Nutritional Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms: What’s Inside the Extracts

Forget everything you thought you knew about that strange “vegetable” sitting on your pizza or in your salad. The truth? It is not even a vegetable. We are about to step into the third kingdom — neither animal nor plant: fungi. If you have landed here, you have probably heard the buzz. Everyone is talking about medicinal mushrooms, about mycology, about “nature’s internet.” But between us? Most people do not really understand what is inside them and why it is interesting.

In this article we will set the record straight. Without too many complicated words (okay, maybe a few — but we will explain them), without false promises, and with plenty of love for the soil. We will dive into the nutritional compounds of medicinal mushrooms, understand the story behind the extraction methods, and show you which compounds are actually measured in our extracts. One thing up front: everything described here is nutritional and educational background — not a therapeutic promise, and not a substitute for medical advice. If you want an organized foundation, it is worth starting with the complete guide to medicinal mushrooms and the glossary that explains the professional terms. Make yourself a coffee (or a mushroom shake), and let’s begin.

From Bustling Tel Aviv to the Galilee: How It All Started

It was not in the business plan. Honestly? There was no business plan. The story of Triterra Farm is a story of escape. We lived in Tel Aviv, and the city simply closed in on us — the noise, the concrete, the endless race. We were looking for an alternative, and we simply moved. We packed up the family — me and Avishag, my partner in life and in this madness — and headed north, to the foot of Mount Tabor. Suddenly, instead of bus exhaust, we had mountain air. Instead of a wilted plant on a balcony, we had a forest.

Avishag started dragging me into the forests to forage. An urbanite at heart, I did not know what she was searching for — I simply followed her like a lost puppy. Until I met the mushrooms. And suddenly? It became personal. I found myself on all fours inside a thorny thicket, sniffing the soil — the smell of decay, of the forest after the rain, of the mycelium hiding beneath. When we went into the COVID lockdown, I understood this was the calling. I broke through a wall beneath the parking area at our home in Hararit and said to myself: “This is where I grow.” No board of directors, no suited-up investors — just passion, intuition, and the smell of moss. That is where the roots sprouted for what you know today as Triterra Farm — medicinal extracts.

What Is Inside a Mushroom, Nutritionally Speaking?

Let’s talk science, but at eye level. Mushrooms are not just a culinary garnish — they are sophisticated chemical factories that nature developed over millions of years in order to survive. To protect themselves from bacteria, viruses and predators, mushrooms produce a range of active compounds. When we consume them (in the right way, and we will get to that soon), we are exposed to those same compounds — and that is exactly what makes them nutritionally interesting.

Beta-glucans: The Key Component in the Cell Wall

Have you heard this word tossed around? For good reason. Beta-glucans are a type of polysaccharide found in the cell walls of mushrooms. They are not “sugar” like in a cake — they are complex molecules researched in the context of supporting and balancing immune-system function (structure-function). The scientific term for this is “immunomodulation” — that is, regulation, rather than one-directional “boosting.” An important nuance: this is a mechanism-based field of research, not a clinical promise. You can go deeper into the boundaries of the clinical research on medicinal mushrooms and confirm what the term means in the medicinal-mushroom glossary.

Triterpenes and Antioxidants: The Complementary Compounds

Besides the polysaccharides, mushrooms contain triterpenes (especially prominent in Reishi) and compounds with antioxidant activity, researched in the context of protecting cells from oxidative stress. It is not magic — it is nature’s chemistry. It is important to remember that the mere presence of a compound in a mushroom is not, in itself, a promise of a health outcome; it is a starting point for research.

Composition Data: How Much Beta-glucan Is Really in the Extract?

This is where the difference between a promise and a number comes in. Many products on the market boast beautiful pictures of mushrooms but contain mostly starch. We prefer to give you data. Below are the beta-glucan concentrations measured by an external, independent laboratory (TÜV, 07/2025) for our extracts:

Why does this matter? A quality fruiting-body product usually falls in the range of about 25%–40% beta-glucan, whereas “mycelium on grain” products are most often measured below 7%. The absence of starch is a sign that there is no grain “filler” here. You can see the full data and the methodology on the transparency page and on the beta-glucan lab-testing page.

Our Lineup: Which Mushrooms Are Worth Knowing

At Triterra we do not grow everything. We hand-pick, with tweezers, the most interesting strains — the ones with a rich traditional and research background. Here are the stars of our farm:

1. Reishi: The Balancer

If any mushroom deserves a crown, it is Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum). In China it is called “the mushroom of immortality.” In tradition it was regarded as the calming mushroom, and in preliminary research it is examined in the context of supporting coping with everyday load, sleep quality and normal function — aspects that are being researched and are not a promise. On our farm, Reishi is treated like royalty. We produce a Reishi extract that is Full Spectrum, from fruiting bodies only. Want to go deeper into the scientific background? There is material on the research on Reishi.

2. Lion’s Mane: The Mushroom of Cognition

Feeling like your brain is running in neutral? Meet Hericium erinaceus, better known as Lion’s Mane. It looks like a white, furry waterfall, and it is one of the mushrooms most researched in the context of cognitive function. Studies examine its influence on nerve growth factors (NGF) and on neural plasticity — a fascinating field of research from which no therapeutic indication should be drawn. We produce an especially concentrated Lion’s Mane extract. You are welcome to go deeper into the research on Lion’s Mane.

3. Cordyceps: The Athletes’ Mushroom

Tired? Cordyceps is researched in the context of energy function and endurance. It is known in research for the way it is studied in the context of supporting the ATP production pathways (the cell’s energy currency) and oxygen utilization — topics examined mainly among athletes. In short, if you run, swim, or are simply looking for nutritional support for physical activity, the Cordyceps extract is worth getting to know. It also holds, by the way, the highest beta-glucan concentration in the table above — 28.16%.

4. Turkey Tail: The Colorful Guardian

It looks like a turkey’s tail (hence the name), but Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is one of the most-researched mushrooms in the world, mainly in the context of supporting immune-system function. At Triterra we produce a Turkey Tail extract from fruiting bodies only.

Why Is Our Extraction Different? (Or: Why Not Just Chew a Mushroom)

Excellent question. The answer is: chitin. The cell walls of a mushroom are made of chitin — a tough material (like the shell of a crab) that the human stomach struggles to break down. If you simply eat a dried mushroom, a significant portion of the compounds will come out exactly as they went in. To release the beta-glucans and triterpenes, you have to break the chitin.

At Triterra we developed a unique “Triple Extract” method. We do not settle for a hot-water soak — our process runs for over six weeks and combines ancient and modern technologies to extract both the water-soluble components (beta-glucans) and the alcohol-soluble ones (triterpenes). The result? A concentrated, bioavailable mushroom extraction. We are not a factory, we are an atelier — treating every extract as if it were going to our own family (because it really is going to our own family).

Radical Transparency: Fruiting Body Only

There is a little industry secret that not everyone wants you to know: many products on the market are made from “mycelium on grain” — the mushroom’s roots are grown on rice, and everything is ground up together. In the end you pay a lot for… rice. At Triterra there are no games: we use Fruit Body Only — only the mature, rich and genuine fruiting body. Every medicinal-mushroom extract we make comes with external, independent laboratory testing for heavy metals, contaminants and the concentration of active compounds. The data is openly available on the transparency page and on the lab-testing page. When you hold one of our bottles, you are holding a number — not a promise.

Blends: When the Whole Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

Mushrooms like to work together. For example, the blend of Reishi and Lion’s Mane connects a background of calm with a background of focus. That is exactly why we created our “Mentalist” bundle — Lion’s Mane and Reishi. And if you are wondering about the connection between the digestive system and the whole story, it is worth checking out our piece on medicinal mushrooms and the digestive system.

Still Confused? The Guide Will Set Things Straight

We know — there is a lot of information and a lot of types, and sometimes it is hard to tell whether you are looking for the energetic background of Cordyceps or the calm of Reishi. That is exactly why it is worth taking a few minutes with the complete guide to medicinal mushrooms — it can help you focus and match the “pairing” from the forest. Important: the guide is intended for general orientation and everyday wellness only, and does not constitute medical advice or a recommendation for any medical condition.

Questions and Answers Worth Knowing (Before You Begin)

Does it get you high?

Absolutely not. We work with functional medicinal mushrooms — legal and safe. They contain no psychoactive substances — you will feel sharp, not spaced out.

How do you take it?

Very simply: place a few drops under the tongue, or add them to coffee, a smoothie or water. Want to go deeper into the ways of using it? There is material in the complete guide to medicinal mushrooms.

Can you combine several types?

Absolutely. The mushrooms blend well with one another. Just listen to your body, and if you take any medication — consult a physician before combining.

How long until you see results?

It is individual. This is a supplement for supporting ongoing wellness, not a treatment that works on a guaranteed timeline. Any felt effect, to the extent there is one, usually builds gradually over consistent use.

Is it safe for daily use?

Medicinal mushrooms are considered safe for ongoing use as a dietary supplement. That said, pregnant or nursing women, anyone taking medication and anyone with an existing medical condition should consult a physician before starting.

The Bottom Line: Galilee Farming, an International Standard

Triterra Farm is not just another company that buys powders from overseas and slaps on a label. We are farmers — our hands are in the soil (and in the lab). We live the Galilee, breathe the clean air, and grow these mushrooms with a care that cannot be faked. Our commitment to quality is obsessive, and that is what makes our medicinal-mushroom extraction something different in the Israeli landscape. Want to go deeper before you begin? Start with the complete guide, check terms in the glossary, or browse our frequently asked questions.

Disclaimer: This content is an educational overview, based on preliminary research and traditional uses, and does not constitute a medical recommendation or a therapeutic indication. Medicinal-mushroom extracts are dietary supplements only — this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not begin use — especially while taking medication, or during pregnancy, nursing, or an existing medical condition — without consulting a physician or a qualified practitioner.

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

Frequently asked questions

Do functional medicinal mushrooms get you high?

No. Functional medicinal mushrooms are legal and safe and do not contain psychoactive substances. They do not cause any feeling of intoxication or being 'high' — you will feel sharp, not spaced out.

How do you take a medicinal-mushroom extract?

Very simply: place a few drops of the liquid extract under the tongue, or add it to coffee, a smoothie or water. It is a convenient format to absorb as part of a daily routine.

Can you combine several types of medicinal mushrooms?

Yes. Medicinal mushrooms blend well with one another. Just listen to your body, and if you take any medication, consult a physician before combining supplements.

How long until you feel a change from medicinal mushrooms?

It is individual. This is a supplement for supporting ongoing wellness, not a treatment that works on a guaranteed timeline. Any felt effect usually builds gradually over consistent use.

Are medicinal mushrooms safe for daily use?

Medicinal mushrooms are considered safe for ongoing use as a dietary supplement. That said, pregnant or nursing women, anyone taking medication and anyone with an existing medical condition should consult a physician before starting.