on the Tibetan plateau and is extremely expensive. Practically everything sold today is one of these two things:
- CS-4: a lab-fermented culture from a strain isolated from sinensis. It's the form most of the research is based on.
- Cordyceps militaris: a different, cultivable species with more cordycepin.
Neither is wild sinensis, and no serious label will claim it is. It's the mushroom traditionally associated with endurance and physical performance.
Multi-mushroom complexes: pros and cons
A product with ten mushrooms sounds like better coverage. The trade-off is arithmetic: if the total dose is 1,000 mg and there are ten mushrooms, each gets 100 mg, well below what's used in any individual study.
It makes sense if you're after variety and a general beta-glucan intake. It doesn't if you're after the effect associated with a specific mushroom: for that, the single product at a full dose.
How to compare two bottles
- Fruiting body, mycelium, or doesn't it say?
- Does it state beta-glucans or just "polysaccharides"?
- What standardization percentage, and over how many milligrams?
- How many capsules per serving, and how many servings does it hold?
- Does it specify the species (for cordyceps, CS-4 or militaris)?
Frequently asked questions
Lion's mane or reishi: which should you choose?
It depends on what you want it for. Traditionally, lion's mane is linked to mental focus and taken during the day, while reishi is linked to calm and taken in the evening. Neither has an EU-authorized effect, so the choice comes down to traditional use and preference, not a guaranteed result.
Can you take lion's mane and reishi together?
Yes, combining them is common and many mushroom complexes include both. If you take medication or have a medical condition, check with a healthcare professional first.
Which is better, fruiting body or mycelium?
The fruiting body is the mushroom itself; mycelium is often grown on grain, which can end up in the final powder. What matters is that the label says which part it uses and declares its beta-glucan percentage.
Which cordyceps should you buy, CS-4 or militaris?
Both are cultivated: CS-4 is a fermented culture and has most of the research; militaris is a different species with more cordycepin. Be wary of any label promising wild sinensis.
Ivalro mushrooms
At Ivalro, every mushroom product page states which part of the mushroom is used and the standardization when the manufacturer declares it: you can see it in our lion's mane, standardized to 40% polysaccharides, or in the ten-mushroom complex. They're all in functional mushrooms.
Lion's ManeStandardized to 40% polysaccharides.View product →
10X Mushroom ComplexTen mushrooms, including reishi and cordyceps.View product →
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Food supplement. Not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. These ingredients do not have authorized health claims in the European Union.
Ivalro editorial team. Written from EU regulations and published scientific sources, linked below. Last reviewed: October 2026. For information only: not a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.