My Journey into Mycology & Health: From Growing Mushrooms to Creating Dual-Extract Tinctures

For the past two years, I’ve been deeply immersed in the world of mycology—growing and studying mushrooms, experimenting with cultivation techniques, and discovering their amazing health benefits. What started as a personal interest quickly evolved into a passion, leading me to develop my own dual-extract Reishi and Lion’s Mane tinctures. These products represent both my experience as a grower and my dedication to small-batch processing.

The Inspiration Behind My Mushroom Tinctures

My journey into mushroom cultivation began with a curiosity about natural health and a desire to work with functional fungi.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), known as the “Mushroom of Immortality,” stood out to me for its immune-modulating, adaptogenic, and anti-aging properties. This mushroom has been prized for over two thousand years in traditional medicine for promoting longevity [¹]. Recognizing that proper extraction techniques are essential to preserve these beneficial compounds, I was motivated to develop my own extracts.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), referred to as the “Mushroom of the Mind,” intrigued me due to its neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties. Studies suggest it can support nerve regeneration and brain function.

Freshly harvested organic Reishi mushrooms cultivated by NTI student for use in high-potency tinctures.

A pivotal moment in my journey was enrolling in NTI’s course, “Introduction to Herbology, Supplements, and Lab Assessments.” This course gave me a thorough understanding of botanical medicine and extraction techniques, teaching me how to maximize bioavailability, while preserving the medicinal compounds. It was here that I realized I wanted to create high-quality mushroom tinctures; products that I could trust for myself and others.

Beyond their traditional uses, recent studies suggest that medicinal mushrooms may support immune resilience which may complement medical interventions, including vaccines. Beta-glucans from fungi like Reishi have been shown to stimulate adaptive immunity, potentially enhancing vaccine response.

What Makes My Dual-Extract Tinctures Unique?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), decoctions commonly utilize only water-soluble beta-glucans. These brews are gently heated for extended periods to preserve molecular integrity and extract beneficial compounds. Interestingly, the alcohol-soluble triterpenes, strongly associated with anti-tumor properties in Reishi, were less emphasized in traditional practices.

Many contemporary mushroom products employ only one extraction method—either water or alcohol—limiting the range of active compounds available. Additionally, some cultivators use substrates from feed supplies that may contain heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and other contaminants, which I aimed to avoid from the outset.

Crafted for Purity, Potency, and Bioavailability

I oversee every aspect of the process—from cultivation and harvesting to dehydrating, grinding, and extracting beneficial compounds. My dual-extraction method ensures that both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble constituents are fully extracted, providing a full-spectrum product. I exclusively use the fruiting bodies for extraction, as this is where the beneficial compounds are concentrated.

The alcohol extraction process takes six weeks at room temperature after harvesting, dehydrating, and grinding fully matured mushrooms, then adding to the organic sugar cane alcohol. The water extraction can be completed in a 10-hour decoction. This time-intensive method mirrors traditional practices, which lacked access to modern lab equipment.

Most dual extracts utilize grain alcohol, which can impart a gritty and unpleasant taste. My tinctures are crafted using organic alcohol derived from sugar cane. This pharmaceutical-grade ethanol is naturally gluten-free, kosher, halal, vegan, non-GMO, and USDA organic.

Understanding that functional mushrooms like Reishi can absorb toxins from their environment, I ensure my mushrooms are cultivated on organic substrates. My grain spawn is made from organic millet. I pair American hardwoods (free from cutting oils) with organic soybean hulls to create my fruiting blocks. Both the agar and light malt extract used in petri work are non-GMO and organic. Additionally, I use biodegradable mushroom grow bags to minimize environmental impact.

Hot Water Extraction: Captures beta-glucans (immune-supporting polysaccharides).
Alcohol Extraction: Extracts triterpenes and diterpenes.
Slow, Delicate Processing: Avoids shortcuts, ensuring that every bottle delivers maximum potency and reduces degradation from overheating.

The result? High-quality tincture extracts that are potent, bioavailable, and deeply nourishing.

Bringing This Product to Market

Organic dual-extract Reishi and lions mane mushroom tincture bottles crafted by NTI student using fruiting bodies and traditional extraction methods.

Launching my own dual-extract tinctures has been both an exciting and humbling experience. From cultivating mushrooms to refining the extraction process, I’ve learned that attention to detail and quality control are crucial at every step.

As I bring this product to market, my goal is to offer extracts that stand apart from mass-produced alternatives—products crafted by someone who comprehensively understands the cultivation process, the science behind extraction methods, and the profound healing potential of these ancient mushrooms.

Why Consume Tinctures? Why Now?

With a growing interest in holistic health and functional mushrooms, more individuals are turning to these fungi for immune support, stress resilience, and cognitive enhancement. However, not all products are created equal. My focus is on purity, potency, and transparency, so that those who use my tinctures can feel confident in their efficacy.

For anyone looking to incorporate authentic, organically made, dual-extract Reishi or Lion’s Mane tinctures into their wellness routine, I invite you to explore my products and experience the difference.

Join Me on This Mycological Journey

To learn more about my cultivation practices, extraction techniques, and insights into herbal medicine, please visit my website: bloomcapnaturals.com

Thank you for allowing me to share my journey and passion for functional mushrooms. I hope my experiences inspire others to explore the remarkable world of mycology and its potential health benefits.

About the author:

References:

[¹] Stamets, P. (2000). Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms. Ten Speed Press.

“Medicinal Mushrooms: Bioactive Compounds, Use, and Clinical Trials,” PubMed Central, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7826851/.

“Health-Promoting Properties of Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Potential Application in Food Industry,” PubMed Central, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9000601/.

“The Addition of Reishi and Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder to Pasta: Impact on Antioxidant Properties and Health Benefits,” PubMed Central, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10044984/.