The popularity of medicinal mushroom tinctures is undoubtedly on the rise, but what are the benefits? And how should you use them? By understanding the basics, you'll be able to choose the tincture that's right for you.
How is medicinal mushroom tincture made?
Medicinal mushrooms (including lion's mane, chaga, cordyceps, reishi, and more) contain bioactive nutrients like polysaccharides and triterpenes that are "locked away" behind a tough exterior made of chitin. By soaking them in alcohol, these bioactive nutrients can be released and extracted to make mushroom tincture, which increases the bioavailability of the medicinal compounds.
What are the bioactive ingredients in mushroom tinctures?
As explained by pioneer mycologist Jeff Chilton, the key active compounds of medicinal mushrooms are:
- Beta-glucans, which support immunity, and are considered to be antibiotic and antiviral.
- Triterpenoids, which are found to be liver protective, lipid lowering, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and inhibit histamine release.
- Ergosterol, which has antitumor and antioxidant properties, and is a precursor to Vitamin D2.
- Statins, which, in high doses, have the ability to lower cholesterol.
And this is just what we know so far. More biologically active compounds are constantly being discovered, opening up a wide realm of possible therapeutic uses for medicinal mushrooms.
What's better - fruiting body extracts or mycelium extracts?
Many highly-regarded mycologists and research scientists believe making mushroom extracts from fruiting bodies is the most efficacious, natural, tried-and-true method to extracting supplements. This is because, they say, the mushroom supplement being extracted is 100 percent mushroom-based—thus, the end supplement is of a higher quality, offering a concentrated form of glyconutrients and other medicinal mushroom constituents. Not to mention the accumulated knowledge of generations of healers that have worked exclusively with mushroom fruit bodies. You can learn more here.
What do mushroom tinctures taste like?
Most mushroom tinctures have a slightly earthy flavor. Some species, like Reishi, have a slightly bitter aftertaste.
What is the best way to take mushroom tinctures?
Tinctures are meant to be taken orally and you can ingest them any way you choose! You can put the tincture directly under your tongue, add it to your favorite beverage, or put it into soft foods (like soups, sauces, or even salad dressing!) We like to add tincture to our wild-crafted Chaga tea for a super health boost!
Is there a best time of day to take mushroom tinctures?
It really depends on the desired effect. If you are taking tincture for focus, energy, or immunity, morning is best. If you are taking tincture for relaxation or sleep, taking with dinner is best.
What are the ingredients in North Spore's mushroom tinctures?
Our tinctures are comprised of 3 ingredients: the mushroom extract, alcohol, and water.
How are North Spore's mushroom tinctures made?
We use a double extraction technique to make all of our tinctures. To begin our tincture process, we dehydrate the mushroom fruiting bodies and soak them in 200 proof local organic alcohol for one month. Then, the fruiting bodies are separated from the alcohol solution and decocted in hot water. After the decoction, we dispose of the fruiting bodies because their nutrients have been extracted. Our final tincture is made when we combine the alcohol and water solutions to reach a final alcohol content of 30%.
From where are the mushrooms in North Spore's tinctures sourced?
The mushroom extracts used in our tinctures are sourced from a company called Nammex based in Exeter, California. Nammex works closely with organic Chinese mushroom farmers who use natural cultivation techniques developed over hundreds of years. These mushrooms are naturally grown in greenhouses; no unnatural substrates made from cereal grains or rice are used. This means you get only natural, nutrient-rich fruiting bodies in your tinctures: the most bang for your buck.
What is the dosage of North Spore mushroom tinctures?
We recommend you take 1/3 to 1 full dropper daily or as needed. Tinctures are meant to be used as a dietary supplement so be sure to check with your physician, healthcare professional, or herbalist before you begin a tincture routine.
Are mushroom tinctures safe for those who are pregnant, nursing, or have underlying health issues?
While mushroom tinctures are natural, it’s important that you consult a physician or healthcare professional before taking any supplement if you are pregnant, nursing, take medications, or have health issues. Medicinal mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that have the potential to interact with medications prescribed to regulate blood clotting, regulate blood sugar, regulate blood pressure, and suppress the immune system.