How to make a potent mushroom remedy step by step
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is one of the most recognized medicinal mushrooms in the world. Its fan-shaped, colorful bands look just like the fanned tail of a wild turkey. With that familiar look and its abundance on hardwood logs, it’s often one of the first mushrooms folks learn to identify.
🌿 Benefits of Turkey Tail
Tradition – For centuries, turkey tail has been brewed into teas and decoctions across Asia, Europe, and North America. Folk healers turned to it for colds, coughs, and general vitality.
Science – Modern research highlights turkey tail’s polysaccharides and beta-glucans, which are being studied for their role in supporting the immune system, balancing gut flora, and complementing overall wellness. In fact, it’s one of the most researched mushrooms in the world.
Bridge – By making your own double extraction tincture, you capture both sides of turkey tail’s medicine: the triterpenes (alcohol-soluble) and the polysaccharides (water-soluble). This way, you’re carrying forward an old-time remedy with the backing of modern understanding.
Step 1: Alcohol Extraction
This step pulls out alcohol-soluble compounds, including triterpenes.
Brush off, trim, and dry your turkey tail mushrooms then shred or chop into small pieces (I use a coffee bean grinder).
Fill a clean pint jar about halfway full with the shredded turkey tail. Fill the rest of the jar with 70%–95% alcohol (vodka or grain alcohol).
Place a square of parchment paper over the opening before putting on the lid and band, this keeps the alcohol from reacting with the lid and keeps mushrooms from sticking.
Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks, shaking once a day.
Step 2: Water Extraction
This step pulls out water-soluble compounds, especially polysaccharides like beta-glucans. By recombining, you get the full spectrum of benefits.
After 4–6 weeks, strain the alcohol tincture into a clean jar. Save the alcohol (of course!) and keep the mushrooms (the “mark”).
Measure the volume of alcohol you strained off, you’ll need this to match the water reduction.
Place the mark (strained turkey tail) in a large pot with 1 gallon of water. Bring to a very low simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced down to approximately the same volume as your alcohol tincture.
Allow the decoction to cool a bit then strain.
Combine the cooled water extract with the alcohol tincture. Stir or gently shake to mix.
Storage & Shelf Life
When stored in a sealed glass jar or dropper bottle in a cool, dark place, a double extraction tincture generally keeps 1–2 years. The alcohol content stays high enough after mixing to preserve the water extract and keep the tincture shelf-stable.
How I Use It
Check and do your own research on dosage. I personally take one dropperful twice a day, under the tongue.
⚠️ A Note on Safety
I’m not a doctor, and this post is for educational and historical purposes only. Turkey tail is a traditional folk remedy, but everyone’s body is different. Do your own research and check with a healthcare professional before adding any natural medicine to your routine.
📄 Free Download
Want to keep this recipe handy? Here’s a printable PDF of today’s recipe and instructions:
Closing
Welp, that’s all I got for yall today. I sure do appreciate you stopping by and reading this post. If you like what I’m doing here at Humming Catfish, it would mean a lot if you share it with a friend or leave a comment. So until next time, I’ll see yall later.
This video shows the process in action