Host Defense Lion's Mane Capsules, 60 Count

Host Defense Lion's Mane Capsules are a dietary supplement from Host Defense, a Washington State label that describes itself as a product of Fungi Perfecti, LLC, the company mycologist Paul Stamets started. The 60 count bottle holds 30 servings. Per 2 capsule serving, the manufacturer's Supplement Facts panel lists 1 g of Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) mycelium and fermented brown rice biomass, labelled certified organic, with 5 calories and under 1 g of carbohydrate. Directions are 2 capsules once a day, with food or on an empty stomach.

What fills that gram matters when comparing mushroom products. Host Defense's FAQ says its capsules hold heat-treated, custom-dried mycelium powder, and that the organic brown rice the mycelium grows on stays in the finished product. No extract ratio is given, and Host Defense publishes no beta-glucan, polysaccharide, hericenone or erinacine amount. Asked about beta-glucans, its FAQ answers without a number.

Host Defense says the mycelium is certified organic and grown on its own farm in Washington State. The bottle carries Certified Organic and Non GMO seals and reads gluten free and vegan. The brand says independent labs check identity, purity, composition and strength across its supplements, and it publishes no lab name, certificate of analysis or heavy metal result for this product.

The label text at the store differs from the manufacturer's. Green's 30 and 60 count listings print 1 g of mycelium, with freeze-dried myceliated brown rice and pullulan as other ingredients. The current manufacturer panel, and Green's own 120 count listing, use the fermented brown rice biomass wording with pullulan alone. The amount per serving matches. Which version the store ships is not known.

Where Green's gives ground is repeat buying. The one-off price is the same at both stores, but hostdefense.com also sells the 60 count on subscription for $27.16, and the Green's listing has no subscription. Free standard shipping at Green's starts above $49 for parcels under 2 lb, which one bottle does not reach.

Green's Nutrition is a health food store at 1906 Pacific Avenue in Stockton, and its online shop lists 23,808 products from 944 vendors. Host Defense's store locator includes the Stockton shop. Its list of authorized online resellers does not name Green's, and neither company publishes whether the online store is authorized. Host Defense's 90-day satisfaction guarantee and its returns warranty do not cover products bought from unauthorized sellers, and Host Defense takes questions on whether a seller is authorized at 1-800-780-9126.