Your Complete Guide to Mushroom Tinctures

Mushroom tinctures are finally having their big moment… however they are not exactly new. Medicinal tinctures have been used for thousands of years to increase vitality and boost immunity. 

Given their recent rise in popularity, you might think that tinctures are a new type of product in the market, but tinctures have been around for thousands of years. Since ancient Egyptians first distilled alcohol, humanity has been using liquid as a solvent to produce potent herbal extracts for medicinal purposes.

However, given the recent interest in natural therapies, tinctures have started to make a comeback, with good reason of course. 

WHAT IS MUSHROOM TINCTURE?

A tincture is an extract of an herb or other plant material. Tinctures are prepared by first soaking the fresh or dried plant material in a solvent (usually alcohol) in order to extract some of the plant’s vital components. 

Let’s talk about the alcohol. Mushrooms are overflowing with nutrients like polysaccharides, triterpenes and proteins. But these nutrients are locked away behind a tough exterior made from chitin. And while hot water does work to draw out some of these nutrients, some compounds need a little more of a kick (ahem, alcohol).

One of these compounds is triterpenes. Triterpenes are present in a wide range of plants, animals and fungus – however, certain strains of mushroom have particularly high quantities of them.

Remarkable  Reishi is one of them. The triterpenes in Reishi are believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV, antiviral, antimicrobial and even anti-tumour agents. Its no wonder Reishi extract has been used in the east alongside traditional medicine for centuries!

Oh, and if you speak to any mushroom expert about Chaga, chances are they will mention its high triterpene content. The triterpenes in Chaga are also believed to activate the immune system, reduce inflammation and assist traditional cancer treatment.

Triterpenes are powerful stuff, folks. And adding alcohol is what will help you access them.

HOW LONG DO MUSHROOM TINCTURE EFFECTS LAST?

Each mushroom species has different potential benefits and effects, and these last different amounts of time. Tinctures made from Cordyceps mushrooms, for example, are often favoured for their energizing effect. As such, many users tend to administer this tincture in the morning to start their day with a burst of energy. These effects are said to last a few hours.

HOW TO TAKE MUSHROOM TINCTURE

The recommended daily dosage is 2 droppers per day. We like adding them to our coffee, tea, smoothie or whatever is on the menu!

WHICH TINCTURE IS BEST FOR ME?

It really comes down to personal preference as to which one is best for you. We’ve included a graphic below from Rainbo that breaks down what each tincture does for you.