Mushroom Basics: Common Terms You Should Know

When diving into the world of mushroom tinctures and extracts, it’s easy to come across words that sound unfamiliar. Whether you’re new to medicinal mushrooms or just looking to better understand what you’re putting in your body, knowing these basic terms can help you make more informed choices.

Here’s a simple guide to some of the most common mushroom-related words you’ll see in our blogs and on tincture labels:

1. Fruit Body

The fruit body is the part of the mushroom that most people recognize—it’s what you see growing above ground or on trees. This is the stem and cap portion that is often harvested for food or supplements. In mushroom tinctures and extracts, many people prefer fruit body products because this part of the mushroom typically contains the most beneficial compounds.

2. Mycelium

Mycelium is the underground or hidden network of the mushroom, similar to the roots of a plant. It’s a web of thread-like structures that spread through soil, wood, or other material. Some mushroom products use mycelium, but it’s important to know that mycelium is often grown on grains, which can dilute the active compounds when not properly separated.

3. Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules naturally found in mushrooms. They are one of the key components believed to support immune health. Within polysaccharides, there’s a special type called beta-glucans, which are often the main active compounds people look for in mushroom supplements.

4. Beta-Glucans

Beta-glucans are a specific type of polysaccharide that have been widely studied for their immune-supporting properties. When shopping for quality mushroom tinctures or extracts, beta-glucan content is often used as a marker for potency.

5. Spores

Spores are like the seeds of a mushroom. They allow mushrooms to reproduce and spread. While spores have their own uses in cultivation and some niche health products (like spore oils), they aren’t typically the focus in mushroom tinctures and extracts.

6. Substrate

A substrate is the material that mushrooms grow on. This could be hardwood, straw, sawdust, or grain. The substrate provides nutrients for the mushroom to develop. When making tinctures and extracts, the quality of the substrate can influence the quality of the mushroom itself.

7. Grain Spawn

Grain spawn is mycelium that has been grown onto sterilized grains like rye or millet. It’s often used as a starting point to grow mushrooms but isn't usually part of tincture or extract products. It’s good to know because some companies may sell products made from myceliated grain, which can contain a lot of grain material instead of pure mushroom compounds.

8. Liquid Culture

Liquid culture is a nutrient-rich liquid that contains live mushroom mycelium. It’s commonly used by growers to quickly and efficiently spread mycelium to a substrate. While this is mostly a growing term, it helps you understand how mushrooms are cultivated before they become the tinctures you enjoy.

9. Dual Extraction (Bonus Term)

Dual extraction is a method used to make high-quality mushroom tinctures. It typically involves using both alcohol and hot water to pull out different beneficial compounds from the mushroom. Some compounds, like beta-glucans, are water-soluble, while others, like triterpenes (another beneficial compound found in some mushrooms), are alcohol-soluble. Dual extraction ensures you get a more complete range of benefits.

10. Triterpenes (Bonus Term)

Triterpenes are another class of beneficial compounds found in some mushrooms, like reishi. They are known for supporting stress relief and providing anti-inflammatory benefits. Triterpenes are usually extracted with alcohol, which is why alcohol-based tinctures are important for certain mushrooms.

Why This Matters

Understanding these basic mushroom terms can help you read tincture labels with confidence, know what questions to ask, and get the most out of your mushroom supplements. Whether you’re browsing our blog or shopping our products, now you’ll have the language to dig deeper into the fascinating world of medicinal mushrooms.

Looking to explore high-quality mushroom tinctures? Check out our shop for dual-extracted, fruit-body-focused blends!

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Tincture vs. Extract: What's the Difference?