Pure grade extract

• Mushrooms for Life's Pure Grade range of extracts are considered medical grade and contain the highest levels of active ingredients.
• For mushroom capsules and powders, "beverage grade" extracts are commonly used which contain high amounts of maltodextrin to make them encapsulate better and taste sweeter.
• Pure grade is the hallmark of the highest quality mushroom supplements.

The difference between a dried extract and a tincture

A powdered extract represents a tenfold concentration of the plant, while most liquid extracts (i.e. tinctures) represent only a four- or fivefold dilution of the plant (which is actually the opposite of an extract).

Concentrated powder extracts

• A concentrated powdered extract is usually made from just the original herb or mushroom and water (although alcohol is sometimes used).
• The mixture is boiled until the desired concentration is reached, and then spray-dried.
• They should always be labeled with the concentration ratio and usually this is a 5:1 or 10:1 ratio (like our extracts).
• For example, a 10:1 extract means that ten parts of the original plant have been used to produce only one part of the final extract.
• The result is a highly concentrated product.
• Remember that taking one teaspoon of powdered extract is equivalent to using more than three tablespoons of the whole plant/mushroom.

Standardized powdered extracts

• Standardized powder extracts are made in a similar manner to concentrated extracts, except that the mixture of plant and water (or alcohol) is reduced to the exact concentration of the identified compound.
• In the case of mushroom extracts such as chaga, reishi and coriolus extracts, the active polysaccharides are concentrated.
• The result is a highly concentrated extract, and for a standardized extract, an equivalent of 30:1 (or more) is achieved many times over.
• Standardized extracts are even more concentrated than most other powdered extracts and provide unique information about the actual content of the identified active ingredients in the plant.
• These compounds can vary widely depending on a myriad of factors including growing region, soil conditions, time of harvest, etc., and so on.
• Being able to know exactly how much of a particular compound is in the extract you are taking is very valuable, especially for professional herbalists.

According to EU regulations, we have to write on our website:

• Follow the recommended daily dosage.
• The product is not suitable as a substitute for a varied diet or as a replacement for a balanced diet.
• If you are undergoing treatment (sick), pregnant or expecting pregnancy, consult a qualified nutritionist/physician for the use of the product.

But! Each person has different needs, which means the recommended daily dosage is not set in stone.

We, as sellers, are not qualified persons to advise you in any way. Always consult with a naturopath, holistic doctor, or otherwise educated person who practices traditional medicine (this may include a classically trained physician - bright exceptions).