Homemade Shiitake Mushroom Tincture Recipe using Food Grade Ethanol

Shiitake mushrooms are celebrated not only as a delicious culinary ingredient but also as a potent source of health-supporting compounds. Making your own Shiitake tincture at home allows you to harness its medicinal properties in a concentrated, long-lasting extract. This guide will walk you through the steps to create a Shiitake mushroom tincture using 200 proof food grade ethanol, ensuring a clean and highly effective extraction.

What is shiitake mushroom?

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is a widely cultivated mushroom, well-known for its rich, savory flavor and its historic use in Asian medicine. It contains a unique combination of polysaccharides, lentinan, sterols, and beta-glucans, which are associated with immune modulation, cardiovascular support, and antioxidant activity. For centuries, Shiitake has been prized in Japan, China, and Korea as both food and natural medicine, valued for its ability to support overall vitality.

Where does shiitake grow?

In the wild, Shiitake mushrooms grow on decaying hardwood trees, particularly oak, chestnut, and beech, in temperate regions of East Asia. Today, they are widely cultivated on logs or sawdust blocks in many countries, making them one of the most accessible and sustainably grown medicinal mushrooms. Shiitake can be found fresh in markets, dried for herbal use, or powdered for extract preparations.

Sourcing and selecting quality shiitake

When sourcing Shiitake for tincture making, choose dried mushrooms from reputable herbal or culinary suppliers. Look for mushrooms that are firm, dry, and free from mold, with a characteristic earthy aroma. Whole caps and stems are both useful for extraction, though they should be broken or chopped to improve surface area. For the best quality, opt for organic or naturally grown Shiitake with clear traceability.

Preparing shiitake for tincture

Before beginning your tincture, break or chop the dried Shiitake into smaller pieces to maximize extraction. Powdered Shiitake can also be used but may produce more sediment, requiring fine straining. Avoid washing the mushrooms before use, as added moisture can interfere with the ethanol’s extraction strength. Place the measured mushroom material into a clean glass jar, ready for the ethanol addition.

Homemade Shiitake Mushroom Tincture Recipe

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Category

Herbal Extracts

Creating a shiitake mushroom tincture at home is a simple and effective way to preserve the mushrooms compounds. This guide outlines the process of creating a high-quality tincture using 200 proof food grade ethanol for effective extraction.

Ingredients

• 25 grams dried Shiitake mushroom (chopped or broken)

• 8 fl oz. 200 proof food grade ethanol

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Directions

Alcohol Extraction

1. Add the prepared Shiitake mushroom to a clean glass jar.

2. Pour in 200 proof food grade ethanol over them, ensuring they are fully submerged.

3. Seal the jar tightly and shake gently to mix.

Wait

1. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4 weeks, shaking gently every few days.

Strain and Store

1. After four weeks, strain the mixture and retain the alcohol extract.

Water Extraction

1. Place the alcohol-soaked Shiitake mushrooms into a pot and add enough water to cover them.

2. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for about two hours.

3. After simmering, strain the water extraction and discard the solid mushroom pieces.

Combine Ingredients

1. Combine the alcohol extract with the water extract. This process creates a dual-extraction tincture, incorporating both the alcohol-soluble and water-soluble compounds from the Shiitake mushroom.

2. Transfer the liquid into a dark glass dropper bottle for storage.

Recipe Note

Making a shiitake mushroom tincture at home is a simple way to preserve its qualities.

Store your tincture in a dark glass bottle, away from heat and sunlight, to maintain potency. Properly stored tinctures remain stable over time.

Best practices for storing your shiitake tincture

Store your Shiitake tincture in amber or cobalt glass dropper bottles, away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep the bottles tightly sealed to prevent evaporation or contamination. Properly stored tinctures made with 200 proof ethanol can retain their potency for 3 to 5 years. Always label your batches clearly with the extraction date and whether they are single or dual extractions.

Ways to use shiitake tincture

Shiitake tincture is often used to support immune health, cardiovascular wellness, and antioxidant balance. Herbalists may include Shiitake tincture in blends designed for seasonal immune defense, or pair it with other medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi or Maitake for a comprehensive wellness approach. It can be added to teas, tonics, or smoothies as part of a daily routine or taken alone for targeted support. Thanks to its umami-rich profile, Shiitake tincture can also complement culinary creations where mushroom flavor is desired.

Final thoughts on crafting a shiitake tincture

Crafting your own Shiitake tincture offers a meaningful way to connect with traditional herbal practices while creating a potent, long-lasting extract tailored to your needs. By using 200 proof food grade ethanol, you ensure a clean, high-quality preparation that preserves Shiitake’s beneficial compounds. Whether you’re seeking to support immunity, heart health, or general vitality, Shiitake tincture is a versatile and rewarding addition to any herbal collection.

Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only. No health claims are made in this guide. Please consult a qualified professional before preparing or using herbal tinctures.