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August 18, 2021recipes
How to make a Reishi Dual-Extraction Tincture
We’re a huge fan of mushrooms here (obviously) and though we love to cook and eat them, did you know there are other ways to consume the goodness of mushrooms? Tinctures have been around since ancient Egyptian times. Since the invention of alcohol, humans have used tinctures as a means of preserving food and medicine.
A tincture is an extraction method using alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin. A double-extraction is the process of using both alcohol and water to extract different properties. Some beneficial properties in mushrooms called beta-glucans are water-soluble while other properties called triterpenes are alcohol-soluble. For that reason, it’s often best to use a double extraction method when making medicinal mushroom tinctures. Why not get all the goodness we can, right?
Reishi has amazing medicinal properties. Making a dual extraction tincture is a great way to reap those benefits!
Begin by chopping your dried Reishi into about quarter sized pieces. If it's too difficult to cut with a knife, you can break it up into small pieces with your hands.
Place chopped pieces in to a glass quart sized jar.
Now drown those puppies in vodka (filled about ¾ the way up).
Secure the lid and aggressively shake the jar.
Shake every day for a whole dang month. Shake it like the Cascadia Megathrust earthquake.
After a month, strain the Reishi-infused alcohol using a cheesecloth into another jar and set aside the soaked mushrooms.
In a large pot, bring half gallon of filtered water to a simmer.
Add the macerated Reishi to the water and simmer for about 2 hours. Do not forget about them!
The water should reduce to 8-16 ounces.
Let sit until the liquid is cool enough to handle. Strain the Reishi using a cheesecloth, squeezing out the liquid from the mushrooms. Compost the Reishi and keep the strained water.
Combine the water extract with the alcohol extract.
Store in a glass container and in a dark cabinet.
Recipe Note
Mushroom extracts will keep in a cool, dark place for about one year.
To use: Take a dropper full daily for immune support. For a lovely night's sleep, take one dropper full before bed every night.
