Not all mushrooms are created—or used—the same way.
Today, you’ll find mushrooms in everything from coffee blends to capsules and smoothies. But are all of these offering the same level of support? The answer lies in understanding the difference between functional mushrooms and medicinal mushrooms—terms that are often used interchangeably, but don’t always mean the same thing.
Let’s clear it up.
What Are Functional Mushrooms?
“Functional mushrooms” is a term used in wellness and food industries to describe mushrooms that may offer support beyond basic nutrition. These include:
- Lion’s Mane
- Turkey Tail
- Cordyceps
- Reishi
- Shiitake
- Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM)
They’re often added to teas, snacks, and even coffee blends. But the term “functional” is broad—it doesn’t define how much of the active compounds are present, what part of the mushroom is used, or how the mushroom was processed.
In other words, “functional” doesn’t always mean potent.
What Are Medicinal Mushrooms?
The term “medicinal mushrooms” is commonly used in scientific literature to describe mushrooms that have been studied for their active compounds, particularly:
- Beta-glucans
- Polysaccharides
- Sterols and triterpenes
- Antioxidants
These mushrooms—like ABM—are often prepared through specific extraction methods to ensure active compounds are bioavailable. In clinical research, they’re usually tested in extract form, made from the fruiting body, not mycelium.
Medicinal mushrooms are typically used in more targeted wellness practices and often in consultation with a practitioner or under traditional health frameworks.
So, What’s the Difference?
| Term | Functional Mushrooms | Medicinal Mushrooms |
|---|---|---|
|
Definition |
General term for health-supportive fungi
|
Scientifically studied for wellness use
|
|
Use in Products |
Teas, drinks, snacks, powders |
Extracts, tinctures, capsules |
|
Processing |
Often ground whole or mycelium-based
|
Typically extracted (hot water/alcohol)
|
|
Source |
May include grain-grown mycelium |
Usually fruiting body-based
|
|
Potency |
Varies widely
|
Focused on active compounds |
Where Does ABM Fit?
Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) is considered both a functional and medicinal mushroom, depending on how it’s grown and prepared.
At Desert Forest Nutritionals®, we’ve worked with ABM since 2002—sourcing only the fruiting body, grown in Brazil near the Atlantic Rainforest. Our dual-extracted powder and liquid preparations aim to preserve the full spectrum of bioactive compounds that have been the focus of scientific interest for decades.
Why This Matters
Knowing the difference helps you choose wisely.
If you’re adding mushrooms to your lifestyle for basic support, a functional blend might do. But if you’re looking for something with clinical-grade quality, verified sourcing, and a history of traditional and research-backed use—you want to know exactly:
- What part of the mushroom is used
- How it’s extracted
- Whether it’s based on actual fruiting body
That’s where Desert Forest Nutritionals® comes in.
Bibliography
- Denisia, I. et al. (2023). Medicinal mushrooms: bioactive compounds, use, and clinical trials. Medicinally relevant review, includes beta‑glucan and polysaccharide analysis.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/2/634 - Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. (2025). Editorial: Mushrooms as functional foods and nutraceuticals.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1622356/full
- Li, S. et al. (2022). Chemical compositions and health-promoting effects of Agaricus blazei Murill. Molecules, 27(23), 8559. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9661389/
- Denisia, I. et al. (2023). Medicinal mushrooms: bioactive compounds, use, and clinical trials. Medicinally relevant review, includes beta‑glucan and polysaccharide analysis.
Next up in this series:
What Science Says About Mushroom Benefits
We’ll explore the latest research on how mushrooms like ABM support immune balance, cellular health, and recovery—plus what makes them so different from other natural supplements.