The Honest Buyer’s Guide to Lion's Mane Mushroom (What to Check Before You Buy)

Lion’s Mane mushroom has exploded in popularity — and for good reason. Many people take it to support focus, mental clarity, memory, mood, and general brain health.

But here’s the problem:
Not all Lion’s Mane products are created equal.

Some are grown on cheap grain.
Some use fillers.
Some only contain extracts.
Some contain very little actual mushroom.

In Australia, the quality difference between brands is huge.
So if you’re considering trying Lion’s Mane, this guide will show you the 5 key things to check before buying — so you can choose a product that actually does what you expect.

1. Is Your Lion’s Mane Full Spectrum or Just an Extract?

Many brands use alcohol or hot-water extracts. Extracts can be useful in some cases, but they do not contain the full range of beneficial compounds found in the whole mushroom.

Whole-food (full-spectrum) Lion’s Mane includes:

• polysaccharides

• beta-glucans

• hericenones

• erinacines

• naturally occurring antioxidants and fibres

When you choose a full-spectrum whole food product, you get the mushroom as nature intended, not a selective chemical fraction.

Tip:
If the label only mentions “extract” — ask what percentage of the whole mushroom remains. In many cases, the answer is very little.

2. Does It Contain BOTH Fruiting Body and Mycelium?

Some brands argue for “fruiting body only.” Others sell “mycelium only.”

The truth is:
Both contain different beneficial compounds.

Fruiting body → rich in hericenones
Mycelium → rich in erinacines

Together, they give you a broader and more balanced range of active compounds.

What to look for:
A supplement that clearly states it contains full-spectrum: fruiting body + mycelium, not just one or the other.

3. Where Is It Grown (This Matters More Than People Realise)

Most Lion’s Mane on the Australian market is imported from overseas.

The issue?
When grown in other countries, mushrooms are often produced:

• on grain-based substrate (leading to high starch, low mushroom content)

• in large industrial farms

• without transparent testing

• using preservatives during export

• with unknown purity or potency

That’s why people specifically seek out Australian-grown Lion’s Mane — the purity, potency, and traceability are dramatically better.

Locally grown Lion’s Mane:

• is grown without fillers

• is harvested at peak freshness

• avoids long transport and irradiation

• is traceable back to the farm

• supports Aussie farmers

If you want the cleanest, highest-quality Lion’s Mane… Australian grown is the gold standard.

4. Check for Fillers, Additives, or “Flow Agents”

Many supplement companies use:

• maltodextrin

• silicon dioxide

• rice flour

• starch

• magnesium stearate

These ingredients help machines run faster, improve “flow,” and reduce cost — but they don’t help your health.

A premium Lion’s Mane supplement should contain:

Lion’s Mane. Full stop.
No fillers. No additives. No blending agents.

Always read the label — pure products will proudly state “NO fillers.”

5. Is It Certified Organic and Minimally Processed?

Lion’s Mane is highly absorbent — it absorbs whatever is in its environment.

Choosing certified organic means:

• no synthetic pesticides

• no herbicides

• no artificial chemicals

• higher safety standards

• better long-term product purity

Freeze-drying (not heat-treating or spraying) preserves the mushroom’s natural compounds.

Checklist for quality:

• Certified organic

• Freeze dried

• No extracts

• No heat damage

• Whole food retained

When it comes to medicinal mushrooms, processing matters.

Bonus Tip: Check the Colour and Aroma