THE SCIENCE
Ancient Wisdom. Modern Science.Â
Functional mushrooms have been used for centuries â but understanding how they work requires modern science.
At Fung Shui, we focus on one simple principle: to produce premium high strength liquid extracts - being open and transparent about our extraction process and most importantly about the amount of fresh mushroom in each doseâŚitâs a lot - 5000mg per dose. And we third party test our liquid extracts, ensuring they are gold standard.Â
Why liquid extracts?
Liquid extracts are prepared to separate and concentrate key compounds from the mushroom, rather than leaving them bound within raw material.Â
Compared to powders or gummies, this format does not rely on the same level of breakdown during digestion, allowing compounds to be delivered in a more accessible form.Â
Therefore in liquid extract form, it is more bioavailable. Bioavailability refers to: How much is released from its source, how much is absorbed during digestion, and how much becomes available to the bodyâs systems.Â
When you consume something, whether food, a nutrient, or a compound - not all of it is necessarily absorbed or used.
Why extraction matters
Mushrooms contain powerful bioactive compounds â including:
Beta-glucans â Naturally occurring complex carbohydrates found in mushrooms, often used as a marker of composition in functional mushroom extracts.
Triterpenes â A class of organic compounds present in certain mushroom species, contributing to their overall chemical profile.
Polysaccharides â Long-chain carbohydrates found in plants and fungi, forming a broad group of naturally occurring structural compounds.
Antioxidants â Compounds found in many foods and plants that are commonly associated with oxidative processes in scientific research.
But these compounds are naturally locked inside chitin, a tough structural material that the human body cannot easily break down. This means eating raw or poorly processed mushrooms doesnât guarantee absorption.Â
To access their full potential, they must be properly extracted. However not all mushroom products are created equal â and not all are actually bioavailable.
Triple extraction: unlocking the full spectrumÂ
Different compounds require different extraction methods.
Water extraction isolates:
  * Beta-glucans
  * Polysaccharides
Alcohol extraction isolates:
  * Triterpenes
  * Phenolic compounds
Using all three methods together â known as triple extraction â allows for a more complete and bioavailable extract. This is widely considered the gold standard for functional mushroom supplements.
Bioavailability: what your body can actually use
Not all mushroom products deliver the same results. Not only is it about how much mushroom is in a product, but also about how that mushroom has been extracted and how bioavailable the compounds are for the body to use.Â
Many supplements on the market use have a diluted potency and therefore reduce effectiveness due to:
* Unextracted mushroom powdersÂ
* Mycelium grown on grain
* Fillers or additives
* Small amounts of mushroom contentÂ
At Fungshui, we are transparent about the amount of mushroom in each product and how the mushroom is extracted. We guarantee:
* Fruiting bodies only (where compounds are most concentrated)
* No fillers, starches or unnecessary additives
* Extraction methods that prioritise absorption
* UK grown mushroomsÂ
Third party tested
Each extract is tested by an independent pharmaceutical standard laboratory in Devon to verify composition and maintain consistency across batches.
By using third-party analysis, results are measured externally â providing a clear, unbiased view of what is present in every extract.
The machine nearest in the image shows a replica of the human stomach and how it absorbs the extract - we use this to measure the bioavailability of our liquid extracts vs powders - fascinating!Â
Transparency - what is in the product
We know how important it is to understand exactly whatâs in the supplements you take.
Thatâs why we clearly state both the amount of mushroom used in each extract and the quantity per dose â all listed on the label. Itâs a straightforward way to show whatâs included, without ambiguity.
Many products on the market remain unclear in their composition. We take a different approach, prioritising transparency so you can see precisely what is being used, with no fillers or unnecessary additions. How an extract is prepared, and what it contains should never be left undefined.
Potency, purity and consistency
Functional mushrooms are not a quick fix. Their benefits are typically associated with:
* Regular use
* Cumulative effects over time
Consistency matters more than intensity. Small, repeated inputs â day after day â are what drive meaningful change.