Is There Vitamin D in Lichen? The Answer Might Surprise You

December 26, 2025 •

4 min read

While most plant-based foods only contain vitamin D2, certain species of lichen are a natural and rare vegan source of vitamin D3. This discovery has provided a crucial, non-animal alternative for supplements, particularly beneficial for vegans and vegetarians who often struggle to meet their vitamin D requirements.

Quick Summary

Specific lichen species are a natural, plant-based source of vitamin D3, offering a vital and sustainable vegan alternative to traditional animal-derived supplements for cholecalciferol.

Key Points

Source of D3: Yes, certain lichen species are a natural, plant-based source of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), a breakthrough for vegan diets.
Symbiotic Organism: Lichen is a composite organism, a stable association of a fungus and an alga, or cyanobacterium, from which the vitamin D3 is derived.
Comparison with D2: While many plants provide vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), lichen offers the more potent and bioavailable vitamin D3.
Vegan-Friendly Supplements: Lichen-sourced D3 is used to create ethical supplements, registered with organizations like the Vegan Society, as an alternative to animal-derived sources like lanolin or fish oil.
Pure and Sustainable: The vitamin D3 from lichen is often extracted from sustainably harvested lichen, offering a pure source grown in clean, remote environments.
Beneficial for Vegans: This discovery provides a reliable way for vegans and vegetarians to obtain cholecalciferol without relying on animal products.

The Symbiotic Nature of Lichen

To understand how lichen provides vitamin D, one must first appreciate its unique biology. A lichen is not a single organism but a complex, stable symbiotic association between a fungus and an alga and/or cyanobacterium. The fungal partner, or mycobiont, forms the main body (thallus) of the lichen and provides shelter, water, and minerals from the environment. In turn, the algal or cyanobacterial partner, or photobiont, uses photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates that serve as food for both organisms. In this remarkable partnership, both organisms thrive in environments where they could not survive alone. This symbiotic relationship is key to the production of certain nutrients, including vitamin D, within the lichen's structure.

The Discovery of Vitamin D3 in Lichen

For many years, the two primary forms of vitamin D, D2 and D3, were thought to come from distinct sources. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is typically produced by plants and fungi in response to UVB radiation, while vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) was believed to be primarily animal-derived. This presented a challenge for vegans and vegetarians seeking a plant-based source of the more bioavailable D3. Traditional D3 supplements are often sourced from lanolin (sheep’s wool) or fish oil. However, breakthroughs in mycological and plant science revealed that certain lichens have the unique ability to produce cholecalciferol when exposed to sunlight. This discovery led to the development of the first genuinely vegan and vegetarian-approved vitamin D3 supplements, a significant development for the plant-based community.

The Two Forms: Vitamin D2 vs. Vitamin D3

While both vitamin D2 and D3 effectively raise serum 25(OH)D levels and can treat deficiency, vitamin D3 is often considered more effective at raising and maintaining these levels over time. This difference in potency makes the discovery of a non-animal D3 source from lichen particularly valuable.

Comparison Table: Lichen-Derived Vitamin D3 vs. Traditional Animal-Derived Vitamin D3


Feature	Lichen-Derived Vitamin D3	Animal-Derived Vitamin D3
Source	100% plant-based, from lichen extract	Typically from lanolin (sheep's wool) or fish oil
Vegan Friendly	Yes, registered with Vegan and Vegetarian societies	No, unsuitable for vegan and vegetarian diets
Purity	Often a pure extract, grown sustainably away from contaminants	Can be contaminated by pesticides from sheep or environmental pollutants in fish
Bioavailability	Same cholecalciferol structure as human-produced D3	Same cholecalciferol structure as human-produced D3
Sustainability	Harvested from naturally abundant, fast-growing species in remote regions	Dependent on animal byproducts, raising ethical and environmental concerns
Primary Use	High-demand vegan D3 supplements and fortified foods	Traditional D3 supplements and fortified dairy products

How is Vitamin D Extracted from Lichen for Supplements?

Creating a pure, bioavailable vitamin D3 supplement from lichen is a complex process that involves careful cultivation and advanced extraction methods. Some supplement manufacturers source specific lichen species, such as Cladonia rangiferina, which are sustainably wild-harvested in remote, cool, mountainous regions. The process often involves these steps:

Harvesting: Select lichen species are carefully collected from their natural habitats.
Extraction: The lichen is processed to extract its oily vitamin D3 component, often using specialized methods like supercritical fluid extraction, which utilize carbon dioxide under high pressure to isolate the desired compounds.
Purification and Standardization: The raw extract is purified to remove impurities and then standardized to ensure consistent potency, providing a reliable dosage of cholecalciferol.
Encapsulation: The final standardized extract is incorporated into capsules, liquid drops, or other supplement forms, often with a carrier oil like coconut oil to aid absorption.

Why Lichen-Based D3 is Significant for Vegans

For individuals on a strictly plant-based diet, access to a reliable, non-animal source of vitamin D3 has been a long-standing challenge. While fortified foods and sun exposure help, many factors, including geographic location, season, and lifestyle, limit natural D3 production. Lichen-based vitamin D3 fills this gap perfectly, offering a direct, high-quality, and ethical source of this essential nutrient. It ensures that vegans and vegetarians can effectively support their bone health, immune function, and mood without compromising their dietary principles. Its registration by major vegan and vegetarian societies has built trust and confidence in the product.

The Sustainability and Purity of Lichen Sourcing

Beyond its vegan credentials, lichen-based D3 offers distinct advantages in terms of sustainability and purity. Because lichen can be cultivated in controlled, clean environments or wild-harvested from pristine areas, the risk of contamination from pesticides or pollutants found in some other sources is significantly reduced. Moreover, the process is gentle on the environment. The lichen used often grows on rocks and trees, and sustainable harvesting practices ensure minimal impact on the ecosystem. This eco-conscious approach resonates with many health-conscious consumers and solidifies lichen's position as a forward-thinking nutritional source.

Conclusion

So, is there vitamin D in lichen? The definitive answer is yes. Far from being a simple plant, this fascinating symbiotic organism is a natural, sustainable, and pure source of vitamin D3. This has not only revolutionized supplement options for the plant-based community but has also provided a new, environmentally friendly way for a broader audience to maintain optimal vitamin D levels. The future of natural and ethical supplementation looks bright, thanks to the humble lichen.

For more information on the health benefits of Vitamin D, you can consult reliable resources like the National Institutes of Health (NIH): https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is not recommended to forage and eat lichen for vitamin D. Only specific species contain significant amounts, and wild lichen can contain toxins or be contaminated with pollutants. Lichen for supplements undergoes a controlled extraction process to ensure safety and purity.

Most other plant-based vitamin D supplements provide vitamin D2, which is often considered less effective than D3 at raising and maintaining vitamin D levels. Lichen is a rare plant-based source of vitamin D3, making it a superior vegan option for many people.

No, not all species of lichen produce vitamin D, and the concentration can vary widely among those that do. The specific species used for supplement production are carefully selected and tested for their high vitamin D3 content.

Yes, supplement companies that use lichen often source it sustainably, either from wild, mountainous regions or controlled farms. This ensures a renewable and environmentally friendly production method.

The vitamin D3 is extracted from the lichen's oily component using specific techniques, such as supercritical fluid extraction. This method isolates the pure, active compound for use in supplements.

While both D2 and D3 are forms of vitamin D, studies suggest that D3 is more effective in raising and maintaining healthy vitamin D blood levels. Since D3 was traditionally from animal sources, lichen provides a valuable vegan alternative for the superior form.

Beyond vitamin D3, some lichen species have been traditionally used in medicine and contain compounds with potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, but these differ by species.