How To Make Mushroom Tincture

You may have heard of mushroom powders, but what about making mushroom tinctures? In recent years, functional mushroom tinctures have emerged as a popular supplement, serving as a potent and convenient method for reaping the benefits of mushrooms.

Typically crafted with an alcohol extract, tinctures innovatively capture the compounds from the mushroom material, such as Cordyceps. Not only is this extraction process relatively straightforward, but it's also exceptionally effective at preserving the beneficial compounds from a variety of mushrooms.

Whether you're seeking to support your well-being, to stimulate cognitive function, or an energy encourager, mushroom tinctures offer a solution with health benefits. Discover how you can create your own mushroom tincture by exploring our complete guide.

What Are the Benefits of Taking a Mushroom Tincture?

Functional mushroom species contain compounds believed to offer various health benefits, such as supporting cholesterol balance, exhibiting antibacterial properties, and contributing to overall well-being. These beneficial compounds translate to a multitude of advantages that can support overall health and wellness.

Due to their potent adaptogenic qualities, mushroom tinctures have become a favored supplement believed to extract and deliver health benefits. Here are nine benefits that come from taking mushroom tinctures:

#1 Supports Overall Immune System

Functional mushrooms, including Turkey Tail, Chaga, and Lion's Mane mushrooms, stimulate specific responses in the immune system. This is because they encourage certain genes to make the same proteins which are found in the immune system’s defense response.

The incorporation of mushrooms is believed to be an accessible and convenient daily nurturing of patients' immune systems.

#2 Supports Mental Wellness

Mushroom supplements are widely advocated for their ability to support mental wellness. It's believed that many mushrooms, such as Lion's Mane and Reishi mushrooms support the balance of chemicals in the brain, effectively helping your body cope with occasional stress in a healthy way.

#3 Promotes Heart Health

Mushrooms, such as Cordyceps and Reishi mushrooms have been recognized for their role in supporting overall health, including cardiovascular well-being. Think of them as a gentle breeze for your heart, working subtly to contribute to its overall health. These fungi contain beneficial compounds like beta-glucans, antioxidants, and polysaccharides that, metaphorically speaking, act as allies for your cardiovascular system. 

#4 Supports Cognitive Function

Extracts from functional mushrooms, such as Lion's Mane and Cordyceps, are thought to favorably influence brain function. It is believed that these functional mushrooms possess certain compounds that support cognitive benefits. 

#5 Provide A Source Of Energy 

Mushrooms, particularly Cordyceps, deliver support to the adrenal system which helps to manage occasional stress and fatigue in the body. Their ability to promote benefits, particularly in the muscular, hormone, and cardiovascular systems, aids in the overall well being of bodily functions.

The energizing effect of functional mushrooms makes them ideal for nurturing athletic performance, serving as an exceptional natural alternative to conventional pre-workouts. Mushrooms are also superb coffee replacements, offering the same awakening benefits without the energy crash or jitters.

#6 Support Healthy Weight Management

Functional mushrooms, including Shitake and Turkey Tail mushrooms, are loaded with healthy substances, including antioxidants and fibers, and are low in calories. This means they are a valuable supplement for healthy weight loss and management.

Because these mushrooms support the adrenal system-  which subsequently helps to manage occasional stress and fatigue in the body- they act as an effective promoter of healthy weight maintenance. We all know stress is a guilty culprit in encouraging our bodies to hold onto excess weight! Similarly, mushrooms support the cardiovascular system which makes these naturally nutritive-dense fungi encouraging for your athletic performance. 

#7 Stimulates Gut Health

Functional mushrooms, such as Turkey Tail, Tremella, and Reishi, are wonderful for gut health because they contain prebiotic fiber, known as polysaccharides, which can support the digestive function of your gut.

They purportedly support a healthy gut microbiome, contribute to the support of healthy bowel movements, and encourage nutrient absorption. This translates to a range of additional benefits, including a supported immune system and enhanced antioxidant activity.

#8 Supports Vitamin D

Some research suggests that mushrooms may serve as a source of vitamin D, offering a support method in sustainment of vitamin D levels. Vitamin D corresponds to many benefits, including strong bones and teeth, improved muscle function, supported immune system, and resistance to becoming rundown throughout the year.

#9 Supports Natural Inflammatory Response

Like vitamins, mushrooms have been used for thousands of years due to their immune-supporting properties. Recent scientific reports have revealed that functional mushrooms are rich in immune-supporting compounds, including phenolic and indolic compounds, fatty acids, carotenoids, polysaccharides, mycosteroids, and biometals.

Because of this valuable quality, mushrooms make for natural muscle recovery supplements for athletes and gym fanatics.

Make A Tincture: Choosing the Right Mushrooms 

You can experience different health and wellness benefits depending on which mushroom tincture you opt for. Before consuming any mushroom tincture, always consult a medical professional to check whether it aligns with your body.

Top Tip: If you're foraging your own mushrooms, seek guidance from a professional forager to ensure you select the right mushrooms. You can also refer to special fungi foraging guides, which often showcase the major characteristics of mushrooms, to help you identify them. 

Unsure of which mushroom tincture is right for you? Don't worry! Below is a breakdown of each type of functional mushroom alongside who they are best suited to:

Turkey Tail: Best for Immune Support

Known for their rich polysaccharides peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK) content, Turkey Tail Mushrooms are ideal for anyone seeking a natural immune system reinforcer and support for their body’s inflammatory response.

If you're searching for an all-rounded tincture, try the Daily 10 Mix Mushroom Tincture, packed with Turkey Tail Mushrooms and nine other functional mushrooms to ensure holistic health and wellness support.

Cordyceps: “The Energy Mushroom” 

Cordyceps mushrooms are advocated for their athletic performance-enhancing and energy-amplifying properties, making them ideal for athletes like runners. If you want a naturally enlivening supplement, check out the bestselling Energy Cordyceps Tincture.

Lion's Mane: Best for Focus

Lion's Mane mushrooms, nicknamed 'sharp mushrooms,' are the perfect solution for hard workers, especially students and business people. This is because they support your brain's cognition, focus, and memory, enabling you to excel in every task.

If you need help streamlining your tasks, try the Focus Lion's Mane Mushroom Tincture.

Reishi: Best for Peace of Mind

Reishi mushrooms are particularly popular due to their calming properties and mood reinforcers. They are widely believed to help with that feeling of “meh” you may run into in your day-to-day life. Reishi mushrooms are great for supporting your body through seasonal changes ensuring you can properly unwind after a long day. 

The calming effect of Reishi mushrooms might also help you get a better night's sleep by encouraging your body to transition into a restful state.For some deep sleep magic and restorative relaxation, try out the Calm Reishi Tincture.

Maitake: Best for All-Rounded Health and Wellness

Rooted in ancient Asian practices, Maitake mushrooms have been used for many centuries. Also known as the 'hen of the woods' due to its unique appearance, this remarkable fungi is extremely nutrient-dense. It contains various beneficial compounds, including potassium, Vitamins B and C, niacin, phosphorus, fiber, antioxidants, and much more! 

If you're in search of a multifaceted natural health supplement that supports all kinds of functions, such as gut health and balanced cholesterol levels, then Maitake mushrooms may be the best option for you.

Chaga: Best for a Glowing Complexion

Chaga mushrooms have been all the talk among the health and wellness community in recent years. Some advocate that these unique mushrooms may be a factor in achieving glowing skin due to the high contents of antioxidants, melanin, vitamins, and minerals. They are believed to protect the skin from UV radiation, reduce skin sensitivity, and facilitate a youthful and hydrated complexion.

Making Your Own Mushroom Tincture: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to channel your DIY skills by creating your own mushroom tincture, look no further! We have created a step-by-step guide to ensure you create a nutrient-rich tincture packed with magnificent health and wellness benefits. Be sure to follow each step below to get the most power in your few drops at each use:

Step 1: Gather the Necessary Ingredients and Equipment

To begin, ensure you have all the right equipment and ingredients prepared. This includes having the right amount of your chosen mushroom, a high-proof alcohol (such as vodka), a glass jar or bottle, a fine mesh strainer, a kitchen funnel, and amber glass dropper bottles. Also, check you have a secure, cool, and dark place for storage.

Step 2: Clean and Dry the Mushrooms Thoroughly

Before you begin the alcohol extraction process, you must thoroughly clean mushrooms to ensure any debris is removed. Once clean, remove any excess moisture, as dried mushrooms will create a more concentrated and beneficial tincture. This step is crucial to ensuring your mushroom tincture is high-quality and has a long shelf-life.

Step 3: Break the Mushrooms Into Small Pieces to Increase the Surface Area for Extraction

Before adding the mushrooms to the alcohol, it's best to break them into small pieces or create a finely ground mushroom powder. This will increase the surface area exposed to the alcohol, encouraging a more effective extraction of the fungi's healthy compounds - in other words, this step will ensure a highly potent tincture.

Step 4: Add the Mushrooms and Alcohol to the Glass Jar

The next step is to add the broken or ground mushrooms into the glass jar with your chosen alcohol. During the alcohol extraction process, the compounds from the mushrooms will begin to infuse with the alcohol, forming the base of your tincture solution.

If you are preparing any functional mushroom tincture, we recommend opting for a dual extraction method. This involves using both hot water extraction and alcohol extraction methods. The dual extraction process will ensure you extract the full spectrum of compounds from the mushrooms.

Step 5: Seal the Jar Tightly and Store It in a Cool, Dark Place

Once you have created the base for your mushroom tincture, you must tightly seal the glass jar and store it in a cool, dark place for four to six weeks. This will protect the tincture from light and fluctuating temperature, ensuring a steady and effective extraction process. During this phase, the adaptogenic properties within the mushroom will gradually be absorbed into the alcohol.

Step 6: Strain the Tincture

After patiently waiting four to six weeks for your tincture solution to properly infuse, it will be ready for the tea process! Before transferring the mushroom tincture to your dropper bottles, thoroughly strain it using the fine mesh strainer. Then take the strained mushroom fiber and make a tea for 20-120 minutes at around 130 degrees F. Then take this strained tea and combine it with your alcohol to achieve an alcohol content of around 35%. You can use an alcohol dilution calculator online to figure out exactly how many ml of tea to add to your alcohol to get the desired 35% alcohol. 

Step 7: Store the Tincture in a Labeled Amber bottle in a Cool, Dark Place

The final step is to transfer your strained mushroom tincture into amber dropper bottles using the kitchen funnel to avoid any wasteful spillages. The amber bottles will shield your mushroom tincture from light exposure, ensuring it stays potent and effective from start to finish. It's also important to continue storing your tincture in a dark and cool place.

Dosage and Usage Guidelines for Mushroom Tinctures

Because mushroom tinctures are highly potent supplements, they are to be taken in moderate and controlled amounts. It's best advised to have one to two drops a day of mushroom tincture to ensure your body receives an effective amount of nutrients. 

You can take the mushroom tincture directly in your mouth or add it to a beverage you choose, such as water, tea, smoothies, or juice.

Usage Constraints

As with any change in lifestyle, before incorporating any form of mushrooms into your routine, it's advisable to understand your body and any current medical conditions you have before commencing. 

For general knowledge of your current health and in particular If you are currently taking medication or have any underlying health concerns, it's prudent to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating mushrooms into your diet. 

Takeaway

With their potent contents, some believe that mushroom tinctures may pose as promising supplements for health and well-being. Mushroom tinctures are a concentrated way to incorporate mushrooms into your routine, traditionally valued for their general wellness support.They have a range of wonderful supplementary benefits to health, including immune system functioning support, inflammatory system support, cognitive performance support, and so much more! Creating your own tinctures can be immensely rewarding and cost-effective, empowering you to produce your own homemade supply of concentrated mushroom nutrients.