Introducing… Mushroom Alchemy

 A Unique Dual Extracted Spagyric Mushroom Tincture 

Reishi, Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Shiitake, Maitake, Artist’s Conk, Turkey Tail
American Grown and Wildcrafted Mushrooms To Transfigure Your Deep Immune System Health*

Ganoderma Lucidum Mushroom

From the beginning, it was the mushrooms, more so than the plants, that first lured me into herbalism.

And that’s why I’m so excited to announce this brand new mushroom alchemy tincture that is a step above any other mushroom tinctures on the market.

The King, The Queen, and The Royal Court

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) has been called the King of Mushrooms. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has been called the Queen of Mushrooms. Think of the game of Chess. The king is critical to the goal of the game, meanwhile, the queen has all the moves.

Two parts Chaga to two parts Reishi forms the base pair and the foundation of this formula.

But that’s not all. The royal court is all here in the creation of this mushroom immune system supplement. One part of each of the following is added:

• Lion’s mane mushroom (Hericeum erinaceaus)
• Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes)
• Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa)
• Turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor)
• Artist’s conk mushroom (Ganoderma applanatum)

Did You Know… Mushroom DNA is Closer to Human DNA than Plant DNA?

It’s true. Tracing back our ancestral roots, we split off from fungi millions of years after the split from plants had occurred. [1] This is why we have many things common with mushrooms more so than with plants.

• Fry up a portobello mushroom and you’ll notice it tastes more like a steak than it does fruit or vegetables.
• Mushrooms produce Vitamin D like we do.
• Cells walls in fungi are made with chitin. While we humans don’t use this, other animals including insects and crustaceans do.
• While our hormones are primarily based on cholesterol and fungi on ergosterol, we both use lanosterol.

And then, there is how our immune systems interact…

The Intelligence of the MYCObiome

Your immune system is the bedrock of your health. If your immune system is working well, your health is strong. In 99% of cases, it doesn’t matter what you’re facing, this is true.

And fungi intelligence can help bring it there.*

Lion’s Mane Mushroom growing in its natural habitat.

It is important to realize that fungi, in their symbiotic relationships with trees, plants and even whole ecologies, are often the ones that are doing the immune system work for these allies, in a kind of exchange for nutrients.

Indeed, fungi do form an important part of us humans. While talking about the microbiome, and our symbiotic bacteria is all the rage today, few people realize the role that MYCObiome plays in the fungal component.

We often only think about this in negative terms (like we used to with bacteria!), such as candida and athlete’s foot. That’s because scientists are only beginning to understand the positive role fungi plays.

A review of the sparse literature about the mycobiome states, “The limitation of today’s immune therapies is that most target only a single fungal species, ignoring the overall mycobiome composition. To date, our knowledge of the mycobiome suggests that interactions among fungi within an environment and between mycobiomes found in different body sites may play an important role in pathogenesis.” [2]

Medicinal Mushrooms, Activators of Immunity

As one review by Patel and Goyal states, “Medicinal mushrooms represent a growing segment of today’s pharmaceutical industry owing to the plethora of useful bioactive compounds. While they have a long history of use across diverse cultures, they are backed up by reasonable scientific investigation now.” [3]

Look, we can’t really talk about some of the most beneficial things these mushrooms can do for your immune system, especially when faced with some of the major diseases of our time. But here are some of the big benefits:

Turkey Tail Mushroom flourishing on a fallen tree.

• DNA Protection*
• Immunomodulation*
• Lowering NF-κB (the pathway of inflammation)*
• Antioxidant*
• Activation of Apoptosis*

Here are just a few of the compounds inside and how they work to do this:

#1 Polysaccharides including Beta-Glucans (and Alpha-Glucans)

The beta glucans are one of the most well-known constituents of medicinal mushrooms. Plenty of research has shown how beta-glucans enhance macrophage and natural killer cell function. [4]*

These have been found to stimulate both innate and adaptive immune response.* More specifically, macrophages absorb beta-glucans and transport them to the bone marrow and elsewhere to act on the immune system.* “Beta-glucans of different sizes and branching patterns may have significantly variable immune potency.” [5]* For this reason, we feel it is best to get a mix of different types, like in these seven different mushrooms.

For example, Shiitake’s lentinan, a specific type of beta-glucan, suppressed cell proliferations. [3]*

Artist’s Conk Mushroom

#2 Glycoproteins, such as PSP and PSK

Also known as polysaccharide-peptides, these proteins can have additional benefits. Some of the most well-known, PSP and PSK, come from the Turkey Tail mushroom. These have been shown to limit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death).[3]*

“Polysaccharide-protein complexes are suggested to enhance cell-mediated immune responses…Potentiation of the host defense system may result in the activation of many kinds of immune cells that are vitally important for the maintenance of homeostasis.” [6]*

#3 Triterpenes including Sterols

Reishi is especially rich in triterpenes, such as ganoderic, ganodermic, ganoderenic and lucidenic acids. It’s cousin, Artist’s Conk likely has some of the same and different compounds. These have been shown to have immunomodulating properties. [7]*

Ergosterol peroxide (EPO) from maitake helps to modulate inflammation and activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB).[8] *

#4 Antioxidants from Phenols and Flavones

It’s not just brightly colored fruits and vegetables that have plenty of antioxidants. The medicinal mushrooms do too. [9] The dark color of mushrooms such as Chaga show this antioxidant power.*

#5 Prebiotics like Ogliosaccharides (Mannans, Xylans and Galactans)

While this is likely to come across more in powdered and edible mushrooms, some of it will still come through this tincture. These non-simple sugars are digested by the bacteria in the microbiome, setting up a healthy ecosystem. [10]*

These also have their own effects. Fucose, found in Reishi and Turkey Tail, has its own immunomodulating properties. [11]*

And there is still a whole bunch more. There are lipids, proteins, enzymes, secondary metabolites, as well as vitamins and minerals present. To catalog everything would take a book! This chart from one study shows some of the known mechanisms by which compounds inside these mushrooms work: [12]

There is much more than this. Between these seven mushrooms, there appears to be an effect on just about every bodily system from metabolism, endocrine, nervous, hepatic, digestive and beyond.*

Why Taking Mushroom Alchemy Tincture… Is like Insurance for Your Body

Look, this tincture isn’t as likely as some of our others to have immediate effects. People who are more sensitive may notice a calmness that comes from taking it (the Shen effect), but most people probably won’t feel a thing.

So why would you take this? This formula is much more of a support formula. It’s insurance.

You won’t feel your immune system working better…you may just stop getting sick if you’re on it regularly.*

You won’t feel your DNA being protected…you just may avoid some devastating things 10, 20, 30 years from now.*

Of course, I’m not saying take this and you won’t ever have any more problems. But it is a step in the right direction. I’ve personally been taking mushrooms such as those found in this formula for something like fifteen years now and I know I’m all the better for it.

When you realize just how potent these mushrooms can be for your health, and take them long term, you’ll begin to receive the benefits.*

And there are some other benefits of the individual mushrooms that we haven’t even talked about. Like Lion’s Mane and how it promotes NGF (nerve growth factor) which helps protect your brain. [13]* Or Maitake which is being investigated for its fat metabolism effects. [14]*

Next, I want to move onto the quality of this tincture, and how it stands apart from just about everything else that is out there…even our other mushroom supplements!

Wildcrafted and Cultivated Real Mushrooms from North America

We’re happy to announce that all of the mushrooms in this mushroom tincture are from North America.

Of the seven, five are wildcrafted. This includes Chaga, Maitake, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail and Artist’s Conk mushrooms. These all come from the Pacific Northwest, except the Chaga which comes from the Northeast.

It is important to note that in Chinese Taoist philosophy that wildcrafted mushrooms tend to have more “Shen” or spiritual attributes than their cultivated counterparts. Realize the importance of being grounded and able to handle stress…and how that affects your immunity.

Meanwhile, the reishi and shiitake are cultivated.

Note that this tincture is made with mushrooms or fruiting bodies only, not mycelium grown on grain, as many other mushroom products on the market are, and which several studies are showing are inferior in quality of their components. [15]

While not certified organic, it is grown according to those methods. No pesticides or other poisonous sprays are used in the growing, harvesting or processing of any of these mushrooms.

Soxhlet Dual Extraction and Spagyric Tincture

Not only do we have amazing mushrooms to start with in this seven mushroom tincture, but they’re processed in a unique method that nobody else in the market is using, which results in yielding the highest quality tincture.

A dual extraction is using alcohol and water to draw out all of the healthful components of the mushroom. This is important because some components are only water soluble (like many of the polysaccharides) while others are only alcohol soluble (such as the terpenes).

Because fungi are so complex dual extractions are almost a must, if you want all the benefits.

These are done with a Soxhlet extractor, which is a unique piece of glassware that allows you to further concentrate the tincture. (For more information on what a soxhlet is and how it works see this article.)

Furthermore, this is a spagyric tincture. This method from herbal alchemy has never really been applied to mushrooms before now! Not commercially anyway. The “salt” of the mushroom (meaning the soluble mineral matrix) is extracted through calcination (burning) and then added back into the tincture.

The 7 Inner Planets

Alchemy is heavily tied into astrology. Before you write that off, you must know luminaries such as Sir Isaac Newton and Paracelsus, one of the fathers of Wester Medicine, were alchemists.

The seven inner planets (Sun, Mercury, Venus, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn…and yes, I’m aware that two of those aren’t planets in the modern sense) correspond to various bodily and psychological systems. They also correspond to the seven mushrooms in this formula.

Sun – Reishi

Mercury – Lion’s Mane

Venus – Turkey Tail

Moon – Maitake

Mars – Chaga

Jupiter – Shiitake

Saturn – Artist’s Conk

Thus, this is another framework from which to perceive that this formula is a complete set for holistic health.

How to Take Mushroom Alchemy Tincture

Mushroom Alchemy comes in one-ounce (30mL) bottles. Note that this is half the size of our other tinctures and at a higher cost, but this tincture is of the highest quality mushrooms spagyrically extracted right here in the USA.

The taste is complex. You may first notice a note of chocolate from the Reishi. There are also notes of vanilla from the Chaga (this mushroom has vanillic acid in it). And the finish is a conglomeration of bitterness and more.

Most of our early testers have enjoyed the taste, though if you’re new to herbs and mushrooms you may not.

The recommended dosage is one dropper (approximately 15 drops or .75mL) twice per day. At this dose, each bottle will last you 20 days.
The recommended dose is just a starting point. Feel free to take more or less as you see fit.

Are you interested in Mushroom Powders?

We have a nice variety of mushroom powders available, I have mentioned those below.
We have found that many enjoy the powders to include in coffee/ tea and other mixtures, as well as taking the powder straight with water.

Chaga Mushroom Powder: Chaga is a curative mushroom most commonly found on birch trees. Chaga may be one of the best mushrooms for healthy immune function, antioxidants, reduces DNA damage, immune system enhancement, gastrointestinal support, liver protective, helps support optimal cognitive function, helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, both a Jing and Shen Tonic Herb according to Chinese Medicine.

Reishi Mushroom Powder: Mushroom of Immortality – Many tonic herbalists agree that if everyone was taking Reishi, the world would be a better place. It increases your sense of well-being and may enhance your personal evolution. Benefits may include modulated blood pressure and cholesterol, cardiovascular protection, stress reduction, immune system modulation, supports kidneys, liver, lungs and the brain, healthy blood sugar levels, helpful with joint pain, premiere Qi and Shen tonic herb according to Chinese Medicine.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder: The Mushroom for the Brain- is a type of edible mushroom, this mushroom has astounding mental regenerative abilities, unlike any other mushroom. This makes it a potent nootropic for the enhancement of the mind. It possesses the ability to stimulate the growth of neurons in the astrocytes by increasing NGF mRNA expression and can help repair the brain from physical damage.

Cordyceps Mushroom Powder:  Cordyceps Militaris, the Mushroom Loved by Athletes – This is considered both a strong Yin Jing and Yang Jing herb.
It is also considered a premier Lung tonic, DNA protective, immunoregulatory, and antioxidant which may lend to its fatigue diminishing capabilities.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.