Seasonal Preparation: Turkey Tail & Birch Polypore Double-Extracted Tincture

This is a long-term preparation — one made slowly, with intention, and revisited over time. A double extraction allows both the water-soluble and alcohol-soluble constituents of these tough woodland fungi to be gently drawn out.

There are a couple of accepted ways to approach this, and different herbalists favour different orders. What matters is that both extractions are carried out carefully, and that heat is never applied to alcohol.

You’ll need:
Dried Turkey Tail mushroom
Dried Birch Polypore
High-proof alcohol (vodka works well)
Water
A saucepan
A clean glass jar with a lid
A cloth or fine sieve

Some people begin with a water decoction, gently simmering the dried mushrooms for several hours to draw out the water-soluble components, before finishing with an alcohol extraction.

I’ve always worked the other way around, beginning with alcohol. It’s the method that has consistently worked for me, and it suits the pace of my own practice.

To do this, break or cut the dried mushrooms into small pieces and place them in a clean glass jar, filling it around halfway. Cover completely with alcohol, seal, and store somewhere dark and cool. Allow it to infuse for at least six weeks, shaking gently every few days.

Once the alcohol extraction is complete, strain and reserve the liquid. Transfer the used mushroom material to a saucepan, cover with water, and gently simmer for several hours, topping up as needed. This decoction draws out the remaining water-soluble elements held within the dense fungal structure.

Allow the decoction to cool fully, then combine it with the alcohol extract, ensuring the final mixture is adequately preserved. Bottle and label clearly with the contents and date.

 

At Pendle Plant Craft, we continue to explore these relationships together. Learning, sharing, and working with the seasons as they unfold across the North.

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