What is a tincture?
Tinctures are a method of preserving and concentrating beneficial compounds from a wide array of plants and mushrooms.
Our mushroom tinctures are a concentrated liquid extract made using a dual-extraction process with alcohol and water to draw out their beneficial compounds such as beta-glucans, terpenes, and polysaccharides. This ensures that both alcohol-soluble and water-soluble compounds are extracted for maximum potency. We add additional fresh mushrooms at each step to ensure each bottle is packed full of beneficial compounds. Our tinctures are composed of 3 ingredients: the mushroom extract, organic alcohol, and water.
Our elderberry tinctures are a concentrated liquid extract made with farm-grown berries harvested at peak freshness and extracted in a high quality organic vodka extract. To balance the bitterness, we add a small amount of local honey.
What are the benefits?
Traditional medicine as well as modern research has a deep body of knowledge, there are numerous benefits to mushroom extracts from whole fruiting bodies. Think of a tincture as offering a concentrated version of what you get in the mushrooms in a convenient size (you can even fly with it!) and form that allows you to consistently access the compounds. Some of the most common that convey wellness benefits include:
Water-Soluble Compounds: beta-glucans and polysaccharides, and peptids (key for immune modulation).
Alcohol-Soluble Compounds: triterpenoids, sterols, and phenolic compounds (important for anti-inflammatory, liver-protective, and antiviral effects).
How should they be used?
Most tinctures are taken by placing 1–2 droppers under the tongue or added to water, tea, coffee, or smoothies. They can be taken daily for ongoing support and consistent usage is key to maximizing the benefits. Take a dose at the same time each day, typically in the morning. A 2 oz bottle typically lasts about one month if taken regularly.
How do they taste?
Mushroom tinctures taste like mushrooms! Our Lion's Mane has a slightly sweet taste while the immunity blend is more earthy, and the elderberry is fruity and sweet. If you don’t prefer the flavor you can mask it in tea, juice, or a smoothie.
Are tinctures safe?
Generally, yes — However, individuals with allergies, immune disorders, or who are on medications should consult a healthcare provider first. 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.
How should I store tinctures?
Keep them in a cool, dark place away from sunlight. Tinctures typically have a shelf of one to three years!
What is the difference between mushroom extracts made from mycelium vs fruit body?
Mycelium is the thread-like fibers that are grown before mushrooms can fruit. Many medicinal products on the market are made from mycelium, which offer a less potent suite of beneficial compounds. Further, in commercial mycelium-based products (especially in the U.S.), mycelium is often grown on sterilized grain (rice, oats, etc.).
These are not fully separated from the substrate at harvest, resulting in a dilution of active compounds—sometimes up to 60–70% of the product is just grain starch, not fungal material.
What is the difference between a tincture vs using powders for a medicinal effect?
The main question is how well the body can access and absorb key compounds— especially beta-glucans, triterpenoids, and other polysaccharides—when consuming dried mushroom powder versus using extracts.
Most of the therapeutic effects demonstrated in research (especially serious applications like cancer adjunct therapy) have been based on extracted forms, not raw powders. Extracts show measurable immune activation, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory outcomes. Additionally, some powders are actually from a grain-based mycelium which further dilutes any positive effects.
In sum, tinctures are more bioavailable and fast-acting, while powders are convenient for cooking or smoothies. Tinctures also concentrate both water- and alcohol-soluble compounds.
Citations and further reading:
Wasser, S. P. (2002).
Title: Medicinal mushrooms as a source of antitumor and immunomodulating polysaccharides
Journal: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 60(3), 258–274
Relevance: A foundational review of bioactive polysaccharides from cultivated mushrooms including Shiitake, Turkey Tail, and Oyster. Highlights hot-water-extracted beta-glucans and immune benefits.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-002-1076-7
Boh, B., et al. (2007).
Title: Ganoderma lucidum and its pharmaceutically active compounds
Journal: Biotechnology Annual Review, 13, 265–301
Relevance: While focused on Reishi, this paper also outlines dual-extraction methods and their application for isolating triterpenes and polysaccharides — applicable to other medicinal species including Turkey Tail and Shiitake.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1387-2656(07)13010-6
Zervakis, G. I., et al. (2014).
Title: A critical approach to the evaluation of dietary supplements: the case of medicinal mushrooms
Journal: International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 16(1), 1–17
Relevance: Discusses quality control, extraction techniques, and bioactivity of cultivated mushrooms including Oyster and Shiitake.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v16.i1.10
Mori, K., et al. (2009).
Title: Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells
Journal: Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 32(5), 861–864
Relevance: Specific to cultivated Lion’s Mane, confirms the neurotrophic benefits of hot-water-extractable compounds.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.32.861
Jayakumar, T., et al. (2011).
Title: Experimental and clinical pharmacology of Lentinula edodes (Shiitake mushroom): a review
Journal: Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 1(1), 49–55
Relevance: Reviews Shiitake’s immunomodulatory and cholesterol-lowering compounds, including lentinan (polysaccharide) and eritadenine (lipid-lowering).
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/S2225-4110(16)30069-0
Fisher, M., & Yang, L. X. (2002).
Title: Anticancer effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide-K (PSK) from Turkey Tail
Journal: Anticancer Research, 22(3), 1737–1754
Relevance: Details hot-water-extracted PSK (polysaccharide-K) from cultivated Trametes versicolor, widely used in integrative cancer therapy.
🔗 PubMed
Cheung, L. M., et al. (2003).
Title: Antioxidant activity and total phenolics of edible mushroom extracts
Journal: Food Chemistry, 81(2), 249–255
Relevance: Compares water- and ethanol-extractable antioxidants from cultivated mushrooms like Oyster, Shiitake, and others.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(02)00419-3
Zhang, Y., et al. (2007).
Title: Comparative study of polysaccharide and triterpenoid content in dual-extracts of medicinal mushrooms
Journal: International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 9(3), 283–289
Relevance: Reviews dual-extraction protocols across multiple species including Shiitake, Turkey Tail, and Oyster mushrooms.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v9.i3.70
Li, I. C., et al. (2018).
Title: Neurohealth properties of Hericium erinaceus mycelia enriched with erinacine A: a clinical study
Journal: BioMed Research International, Article ID 3160329
Relevance: Confirms Lion’s Mane’s alcohol-soluble erinacines as neuroactive compounds — supports need for ethanol in dual extraction.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3160329
Mattila, P., et al. (2002).
Title: Sterol and vitamin D2 contents in some wild and cultivated mushrooms
Journal: Food Chemistry, 76(3), 293–298
Relevance: Discusses ergosterol and vitamin D2 precursors in cultivated Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms, extracted via alcohol.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(01)00285-X