Lion's Mane Capsules, 60

Lion's mane is the shaggy white mushroom that grows in cascading spines on hardwood. Mushroom Dispensary fills these capsules with a concentrated dual extract of the fruiting body: each two-capsule serving is 1,000 mg of 10:1 extract, equal to about 10,000 mg of dried mushroom. If you want a lion's mane supplement with the extract ratio and the part used printed on the label, this is the one on our shelf that states both.

Sixty vegan HPMC capsules, 30 servings, in an amber glass bottle. Grown in Finland, bottled in Sheffield.

What it is

A 10:1 extract means ten parts of dried mushroom went into making one part of extract. So the 1,000 mg in a two-capsule serving represents about 10,000 mg of dried mushroom, which is the figure the brand prints. That is the number to use when comparing with a whole powder capsule, where 500 mg is simply 500 mg of dried mushroom.

Dual extraction means the dried fruiting body is extracted first in hot water and then in ethanol, and the two extracts are combined and dried back to a powder. Water pulls out one set of compounds and alcohol another, which is why most serious extract brands do both. The brand uses the fruiting body only, never mycelium grown on grain, and says so on every product.

These are capsules, not pressed tablets. The HPMC shell is plant cellulose, so there is no gelatine, and the brand lists no grain, starch or filler inside. The bottle is amber glass, which keeps light off the contents and is recyclable.

Mushroom Dispensary is a UK mushroom extract brand. Its mushrooms are cultivated in Finland and the extracts are bottled in Sheffield. Every product is a dual extract, made with hot water and then ethanol, from the fruiting body only, never mycelium grown on grain. Capsules are plant-based HPMC with no gelatine, grain, starch or filler, and everything is sealed in recyclable amber glass.

How to take it

Two capsules a day with water. The brand puts no condition on food, so take them with a meal or without, whichever you will remember. Capsules can be opened and the contents stirred into a drink if you prefer, though the extract is bitter. Most people take lion's mane in the morning, though the brand's view is that taking it consistently matters more than the exact time.

• 60 vegan HPMC capsules per bottle
• 1,000 mg of 10:1 extract per two-capsule serving, equal to about 10,000 mg of dried mushroom
• 30 servings, so about a month at the recommended serving
• Amber glass bottle; store closed in a cool, dry cupboard
• £19.99 works out at about 67p a serving

This is a food supplement and not a substitute for a varied diet or a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical care, speak to your GP or pharmacist before use.

What's inside

• Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) fruiting body, 10:1 dual extract, 500 mg per capsule
• HPMC (plant cellulose) capsule shell
• No gelatine, grain, starch or filler

Hericium erinaceus is a tooth fungus that grows on beech and oak, with long white spines rather than gills. The fruiting body is the mushroom itself, the part you would eat if it were fresh; mycelium is the root-like network that some brands grow on grain and grind up with the grain. Only the fruiting body is used here.

Who it's for

People who want a lion's mane supplement they can compare on paper: ratio stated, part used stated, grower named. It suits a morning supplement routine, a desk drawer or a gym bag, and it is the capsule to choose if you have been taking a whole powder capsule and want to understand what a concentrated extract looks like by the numbers.

If you would rather not swallow capsules, the same brand's lion's mane tincture is the liquid version of the same extract. If you want lion's mane in a drink, our mushroom coffees carry it in instant form.

Pairs well with

The Mushroom Dispensary lion's mane tincture is the same dual extract as 1 ml drops. Compare it with our own-label lion's mane capsules at 500 mg of extract with no stated ratio. For a second mushroom from the same grower, the Mushroom Dispensary reishi capsules are the evening counterpart. See every format under lion's mane, the wider mushrooms department, and all capsules.

Frequently asked questions

What is lion's mane?

An edible mushroom, Hericium erinaceus, with white spines instead of gills. It is sold dried as powder, extract, capsules, gummies and drinks. Our lion's mane guide covers it in full.

What does 10:1 extract mean?

Ten parts of dried mushroom were used to make one part of extract. The 1,000 mg two-capsule serving represents about 10,000 mg of dried lion's mane.

Is it fruiting body or mycelium?

Fruiting body only, according to the brand, never mycelium grown on grain.

Where is it made?

The mushrooms are cultivated in Finland and the capsules are filled and bottled in Sheffield.

Read our lion's mane guide for the mushroom and its formats, and the label guide for what ratio and part used mean 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.