Frequently Asked Questions!

Which Host Mycelium delivery option suits me the best? 
Host Mycelium provides multiple delivery method choices to fit your lifestyle and daily routine. When comparing liquid extracts and capsules, we don’t think one is better. The best choice depends on your preferences. Daily serving suggestions are similar. Take 2 capsules per day. Or take 1 gram per day. Or take 2 mL per day. Take 1 mL twice per day.

While our dietary supplements’ suggested intakes are for healthy adults, many customers use different amounts. They often adjust based on body weight and a practitioner’s guidance. Tolerances may vary. With new research on mushrooms and their health benefits, our formulation team made an update. Our team includes health practitioners, educators, researchers, and Paul Stamets. We decided to make the powder serving size more flexible. This helps meet the needs of our diverse customers. The suggested serving sizes for MycoBotanicals Powdered formulas are 1 level teaspoon. Take it 1 to 2 times per day. The suggested serving sizes for Host Mycelium Mushroom powders are 1/2 teaspoon. Take it 1 to 3 times per day.

Liquid Extracts
Host Mycelium Extracts are made from organic mushroom mycelium and fruiting bodies, processed using Paul Stamets’ thorough double- and triple-extraction techniques. Our extracts are designed for fast absorption and versatile use. Thanks to their compact format, they slip easily into a pocket or purse, making them simple to take anywhere. Please be aware that our liquid extracts contain 30–40% alcohol, which is essential for drawing out and preserving beneficial nutrients from the mycelium and fruiting bodies.

Capsules
Host Mycelium Capsules are produced using heat-treated, specially dried mushroom mycelium powder. The mycelium is collected at its peak growth stage, when the organism is generating the highest concentration of compounds and, in many species, developing primordia (early “baby” fruitbodies). Maitake and MyCommunity capsules also contain fully mature fruitbodies. The powders are sealed in a plant-based pullulan capsule.

Powders
Host Mycelium Powders use the same heat-treated, custom-dried mushroom mycelium powder found in our capsules. We developed these powdered options to make life easier for customers with full schedules. They taste good and are ideal for anyone who chooses powders over capsules. Mix them into smoothies or beverages, sprinkle over oatmeal, or stir in at the end of cooking to help thicken and add richness to soups, stews, and other meals.

We believe that every nutrient and the wide range of compounds found throughout the full fungal organism support immune health, and are essential to a whole-foods approach to wellness. A primary objective in our products is to preserve the mushroom’s natural chemical structure. For that reason, we do not isolate, extract, or concentrate specific compounds in our powdered formulas. 

Studies indicate mushrooms can work synergistically, meaning they may deliver greater benefits together than on their own. Our Single Species supplements (such as Turkey Tail) offer focused support and can be paired with any of our products, including our blends.*

Mushrooms, similar to broccoli, are considered a functional food, so they can be consumed every day. Our recommended serving is designed for a healthy adult. With guidance from your healthcare practitioner, it may be appropriate to take slightly more or less than the suggested amount.

Although no toxicity thresholds have been set for our mushroom products, do not exceed the MycoBotanicals® serving recommendation unless you first speak with your healthcare advisor.

Contraindications for our Host Mycelium MycoBotanicals are listed on the side panel of every bottle and carton. For Host Mycelium Mushrooms, if you’re scheduled for surgery, have an existing medical condition, or take prescription medications—such as blood thinners or insulin—please consult your healthcare practitioner before using our products. 

Please remember that we are not medical doctors; we are mushroom cultivators, and our products are not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. If you have serious health concerns, we recommend speaking with a licensed healthcare professional about proper diagnosis and treatment options.

Stamets 7® is blend of 7 mushrooms formulated for daily immune support. Stamets 7 builds foundational immunity for day-to-day maintenance of immune function. Stamets 7 is offered in capsules (30, 60, 120 ct) or liquid extract (1 oz or 2 oz).

MycoShield® is a liquid extract spray designed for proactive immune support on the go.* This blend of 5 mushroom mycelium extracts provides targeted immune support for times of stress and discomfort.* MycoShield is great for travel and is available in 5 flavors to suit your preference.

MyCommunity® is a 17 species formula for high-intensity immune support.* For acute support in times of discomfort, this is the “kitchen-sink” wellness formula for the most comprehensive immune support.* Our best-selling MyCommunity formula is available in capsules (30, 60, or 120 ct) and liquid extract (1 oz, 2 oz and 4 oz).

You may be interested in a brief video from our Education Director that compares the available Host Defense “immune support” product options.

Mushroom mycelium is a standout ingredient for promoting overall wellness. To cultivate mycelium, it needs a nourishing food source to consume and spread through as it grows. This food source, known as a substrate, must deliver nutrients that feed the mycelium. We use organic brown rice, a top-tier substrate for producing premium mycelium ingredients.

Beyond providing nutrients to grow the best mycelium, the brown rice substrate plays another incredibly important role.

As enzymes expressed by the mycelium break down rice bran, arabinoxylanes form from simple sugars and starch. Arabinoxylanes are well known to offer immune benefits, including antioxidant support.

In this way, the rice derivatives become an integral component in Host Defense products for supporting health. The brown rice, which has been “cultured” by the mycelium, becomes a reservoir of valuable health supporting compounds, like arabinoxylanes.

Understanding this, it is important to use a quality food source like organic brown rice to produce mycelium. And, it’s important to include the cultured substrate in the final product so that the full range of benefits may be experienced.

When produced and processed properly, mushroom mycelium contains a vast range of compounds, including enzymes, prebiotics, antioxidants and polysaccharides to support immunity.*

For more information, here is an excellent discussion of the Immune Benefits of Mushroom Mycelium and Cultured Substrate: Benefits of Mycelium.

These are some of the most well-known constituents studied in mushroom mycelium and fruitbodies, however they are only some of the many valuable compounds that can help support and maintain health. We believe all of the nutrients and myriad compounds within the entire organism are beneficial to the immune system, and necessary for a whole foods approach to health. A chief goal with our products is to keep the mushroom’s natural chemical architectures intact. Therefore, we don’t isolate any specific compounds or concentrate them. While our products do contain these compounds, as a supplement company, we focus our testing on Identity, Composition, Purity and Strength rather than nutritional, mineral or other analyses. We can guarantee our capsules contain greater than 55% polysaccharides.

Here is a great article by Paul Stamets, our founder, that outlines our approach: Beta-Glucan Analysis and the Seven Pillars of Immunity.

There is currently not enough research available to safely conclude mushroom supplements are safe to ingest during pregnancy or for use by children. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, we do not suggest that these individuals take our Host Mycelium dietary supplements. That said, including cooked mushroom fruitbodies in your regular diet may be an alternative whole-foods approach for you and your young ones. For further guidance, please consult your doctor or pediatrician. Thank you for your understanding.

We have no directions on the best time of day to take our supplements, it is a matter of personal preference. It is important to note, everyone is unique in how they digest and metabolize these compounds. For example, Cordyceps, known for energy support, may be best to take in the morning for most – however, some customers actually prefer taking them in the evening. For further guidance, please consult your health practitioner.

It is important to note, everyone is unique in how they metabolize and digest these compounds. While both capsules and extracts are bio-available and have a similar suggested serving size, the liquid extracts are absorbed more quickly into the system. While something like Cordyceps, which provides energy support, can generally be noticed right away, a blend such as Mycoshield® for immune support, may take time.

Yes! Our Host Mycelium products are vegetarian and vegan, containing no animal-based ingredients.

This question commonly arises with our Cordyceps in particular; while Cordyceps is a genus of fungi that naturally parasitizes insects, no caterpillars were harmed in the making of our Cordyceps products.

Yes, our Host Mycelium products are gluten-free! Our MycoBotanicals® products contain an excipient called maltodextrin. Though derived from wheat, the refining process removes glutinous proteins, leaving the end product gluten-free. We adhere to all FDA “Gluten Free” labeling guidelines and standards.

Our products are extremely shelf stable.

Capsules should be stored at room temperature in their bottle. We never suggest refrigerating or freezing our Host Defense capsules.

Extracts used regularly can be stored at room temperature as well, but if you plan to store the extract longer than 3 months once opened, we recommend refrigerating it to increase longevity. In general, 30-40% Ethanol allows for reliable preservation of extracts at room temperature.

The fungal kingdom is very diverse; immune supporting mushrooms such as Reishi and Turkey Tail are genetically and morphologically dissimilar to molds. In addition, none of our mushrooms are known to produce mycotoxins like black mold and other “imperfect” fungi. Regardless, we always recommend consulting a healthcare professional about your specific situation.

A common misconception is that eating mushrooms will facilitate fungal overgrowth in the body, but this is untrue. Not only are mushrooms very low in the sugars that promote yeast growth, but they also strengthen the body’s immune response. If you’re experiencing yeast overgrowth you should consult a healthcare professional about your specific situation.

Double Extraction refers to ethanol and cold-water extraction.

Triple extraction means using three methods: ethanol extraction, cold-water extraction, and hot-water extraction.

*These statements have not been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Extraction means ethanol, cold-water, and hot-water extraction.