The Spagyric Method: Unleash the Potential of Mushrooms

INTRODUCTION

Did you know that mushrooms could hold the key to unlocking your body’s natural healing potential?

At The Supervital Life, our goal is to maximize the therapeutic potential of each mushroom through meticulous sourcing and extraction.

The spagyric methodology of producing extracts dates back almost 500 years. Traditionally used for herbal tinctures, this method is relatively new to medicinal mushrooms. Spagyric tinctures are triple extracts that draw out the water-soluble, essential oil, and trace mineral phytonutrients native to each mushroom.

These three components are recombined to create a balanced, pure, and potent liquid extract, offering the ultimate expression of bioactive phytonutrients unique to each mushroom.

THE SPAGYRIC METHOD: A FULL-SPECTRUM TRIPLE EXTRACT

We are proud of our extracts and want to share how they’re made.

PHASE ONE: WATER EXTRACTION

Water extraction begins by placing dehydrated mushroom fruiting bodies in water to form a dense mushroom tea.

This liquid is heated to dissolve chitin, the fibrous backbone that gives fresh mushrooms their structure. In raw mushrooms, chitin binds tightly to beta-d-glucans, making them indigestible. Heating breaks this bond, freeing beta-d-glucans and increasing their bioavailability.

Fermentation at the end of this step further enhances the spectrum of water-soluble nutrients.

Next, we strain the mushroom tea, press the fruiting bodies to extract any remaining water-soluble nutrients, and prepare them for alcohol extraction.

PHASE TWO: ALCOHOL EXTRACTION

Alcohol extraction creates the ideal environment to capture essential oil terpenes, which are key components of medicinal mushrooms.

By using a closed extraction process, we prevent volatile compounds from escaping during heating and steeping, as often happens with open extractions. This ensures a full-spectrum tincture, rich in the subtle aromatics that contribute to the extract’s potency.

After this phase, the spent fruiting bodies are pressed and moved to the calcination step.

PHASE THREE: CALCINATION

Calcination involves carefully burning the spent fruiting bodies to reduce them into crystalized trace minerals—nature’s electrolytes.

The liquids from the water and alcohol extractions are recombined with these trace minerals.

The result is a liquid extract containing the naturally occurring acids, oils, enzymes, and minerals of each mushroom while maintaining their nutritional and energetic balance.

UNDERSTANDING THE MUSHROOM LIFECYCLE

To appreciate the benefits of mushroom supplements, it’s essential to understand the mushroom lifecycle. Mushrooms develop through several stages, each offering unique properties.

• Spores: The “seeds” of mushrooms, spores are released before the fruiting body dies to continue the fungi’s lifecycle.
• Mycelium: The underground “root system” of mushrooms. A single mycelium network can produce multiple interconnected fruiting bodies.
• Fruiting Body: The above-ground part of the mushroom, rich in phytonutrients like polysaccharides and terpenes. Fruiting bodies are preferred in Traditional Chinese Medicine for their concentrated therapeutic compounds.

THE QUALITY AND POTENCY OF MUSHROOM PHYTONUTRIENTS

BETA-D-GLUCAN CONCENTRATION

Beta-d-glucans are water-soluble polysaccharides found in mushroom fruiting bodies.

These compounds are powerful immune modulators, helping your body adapt to stress. Mycelium on grain (MOG) products often contain high levels of alpha-glucans, which are derived from grain starch and dilute the therapeutic value of the supplement.

Unlike MOG products, our spagyric extracts are gluten-free and contain only pure mushroom compounds.

TERPENE CONCENTRATION

Terpenes are oil-based molecules that require alcohol extraction for bioavailability. Each mushroom offers a unique terpene profile, contributing to its specialized benefits. For example:

• Reishi: Over 130 triterpenes, including Ganoderic and Lucidenic acids. [1]
• Lion’s Mane: Erinacines and Hericenones, supporting brain health.
• Turkey Tail: Polysaccharopeptides like PSP and PSK, enhancing immune function. [3]
• Chaga: Betulinic acid derivatives and Melano-glucan complexes. [4]
• Maitake: Contains D-fraction and MD-fraction. [5]
• Shiitake: Source of Lentinan and Eritadenine. [6]
• Cordyceps: Boasts the nucleoside derivative Cordycepin. [7]

THE SUPERVITAL LIFE SPAGYRIC MUSHROOM EXTRACTS

Our extracts are made in the Pacific Northwest from North American-grown mushroom fruiting bodies.

Unlike many companies that import and repackage mushroom powders, we prioritize sourcing and quality.

Here are the details on our current line-up of mushroom extracts.

CHAGA

The Supervital Life CHAGA Mushroom Supplement is made from a spagyric extraction of the sclerotium of Inonotus obliquus isolated from birch trees in the Northern Midwest and Alaska.

Chaga supports healthy cellular aging and immune function, thanks to phytonutrients like betulinic acid, melanoglucan complexes, and trametenolic acid. [4]

• Benefits: Balance, stress response, overall wellness.

CORDYCEPS

CORDYCEPS is a spagyric preparation of 100% Cordyceps militaris fruiting bodies.

Cordyceps promotes energy, endurance, and recovery, with compounds like cordycepin and adenosine. [7]

• Benefits: Athletic recovery, oxygenation, cellular regeneration.

LION'S MANE

Our LION'S MANE spagyric extract is made from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus, yielding a concentrated and potent neuro-supportive formulation.

Lion’s Mane supports brain and nerve health with erinacines, hericenones, and ergosterol. [2]

• Benefits: Clarity, focus, memory.

REISHI

The Supervital Life REISHI Blend formulation is a spagyric extract of three different reishi mushroom species: Red Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), White Reishi (Ganoderma applanatum) & Oregon Reishi (Ganoderma oregonense).

Reishi is a stress-relieving adaptogen rich in Ganoderic and Lucidenic acids. [9-10]

• Benefits: Stress response, immune health.

TAKÉ (Shiitake & Maitake Blend)

Our TAKÉ Blend is a spagyric extract blend of Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and Maitake (Grifola frondosa) mushroom fruiting bodies.

This blend supports healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels with compounds like lentinan, D-fraction, MD-fraction, and ergosterol. [5-6]

• Benefits: Metabolism, vitality.

TIAGA (Red-Belted Polypore)

TIAGA is a spagyric extract of the Red-Belted Polypore (Fomitopsis pinicola) native to the Pacific Northwest.

Tiaga is a calming adaptogen supporting digestion and immune health with compounds like trametenolic acid, fomitopinic acid A, and polyporenic acid C. [8]

• Benefits: Inflammation response, digestive health.

TURKEY TAIL

TURKEY TAIL is a spagyric extract of Trametes versicolor mushroom fruiting bodies.

Turkey Tail enhances immune function with polysaccharopeptides like PSP, PSK, and ergosterol. [3]

• Benefits: Cellular regeneration, immune defense.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Our goal at The Supervital Life is to inform, inspire, and empower. We believe the mindset you adopt shapes your journey.

Design a mindset to thrive, no matter what.

Focusing on high-quality foods and supplements is just a start. Spagyric extracts are just one part of a healthy lifestyle, but they offer a significant step toward optimal wellness.

Join us in our pursuit of finding a better way.