Mushroom guide
Lion’s Mane vs Reishi
Two of the most popular functional mushrooms, used at opposite ends of the day. Here is how they compare and which one fits your routine.
Lion’s Mane and Reishi are two of the most popular functional mushrooms in the world, and they are the two we get asked about most. They look nothing alike, they taste nothing alike, and people tend to reach for them at opposite ends of the day.
Here is a plain-language comparison to help you decide which one fits your routine, or whether you want both.
Lion’s Mane at a glance
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a shaggy white mushroom with soft, icicle-like spines. In East Asia it has long been cooked as a food and used in traditional wellness practices. Today it is one of the most studied mushrooms in the world, largely because of two groups of natural compounds it contains: hericenones and erinacines.
Most people take Lion’s Mane in the morning, as part of a routine for focus and clear thinking at work or school. It has a mild, slightly sweet taste, so it disappears easily into coffee or tea.
Reishi at a glance
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a glossy, reddish-brown mushroom known in China as Lingzhi. It has been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries and appears in classic herbal texts. Reishi contains triterpenes, which give it its bitter taste, and beta-glucans, a type of fibre found in mushroom cell walls.
Reishi is traditionally taken in the evening. Many people make it part of a calm wind-down routine before bed. Because it is naturally bitter, gummies or flavoured drops are the easiest way to take it.
Side by side
| Lion’s Mane | Reishi | |
|---|---|---|
| Known for | Focus and mental clarity | Balance and winding down |
| Usual time of day | Morning | Evening |
| Taste | Mild, slightly sweet | Bitter and woody |
| Key compounds | Hericenones, erinacines, beta-glucans | Triterpenes, beta-glucans |
| Easiest format | Drops in coffee, capsules | Gummies, flavoured drops |
Can you take both?
Yes. Many people take Lion’s Mane in the morning and Reishi in the evening, which suits the way each one is traditionally used. If you would rather keep it simple, our blends combine several mushrooms in one product.
As with any supplement, read the label and follow the directions. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a health condition, check with your healthcare practitioner first.
Which should you start with?
Start with your day. If your goal is a sharper morning routine, start with Lion’s Mane. If you want something for the end of the day, start with Reishi. Not sure which format suits you? Our Buyer’s Guide compares drops, gummies, capsules and powders side by side.
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