Lions Mane

Ninety vegan capsules, each holding 500 mg of lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) extract, with no fillers or additives beyond the extract and the capsule shell. If you are looking for lion's mane in the UK in a capsule you can count rather than a powder you measure, this is the Herbastore own-label version: 90 capsules, up to 3 a day, so a pot lasts a month at the full rate.

Lion's mane is the shaggy white mushroom that grows in cascading spines on hardwood. We stock it in several formats; the capsule is the one with no taste and no preparation.

What it is

Capsules are the easiest lion's mane format to compare between brands, because the label gives a fixed amount per capsule and a daily count. The points to look for on any lion's mane capsule are the milligrams per capsule, whether it is an extract or whole mushroom powder, the extract ratio, and whether the fruiting body or the mycelium was used. This listing states the first two: 500 mg of extract per capsule. The brand has not published the extract ratio or the part of the mushroom used, so we do not guess at either.

An extract means the dried mushroom has been processed, usually with hot water, alcohol or both, to concentrate what is in it, then dried back to a powder. That is different from whole mushroom powder, which is simply the dried, ground mushroom. Our lion's mane powder is the whole fruiting body format if you want to compare the two.

A lab report image is included in the product gallery. We have not verified it ourselves, so we mention it rather than lean on it.

This is a Herba Store UK own-label product. The capsule shell is vegan, as stated by the brand.

How to take it

Up to 3 capsules a day, swallowed with water, per the brand. Most people take lion's mane in the morning, with breakfast or a first drink, though the listing gives no timing and consistency matters more than the hour. You can take all three together or spread them through the day.

• 90 capsules per pot
• 500 mg extract per capsule
• At 3 a day the pot lasts 30 days; at 1 a day, 90 days
• £19.99 works out at about 22p per capsule, or about 67p a day at the full 3

Keep the pot closed in a cool, dry cupboard. Capsules do not need refrigeration. This is a food supplement and should not be a substitute for a varied diet.

What's inside

• Lion's mane mushroom extract, 500 mg per capsule
• Vegan capsule shell
• No fillers or additives, as stated by the brand

Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a tooth fungus: instead of gills it carries long white spines that hang like icicles. It grows on beech and oak in the wild and is now widely cultivated on sawdust. As a food it has a mild, savoury taste often compared to seafood, which is why the powder works in cooking; in a capsule you taste nothing.

Who it's for

People who want a set amount of lion's mane each day with no measuring and no flavour. The capsule suits a morning supplement routine, a desk drawer or a travel bag, and it is the format to pick if you have tried the powder and found it a chore to use. At 500 mg each, two gummies from our shelf roughly match one capsule, so the capsule is also the more concentrated of the two.

If you would rather cook with lion's mane or set your own amount, the powder is the better choice. If you want a sweet, the gummies carry 250 mg each. If you want a labelled extract ratio and part used, the Mushroom Dispensary capsules state both.

Pairs well with

The lion's mane powder, 100 g is the whole fruiting body for cooking and drinks. The lion's mane gummies are the sweet format at 250 mg each. For a labelled 10:1 fruiting body extract from a named grower, compare the Mushroom Dispensary lion's mane capsules. Every format is on the lion's mane shelf, within the wider mushrooms department, and all capsules we stock are under capsules.

Frequently asked questions

What is lion's mane?

An edible mushroom, Hericium erinaceus, recognisable by its white spines rather than gills. It is eaten fresh as a food and sold dried as a powder, extract, capsule, gummy or drink.

How many capsules are in the pot?

90. At the brand's maximum of 3 a day that is a 30 day supply.

How much lion's mane is in each capsule?

500 mg of extract. The listing does not state an extract ratio, so we cannot say how much dried mushroom that represents.

Are the capsules vegan?

Yes, the brand lists them as vegan capsules with no fillers or additives.

For what lion's mane is and how the formats differ, read our lion's mane guide. Our label guide explains why extract ratio and part used matter when you compare capsules. Herbastore ships this product from the UK, with free UK shipping on orders over £40. Orders are packed by Herbastore UK, so if you are buying from more than one of our brands everything arrives together.