We live in a world where "organic" and "sustainable" often feel like marketing buzzwords, but why does the provenance of mushroom supplements really matter?
In this article we explain the importance of sourcing from a clean environment, plus what you should look for in a supplement and why. We reveal every step of our Medshrum products’ journey – from the pristine Nordic forests where our mushrooms grow to the innovative packaging that protects both your supplements and our planet.
What are the benefits of choosing organic mushrooms?
When buying medicinal mushrooms, it’s important to consider where and how they are grown. In the case of medicinal mushrooms, provenance is especially crucial because fungi are “bio-accumulators”. This means they act like sponges and absorb both nutrients and pollutants from their environment.[1]
For example, if they are grown in contaminated soil, they will absorb harmful substances including heavy metals and pesticides. Non-organic mushrooms may expose you to pollutants which could lead to health concerns – such as heavy-metal poisoning – over time.
To ensure that your products are both safe and beneficial, look for trusted, organically certified sources that prioritise clean growing conditions and sustainable practices.
Why?
- Organic mushrooms are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
- Products will be free from harmful chemicals that can accumulate in your body over time.
- Organic farming practices are better for the environment, promoting biodiversity and soil health.
Medshrum supplements are certified organic by the Soil Association, which guarantees that our products meet the UK’s rigorous organic and sustainability standards. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of our medicinal mushrooms with greater peace of mind.
How are Medshrum’s products grown and harvested?
It’s a common misconception that mushrooms are grown in large beds of soil or compost on farms. This may be true of many culinary varieties but, like all living organisms, each different type of mushroom needs specific conditions to grow and thrive.
Forest-Grown Fungi
Chaga mushrooms grow naturally on the bark of trees (often birch) through ‘wounds’ such as broken branches. They draw their nutrients from the tree's inner bark layers, allowing them to develop and grow. At Medshrum, we’re honoured to source our Chaga from the pristine Nordic forests, where it is carefully and sustainably wild-harvested by the Sami people, indigenous to Scandinavia’s Arctic regions.
For generations, the Sami have relied on traditional knowledge and deep respect for nature to collect this extraordinary sclerotium (hardened fungal mycelium – the root-like structure of a fungus), ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem. Their sustainable harvesting methods reflect an ancient bond with the land, as well as a commitment to preserving Chaga’s natural abundance. This partnership allows us to bring you the finest quality Chaga, crafted with care and honouring a legacy of environmental stewardship.
Turkey Tail is another species grown and harvested sustainably in forests. Turkey Tail typically grows on decomposing hardwood such as oak, maple, birch or sycamore, but occasionally grows on conifers too.
Birch-Substrate-Grown Fungi
Other species like Lion’s Mane and Reishi also grow naturally on trees but for sustainability reasons we cultivate them indoors under controlled conditions. This special growing environment allows us to regulate the temperature, humidity and light carefully to ensure that each mushroom is rich in its own beneficial compounds. This means we can deliver the highest quality product in every batch.
These mushrooms are grown on a layer of Nordic birch substrate which is sustainably harvested and satisfies the fungi’s natural need to break down wood.
All of our growing substrates are responsibly harvested from forests that have a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certification. These two global forest certification systems demonstrate our all-important commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing.
Full-fruiting Bodies
We also ensure that every supplement is made from the full-fruiting body of the mushroom, rather than the “mycelium” (mushroom roots) – we use that for our packaging instead!
This is because research has shown that, for a number of mushrooms, much higher concentrations of bioactive compounds, such as beta-glucans and triterpenes, are found in the fruiting bodies.
Supplements made from mycelium have also been shown to contain high levels of contamination from the substrate they are grown on. We only use fruiting bodies to ensure the purity and consistency of our final products.
What makes Nordic-grown mushrooms special?
All of our mushrooms are grown in the Nordic region, where quality and environmental sustainability are prioritised. According to the World Air Quality Report, the Nordic region consistently has some of the best air quality in the world.
This clean environment isn't just good for the mushrooms – it's essential for producing the purest possible extracts, so it is also good for you! Research from the Nordic Forest Research Institute has shown that fungi growing in unpolluted environments produce higher levels of beneficial compounds.
The harsh climate of the Nordic area enhances the potency of the mushrooms as they adapt to survive in such extreme conditions. This means the bioactive compounds like polysaccharides, beta-glucans and antioxidants, the parts most essential for their immune-boosting and health-enhancing properties, are more concentrated.
Medshrum are committed to sourcing all their mushrooms in pristine environments, where:
- air pollution levels are among the lowest in the world
- soil contamination is minimal
- traditional foraging practices ensure sustainable harvesting
- strict environmental regulations protect ecosystem balance
- the harsh (cold) growing environment results in enhanced potency
Plus, here at Medshrum, sustainability doesn’t stop with our ingredients.
Why we think our Medshrum packaging is wonderful!
We’re equally committed to reducing waste and minimising our environmental footprint by our effective use of mycelium packaging.
But what exactly is it …?
Mycelium packaging is literally nature's own packaging solution, crafted from the root-like network that fungi use to grow. When cultivated, it can create biodegradable packaging that is not only sustainable but sturdy too. Unlike plastic, mycelium packaging is completely compostable and does not contribute to pollution or landfill waste. It’s part of our commitment to doing right by the planet, while delivering top-quality products to you.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has recognised mycelium packaging as a leading innovation in sustainable materials, which aligns perfectly with circular economy principles.[2] These principles involve recycling, reusing or repairing existing materials and products for as long as possible, to extend their lifecycle.
All our packaging is made here in the UK, in Birmingham. We were invited for a site visit to tour the factory – it was fascinating to see the production process. We are proud to be supporting a small British business that is manufacturing a totally natural and biodegradable packaging material.
Mushrooms on the inside, mushrooms on the outside!
Trust through transparency
In an industry full of health claims, knowing the origin of your ingredients builds trust. When you’re taking supplements or wellness products, you want to be sure that what’s inside the bottle is exactly what’s claimed on the label. That’s why transparency around provenance is essential – it gives you that reassurance and shows that a company stands behind the quality and safety of its ingredients.
At Medshrum, we believe that true wellness starts with trust. That's why we're committed to complete transparency about every aspect of our products. From our growing practices in the Nordic region to our innovative sustainable packaging, every choice we make is guided by our commitment to your health and our planet's future. We tell you exactly how and where our mushrooms are grown and how your supplements are made (see our blog about the UAE method), so you can be confident that they are of the highest quality.
When you choose Medshrum, you’re not just taking care of your health – you’re also making a more eco-conscious choice. Browse our range here.
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[1] https://smdp.com/2020/02/17/earthtalk-cleaning-up-contaminated-sites-naturally-withfungi/
[2] https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-examples/packaging-from-mushroom-plastic-ecovative