Learning Together

Well hey there. Thanks for checking out this spot. Just like you, we're passionate about life-long learning. Particularly when it comes to health and wellbeing.

Use the links in the contents section to quickly navigate the page or jump to the bottom of the page to find our full list of blogs.

CONTENTS

FAQ's

Questions? Let's help you answer them here

Blogs

Blog Introduction here

The Mushroom Cafe A blog of things by Chris

Perimenopause Pages A blog for women by Bea

Why Mushrooms Are Having A Moment

'Mush love' is exploding right now and with good reason. In the kitchen, mushrooms are revered as the best natural alternative to meat; high in bioavailable proteins, balanced amino acids, natural vitamin D and rich in gut healthy fibre. They make extraordinary steaks, with bite!

But mushrooms are way more than just food. Mushrooms are medicine. In fact many of our pharmaceuticals are derived from compounds found exclusively in fungi.

The humble fungus belongs to a kingdom unto itself. With potentially as many species as there are plants and herbs. With long established healing properties that we westerners are just beginning to learn for ourselves. Here, we select the preeminent leaders of the mushroom realm.

  • Trametes Versicolor

    Turkey Tail is commonly used in Japan and China. Thought to contain over 9000 novel combinatory compounds not found elsewhere in the plant and fungal kingdoms

  • Wild Chaga Extract Product featuring chaga conk, branch of birch tree and ground chaga powder

    Inonotus Obliquus

    Chaga is the most anti-oxident dense food-stuff in the world. Enduring several years to fully mature, this fungi contains some of natures most powerful defensive properties

  • Cordyceps Militaris and Sinensis strains (Cs-4) for increasing V02 Max; an indication of oxygen levels in the blood which increases energy levels and reduces fatigue

    Cordyceps Sinensis

    The Cordyceps mushroom has been popularised in its use by Olympic athletes in the 90's. Having been shown to increase levels of V02 max; a measure to determine fitness levels

  • Ganoderma Lucidum

    Known as the mushroom of immortality, this mushroom is the most prized in Eastern Medicine. It has been shown to increase lifespan in rodent studies and regulate auto-immune diseases with its immunomodulator properties

  • Tremella Extract Product featuring snowball mushrooms and health benefits of the tremella mushroom

    Tremella Fuciformis

    Tremella is a sweet tasting mushroom; a popular addition in many Chinese desserts. Tremella can promote the natural production of collagen in the skin giving its nickname; the beauty mushroom

  • Grifola Frondosa

    Maitake (known as hen-of-the-woods) is a popular culinary mushroom. Consumption of Maitake has been linked to lowering markers of cholesterol and modulating glucose levels in the body

  • Lentinula Edodes

    A culinary favourite Shiitake boasts a series of beneficial elements such as L-ergothioneine, selenium and kojic acid that help improve elasticity in the skin. Shiitake supports flexibility, weight management and movement in disorders like arthritis

  • Lions Mane Extract Product Featuring a fresh lions Mane fruiting body and references to the medicinal compounds erinacines and beta glucans which specifically support nerve growth factor

    Hericium Erinaceus

    Lions Mane is increasingly popular for its nootropic effects and ability promote NGF (nerve growth factor) in the brain. Alongside psilocybin, Lions Mane is used in the treatment of PTSD and severe depression and has been shown to be 10,000 times more effective than existing medications

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Mushrooms Safe?

We supply extracts from a range of medicinal fungi known as 'functional mushrooms'. Functional mushrooms are very safe to consume providing you are not allergic to mushrooms and generally well tolerated by children, adults and animals also. All our mushrooms are legal in the United Kingdom with a long history of documented use both medicinally and as food. They are also well tolerated alongside other medications. However, we do advise you to consult your doctor before use and in particular if you are taking medication, pregnant or breast feeding. You will find a disclaimer to this effect on all of our packaging.

Are Your Mushrooms Grown On Manure?

No. Our mushrooms are grown on substrates which mimic their natural growing environments. Typically these are hardwood tree species. This ensures the final product has the right nutritional profile, potency and purity

What's Better; Fruiting Body Or Mycelium?

It depends. Both contain different properties and differing proportions of medicianl compounds. Mycelium is the root structure whilst the fruiting body is the reproductive organism known as a mushroom.

We predominately use the fruiting body in our products for the highest quality of taste and potency. One exception to this is Cordyceps Sinensis; which is grown in liquid fermentation tanks. The resulting 'mycelium' is exceptionally pure containing high levels of active compounds and zero substrate 'grains'.

How Long Does It Take To Grow Mushrooms?

It depends. Some types of mushrooms take a matter of weeks. Whilst some like Reishi and Shiitake can take months or even years. All of our mushrooms are grown to full maturity to ensure the highest content of active compounds

Where And How Are The Mushrooms Grown?

Our mushrooms come from multiple locations; Some species have been grown by us like Oyster and Lion's Mane, our Wild Chaga Extract comes from Siberia. Whilst others are grown in Chinese highlands, far away from towns and cities.

We've worked closely with our suppliers for some years now to ensure a high level of accuracy and transparency across our supply chain.

Are The Mushrooms Grown Organically?

Yes. Mushrooms absorb everything in their environment so it's vital we use the highest quality growing mediums. All our mushrooms are grown with certified organic substrates and our extracts are laboratory tested to ensure there are no traces of heavy metals or pesticides.

How Are The Medicinal Compounds Tested?

Our mushrooms are typically tested for the content of polysaccharides. These are a marker for a range of active compounds such as alpha and beta glucans. The percentage of polysaccharides (between 30 and 40%) in our mushroom extracts is a good indicator of the concentration ratio and quality of the processes used to extract these beneficial compounds.

Are Magic Mushrooms Legal?

Despite numerous studies demonstrating the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of Psilocybin (magic mushrooms). Currently, these strains of mushrooms are prohibited for sale in the UK.

It's our belief that awareness and understanding of these natural medicines should be supported and accessible to those in need. Therefore, whilst we are unable to deliver as we would like to, we are able to supply the knowledge and tools to help you educate yourself.

Our Thoughts

Mycelial innovations are solving some of the world's most pressing problems and have been shown to impact every one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. With projects ranging from Construction materials, biodegradable packaging, water purification and many more.

Growing mushrooms can be done anywhere in the world, with little space, time and resources. Mycelium can be trained to digest even the most resilient pollutants from cigarettes, hydrocarbon oil spills and even nuclear waste.

We specialise in working with fungi for its staggering potential to help heal our planet and our people.

Here is a curated space where we share the lessons we're learning and uncover secrets from the front line of the mycelial network.

Let's grow, here, together.

  • What is an 'Extract' exactly?

    What is an 'Extract' exactly?

    Christopher Smith

    Imagine walking through a lush garden, surrounded by vibrant flowers, illuminating fungi and aromatic herbs. As you stop to admire a beautiful rose bush, you notice a small bottle filled...

    What is an 'Extract' exactly?

    Christopher Smith

    Imagine walking through a lush garden, surrounded by vibrant flowers, illuminating fungi and aromatic herbs. As you stop to admire a beautiful rose bush, you notice a small bottle filled...

  • Why Is Mushroom Coffee A Thing?

    Why Is Mushroom Coffee A Thing?

    Christopher Smith

    Functional Mushrooms can be a great way to support a balanced, healthy start to your day and regain the joy of coffee. Notice the subtle tastes and aromas and find a greater...

    Why Is Mushroom Coffee A Thing?

    Christopher Smith

    Functional Mushrooms can be a great way to support a balanced, healthy start to your day and regain the joy of coffee. Notice the subtle tastes and aromas and find a greater...

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