PhytoBalance
Mushroom Extract Adaptogen
A powerful blend of Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Cordyceps organic mushroom extract powders.
About our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract
Our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract capsules are an easy way for you to benefit from the incredible, transformative effects of 3 of the world’s most renowned superfood mushrooms!
Our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract capsules contain an equal amount of organic Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) and Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) extracts, all grown sustainably using strict organic practices and encapsulated within a vegan HPMC capsule. Each one of these mushroom extracts has been developed specifically in line with a thorough understanding of current scientific research into their benefits to ensure that we can provide the best quality product available*. We have chosen to use only the fruiting bodies of the Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps and Reishi mushrooms for our extracts as they contain a greater proportion of the beneficial bioactive compounds within each mushroom*. The organic mushrooms are then dried and purified through a water extraction process to maximise their bio-active content resulting in an extract powder containing over 65% polysaccharides, 30% β-Glucans and diverse array of other biologically important molecules including cordycepin, hericenones, peptides, vitamins, minerals and trace elements*!
We chose to formulate our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract capsules with Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Cordyceps due to the overwhelming evidence of their potential health benefits from recent scientific research and the fact that they have been used in tradition Far Eastern medicine for thousands of years*. With all 3 mushrooms combined, you are getting a mushroom stack that can optimise your health and enable your body to adapt to a wide variety of stress. Research has shown that the mushrooms used in our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract capsules have the power to boost your immune system, improve sleep, support the heart and liver, decrease inflammation, improve mood, supercharge athletic performance, boost male sexual function and potentially to live longer and healthier too*!
*Please visit our pages for the individual mushroom in question for details of the specific research.
Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract: Three Key Facts
Plants
All 3 of the mushrooms used in our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract capsules have been used for many centuries in Far Eastern traditional medicines for uses including, enhancement of energy levels, aiding organ function, supporting brain function and maximising health and longevity. Recent scientific research has supported these potent health-promoting claims showing that they can act to help our body adapt effectively through a wide range of mechanisms involving the immune system, decreasing inflammation, antioxidation, cognitive function, cellular energy and metabolic health.
Science
Our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract capsules are derived strictly from the fruiting bodies of Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Cordyceps grown organically on sustainable substrates. We have then maximised the content of their bio-active content through a water-based extraction process to create a powder which is lab certified to contain over 65% polysaccharides and 30% β-Glucans. These are the key bioactive compounds responsible for the clinical effects of the mushrooms so you can be sure you are really benefiting from the effects of these amazing superfood mushrooms!
Combined
We have developed the best quality, organically grown Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps and Reishi mushroom extract powder, produced with no pesticides or harmful chemicals and encased within a vegan plant-based capsule. Our aim is to provide you an ethically sourced product that you can use to truly benefit your health.
Why you should consider supplementing with Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract
Support your immune system: Each of the mushrooms in our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract capsules have been shown to have the ability to aid optimal immune system functioning, activating/deactivating immune cells (dependant on the context), increasing the production of new immune cells and optimising their function*.
Mental wellbeing: Lion’s mane in particular is known for its effects on improving brain health and cognitive function, but it also has the potential to decrease depression and anxiety*. Reishi has been shown to have the power to decrease fatigue and improve mental wellbeing whilst Cordyceps can have a positive impact on hormonal levels known to have a beneficial impact on emotional stability and mental health*. We have combined all 3 so you can benefit from all of them!
Optimal organ health: Between the 3 mushrooms included in our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract, they have been found to provide benefits towards the healthy functioning of our heart and cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys, brain and male sexual organs*. Cordyceps specifically has also been linked to an increased capacity for exercise performance and reduced fatigue so with all 3 mushrooms in combination you have the potential to upgrade the functioning of nearly your whole body!
Reduce inflammation: Our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract has the combined power of Reishi, Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps, each of which has been shown separately to reduce inflammatory processes in our body*. The combination of them all could aid you keep excessive inflammation in check and reduce the negative consequence and early aging it leads to.
*Please visit our pages for the individual mushroom in question for details of the specific research.
What is an adaptogenic mushroom?
You may have heard the term ‘adaptogen’ or ‘adaptogenic’ used with increasing frequency over the past few years typically in relation to various types of herbal medicine. However, you might not be sure exactly what this means and so, in answer to the question ‘what is an adaptogen’, an apt answer would be that an adaptogen is a compound which better enables your body to respond to stress, stabilise its internal physiological processes and return to homeostasis. Generally speaking, to enable your body to better ‘adapt’ to any situation which takes away from ‘normal’ which can typically occur through physical, chemical, biological and emotional stressors.
An adaptogenic mushroom therefore, refers to specific species of mushrooms which due to their biochemical make-up, have the ability to support our body and its optimal healthy functioning. Different mushrooms have different attributes, for example, Lion’s Mane can optimise brain function, whilst Reishi can enhance our immune system and Cordyceps enables us to adapt to physical activity. However, that being said, there is often a lot of diversity to the benefits offered by each individual mushroom and each type of mushroom usually can provide adaptogenic benefits to numerous areas of our health. In essence though, when you consume adaptogenic mushrooms, you are harnessing the power of the mushrooms to enable your body to better handle stress, whether that’s acing an exam, fighting an infection, or running a marathon!
Though the term ‘adaptogen’ might seem slightly vague and unspecific, it mirrors the use of mushrooms and plants in traditional medicine practises where a wider view of the whole body and its functioning was taken, rather then the current medical paradigm of the materials, mechanistic body split into separate discrete systems. However, that being said, over the past few years, there has been an upsurge in scientific research showing that these mushrooms (including Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Cordyceps), can offer specific potential health benefits that support the optimal, healthy functioning of our bodies in areas such as mental wellbeing, stress resilience, sleep quality, hormone balance and immune function.
We designed our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract capsules with the aim of providing a blend of adaptogenic mushroom extracts, each with unique, distinct benefits so that you have the potential to give your body to tools it needs to better adapt to any situation!
What are the potential benefits of consuming Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract?
Our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract capsules have the potential to enable your body to deal with a wide array of challenges and maintain an optimal functioning, allowing you to take charge of your day and all the stressors that come your way! Our capsules are an equal ratio of organic Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Cordyceps, so you could benefit from any of the effects shown in scientific research and experienced subjectively for centuries by people undergoing traditional medical approaches. We have given you a concise breakdown of some of these benefits below for each mushroom and we would suggest taking 6 x capsules a day, split between the morning and evening in order to be taking a dose similar to that used in human clinical trials (please visit the individual product pages for a more detailed breakdown of the research findings though).
- Lion’s Mane
- Cordyceps
- Reishi
Lion’s Mane mushroom has been shown to have strong neuroprotective properties1 and can stimulate neuronal development and neurogenesis (growth and formation of new brain cells)2, all of which supports its ability to help optimise brain health. It has also been shown to have anti-depressant like effects, reducing anxiety, depression and elevating mood in human clinical trials3,4. Lion’s Mane is often spoken of for its benefits to brain power and it has been found that supplementing for 12-weeks with Lion’s mane can lead to significant improvements in cognitive performance and short-term memory5.
In addition to its benefits on brain power, Lion’s Mane has also been shown to directly reduce inflammation6 and act as a potent antioxidant7. We know that both excessive inflammation and unchecked cellular oxidation can cause us significant issues and are associated with an increased risk for chronic diseases and early aging, but that we can potentially mitigate against their damaging effects with the use of Lion’s Mane.
Cordyceps has been gaining popularity recently for its benefits towards physical performance; helping us cope with and adapt to the stresses of intense training. There has been a lot of evidence supporting its role in aiding exercise performance showing that it can increase production of ATP (our cellular energy currency)7, increase functional markers of performance capacity8 and improve human endurance during exercise9. Some of these improvements were noted in human experiments after just 1 week of supplementing with Cordyceps suggesting that supplementing with Cordyceps could provide a great benefit to any well-though fitness nutrition plan!
Along a similar line, Cordyceps has also been shown to increase testosterone in quite a wide range of experimental methods, which is known to increase motivation and exercise performance. However, not only can Cordyceps increase testosterone, but it has also been shown to increase many different aspects of male fertility10,11,12.
As with Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps has also been highlighted for its great potential to inhibit inflammation; both at the cellular level and systematically13. In particular, the β-glucan polysaccharide content of Cordyceps was found to provide the most benefit in reducing inflammation14. Given that our Organic Cordyceps extract has a massive 30% β-glucan content, this is just another reason why our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract capsules might be a great addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle!
Another established benefit of Cordyceps is its ability to act as an immunomodulator with the potential to have a strong, beneficial effect on the immune system and the ability to activate immune cells, increase their production and enhance their functioning15.
Reishi is probably the mushroom with the greatest acclaim in traditional medicines, known as a ‘miraculous king of herbs’ a panacea for health and longevity and even an ‘immortality’ tonic!
It certainly does have a broad spectrum of beneficial health properties, but perhaps most relevant to the claims above is the impact it has been shown to have on lifespan of the model organism C. elegans. In a couple of studies, supplementing with Reishi was shown to extend the lifespan of the worm by up to 40%16,17 and though admittedly, we aren’t worms, it is possible that some of this effect might be relevant to us, particularly given the reverence for Reishi in ancient medical texts!
Reishi has also lived up to its traditional use in aiding the liver function and has been shown to have positive effects in both treating liver disease18 and in protecting and optimising the functioning of healthy human livers19. The liver is one of our most important organs and fulfils many functions within our body, not least of which is detoxification, so keeping the liver fit and healthy ensure that our whole body remains as free from toxins as possible.
More benefits come from Reishi via its ability to enhance our immune system and decrease inflammation. One scientific study showed that in particular, the polysaccharide content of Reishi was responsible for its potent immunomodulatory effects, where it had a positive impact on many different types of immune cells and tissue20. A wider review of other research found that Reishi can reduce inflammation through a variety of mechanisms21, whilst direct experiment confirmed that the polysaccharide content of Reishi was responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects22. When we developed our Organic Reishi Extract powder, we knew that we wanted to optimise its bio-active content and with studies like these, we are confident that our optimally purified Organic Reishi Extract can provide a great benefit, with its 60% polysaccharide content!
To round off just some of the highlights of Reishi’s benefits, it is worth mentioning that it has also been found to have a positive improvement on sleep quality23 and the potential to decrease fatigue whilst boosting mental wellbeing24. Reishi really is quite an all-rounder in terms of its adaptogenic capabilities and is one of the reasons why you could benefit from the addition of our Organic Mushroom Adaptogen Extract capsules into your plan for a healthy diet and lifestyle!
How to use:
Powder - Take 3-6g daily as required. A 1g daily serving has been shown to have a range of clinical effects in scientifc research. The minimum recommended daily dose is 3g, however, up to 6g per day could provide greater benefits.
Capsules - Take 6 capsules daily as required. Our capsules have been formulated to the equivalent doses used in scientifc research which have been shown to have a range of clinical effects. The minimum recommended daily dose is 6 capsules, however, up to 12 capsules per day could provide greater benefits.
How to store: Store in ziplock bag (or an airtight resealable container) in a cool, dry place and out of the reach of young children. Please reseal bag after use. Once opened, we recommend consuming this product within 6 months to ensure that maximum nutritional benefits are retained.
Ingredients:
Powder - Organic Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) extract powder (33%), Organic Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) extract powder (33%), Organic Cordyceps mushroom
(Cordyceps militaris) extract powder (33%) all derived from the fruiting bodies of the mushrooms, HPMC capsule shell (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose).
Capsules - Organic Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) extract powder (33%), Organic Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) extract powder (33%), Organic Cordyceps mushroom
(Cordyceps militaris) extract powder (33%) all derived from the fruiting bodies of the mushrooms.
Warning: This product is a food supplement and should not be used as replacement for a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. The recommended dose should not be exceeded. Please consult your GP before using this product if you are trying to conceive, pregnant, nursing, have existing medical conditions or are taking any prescription medication. Not suitable for children and adolescents under 18 years.
References
1 Wong, K.H., Naidu, M., David, P., Abdulla, M.A., Abdullah, N., Kuppusamy, U.R. and Sabaratnam, V., 2011. Peripheral nerve regeneration following crush injury to rat peroneal nerve by aqueous extract of medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr) Pers.(Aphyllophoromycetideae). Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, 2011.
2 Mori, K., Obara, Y., Hirota, M., Azumi, Y., Kinugasa, S., Inatomi, S. and Nakahata, N., 2008. Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 31(9), pp.1727-1732.
3 Nagano, M., Shimizu, K., Kondo, R., Hayashi, C., Sato, D., Kitagawa, K. and Ohnuki, K., 2010. Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomedical Research, 31(4), pp.231-237.
4 Vigna, L., Morelli, F., Agnelli, G.M., Napolitano, F., Ratto, D., Occhinegro, A., Di Iorio, C., Savino, E., Girometta, C., Brandalise, F. and Rossi, P., 2019. Hericium erinaceus improves mood and sleep disorders in patients affected by overweight or obesity: could circulating pro-BDNF and BDNF be potential biomarkers?. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019.
5 Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y. and Tuchida, T., 2009. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: A double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives, 23(3), pp.367-372.
6 Xie, G., Tang, L., Xie, Y. and Xie, L., 2022. Secondary Metabolites from Hericium erinaceus and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities. Molecules, 27(7), p.2157.
7 Kim, D.H., Park, S.R., Debnath, T., Hasnat, M.A., Pervin, M. and Lim, B.O., 2013. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect of Hericium erinaceus water extracts. Korean journal of medicinal crop science, 21(2), pp.112-117.
8 Choi, E., Oh, J. and Sung, G.H., 2020. Beneficial Effect of Cordyceps militaris on Exercise Performance via Promoting Cellular Energy Production. Mycobiology, 48(6), pp.512-517.
9 Hirsch, K.R., Smith-Ryan, A.E., Roelofs, E.J., Trexler, E.T. and Mock, M.G., 2017. Cordyceps militaris improves tolerance to high-intensity exercise after acute and chronic supplementation. Journal of dietary supplements, 14(1), pp.42-53.
10 Hirsch, K.R., Smith-Ryan, A.E., Roelofs, E.J., Trexler, E.T. and Mock, M.G., 2017. Cordyceps militaris improves tolerance to high-intensity exercise after acute and chronic supplementation. Journal of dietary supplements, 14(1), pp.42-53.
11 Hong, I.P., Choi, Y.S., Woo, S.O., Han, S.M., Kim, H.K., Lee, M.R., Nam, S.H. and Ha, N.G., 2011. Stimulatory effect of Cordyceps militaris on testosterone production in male mouse. The Korean Journal of Mycology, 39(2), pp.148-150.
12 Kusama, K., Miyagawa, M., Ota, K., Kuwabara, N., Saeki, K., Ohnishi, Y., Kumaki, Y., Aizawa, T., Nakasone, T., Okamatsu, S. and Miyaoka, H., 2020. Cordyceps militaris Fruit Body Extract Decreases Testosterone Catabolism and Testosterone-Stimulated Prostate Hypertrophy. Nutrients, 13(1), p.50.
13 Kopalli, S.R., Cha, K.M., Lee, S.H., Hwang, S.Y., Lee, Y.J., Koppula, S. and Kim, S.K., 2019. Cordycepin, an active constituent of nutrient powerhouse and potential medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris Linn., ameliorates age-related testicular dysfunction in rats. Nutrients, 11(4), p.906.
14 Phull, A.R., Ahmed, M. and Park, H.J., 2022. Cordyceps militaris as a Bio Functional Food Source: Pharmacological Potential, Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Related Molecular Mechanisms. Microorganisms, 10(2), p.405.
15 Smiderle, F.R., Baggio, C.H., Borato, D.G., Santana-Filho, A.P., Sassaki, G.L., Iacomini, M. and Van Griensven, L.J., 2014. Anti-inflammatory properties of the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris might be related to its linear (1→ 3)-β-D-glucan. PLoS One, 9(10), p.e110266.
16 Ashraf, S.A., Elkhalifa, A.E.O., Siddiqui, A.J., Patel, M., Awadelkareem, A.M., Snoussi, M., Ashraf, M.S., Adnan, M. and Hadi, S., 2020. Cordycepin for health and wellbeing: a potent bioactive metabolite of an entomopathogenic medicinal fungus Cordyceps with its nutraceutical and therapeutic potential. Molecules, 25(12), p.2735.
17 Cuong, V.T., Chen, W., Shi, J., Zhang, M., Yang, H., Wang, N., Yang, S., Li, J., Yang, P. and Fei, J., 2019. The anti-oxidation and anti-aging effects of Ganoderma lucidum in Caenorhabditis elegans. Experimental Gerontology, 117, pp.99-105.
18 Peng, H.H., Wu, C.Y., Hsiao, Y.C., Martel, J., Ke, P.Y., Chiu, C.Y., Liau, J.C., Chang, I.T., Su, Y.H., Ko, Y.F. and Young, J.D., 2021. Ganoderma lucidum stimulates autophagy-dependent longevity pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans and human cells. Aging (Albany NY), 13(10), p.13474.18Gao, Y., Zhou, S., Chen, G., Dai, X., Ye, J. and Gao, H., 2002. A phase I/II study of a Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst.(Ling Zhi, Reishi Mushroom) extract in patients with chronic Hepatitis В. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 4(4).
19 Chiu, H.F., Fu, H.Y., Lu, Y.Y., Han, Y.C., Shen, Y.C., Venkatakrishnan, K., Golovinskaia, O. and Wang, C.K., 2017. Triterpenoids and polysaccharide peptides-enriched Ganoderma lucidum: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of its antioxidation and hepatoprotective efficacy in healthy volunteers. Pharmaceutical biology, 55(1), pp.1041-1046.
20 Xu, Z., Chen, X., Zhong, Z., Chen, L. and Wang, Y., 2011. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides: immunomodulation and potential anti-tumor activities. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 39(01), pp.15-27.
21 Bhardwaj, N., Katyal, P. and K Sharma, A., 2014. Suppression of inflammatory and allergic responses by pharmacologically potent fungus Ganoderma lucidum. Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery, 8(2), pp.104-117.
22 Joseph, S., Sabulal, B., George, V., Antony, K.R. and Janardhanan, K.K., 2011. Antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma lucidum. Acta pharmaceutica, 61(3), pp.335-342.
23 Yao, C., Wang, Z., Jiang, H., Yan, R., Huang, Q., Wang, Y., Xie, H., Zou, Y., Yu, Y. and Lv, L., 2021. Ganoderma lucidum promotes sleep through a gut microbiota-dependent and serotonin-involved pathway in mice. Scientific reports, 11(1), pp.1-14.
24 Tang, W., Gao, Y., Chen, G., Gao, H., Dai, X., Ye, J., Chan, E., Huang, M. and Zhou, S., 2005. A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract in neurasthenia. Journal of medicinal food, 8(1), pp.53-58.