Making Organic Medicinal Mushroom Tinctures
How organic mushroom tinctures are made, what a dual extract is, and how to choose the best mushroom tincture in the UK.
In this guide
A mushroom tincture is a liquid extract of a functional mushroom, such as reishi, chaga or lion's mane, that you take in drops. The best mushroom tinctures in the UK are made from organic fruiting bodies, dual extracted with water and alcohol, and tested for heavy metals. Here is how organic mushroom tinctures are made, what each one is used for and how to take mushroom drops.
Key takeaways
- Mushroom tinctures, also called mushroom drops or liquid mushroom extracts, are a quick and easy way to take functional mushrooms every day.
- Dual extraction uses water for water-soluble compounds like beta-glucans and alcohol for fat-soluble compounds, so you get a more complete, potent extract.
- Quality starts with where the mushrooms grow. Clean soil, air and water mean a purer product with no heavy metal residues.
- Lion's mane is popular for the brain, reishi for relaxation, chaga for immunity, cordyceps for energy and turkey tail for gut health.
- Most people take 1ml (about 20 drops) a day, under the tongue or in a drink: one full pipette from the 30ml bottle or half a pipette from the 50ml. No more than 2ml a day.
What is a mushroom tincture?
A mushroom tincture is a concentrated liquid made by soaking dried mushrooms to draw out their beneficial compounds. You measure it with a pipette, about 20 drops (1ml) a day. That is why you will often see them sold as mushroom drops or mushroom extract drops.
Tinctures are made from functional mushrooms, the medicinal mushrooms used in traditional medicine for centuries. Today they are popular in the UK for their adaptogenic and antioxidant properties. Compared with powders, drops are easy to measure, quick to take and simple to add to tea, coffee or water.
How are organic mushroom tinctures extracted?
The cell walls of mushrooms are tough, so their goodness needs help to come out. How a tincture is extracted has a big effect on what ends up in the bottle.
Dual extraction is the most popular method for medicinal mushrooms in the UK. It uses both alcohol and water. Alcohol extraction draws out the fat-soluble compounds, and water extraction draws out the water-soluble compounds, such as beta-glucans. The result is a more complete and potent extract than either method alone.
Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) has also grown in popularity. High-frequency sound waves break down the mushroom cell walls, which makes extraction more efficient. Our tinctures use ultrasonic-assisted dual extraction with water and ethanol.
| Method | How it works | What it draws out |
|---|---|---|
| Water (hot water) | Mushrooms are simmered in water | Water-soluble compounds such as beta-glucans |
| Alcohol | Mushrooms are soaked in food-grade alcohol | Fat-soluble compounds such as triterpenes |
| Dual extraction | Water and alcohol extracts are combined | Both groups, for a fuller spectrum |
| Ultrasound-assisted | Sound waves open the cell walls | Makes the extraction more efficient |
Why where the mushrooms grow matters
When you add organic medicinal mushrooms to your health routine, you want them grown in the best possible conditions. The soil, air and water used to grow functional mushrooms should be of the highest quality, so the final product is pure and effective.
Finland has become known for its exceptional standards in growing medicinal mushrooms. Its unique climate and clean environment make it a perfect place to grow reishi, chaga, lion's mane and many more. Finland's strict regulations help make sure mushrooms grown there are of the highest quality and purity.
Our mushrooms are grown organically in the clean forests of Finland. We use only the fruiting body, the actual mushroom, rather than mycelium grown on grain. Each tincture is then bottled in amber glass here in the UK to protect every drop from light.
How to choose the best mushroom tinctures in the UK
Not all mushroom drops are equal. Some companies use mushrooms grown in poor conditions, which can leave heavy metal residues in the final product. Mushrooms absorb what is around them, so this should be avoided for your health and safety.
Use this checklist when you buy a mushroom tincture:
- Organic mushrooms grown in clean soil, air and water.
- Fruiting body rather than mycelium on grain, so there is no starchy filler.
- Dual extracted with water and alcohol for a full spectrum of compounds.
- Lab tested for purity and potency, and free from heavy metal residues.
- Amber glass and a clear daily dose on the label.
Our tinctures tick every box. They are dual extracted, lab tested for purity and potency, and independently tested for heavy metals. We are proud to offer some of the highest quality functional mushroom tinctures in the UK.
Which medicinal mushroom is best for you?
The best medicinal mushroom depends on your health goals. Each one has its own strengths, so many people start with one tincture, then add a second.
| Mushroom | Known as | Traditionally used for |
|---|---|---|
| Lion's mane | The focus mushroom | Brain health, focus and memory |
| Reishi | The king of medicinal mushrooms | Relaxation, stress, sleep and immunity |
| Chaga | The antioxidant mushroom | Immunity and the body's natural defences |
| Cordyceps | The energy mushroom | Energy, stamina and endurance |
| Shiitake | The everyday mushroom | Immune support and heart health |
| Turkey tail | The gut mushroom | Gut health and immunity, rich in PSK and PSP |
Want to go deeper? Read our guides to lion's mane for brain health and focus and turkey tail mushroom tincture.
Pro tip
Looking for a mushroom blend? You can pair tinctures by goal: lion's mane in the morning for focus and reishi in the evening to wind down. Our mushroom bundles and trios group them for you, and the Mushroom Complex capsule combines six mushrooms in one.
How to take mushroom drops
Mushroom drops are simple to use. Shake the bottle first, then measure your dose with the pipette.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much? | 1ml (about 20 drops) a day: one full pipette from the 30ml bottle or half a pipette from the 50ml. No more than 2ml a day |
| How? | Hold under your tongue for about 20 seconds, then swallow, or stir into water, tea, coffee, juice or a smoothie |
| When? | Energy and focus mushrooms in the morning, reishi in the evening |
| With food? | With or without food, whichever suits you |
| How long? | Take them daily and give them a few weeks, as consistency matters most |
The taste is earthy. If you find it strong on its own, a splash of water or juice softens it.
Are mushroom tinctures safe?
Functional mushroom tinctures are food supplements and are generally well tolerated. They are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet or for medical care.
Safety first
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical care, speak to your doctor before use. If you have surgery coming up, tell your doctor you take them.
- Do not exceed the suggested daily intake on the label.
- Avoid them if you are allergic to mushrooms.
- Our tinctures contain 22% alcohol from the extraction. Take this into account if you avoid alcohol.
- Do not give them to pets without asking your vet first, as alcohol-based tinctures are not suitable for animals. For pets, read our guide to turkey tail for dogs and cats.
- Keep out of reach of children, and store in a cool, dry place.
FAQs
What is a mushroom tincture used for?
Mushroom tinctures are used to add functional mushrooms to your daily routine. People take them for brain health and focus, immunity, relaxation, energy and gut health, depending on the mushroom.
Which is the best medicinal mushroom?
It depends on your health goals. For brain health, lion's mane is popular. For immunity, reishi and chaga stand out, and many people in the UK choose turkey tail for gut health. Whichever you pick, choose an organic, dual-extracted tincture for the best potency and purity.
What are the 7 powerful mushrooms?
The seven most powerful medicinal mushrooms often include reishi, chaga, lion's mane, turkey tail, shiitake, maitake and cordyceps. They offer benefits like immune support, cognitive support and an energy boost.
What mushrooms are good for medicinal purposes?
Reishi is used for relaxation, chaga for immunity, lion's mane for brain health and cordyceps for energy. These functional mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries and are now popular in the UK for their adaptogenic and antioxidant properties.
What is the king of medicinal mushrooms?
Reishi is often called the king of medicinal mushrooms, thanks to its powerful immune-boosting and stress-reducing effects. It has been used in Asia for centuries and is now widely available in the UK.
How do you take mushroom drops?
Take 1ml (about 20 drops) a day: one full pipette from the 30ml bottle or half a pipette from the 50ml bottle. Do not take more than 2ml a day. Hold the drops under your tongue for 20 seconds, or stir them into water, tea or coffee.
What is a dual extraction mushroom tincture?
A dual extraction tincture uses both water and alcohol. Water draws out compounds like beta-glucans, and alcohol draws out fat-soluble compounds, giving a more complete and potent extract.
Can you take more than one mushroom tincture?
Yes. Many people combine two or three, such as lion's mane, cordyceps and reishi. Keep to the daily dose on each label, and speak to your doctor first if you take medication.
The bottom line
The best mushroom tinctures start with organic mushrooms grown in clean conditions, use the fruiting body and are dual extracted and lab tested for purity. Choose the mushroom that matches your goal, take it daily and give it a few weeks. Explore every tincture in our functional mushrooms collection.
This information is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition, and it does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare practitioner for treatment. Take care if you are diabetic, epileptic, pregnant, breastfeeding or have a serious health condition.
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