Over the past 20 years in Australia, medicinal mushrooms has evolved from a Traditional Chinese Medicine dried herb to treat various illnesses, into a consumable product in the form of supplements and powders. Our goal here at WorldMushroomSociety.com is to highlight the best producers of highly potent medicinal mushroom powders, extracts, capsules and tinctures in Australia.
There are many different types of medicinal mushroom supplements available on the Australian market. The most popular varieties include Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, Maitake, Tremella, and Turkey Tail. Each of these mushrooms possess unique properties that offer different health benefits. There are dozens of medicinal mushroom supplement brands and producers on the market, so we have done our research to highlight our picks for the top 3 producers.
Our top 3 picks for the best medicinal mushroom producers in Australia
Before buying from these companies, we strongly advise that you reading our selection process below, as well as our reviews for each producer. Our mission at WorldMushroomSociety.com is to help Australian consumers choose the best medicinal mushroom products to get the full health benefits for themselves and whom they care for.
So, here they are. Our top 3 picks for the best quality medicinal mushroom supplements in Australia are from the following producers
1. Dr Noel’s Mushroom Powders
- Products Sold: Concentrated Mushroom Powder – Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Reishi, Turkey Tail, Maitake, Shiitake
- Polysaccharides: ≥ 15%
- Beta Glucans: ≥ 10%
- Non GMO: Yes
- Organic: Yes
- Vegan: Yes
- Australian owned and operated: Yes
- Country + Location Grown: Gutian, Fujian Province, China
- Contains Mycelium or Grain? No
- Contains Fruiting Bodies?:Yes
- Serving suggestion or serving size: Mix 1/4-1/2 tsp (1g) into hot or cold beverage or dish. Can be used multiple times daily for best results.
Pros – what we like
- Australian owned and operated
- Company founded by Dr. Arnold Noel and Xingli Wang – with over 50 years of experience in medicinal mushrooms and 30 years experience in the organic food industry
- Contains 100% mushroom fruiting bodies
- Mushrooms have been preheated before pulverisation to powder to be more bioavailable
- Does not contain any grain filler
- High beta-glucan amount specified on the label
- 100% Organic, non GMO, Di Tao sourced
- Certificate of Analysis report provided on request
- Free shipping on all orders over $70
- 14 day customer satisfaction guarantee – refund on orders within the first 14 days of receiving the product if you are not happy with their products
Cons – how it could improve
- Requires vigorous mixing to dissolve in liquids
- Only available as a powder. It would be great to see this as an extract for higher bioavailability or in capsule form for convenience
2. Teelixir
- Products sold: Medicinal mushroom extract powders – Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Reishi, Turkey Tail, Maitake, Tremella
- Extraction Method: Dual Extraction
- Polysaccharides: >2%
- Beta Glucans: >8%
- Non GMO: Yes
- Organic: Yes
- Vegan: Yes
- Australian owned and operated: Yes
- Country + Location Grown: Heilongjiang province, China
- Contains Mycelium or Grain? No
- Contains Fruiting Bodies? Yes
- Serving suggestion or serving size: Start with 1/4 – 1/2 tsp (1.6g) per day.
Pros – what we like
- Extracted from mushroom fruiting bodies
- Dual-extracted for more increased bioavailability
- Does not contain any grain filler
- Low heavy metals verified
- Highest amounts of beta-glucan levels specified on the label
- 100% Australian Certified Organic (ACO), non GMO, Di Tao sourced
- CarbonClick partnership to reduce carbon emissions
- In 2019, the company won an award for Certified Organic Non-Alcohol Product of the Year for their Mushroom Cacao Latte
- Free shipping on all orders over $60
- Money back guarantee if you are not happy with their products. Teelixir states that you will get a 100% full refund and you get to keep the product – no questions asked!
Cons – how it could improve
- Only available as a powder. It would be great to see this as a capsule form for convenience
- It would be beneficial for customers to see a Certificate of analysis on the website
3. SuperFeast
- Products sold: Medicinal mushroom extract powders – Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Reishi, Turkey Tail, Tremella
- Non GMO: Yes
- Organic: No
- Vegan: Yes
- Australian owned and operated: Yes
- Country + Location Grown: Zhejiang and Heilongjiang region
- Contains Mycelium or Grain? No
- Contains Fruiting Bodies? Yes
- Serving suggestion or serving size: Start with ¼ – ½ tsp daily.
Pros – what we like
- Contains 100% mushroom fruiting bodies
- Strong emphasis on authentic Di Tao sourcing and Daoist philosophy for all their tonic herbs
- Products are hot water extracted or dual extracted for bioavailability
- Independently tested for metals, pesticides, molds, and microbials at TGA accredited facilities.
- Does not contain any grain filler
- SuperFeast has donated over $50,000 as of October 2021 and are working towards a goal of donating 2% of all revenue to land care and indigenous charities
- Free shipping over $80
- Refund within 30 days of purchase if you are not satisfied with your product
Cons – how it could improve
- Beta-glucan amount is currently not specified on the label
- Not organic
Our selection method
Throughout our research, we followed a certain criteria to look for, which we believe are strong signals for a top quality medicinal mushroom supplement.
1. Mushroom fruiting body not mycelium
We look for medicinal mushroom products where the main ingredient is fruiting bodies, stated on the label. This applies to Chaga, Cordyceps, Lion’s mane, Maitake, Reishi, Shiitake, Tremella, and Turkey Tail mushrooms.
When choosing a product one of the first things to analyze is to see if it is made from mycelium or the mushroom fruiting bodies. If you are not familiar with the term, just think of mycelium as the white spider web-like “roots” of the mushrooms, whereas the fruiting bodies are the structures we eat and know as mushrooms.
While fruiting bodies are traditionally what has been used in medicine, today many products contain fungal mycelium instead of fruiting bodies. While mushroom mycelium has been shown to be medicinal there are issues with their use in medicinal supplements. Mostly it is that mycelium-based products actually contain relatively small quantities of fungal biomass and instead contain starches and other compounds from the grains that the mycelium is cultivated on. Because of this, these supplements contain high quantities of starches and low quantities of the medicinal compounds we are after!
2. Importance of beta-glucans on the label
One of the best ways to determine the quality of a medicinal mushroom supplement is to see if there is mention of the beta-glucan content on the product label. These are some of the most important medicinal compounds and good indicators of other fungally-derived compounds.
Beta-Glucans are compounds found ubiquitously within the fungal kingdom. They are a type of polysaccharide that occurs within the cell walls of the mushroom and have been shown to exhibit a wide array of health properties. The benefits of beta-glucans are diverse but usually tied to improved immune function, digestive health, improved well-being, and anti-cancer properties.
While beta-glucans are polysaccharides it is important to distinguish between these two when reading a label. Polysaccharide content could be originating from grains or other plant-based sources. It is important that your product contains no more than 5% polysaccharides than beta-glucans. The best quality products contain very low quantities of starches (like alpha-glucans) and higher quantities of beta-glucans. If grains or other plant-based fillers are mentioned in the ingredient label this can be an indicator of an inferior product.
3. Organic
We look for medicinal mushrooms supplements that are certified organic by the Australian Certified Organic Organisation (ACPO). This ensures that your products do not contain herbicides, fungicides or pesticides and other harmful chemicals that slowly weakens the body over extended period of consumption. Look for the widely recognized stamp of ACO. If the product is not organic, it can still be a top quality product if it is tested for heavy metals and pesticides at TGA (Therapeutic Goods Association of Australia) accredited testing facilities.
Medicinal Mushroom Products Available in Australia
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are native to Asia and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. They are one of the most popular medicinal mushrooms in the world, and are prized for their ability to boost cognitive function and memory. Lion’s mane mushrooms are a high source of beta-glucans, which help to promote immunity and protect against inflammation.
In Australia, Lion’s mane can be purchased as fresh fruiting bodies from farmers markets and local wholefoods grocery stores such as Harris Farm markets. As supplements, Reishi mushrooms are available for purchase as powders, extracts, capsules and tinctures.
Read our guide for the best Lion’s Mane in Australia
Reishi
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushrooms are native to China and Japan, and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. They are one of the most well-known medicinal mushrooms, and are commonly used to boost immunity, improve sleep quality, and reduce stress levels. Reishi mushrooms are a high source of antioxidants, polysaccharides, and ganoderic acid.
Reishi cannot be purchased as fresh fruiting bodies in Australia as it is currently banned from being locally grown. Reishi mushrooms produced as health supplements and are available for purchase as powders, extracts, capsules and tinctures.
Read our guide for the best Reishi Mushrooms in Australia.
Chaga
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): Chaga mushrooms are native to Siberia and have been used in traditional Russian medicine for centuries. They are a popular medicinal mushroom, and are commonly used to boost immunity, fight inflammation, and improve gut health. Chaga mushrooms are a rich source of antioxidants and polysaccharides, and also contain high levels of beta-glucans, betulin, betulic acid and lupeol.
Chaga mushrooms supplements can be consumed as powders, extracts, capsules and tinctures.
Read our guide for the best Chaga Mushrooms in Australia.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis): Cordyceps mushrooms are native to China and Tibet, and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,000 years. They are a popular medicinal mushroom, and are commonly used to improve energy levels, stamina, and athletic performance. Cordyceps mushrooms are a rich source of antioxidants and polysaccharides, and also contain high levels of beta-glucans, adenosine, and cordycepin.
In Australia you can purchase Cordyceps supplements in the form of powders, extracts, capsules and tinctures.
Read our guide for the best Cordyceps in Australia.
Maitake
Maitake (Grifola frondosa): Maitake mushrooms are native to Japan and China, and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,000 years. Maitake mushrooms are commonly used to boost immunity, fight inflammation, and improve gut health.
Growing in popularity, Maitake supplements are now available for purchase in Australia.
Read our guide for the best Maitake Mushrooms in Australia.
Tremella
Tremella (Tremella fuciformis): Tremella mushrooms are native to China and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. They are a popular medicinal mushroom, and are commonly used to improve skin health, fight inflammation, and boost immunity.
The use of Tremella as a beauty supplement is currently trending in Australia. Tremella supplements are sold as powders, extracts and capsules.
Read our guide for the best Tremella Mushrooms in Australia.
Turkey Tail
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): Turkey tail mushrooms are native to North America and have been used in traditional Native American medicine for centuries. Turkey Tail can also be found across Australia in national forests during wet seasons, however they may belong to another species in the Turkey Tail family and are not Trametes versicolor. Turkey tail is one of the most popular medicinal mushrooms and have been used for centuries to boost immunity, fight inflammation, and improve gut health. Turkey tail mushrooms are a rich source of beta glucans, and two unique polysaccharides: Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and Polysaccharide-K (PSK).
Read our guide for the best Turkey Tail Mushrooms in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Medicinal Mushrooms Legal in Australia?
Yes, Medicinal Mushrooms are legal for purchase and consumption in Australia. All Medicinal Mushrooms supplements and medicinal mushroom products must be registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia (TGA).
Are Chinese medicinal mushroom supplements bad?
No, they are not. In fact, China is the largest supplier of medicinal mushroom products around the world and have been producing medicinal mushroom products for decades, as well as using medicinal mushrooms as medicine for thousands of years, long before it was introduced into Australia. The more research we do, it is clear to see that most Australian medicinal mushroom brands source their raw mushroom powders from China.
There are many Australian brands that sell “locally-grown” Australian medicinal mushrooms, but it is important to understand that these may be different species of medicinal mushrooms, and not the specific species of medicinal mushrooms that scientific studies and health journals reviews are based on. This is a big concern for us to see within the global medicinal mushroom industry, as many consumers are not getting the full health benefits of the correct mushroom. Of course, support your local Australian businesses and growers, but make sure you do proper research when purchasing a medicinal mushroom product.
For some education on the history, taxonomy and health benefits of these fantastic fungi, check out our medicinal mushroom education guides!
Can you grow medicinal mushrooms in Australia?
According to Dr Noel, there are strict biosecurity regulations that only allow Shiitake, Turkey tail and Tremella to be grown in Australia. Other medicinal mushroom species such as Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Chaga are currently banned from being grown in Australia, but are legal for importation.
Can I purchase medicinal mushroom supplements from my doctor in Australia?
No, you cannot buy it from your doctor nor do you need a prescription for it. It is considered a complementary medicine that can be purchased online or in stores.
In Australia, medicinal products containing such ingredients as certain herbs, vitamins and minerals, nutritional supplements, homeopathic medicines and aromatherapy products are referred to as ‘complementary medicines’ and are regulated as medicines by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act) and the supporting Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990. For more information, visit the TGA regulatory guidelines for complementary medicines in Australia.
Can I purchase medicinal mushrooms from my Naturopath?
Yes, many Australian naturopaths sell Medicinal Mushrooms supplements as part of their treatment for various illnesses.
Does Chemist Warehouse sell Medicinal Mushrooms?
Yes, Chemist Warehouse in Australia sells some medicinal mushroom products containing Oyster, Shiitake, Reishi, Turkey Tail, Maitake.
How much do medicinal mushrooms supplements cost in Australia?
The price of Medicinal Mushrooms in Australia can range, depending on the consumption type.
Fresh medicinal mushrooms such as Shiitake, Oyster, and Lion’s Mane can be bought at farmers markets and supermarkets can cost up to $50/kg AUD.
Medicinal Mushrooms extracts, powders, tinctures and capsules can range from $25 per product to over $100 – depending on the quality and extraction method.
Who are the top sellers of medicinal mushrooms products in Australia?
The most popular producers of medicinal mushrooms are Dr Noel’s Mushroom Company, Teelixir, SuperFeast and Life Cykel
