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They are popular and convenient, but if you want to experience the deeper benefits of medicinal mushrooms, extracts are often a better choice. Whether you are interested in focus, immunity, energy, or calm, the form in which you take your mushrooms matters.
In this article we explain why mushroom extracts are easier to absorb, more effective, and simpler to use than powders or capsules.
An extract is a concentrated liquid that contains the most important compounds of the mushroom. Instead of drying and grinding mushrooms into a powder, the extraction process uses water and alcohol to pull out the active components such as beta-glucans, antioxidants, and triterpenes.
This makes an extract comparable to a tincture in herbal medicine. While powders bring you the whole mushroom in a raw form, extracts give you a targeted, potent dose that is easier for your body to take up.
Not everyone’s digestion is perfect. Stress, processed foods, or a sensitive stomach can make it harder to absorb nutrients from powders or capsules. Extracts, on the other hand, are already in liquid form. This means your body has less work to do before the compounds can enter your system.
If you place the drops under your tongue, they can even be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This is a practical advantage if you want to feel the benefits without putting extra strain on your digestion.
With powders and capsules, larger amounts are often needed before you notice an effect. Extracts are carefully concentrated to give you a full spectrum of compounds in just a few drops.
For example:
Lion’s Mane extract contains hericenones and erinacines that support focus and memory (Černelič Bizjak et al., 2024).
Chaga extract provides antioxidants that strengthen immunity (Camilleri et al., 2024).
Cordyceps extract supports energy through improved ATP production (Choi et al., 2020).
Reishi extract offers triterpenes that promote rest and recovery (Nędzka, 2025).
Because of this concentration, extracts are an efficient way to experience the results you are looking for.
Taking extracts is straightforward: ten drops, twice a day. No capsules to swallow and no scoops to measure, simply take them under the tongue.
This makes it easy to build a consistent routine, which is important if you want to benefit from the long-term effects of medicinal mushrooms.
At Shyft, we use a dual-extraction method. This means we capture both the water-soluble compounds, like beta-glucans, and the alcohol-soluble compounds, like triterpenes. The result is a full-spectrum extract that mirrors the complete profile of the mushroom.
This balance is important. The different compounds work together and reinforce each other. By keeping the full spectrum intact, your body can make use of the synergy of the mushroom as a whole.
Extracts fit naturally into most routines. A few examples:
Add Lion’s Mane to your morning before starting work.
Take Cordyceps before exercise for more endurance.
Use Reishi before bedtime to support relaxation.
Keep Chaga drops next to your water bottle for daily immune support.
A small habit, repeated every day, makes the difference over time.
Powders and capsules certainly have their place, but if you want a more effective, concentrated, and practical way to take medicinal mushrooms, extracts are worth considering. They are easier for the body to absorb, provide a stronger dose of active compounds, and are simple to integrate into daily routines.
With extracts you are choosing for efficiency and for the full spectrum of what mushrooms have to offer.
Curious which mushroom fits your needs best? Explore our discounted mushroom heroes bundle extracts and discover what they can bring to your daily life.
Camilleri, E., Blundell, R., Baral, B., Karpinski, T. M., Aruci, E., & Atrooz, O. M. (2024). A brief overview of the medicinal and nutraceutical importance of Inonotus obliquus (chaga) mushrooms. Heliyon, 10(15), e35638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35638
Černelič Bizjak, M., Jenko Pražnikar, Z., Kenig, S., Hladnik, M., Bandelj, D., Gregori, A., & Kranjc, K. (2024). Effect of erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus supplementation on cognition: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Journal of Functional Foods, 115, 106120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2024.106120
Choi E, Oh J, Sung GH. Beneficial Effect of Cordyceps militaris on Exercise Performance via Promoting Cellular Energy Production. Mycobiology. 2020;48(6):512-517. https://doi.org/10.1080/12298093.2020.1831135
Paweł Nędzka. (11 June 2025). Reishi: the adaptogen that calms and boosts immunity. NutriPartners blog: https://nutripartners.co/blog/plant-extracts/reishi-mushroom-for-stress-and-immunity
Joana is a psychology student and wellness enthusiast. She explores the connections between nature, body, and mind, deepening our understanding of how the three can merge to support well-being.
