How To Make A Mushroom Tincture

You make a mushroom tincture by extracting the beneficial compounds from mushrooms into a high-proof alcohol over several weeks.

It’s a simple, old-school method that lets you preserve the potency of foraged or store-bought mushrooms.
 
Making a mushroom tincture is one of the best ways to have a concentrated, shelf-stable herbal remedy on hand.
 
In this post, we’ll walk you through every step of how to make a mushroom tincture, from choosing your mushrooms to bottling the final extract.
 
Let’s dive in and get your mushroom tincture started.
 

How to Make a Mushroom Tincture: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

When learning how to make a mushroom tincture, the process is actually quite forgiving for beginners.
 
The basic idea is that alcohol pulls out both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds from the mushroom matter.
 
This is why a mushroom tincture can capture a broader spectrum of beneficial constituents than a simple tea can.
 
It’s also why many herbalists consider the mushroom tincture to be the most effective way to preserve a mushroom’s medicinal value.
 
Let’s explore the core principles behind making a high-quality mushroom tincture.
 

1. Choose the Right Mushroom for Your Tincture

Your mushroom tincture will only be as good as the mushrooms you start with.
 
You can use fresh mushrooms, but dried mushrooms are actually preferred for making a mushroom tincture because they contain less water.
 
Less water means the alcohol won’t get diluted, which helps extract more effective compounds.
 
If you’re a beginner learning how to make a mushroom tincture, start with a common culinary-medicinal mushroom like reishi, lion’s mane, or chaga.
 
Make sure your mushrooms are clean, free of dirt, and completely dry before beginning the mushroom tincture process.
 
You’ll want to weigh your dried mushrooms so you can calculate the correct alcohol-to-mushroom ratio.
 

2. Pick the Perfect Alcohol for Your Mushroom Tincture

The alcohol you choose matters a lot when you learn how to make a mushroom tincture.
 
You want a high-proof alcohol, typically at least 80 proof, but 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume) is ideal.
 
Vodka, brandy, or everclear are all popular choices for a mushroom tincture.
 
The stronger the alcohol, the better it will pull out the resinous and water-insoluble compounds found in many medicinal mushrooms.
 
Don’t use rubbing alcohol or anything denatured, as that’s toxic and not safe for a consumable mushroom tincture.
 
You can also add a double-extraction step, but for a simple mushroom tincture, just stick with high-proof alcohol alone.
 

3. The Mason Jar Method for Your Mushroom Tincture

Now that you have your dried mushrooms and alcohol, it’s time to actually make the mushroom tincture.
 
Place your dried mushrooms in a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
 
Pour the alcohol over the mushrooms until they’re completely submerged by at least an inch or two.
 
This is called the menstrum-to-marc ratio, but really, just make sure no mushroom pieces are sticking out of the alcohol.
 
Seal the jar tightly and give it a good shake to mix the contents of your mushroom tincture well.
 
Now put the jar in a cool, dark place like a cabinet or pantry to begin the extraction period.
 

Patience and Time: The Key to a Strong Mushroom Tincture

If you want a potent mushroom tincture, patience is your best friend.
 
The extraction process doesn’t happen overnight, and you’ll need to let your mushroom tincture steep for at least four to six weeks.
 
During this time, the alcohol is slowly pulling out the medicinal compounds from the mushroom cell walls.
 
Some tougher mushrooms, like chaga, may require an even longer steeping period to extract fully into your mushroom tincture.
 
You should shake the jar gently every few days to keep the mixture agitated and help the extraction process along.
 
Don’t be tempted to open the jar or taste it too early, as that lets oxygen in and can degrade the quality of your mushroom tincture.
 
Let’s look at how to handle the waiting period and finish your mushroom tincture properly.
 

1. Shake It Gently, Not Vigorously

When you shake your jar during the steeping period, use a gentle motion.
 
Aggressive shaking can introduce too much oxygen into the mixture, which can oxidize certain delicate compounds in your mushroom tincture.
 
A simple swirl or a few light shakes every couple of days is all you need to keep things moving.
 
This gentle agitation helps the alcohol reach all surfaces of the mushroom matter.
 
It’s a small detail, but it makes a real difference in the final quality of your mushroom tincture.
 

2. Strain and Bottle Your Mushroom Tincture

After four to six weeks, your mushroom tincture is ready to be strained.
 
Get a fine-mesh strainer or a piece of cheesecloth and place it over a large glass measuring cup or bowl.
 
Pour the entire contents of the jar through the strainer to separate the liquid mushroom tincture from the spent mushroom pieces.
 
Squeeze the cheesecloth gently to extract every last drop of the alcohol from the mushrooms.
 
Then, pour your finished mushroom tincture into dark amber glass dropper bottles for storage.
 
The dark glass protects your mushroom tincture from light degradation, keeping it fresh for years.
 

3. Proper Storage and Dosage of Your Mushroom Tincture

Once bottled, your mushroom tincture should be stored in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight.
 
A kitchen cabinet or a medicine cabinet works perfectly for your mushroom tincture.
 
Due to the high alcohol content, a properly made mushroom tincture can last for several years without losing potency.
 
Typical dosage is one to two full droppers (about 1–2 ml) taken one to two times daily.
 
You can take your mushroom tincture directly under the tongue or mix it into a small amount of water or tea.
 
Start with a lower dose to see how your body reacts before you increase your mushroom tincture intake.
 

Can You Make a Mushroom Tincture Without Alcohol?

If you’re avoiding alcohol, you might wonder if you can still make a mushroom tincture.
 
The short answer is that a true mushroom tincture requires alcohol to properly extract certain compounds.
 
However, you can make a glycerite instead, which uses vegetable glycerin instead of alcohol.
 
Glycerites are much less potent than an alcohol-based mushroom tincture, especially for tough, woody mushrooms.
 
They also have a shorter shelf life and need to be refrigerated.
 
So while you can make a non-alcoholic extract, it won’t be a true mushroom tincture in the classic sense.
 
For the full medicinal benefits and longest shelf life, stick with your alcohol-based mushroom tincture.
 

So, How Do You Make a Mushroom Tincture?

You make a mushroom tincture by steeping dried mushrooms in high-proof alcohol for four to six weeks.
 
It’s a simple process that requires just a jar, some mushrooms, and a good amount of patience.
 
The final mushroom tincture is a concentrated, powerful extract that can be taken in drops for daily wellness support.
 
We’ve covered how to make a mushroom tincture from start to finish, from choosing your mushrooms to storing the finished product.
 
Now you have all the knowledge you need to create your very own mushroom tincture at home.
 
So go ahead and give it a try, and enjoy the process of crafting your own natural remedy.
 
Your mushroom tincture will be a rewarding addition to your herbal toolkit.