What Are Functional Mushroom Tinctures?

Functional mushroom tinctures have become a wellness buzzword in recent years, and for good reason. These powerful plant-based remedies, made with medicinal mushrooms, are full of health advantages that go ahead your usual supplement. If your aim is to strengthen your immune system, have better brain function, or just to have overall wellness, functional mushroom tinctures will be a choice for many who prefer natural cures. But what exactly are these tinctures, and how do they work?

This guide will take you to the in-depth world of functional mushroom tinctures, scrutinising their advantages, how they are made, and why you should think of adding them into your normal wellness routine.

What are Functional Mushrooms?

Functional mushrooms are mushrooms that are not like the usual culinary mushrooms such as portobello or shiitake, but they are mushrooms that are thought to be better for health and healing beyond their nutritional value. These mushrooms have been a part of the traditional medicine systems for hundreds of years, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, due to their ability to help the body's immune system combat diseases, strengthen mental clarity, and reduce stress. The functional mushrooms which are a staple in the list of the most popular and we currently love:

Reishi Also called the "Mushroom of Immortality," it is best known for being an adaptogen and immune system booster.

Lion's Mane It is a supplement that is famous for enhancing the function of the brain thus enabling memory and overall brain health.

Chaga It contains antioxidants and fights inflammation and oxidative stress.

Cordyceps The mushroom has the capability of producing several bio stimulated products such as polysaccharide and the like which can help in various health issues.

These mushrooms give people three major bioactive components, beta-glucans, polysaccharides, and triterpenes. These are also known for their varied health benefits. One of the advantages of eating a whole mushroom is that it also includes other protein and antioxidants that may help prevent honest to goodness diseases. Therefore, tinctures can be done through techniques like: running the material through a solvent, steaming, or American dry-farming, and more. That permits the water to evaporate, isolating the feedstock. At the end of this step, the farm produce tinctures of vitamins (tincture formulations are specifically for vitamins).

What is a tincture?

Tincture is a type of liquid extract of herbs, mushrooms, or other plants, which is made by immersing them in alcohol or another solvent to extract the active ingredients. For mushroom tinctures, the typical process involves both alcohol extraction and hot water extraction to make sure that all the bioavailable compounds are captured known as dual-extraction.

Why Alcohol?

Alcohol is most often utilised in tinctures as it is extremely efficient at extracting both fat-soluble as well as water-soluble compounds from mushrooms. The active substances of such as triterpenes, polysaccharides, and beta-glucans which are the source of the most health benefits of functional mushrooms are then on the list. Additionally, tinctures made with alcohol can be saved for a longer time as alcohol acts as a preservative, while these health supplements are made of other variations, such as powders and capsules.

Tincture vs. Other Mushroom Products

So what about mushroom powders, teas, or capsules; why go with a tincture? The primary advantage gained from bioavailability being the fact that the body has the ability to uptake and use the substance is the key advantage. Mushroom tinctures inherently have higher levels of bioactive compounds and since they are liquid, they are absorbed faster into the blood, particularly, when taken under the tongue. Tinctures are thus the most convenient way to achieve the most beneficial effects of functional mushrooms since they are rapid and effective.

Psst... are you interested in trying our tinctures, see our 'Focus' and 'Relax' blends in our store.

SHOP BLENDS

Health Benefits of Functional Mushroom Tinctures

Functional mushroom tinctures come with a myriad of health benefits which makes them a worthy inclusion to anyone’s wellness toolbox. Here are some of the best benefits that have the most research and appreciation:

1. Immune Support

The number one reason people seek functional mushrooms is the immune-enhancing effects that they have. Reishi and Turkey Tail mushrooms among many others contain beta-glucans that act to enhance one’s immune system by facilitating the action of macrophages and NK cells, which are crucial defenders of the body from pathogens.

2. Cognitive Health and Brain Function

Lion’s mane are the mushrooms for you if you wish to invent some razor sharp ideas and defend your cognitive well being. This has always been associated with his ability to promote the synthesis of a protein known as Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which plays a key role in growth, maintenance, and survival of neuronal cells.

Further reading An article dated back to National Library of Medicine stated that Lion's Mane may enhance cognitive function, as well as helps in the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's. Read the complete article here.

3. Increased Energy and Stamina

Athletes and fitness lovers have embraced the mushroom cordyceps due to the energy and stamina it gives, which has earned its fame. This, in turn, makes the mushrooms improve generation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is the energy currency of the cells whereby in performing physical activities and also after such activities recovering from them is enhanced.

4. Helps Relieve Stress and Sleep Quality

Mushrooms such as Reishi are considered as ‘adaptogens’, which refers to their ability to help the body counteract the stress response. Moreover, there are also other claims of Reishi mushroom use that includes the relaxing effects and the elevating the quality of sleep by decreasing the levels of the stress hormone- cortisol. By passing adaptogenic attributes it can be utilised during mood stabilisation and mental health, self-improvement programs.

5. Antioxidant influence

Chaga on the other hand would be an example of a medicinal mushroom which is known to have healing properties, in terms of its antioxidant content, it is a substance that helps in the fight against diseases that is enriched. Antioxidants literally act like firefighters, running around the cells to hunt down and extinguish the free radicals causing oxidative stress in the organism. This is particularly applicable in reducing the influence of long-term illnesses and consequently increases the possibility of a longer life.

Further reading A paper or perhaps a report published on ScienceDirect deals with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of Chaga. Read the complete article here.

How to Use Functional Mushroom Tinctures

Adding mushrooms that contain nutrients which play a role in overall well-being to your daily routine is an easy task, but it's crucial to use these treasures properly in order to get the most benefits. Let's go through the process here:

Dosage Guidelines

Follow the dosage on the bottle of the tincture. The doses usually range from some dripping to a full dropperful, as far as the tincture concentrations are concerned. Beginners are advised to start with low dose and then increase the dose once your body gets used to the supplement.

When to Take Them

Time can differ based on the mushroom as well as the type of its effect. e.g.

Take Cordyceps in the morning or before a workout to increase energy.

Mountain Elfin during the day would also be good for the eyes and mind.

Reishi is also a great way to detoxify and relax.

optimal way to consume

Sublingual (Under the Tongue) Put the tincture under your tongue for the fastest absorption of the drug into the bloodstream - our favourite and most recommended!

In Drinks Mix a few drops of it into your favourite coffee or tea or smoothie.

In Food Other people like putting their tincture in soups, dressings, or desserts for a health boost. It can be fun to eat one's greens in this way, don't you think?

Are Functional Mushroom Tinctures Safe?

Functional mushroom tinctures are generally safe for most people. Having that said, like any supplement, it’s important to use them responsibly. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Potential Side Effects

On very rare occasions, there may be mild side effects such as digestive upset or allergic reactions in certain people. In case it’s your maiden voyage with the functional mushrooms, initiate with a small dose and monitor how your body acts.

Who Should Avoid Them?

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should have a discussion with their physician about the use of functional mushroom tinctures, but in most cases should totally avoid.

Health professionals should be consulted if one is using immunosuppressant drugs or has autoimmune conditions, because mushrooms like Reishi may modulate the immune system.

Where to Buy High-Quality Mushroom Tinctures?

With an ever growing demand and market growth of functional mushroom supplements it's important that you feel you can trust the product you're consuming. Our Scandi Shroom blends are grown in one of the most mycorrhizal diverse regions in the Nordics in the heart of Värmland Sweden. We use the gold standard of extraction, dual-extraction to ensure the highest biodiversity in ever drop.

Check out our blends today and see for yourself!