Fungi create the web of life by uniting bacteria and other microorganisms into balance. In nature, mushrooms help forests by supporting tree’s immunity and repelling harmful bacteria, and viruses. When taken internally mushrooms have a similar effect, which prevents colds, coughs, and the proliferation of cancer cells. Mushrooms have been found to help support our internal and external environment. The microcosm within a macrocosm.
Since the chemistry of medicinal mushrooms contains water-soluble (polysaccharides) and alcohol soluble molecules (phenolics and terpenoids). Some species of fungi have to be prepared in a special manner to preserve their delicate healing substances. This extraction process is known as “double extraction”.
5 Steps to Making Mushroom Tinctures
1. Choose your mushrooms
2. Chop
3. Make the alcohol extract
4. Make the water extract
5. Combine
The process of double extraction has been shown to preserve a wider spectrum of chemical activity. Maintaining its anti-pathogenic action, as well as its ability to balance the human immune response. This is extremely helpful for correcting allergies, bronchitis, and respiratory infections.
Winter is coming! It’s time to start building your immunity with mushroom tinctures. In this class we will explore the benefits of mushroom tinctures and each person will go home with a tincture they created in class.
What mushrooms make good tinctures???
- Red Reishi
(Ganoderma lucidum, G. tsugae)
Reishi is Japanese for “divine” or “spiritual mushroom”. It has been referred to as the the mushroom of immortality because it is associated with royalty, health, recuperation, longevity, sexual prowess, wisdom and happiness. Its powerful anti-oxidant and liver-protective effects help it slow the processes of aging.
Reishi seems to have a specific affinity for the respiratory system, buffering the inflammatory processes at work in asthma and allergies. It is extraordinarily effective for seasonal allergies and sensitivities to pet dander, molds, and chemicals.
- Chaga
(Inonotus obliquus)
A bizarre fungus that looks like a charred mass of wood, chaga grows almost exclusively on species of the birch tree (Betula). This tree has itself gained a reputation as a cancer-fighting plant,
Its anti-cancer power is legendary and medical research has demonstrated its effectiveness in lung, gastrointestinal, cervical and breast cancers for over fifty years.
It can also be used as a topical treatment for wounds, painful swellings, and visible tumors. Modern research reveals a mild blood-sugar-lowering effect as well.
Learn more as we create mushroom tinctures in class: https://practiceayurveda.com/classes/
