What is cordyceps tincture used for?

Let's break this question down into three parts...

Part 1) Why use tinctures over powders or capsules to ingest an herbal supplement?
Part 2) Why use cordyceps?
Part 3) Tying the whole question together...why specifically use a cordyceps tincture?

Understanding the three why's outlined above will help answer the question...what is cordyceps tincture used for? As we dive into each question, we will continue breaking down the why's until we get to an answer that makes sense.

Part 1 - Why use tinctures over powders or capsules to ingest a mushroom supplement?

Before we answer this question, lets answer another question -- why can't we just ingest these mushrooms as they are? Why do we need a tincture, powder, capsule or anything like that? A couple reasons. For some, the natural taste of the fungus may be unbearable. Even for those who enjoy the taste of a raw, beautiful, bright orange cordyceps finger or lions mane bushel, their body may not be absorbing all the nutritional components packed inside these mushrooms.

The main culprit keeping your body from fully absorbing the nutritional compounds found in cordyceps and other mushrooms is chitin. Chitin is a beautiful thing...it is a key component making up the cell walls of fungi. It plays a key role in the structural integrity, development, and protection of the fungus. However, chitin keeps us humans from being able to absorb some of the nutritional goodness found within the fungal cell walls (such as polysaccharides, nucleosides, cordycepin, and several other bio-compounds). There are two main ways to ingest the compounds found within organisms having chitin in their cell walls:

1. Through digestion with the enzyme chitinase
2. Through an extraction of the compounds

Some organisms naturally produce chitinase in their digestive process, allowing them to digest compounds with chitin. However, us human beings don't produce significant amounts of chitinase in our digestive systems. So, option one is off the table. Luckily, there are methods available to extract these bio-compounds from mushrooms. Lets look at a couple of these methods.

Hot Water Extraction

Hot water extraction is the simplest and most commonly used method for extracting compounds. This method involves simmering dried mushrooms in hot water over an extended period. The hot water breaks down chitin cell walls, releasing water-soluble compounds (compounds that can dissolve in water). In Cordyceps, these compounds include beta-glucans, cordycepin, adenosine, ergosterol, B vitamins, and various minerals. Consider the process of making Cordyceps tea as a practical example of hot water extraction. By simmering the Cordyceps fruiting body in hot water for some time, you're left with a yellow-orange broth. This broth contains nutritional compounds extracted from the mushroom, now in a form that's more easily digestible for humans.

Alcohol Extraction

Certain compounds within cordyceps and other mushrooms don't dissolve well in water. Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, can dissolve a wider range of compounds compared to water. This is due to its unique chemical structure and polarity. Ethanol is the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, as well as in various solvents and disinfectants. In some instances, such as with cordycepin, water can partially dissolve a compound, but ethanol facilitates maximum extraction of said compound. Ethanol's distinct chemical composition and less polar nature leads to its enhanced extraction ability. Frequently, a "dual-extraction" process is employed, combining both hot water and alcohol extractions. This approach ensures maximum extraction of both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds, leveraging the unique advantages of each solvent.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction

In this extraction method, the material being extracted is submerged in a liquid, typically water or ethanol -- chosen to target specific compounds for extraction. Once submerged, the liquid-mushroom mixture is exposed to ultrasonic waves. These ultrasonic waves are high-frequency sound waves beyond the range of human hearing. As a result, tiny bubbles are generated within the liquid -- this process is known as cavitation. The collapse of these bubbles releases significant amounts of energy. This energy is powerful enough to break chitin down in the mushroom cell walls. Bioactive compounds within the mushroom can be extracted and dissolved in the liquid more efficiently upon chitin breakdown. The end result of this process is a liquid extract, rich in bioactive compounds from the mushroom.

Supercritical CO2 Extraction

This method uses special equipment to extract compounds from materials like mushrooms. Here's how it works:

1. Creating Supercritical CO2: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is exposed to high pressure and heat. Under these conditions, CO2 behaves like a gas and a liquid, entering a state known as "supercritical."

2. Extraction Process: In this supercritical state, CO2 can penetrate mushrooms and extract bioactive compounds more effectively. Supercritical CO2 has unique properties that allow it to dissolve and carry away these compounds.

3. Finishing the Extraction: Once the extraction is complete, reducing the pressure and heat brings CO2 back to its normal gas state. What's left is the extract from the mushrooms, without any CO2 or unwanted residues.

This method is particularly valued for its efficiency and cleanliness. It doesn't leave behind harmful residues.

Soxhlet Extraction

Soxhlet extraction uses a special device called a Soxhlet apparatus to extract compounds from solid materials, like mushrooms. Here are the steps:

1. Heating the Solvent: A solvent (this could be alcohol, hexane, acetone, water, etc.) is heated at the bottom of a Soxhlet. The heat turns the solvent into vapor.

2. Cooling the Vapor: The vapor travels up to a cooler part at the top, called the condenser. Here, the vapor cools down and turns back into liquid.

3. Extracting the Compounds: This liquid then drips into a container (thimble) holding the mushroom material. As it passes through, it dissolves and picks up bioactive compounds from the mushrooms.

4. Collecting the Extract: The solvent, now carrying the extracted compounds, drips back into the bottom of the Soxhlet.

5. Repeating the Process: This cycle repeats, with the solvent continuously vaporizing, condensing, and dripping through the mushroom material. Each cycle pulls out more compounds until the desired amount of extract is collected.

 

 Image of a Soxhlet - Courtesy of Chemist Notes

Folk Method Extractions

The folk method extraction, introduced to us by our friend and collaborator Justin Knaub at MMM-Labs, is a simple and traditional approach to alcohol extraction. In this method, the material to be extracted is placed in a jar along with a mixture of water and alcohol. The alcohol concentration is typically of 30-50% of the total liquid volume. At least once a day, the jar is shaken to ensure thorough mixing. Over the course of about a month, this consistent shaking allows the alcohol-water solution to dissolve and extract the bioactive compounds. The result is a potent extract with minimal fuss and equipment.

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So now you know why having a mushroom extract is important. But why take your mushroom extract in tincture form? A lot of this can come down to personal preference, but lets discuss five distinct advantages of tinctures.

Why tinctures over powders or capsules?

1. Bioavailability
2. Convenience and Versatility
3. Shelf Life and Stability
4. Ease of Absorption
5. Taste and Experience

Let's break this down

1. Bioavailability

The alcohol or water-alcohol mixture in tinctures extract a greater amount of bio-active compounds from the mushroom. In addition, the liquid form of tincture allows for quicker absorption into the body. By holding the tincture under your tongue, bioactive compounds can bypass the digestive system and be absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

Capsules and powders must be ingested through the digestive system.

2. Convenience and Versatility

Tinctures are easy to carry and travel with. The liquid can be added to other beverages (such as coffee, tea, or smoothies) or it can be taken directly. Dosage is very easy to calculate as tincture droppers typically have mL lines.

Powders and capsules are also portable. However, powder requires either a liquid or food to be mixed into and capsules offer less flexibility in dosage adjustment.

3. Shelf Life and Stability

The alcohol in tinctures acts as a preservative. This drastically extends the shelf-life of the bioactive compounds. If stored properly, tinctures can remain potent for years.

Powders and capsules can also have a long shelf life. However, they are typically more prone to degradation from moisture, air, and light compared to alcohol-based tinctures.

4. Ease of Absorption

This was mentioned in number 1. Compounds in liquid form are more easily digested and absorbed. Powders or capsules must be broken down by the digestive system first.

5. Taste and Experience

The fun part! Taking extracts in liquid form allows for the addition of other substances to be added. These other substances can be for additional compounds or strictly for taste. The versatility of how liquid mixes together allows for unique flavor creations that can't be done with powders or capsules.

Capsules avoid the flavor issue altogether. Mushroom powder often times has a strong earthy taste to it. Some people enjoy this, but it can be a turnoff for others.

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There you have it! We've broken down why extracts are important and we've broken down the arguments for taking your mushrooms in tincture form versus powder or capsule form. Now, lets answer this question...why cordyceps?

Part 2 - Why use cordyceps?

Part 2 will be shorter than Part 1. This is because we are constantly reporting on research and findings about the benefits of cordyceps at Bffd. We recommend keeping up with the Cordyceps Chronicles to be informed on research being done with cordyceps. Cordyceps is commonly known to be an energy enhancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agent. However, we've found and reported on research suggesting the following potential properties of cordyceps:

• Anti-inflammatory agent
• Anti-tumor agent
• Blood glucose regulator
• Anti-diabetic agent
• Energy enhancer
• Antioxidant
• Immune system regulator and booster
• Aphrodisiac/fertility enhancing agent
• Anti-bacterial agent
• Gut health booster

Universities in eastern countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea are doing lots of research on the functions of cordyceps and its bio-compounds such as polysaccharides, cordycepin, proteins, vitamins, minerals, etc. The goal of the Cordyceps Chronicles series is to keep our Bffd community up to date on the academic findings of cordyceps through detailed reporting. 

Part 3 - Why use a cordyceps tincture?

Now, we arrive at part 3 -- why use a cordyceps tincture? Part 1 explained the importance of breaking down the chitin in mushroom cell walls through an extraction process. Part 1 also outlined the advantage of taking extracts in tincture form over powder or capsule form. Part 2 detailed the potential health benefits of cordyceps.

Part 3 asks the question "why use a cordyceps tincture?" A cordyceps tincture allows for the easiest absorption of the maximum amount of bioactive compounds extracted from cordyceps. These bioactive compounds have been linked to several benefits including increased energy, reduced inflammation, boosted immune system, increased gut health, regulated blood sugar, and more.

What is cordyceps tincture used for?

In this article, we answered the three important "why" questions behind the title of this article "What is cordyceps tincture used for?"

1. Why use tinctures over powders or capsules?
2. Why use cordyceps?
3. Why use a cordyceps tincture?

The goal of this article was to answer these questions. I hope you have a better understanding of the nuances between unextracted mushroom powder and mushroom extracts and tinctures versus powders and capsules.

At Bffd, our main mission is to spread the power of cordyceps. When deciding upon what vehicle would best be used to ingest cordyceps, we decided upon tinctures using the thought process we outlined above. We partner with MMM-Labs to create our tinctures. MMM-Labs is led by Justin Knaub and Christian Rockey. These two are at the cutting edge and forefront of extraction technology. We couldn't be more grateful to be partnered with them. We've worked together on several tincture recipes featuring the cordyceps militaris we grow at our Bffd facilities. MMM-Labs uses hot water, alcoholic, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction with Bffd tinctures to deliver maximum nutritional potency in delicious liquid extracts to our customers. An additional special thanks to Justin Knaub for going over several extraction techniques with me to assist in writing this article.

I used ChatGPT, conversations with Justin Knaub, a picture from chemistnotes.com, and some prior cordyceps/mushroom knowledge to create this article. I apologize for any mistakes or missed citations I may have made in this article. All grammatical, citation, or technical mistakes are mine and mine alone.

Much love and be your best,

Johnny

References and Further Reading

Soxhlet Photo - chemistnotes.com

Conversation with ChatGPT to assist with this article located here

Justin Knaub and MMM-Labs team provided great information on extractions through conversations we had that were used in this article

For those interested in exploring the scientific basis of cordyceps benefits further, reputable sources such as PubMed and Google Scholar offer a wealth of research articles and studies on the topic.

Also, stay up to date with Bffd Cordyceps Research on our YouTube Channel and on our website