Probiotic.ie stocks ten mushroom supplements across five species: lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga and shiitake. All are capsules, and all are held in stock in Dublin.
Mushroom supplements are often sold under the label "functional mushrooms". The label tells you very little. What separates one product from another is the species, the part of the fungus used, whether it is an extract or a whole powder, and how much of that material is in a daily serving. This page sets those facts out for every mushroom product we sell, so you can compare them directly.
At a Glance
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Species stocked: lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis), chaga (Inonotus obliquus), shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
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Brands: Osavi, Life Extension, Doctor's Best, KIKI Health, Swanson, Wiseshrooms
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Format: capsules only. Nine use plant-based shells; Swanson Lion's Mane uses a gelatine capsule
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Part used: fruiting body for lion's mane, reishi, chaga and shiitake; mycelium for both cordyceps products
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Cordyceps species: both products use Cordyceps sinensis, not Cordyceps militaris
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Status: food supplements, regulated in Ireland by the FSAI
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Delivery: dispatched from Dublin by DPD, no customs charges, free delivery on Irish orders over โฌ75
Mushroom species we stock
Each species is a different organism with its own EU regulatory position. The part of the fungus matters too: EU novel food status is set by species and by part, so a fruiting body and a mycelium powder from the same mushroom can be treated differently.
Source: EU Novel Food Status Catalogue, European Commission. Novel food status describes whether a food needs pre-market authorisation. It says nothing about any effect of the food.
Compare every product by what is in the capsule
The figures below are taken from each product's label. "Per daily serving" is the manufacturer's recommended daily amount, which is one capsule for some products and two or more for others.
Beta-glucans are part of the polysaccharide figure, not an extra amount on top. No EU Nutrient Reference Value exists for any mushroom extract or its components, so no %NRV applies. Always check the label on the pack you receive.
How to compare mushroom supplements
Four facts decide whether two mushroom products are comparable: the species, the part used (fruiting body or mycelium), whether it is an extract or a whole powder, and the extract weight per daily serving. The tables above give all four for every product we stock.
Want the full guide? Our Mushroom Supplements Ireland guide explains extraction ratios, "equivalent" milligram figures, standardisation markers, the EU novel food position for each species, and what the published human research does and does not show.
Beta-glucans and EU health claims. The EU has authorised health claims for beta-glucans from oats and barley only, with a minimum amount per portion. Those claims do not apply to beta-glucans from mushrooms. No health claim has been authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 for any mushroom species, mushroom extract or fungal beta-glucan, so none is made on this page.
Why buy mushroom supplements from Probiotic.ie
- Species, part used and daily amount stated for every mushroom product, in one table
- Both cordyceps products use Cordyceps sinensis, the species listed as not novel for food supplements
- Capsule shell stated for every product: nine plant-based, one gelatine
- Stock held in Dublin and dispatched by DPD, normally the next working day
- No customs charges or import fees on Irish orders
- Free delivery on Irish orders over โฌ75
- Authorised Irish retailer for Osavi and Life Extension
These products are food supplements, not medicines. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. No authorised EU health claim is made on this page for lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga, shiitake, or any mushroom extract, spore, polysaccharide or beta-glucan. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mushroom supplements does Probiotic.ie sell?
Ten capsule products across five species. Lion's mane from Osavi, KIKI Health, Swanson and Wiseshrooms. Reishi from Osavi and Life Extension. Cordyceps from Osavi and Doctor's Best. Chaga and shiitake from Osavi. All are held in stock in Dublin.
Are mushroom supplements legal in Ireland?
Yes, for the species and parts we stock. They are sold as food supplements, which the Food Safety Authority of Ireland regulates. Under EU novel food rules, status depends on the species and the part used. Lion's mane and reishi fruiting body are not novel, Cordyceps sinensis and chaga are not novel in food supplements, and shiitake fruiting body is an established food. Some other forms, such as Cordyceps militaris, are listed as novel and need authorisation first.
What is the difference between fruiting body and mycelium?
The fruiting body is the visible mushroom. Mycelium is the network of threads the fungus grows from, and supplement mycelium is often grown on grain that remains in the powder. They are different raw materials and are not equivalent weight for weight. In our range, lion's mane, reishi, chaga and shiitake products are fruiting body, and both cordyceps products are mycelium.
An extract is more concentrated, but "stronger" depends on what you compare. An extract is made from a larger amount of raw mushroom and usually carries guaranteed figures for named compounds. A whole powder is the mushroom at natural strength with no guaranteed content. In our range, Swanson Lion's Mane is a whole powder and the other products are extracts.
What does DER 10:1 mean on a mushroom label?
DER is the extraction ratio. A DER of 10:1 means ten parts of dried mushroom were used to produce one part of extract. For example, 800 mg of a 10:1 extract comes from 8 g of dried mushroom. The ratio tells you about concentration, not about any effect.
Do mushroom supplements have approved health claims in the EU?
No. No health claim has been authorised under EU Regulation 1924/2006 for lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga, shiitake, or fungal beta-glucans. The authorised beta-glucan claims apply to oat and barley sources only. That is why this page describes species, part used and label figures rather than effects.
What is the difference between Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris?
They are two different fungal species with different EU status. Cordyceps sinensis, also classified as Ophiocordyceps sinensis, is listed as not novel for use in food supplements. Cordyceps militaris is listed as novel in all forms, so it needs authorisation before it can be sold in the EU. Both cordyceps products we stock use Cordyceps sinensis mycelium.
What do polysaccharides, beta-glucans and triterpenes mean on the label?
They are the compound groups an extract is standardised to. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates from fungal cell walls, and beta-glucans are a subgroup of them, so the beta-glucan figure sits inside the polysaccharide figure. Triterpenes are a separate group found in reishi. These are composition figures used to check consistency between batches.
Are these mushroom supplements suitable for vegetarians and vegans?
Nine of the ten use plant-based capsule shells. Swanson Lion's Mane uses a gelatine capsule, so it is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Vegan status is stated on each product page, so check the individual page if that matters to you.
How fast is delivery, and will I pay customs?
Orders are dispatched from our Dublin warehouse by DPD, normally on the next working day. Because the stock is already in Ireland, there are no customs charges, import VAT or handling fees. Delivery is free on Irish orders over โฌ75.
Advisory Information (Ireland)
- Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
- Do not exceed the recommended daily dose stated on each product.
- For adults 18 years and over. Not for use by children.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication or under medical supervision, consult your doctor or pharmacist before use. Several products in this range are labelled not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Not suitable for anyone with a known mushroom allergy.
- Keep out of the sight and reach of young children.
- Do not use if the seal is broken or missing. Store in a cool, dry place.
- These products are food supplements and are not medicines. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
- Food supplements sold in Ireland are regulated by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Medicines are regulated separately by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
