Lion's Mane
$25.00- Capsule size
- 00
- Per capsule
- ~500 mg
- Typical daily
- 2–4 capsules
Mild, low-bitterness — capsules are convenient but powder works just as well in coffee. Use capsules if you want to skip the taste entirely.
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Use Case · 45-Minute Batch · From Powder
How to Make Mushroom Capsules From Powder
Capsule sizes, dose math, equipment, and which species is worth the effort to encapsulate.
By Andrew Langevin · Founder, Nature Lion · Contributing author, Mushroomology (Brill, 2026)
Published June 21, 2026
Quick Answer
Fill empty size-00 veggie capsules with mushroom powder using a manual capsule machine ($20–30). Each capsule holds ~500 mg; a 60g pouch fills ~120 capsules in about 45 minutes. Reishi, chaga, and turkey tail are the most popular species to encapsulate because the format hides the flavour entirely.
DIY capsules are the cheapest way to take mushroom powder without tasting it. The format trades convenience (just swallow with water) against a one-time investment in a capsule machine and an hour of weekend prep. This guide covers capsule size selection, the standard fill weight, the math on dose-per-day, and which of the five Nature Lion powders are worth the effort to encapsulate versus just using as powder.
Pick Your Powder
Which Mushroom Powder Is Worth Encapsulating?
Reishi, chaga, and turkey tail are the high-value capsules — their flavour profiles make capsules a real upgrade. Lion's mane and cordyceps are mild enough that capsules are mostly about convenience.
Reishi
$25.00- Capsule size
- 00
- Per capsule
- ~500 mg
- Typical daily
- 1–4 capsules
The species most often capsule-encapsulated because of bitterness. Capsules let you take reishi without tasting it.
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Chaga
$25.00- Capsule size
- 00
- Per capsule
- ~500 mg
- Typical daily
- 1–4 capsules
Earthy and slightly bitter — capsules avoid the taste. The dense powder fills cleanly.
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Turkey Tail
$25.00- Capsule size
- 00
- Per capsule
- ~500 mg
- Typical daily
- 2–6 capsules
Mild flavour — capsules are the most popular format for turkey tail. Most people land at 4–6 capsules per day.
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Cordyceps
$25.00- Capsule size
- 00
- Per capsule
- ~500 mg
- Typical daily
- 2–6 capsules
Mild, faintly sweet — also fine as powder. Capsules suit pre-workout dosing.
Shop CordycepsThe Method
How to Fill Mushroom Capsules
Active prep
~45 minutes
Yields
~120 size-00 capsules
From
60g pouch
- 1
Wash hands and dry the workspace
Mushroom powder is hygroscopic — humidity wrecks fill consistency. Work on a clean dry counter; skip this immediately after washing dishes.
- 2
Load the empty capsules into the machine
Separate capsule halves. The longer 'body' halves go in the bottom tray of the capsule machine; the shorter 'caps' go in the top tray.
- 3
Pour powder over the bottom tray
Pour 5–10 g of mushroom powder over the open capsule bodies. Use the included spatula or a credit card to sweep powder into the capsules. Repeat until each capsule is fully filled.
- 4
Tamp gently to compress the powder
Use the tamping tool (included with most machines) to press powder down into each capsule. This roughly doubles the dose per capsule. Add more powder and tamp again.
- 5
Lock the caps in place
Place the top tray over the bottom tray and press down evenly. The caps snap onto the bodies. Lift and tap to release closed capsules.
- 6
Weigh and label
Weigh 10 finished capsules and divide by 10 to confirm your per-capsule dose. Store in an airtight jar labelled with species, dose, and fill date. Shelf life: 12 months at room temperature, longer in the freezer.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Inconsistent capsule weights
Tamp every capsule the same number of times — three firm presses is the standard. Without consistent tamping, fill weights can vary by ±100 mg.
Caps not snapping onto bodies
Powder on the capsule rim is the most common cause. Brush each row with the cleaning brush before pressing the cap tray down.
Capsules sticking together in storage
Humidity. Capsule shells absorb moisture from the air. Always store in a sealed glass jar with a desiccant packet, or refrigerate in cold months.
DIY Capsules FAQ
Can I make mushroom capsules at home?
Yes — DIY capsule-filling is straightforward with a manual capsule machine (about $20–30) and empty veggie capsules. A standard size-00 capsule holds roughly 500 mg of mushroom powder. From a 60g pouch you can fill ~120 capsules in about 45 minutes.
What size capsule should I use for mushroom powder?
Size 00 is the most common — it holds about 500 mg per capsule and balances dose with swallow-ability. Size 0 is smaller (about 400 mg) and easier to swallow. Size 000 holds more (about 1 g) but many people find it too large.
How many DIY capsules does a 60g pouch make?
A 60g pouch fills approximately 120 size-00 capsules at 500 mg each. That's about a month's supply at 4 capsules per day, or two months at 2 per day.
Is making my own capsules cheaper than buying pre-made?
Significantly. The math: a 60g pouch ($24.99) makes ~120 capsules — about 21 cents per capsule. Comparable pre-filled capsules typically run 50–80 cents each. The break-even on a $20 capsule machine is roughly the first batch.
Do I need vegetarian capsules?
Most people use vegetarian capsules (cellulose-based) rather than gelatin. They're widely available, stable in storage, and work for vegan diets. Gelatin capsules work fine too — preference, not function.
How long do home-made capsules last?
About 12 months in an airtight jar at room temperature, and longer in the freezer (always thaw to room temperature before opening). The capsule shell protects the powder from oxygen and humidity better than open storage.
Stock Up for a Batch
One pouch · ~120 capsules · a month of doses.
A 60g pouch fills ~120 size-00 capsules — about a month at 4 per day, two months at 2 per day. The bulk 1kg bag covers 16+ months for daily users.
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