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Dried turkey tail mushrooms leaning against a glass jar with turkey tail tincture steeping in it. There is an amber glass bottle in the background.
Nico

How To Make Turkey Tail Mushroom Tincture (Dual-Extract)

Known for their powerful immune-boosting properties, turkey tail mushrooms are great fungi to tincture when preparing herbal remedies for the winter. Using this simple dual-extraction method to tincture the fungi will ensure that you can access the full range of medicinal benefits turkey tails have to offer.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 56 days
Total Time 56 days 10 minutes
Servings: 1 bottle
Course: Tinctures for Immune Support
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Equipment

  • An airtight container with a tight-fitting lid – I use a glass mason jar with parchment paper between the metal lid and tincture or extraction to prevent the alcohol from corroding the metal. – I use these glass mason jars
  • Small saucepan
  • Small amber glass bottles with dropper tops - here's the ones I use
  • A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter - I like this unbleached cheesecloth
  • A small funnel
  • A food processor, coffee grinder, or knife - for grinding or chopping up the mushroom

Method
 

  1. Divide your turkey tails into two equal parts. We will use one-half for the hot water extraction and the other half for the alcohol extraction.
Dual Extraction Method
    Step 1 – alcohol extraction
    1. Use a knife, food processor, or coffee grinder to chop the turkey tails into small pieces. 
    2. Add the dried and chopped fungi into a clean glass jar. Fill the jar about ⅓ of the way full. 
    3. Cover the fungi with 80-proof alcohol (I use unflavoured vodka). 
    4. Add a lid to the jar and shake it so that the alcohol completely covers the turkey tails.
    5. Leave the jar in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight for 8 weeks. Shake it occasionally (a few times a week) to ensure all parts of the fungi remain covered in alcohol.
    6. After 8 weeks, strain the mushroom material through cheesecloth or a mesh strainer into your clean glass storage container. 
    7. Set the tincture in a cool, dark place for future use.
    Step 2 – hot water extraction
    1. Use a coffee grinder, knife, or food processor to chop up the other half of the turkey tails.
    2. Add the chopped fungi to a saucepan and add double the amount of water you want to end up with. We will be combining equal parts alcohol tincture and water extraction so you will want to end up with enough water extraction to fill half of your final bottle. For example - I was using a pint jar to store my final tincture so I added a full pint of water to my saucepan. 
    3. Add a lid to the pan and bring the water to a slow simmer. Allow it to simmer for 3-4 hours. You can top up your water if needed.
    4. After 3-4 hours, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the liquid to cool slightly.
    5. Strain off the liquid using cheesecloth or a mesh strainer.
    6. Then pour the turkey tail mushroom extract into the alcohol tincture you had set aside. You can use a whisk or fork to blend the two liquids together.
    7. Finally add the blended tincture into an amber dropper bottle and store in a cool, dark place.

    Notes

    How much turkey tail tincture to take?

    I like to take 1-2 droppers full per day. You can start by taking a small amount and work your way up.

    How long does turkey tail tincture last?

    I like to use dual-extracted tinctures within a year because there is more water content than purely alcohol-based tinctures. To help your tincture last longer, make sure you completely strain off the fungi from the final blend.

    Tried this recipe?

    Let us know how it was!