What Are Functional Mushrooms?

Functional mushrooms are mushrooms with a long history of traditional use beyond ordinary cooking.

Unlike culinary mushrooms, which are used mainly for taste and nutrition, functional mushrooms are typically used in extract form as part of food or supplement routines. They are not medicines, and they are not designed to treat or cure illness.

How functional mushrooms are used

Functional mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional systems such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Today they are used in a more modern context, often as part of a daily routine.

Functional mushrooms vs culinary mushrooms

Culinary mushrooms are eaten as food and valued for flavour and basic nutrition.

Functional mushrooms are often prepared as extracts and used as part of a regular routine.

Some species, such as Lion's Mane, sit in both groups.

What the research says

Research varies by mushroom. Much of it is early, and lab or animal findings don't tell us what a supplement will do for an individual person. Our Mushroom Journal looks at each ingredient in more detail.

How this connects to adaptogens

Some functional mushrooms are also described as adaptogens, a descriptive term for ingredients traditionally associated with helping the body cope with stress. It isn't a medical category.

What about quality and safety?

Our supplier has confirmed that our Lion's Mane and Reishi extracts come from the fruiting body. In 2026, samples of both blends were tested by an independent accredited laboratory for microbes, heavy metals and nutritional content.

If you have a medical condition or take prescription medication, check with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement. Qi Harmony contains ashwagandha: the UK Food Standards Agency advises pregnant women and people with existing liver conditions to avoid ashwagandha supplements.