Tree Trunks to Tinctures: Wild Mushroom Medicine

Overview

Learn how to transform foraged mushrooms into homemade medicine.
This program will dig deep into two common local fungi renowned for their medicinal properties: hemlock varnish shelf, AKA reishi (Ganoderma tsugae) and turkey tail (Trametes versicolor).  

Forager and mycophotographer Sarah LeTourneau will begin with a presentation on mushroom foraging, covering safety and identification, habitat, processing, and the remarkable health benefits of these widespread wild mushrooms. 

Following the presentation, participants will learn how to turn mushrooms into medicine with a hands-on tincture-making workshop. Locally-gathered reishi and turkey tail will be used to demonstrate the double-extraction method, and all participants will craft their own tinctures to keep. 

Join us for an afternoon appreciating the incredible gifts of the fungal world! The tips, concepts, and medicine-making methods covered in this class can be applied to other mushrooms, so participants will leave not just with tinctures, but with a steady foundation for continued exploration at home. 

Note: this program is fully indoors and will not include foraging. The mushrooms used for making tinctures will be gathered and preserved beforehand.