It is common practice to use the terms tincture and extract interchangeably. However, the two are not interchangeable. Some ambiguity exists between the two, although distinguishing features center on their production processes.
Soaking mushrooms in a liquid solvent like vinegar, water, or alcohol yields a mushroom extract. The procedure of extraction helps to maximize the effectiveness of the active components.
On the other hand, when alcohol is used to soak the mushroom, you get a mushroom tincture. Therefore, a tincture might be considered an extract.
Okay, then why does everyone recommend dissolving mushrooms with alcohol?
Why Do People Use Mushroom Tinctures of Mushrooms?
You should understand that the idea of employing alcohol to produce a healthy and therapeutic mushroom product may seem strange at first. However, this isn’t an article on mushroom alcoholism. Here, the point is to discuss techniques for extracting their goodness.
Polysaccharides, triterpenes, and proteins are just a few of the many nutrients that may be found in abundance in mushrooms. However, these nutrients are protected by a chitinous shell. Some nutrients can be extracted using hot water, while others need a stronger solvent (ahem, alcohol).
Triterpenes are one kind of these chemicals. Although triterpenes may be found in a broad variety of organisms, certain mushroom varieties have very high concentrations.
One of them is the remarkable Reishi. Reishi’s triterpenes have been studied for their potential to fight inflammation, HIV, viruses, bacteria, and tumors. No surprise they’ve been using Reishi extract for ages in Eastern medicine.
Mushroom extracts
Oh, and if you ask any mushroom specialist about Chaga, they will probably tell you about the high triterpene concentration it has. Triterpenes found in Chaga have been linked to immune system stimulation, inflammation reduction, and enhancing the efficacy of standard cancer treatments.
Triterpenes, you guys, are some serious ammunition. More of their benefits can be found on the edible alchemy mushroom site if you want to dig further. And drinking them is what will open the door to them for you.
How Do You Prepare a Tincture of Mushrooms?
Many mycophiles then wonder what goes into making mushroom tinctures. And how can a company make responsible and beneficial usage of alcoholic beverages?
That’s why companies have revealed their two-step extraction method (including heat and alcohol).
- Mycelium, fruit body, and botanicals are placed in a pressure cooker with water to begin the hot water extraction process. Hot water extraction is useful in and of itself since it helps to degrade nutrients like polysaccharides.
- For around 10 hours at varying temperatures, the mushroom combination is cooked in a pressure cooker. The process of cooking will begin with a low pressure setting and increase it over the course of four hours. Next, the cook needs to let it cool for two hours after leaving it at room temperature for four hours under high pressure.
- The pressure cooker, in contrast to other heating techniques, can reach much higher temperatures. These techniques guarantee efficient chitin wall breakdown. The saying goes that patience is rewarded with the finest outcomes in life.
- Finally, how about some more sweetness? Alcohol extraction comes after hot water extraction. Click hereto learn more on the process of hot water extraction.
- After the hot water extraction, the residual mixture is filtered. The remaining mushroom material is soaked in alcohol (96.6% strength) for a week to extract any chemicals (like triterpenes) that dissolve in the solvent.
- However, before you start to think that the tincture may not be for you because you don’t drink alcohol… Just so you know, the final product won’t have 96.6% alcohol.
- After a week, the solution remaining from the boiling water extraction is blended with the liquid remaining from the alcohol extraction, yielding a product that contains just 30% alcohol.
The finished product comprises all active components from hot water and alcohol extraction.
This method of making tinctures guarantees the highest possible bioavailability, or absorption by the body. Additionally, tinctures have a lengthy storage life due to the alcohol content.
Tinctures can be safely stored in your home according to the proper handling procedures that are typically found on the product label, or on the product information page.
So long as you pay attention to the proper methods, you can keep mushroom tincture on hand.
Is There a Downside to Taking Tinctures of Mushrooms?
It would be irresponsible of tincture companies not to highlight the risks associated with mushroom tinctures. The fact is that alcohol may have negative effects for certain people.
Mushroom tinctures are not recommended for anybody who is pregnant, underage, has an alcohol use disorder, or practices a religion that prohibits alcohol.
Hot water extraction’s therapeutic benefits remain. Those who cannot partake in alcoholic beverages will appreciate the fact that mushroom powders are extracted using hot water.
Tinctures of Mushrooms: How to Use Them
Two milliliters a day, or half a milliliter twice a day, is what’s suggested. The strong flavor of alcohol means that tinctures (Tincture | definition of tincture by Medical dictionary (thefreedictionary.com)) are best diluted with other liquids.
Blend them into your morning beverage of choice. However, before beginning any mushroom supplementation, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor.
Seasonal plum, Quandong, berry gum, lemon myrtle, and mountain pepperberry are just some of the local botanicals that can be blended with some sustainably cultivated and ethically obtained mushrooms at your favorite mushroom tincture company.
The vitamin and antioxidant content of these herbs and flowers boosts the therapeutic benefits of the mushrooms. They also provide an authentic flavor to the tinctures.
