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Polysaccharides and β-Glucan in Mushrooms: Unveiling Their Health Benefits

Mushrooms, those mysterious and flavorful fungi, have long been celebrated in culinary traditions around the world. But did you know that mushrooms also contain compounds that offer a host of potential health benefits? Among these compounds are polysaccharides and β-glucans, which play significant roles in enhancing our well-being. In this blog post, we’ll explore what these compounds are and how they contribute to our health when found in mushrooms.

Polysaccharides: The Foundation of Fungal Health

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of multiple sugar units linked together. Within the world of fungi, they serve as structural components, helping to provide rigidity to the cell walls. But their importance doesn’t stop there. Certain types of polysaccharides found in mushrooms, particularly β-glucans, have garnered attention for their potential health benefits.

β-Glucan: A Star Among Polysaccharides

β-glucans are a specific subset of polysaccharides characterized by the presence of β-glycosidic bonds between glucose molecules. These compounds are abundant in various mushroom species. Here’s a closer look at what makes β-glucans remarkable:

1. Immune System Support: β-glucans are renowned for their immunomodulatory properties. They can stimulate various immune cells, including macrophages and natural killer cells, helping the body mount a more robust defense against infections and illnesses.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection. However, chronic inflammation can contribute to various health issues. β-glucans have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties, potentially helping to reduce the risk of chronic diseases associated with inflammation.

3. Blood Sugar Regulation: Emerging research suggests that β-glucans may assist in regulating blood sugar levels. By slowing down the absorption of sugars in the digestive tract, they can help stabilize blood glucose levels, making them particularly beneficial for individuals with diabetes or those at risk of developing the condition.

4. Cholesterol Reduction: High cholesterol levels are a known risk factor for heart disease. β-glucans have been found to bind to cholesterol in the digestive tract, preventing its absorption and aiding in its elimination from the body. This can contribute to healthier cholesterol levels and a reduced risk of cardiovascular problems.

5. Gut Health: Dietary fiber is essential for a healthy gut, and β-glucans act as soluble dietary fiber. They can promote digestive health by supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and improving bowel regularity.

A Fungi-Infused Wellness Boost

Incorporating mushrooms into your diet can be a delicious and nutritious way to reap the potential health benefits of β-glucans and other polysaccharides. From supporting your immune system to aiding in blood sugar regulation and promoting gut health, these compounds demonstrate the remarkable synergy between nature and human health. So, the next time you savor a mushroom-based dish, savor not just the flavor but the potential wellness boost it offers as well.

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Top 10 books about Amanita Muscaria

Amanita muscaria, also known as the fly agaric mushroom, is a distinctive and easily recognizable mushroom that is found in a variety of habitats around the world. It has a long and storied history, and has been the subject of myth, legend, and fascination for centuries. If you are interested in learning more about Amanita muscaria and other Amanita mushrooms, there are many books available that explore this fascinating subject. Here are 10 of the best books on the subject of Amanita muscaria:

“The Mushroom Hunter’s Field Guide” by Alexander H. Smith and Nancy Smith Weber: This book is a comprehensive field guide to the mushrooms of the Midwest, including many species of Amanita. It features detailed descriptions, illustrations, and photographs of each mushroom, as well as information on habitat, range, and edibility.

“Mushrooms Demystified” by David Arora: This book is a comprehensive guide to the mushrooms of North America, including many species of Amanita. It features detailed descriptions, illustrations, and photographs of each mushroom, as well as information on habitat, range, and edibility.

“The New Savory Wild Mushroom” by Margaret McKenny: This book is a comprehensive guide to the wild mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest, including many species of Amanita. It features detailed descriptions, illustrations, and photographs of each mushroom, as well as information on habitat, range, and edibility.

“Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers” by Richard Evans Schultes and Albert Hofmann: This book is a comprehensive guide to the psychoactive plants of the world, including Amanita muscaria. It features detailed descriptions of the chemical properties, cultural uses, and potential risks associated with each plant.

“The Mushroom Handbook: A Practical Guide to the Cultivation and Harvest of Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms” by Paul Stamets: This book is a comprehensive guide to the cultivation and harvesting of mushrooms, including Amanita muscaria. It features detailed instructions and illustrations on how to grow and care for a variety of mushroom species, as well as information on the medicinal and psychoactive properties of different mushrooms.

“The Complete Guide to Mushrooms” by Matthew K. Ferguson and E. Barrie Kavasch: This book is a comprehensive guide to the mushrooms of North America, including many species of Amanita. It features detailed descriptions, illustrations, and photographs of each mushroom, as well as information on habitat, range, and edibility.

“The Mushroom Lover’s Mushroom Cookbook and Primer” by Amy Farges and Christopher Styler: This book is a cookbook and primer on mushroom identification, including many species of Amanita. It features a wide range of mushroom recipes, as well as information on the nutritional and medicinal properties of different mushroom species.

“The Mycophagist’s Handbook: A Guide to the Safe and Responsible Collection and Consumption of Wild Mushrooms” by Michael Kuo: This book is a comprehensive guide to the safe and responsible collection and consumption of wild mushrooms, including Amanita muscaria. It features detailed descriptions and illustrations of different mushroom species, as well as information on how to identify and collect edible mushrooms.

“The Mushroom Handbook: A Practical Guide to the Identification and Cultivation of Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms” by Helga Hofmann: This book is a practical guide to the identification and cultivation of edible and poisonous mushrooms, including Amanita muscaria. It features detailed descriptions and illustrations of different mushroom species, as well as information on how to grow and care for different mushroom species.

“Mushroom: A Global History” by Cynthia D. Bertelsen: This book is a global history of mushrooms, including Amanita muscaria. It explores the cultural, economic, and culinary significance of mushrooms throughout history, and features information on the different uses and traditions associated with different mushroom species.

Overall, these 10 books offer a wide range of information on the subject of Amanita muscaria and other Amanita mushrooms. Whether you are a seasoned mushroom hunter or a beginner looking to learn more about this fascinating subject, these books are sure to provide you with valuable insights and knowledge.

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Hunting for Amanita Muscaria

Amanita muscaria, also known as the fly agaric mushroom, is a distinctive and easily recognizable mushroom that is found in a variety of habitats around the world. It is most commonly found in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, North America, and Asia. In these regions, Amanita muscaria is found in a variety of habitats, including coniferous and deciduous forests, and is often found growing near the base of trees.

In addition to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria is also found in some tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including South America, Africa, and Australia. In these regions, the mushroom is found in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, grasslands, and savannas.

If you are interested in harvesting Amanita muscaria, there are a few important things to consider.

First and foremost, it is important to be able to accurately identify Amanita muscaria. This mushroom has a distinctive appearance, with a bright red cap covered in white spots. However, it can be easily confused with other, potentially poisonous mushrooms, so it is important to be able to accurately distinguish Amanita muscaria from other species.

When harvesting Amanita muscaria, it is important to be mindful of the environment in which you are collecting the mushrooms. This mushroom is often found in wooded areas, and can be found growing on the ground, near the base of trees. It is important to respect the ecosystem in which you are collecting the mushrooms, and to take only what you need, leaving plenty of mushrooms for other animals and plants to use.

Amanita muscaria mushrooms are typically found growing in wooded areas, and are often found near the base of trees. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including coniferous and deciduous forests, and can be found in both temperate and cold climates.

It is important to note that the distribution of Amanita muscaria can vary significantly depending on the specific location and climate. In some areas, Amanita muscaria may be found in abundance, while in others it may be rare or absent altogether. If you are interested in finding Amanita muscaria mushrooms, it is a good idea to research the specific conditions in which they are most likely to grow in your area.

To maximize your chances of finding Amanita muscaria mushrooms, it is a good idea to look for them in areas where they are known to grow, such as in wooded areas with coniferous trees. It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for other signs of the mushroom, such as flies and other insects that are attracted to the mushroom’s sweet smell.

In terms of timing, it is generally best to look for Amanita muscaria mushrooms in the late summer and early fall, when the weather is cooler and the mushrooms are most likely to be visible. However, it is important to keep in mind that the timing of mushroom growth can vary significantly depending on the location and climate, so it is always a good idea to do some research and to keep an eye out for the specific conditions in which Amanita muscaria mushrooms are most likely to grow.

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The Amanita family

Amanita is a large and widely distributed genus of mushrooms that contains over 600 species. Within this genus, there are a number of distinct groups of Amanita mushrooms, each with its own unique characteristics and features.

Some of the main groups of Amanita mushrooms include:

Amanita muscaria: Amanita muscaria, also known as the fly agaric, is a distinctive mushroom with a bright red cap covered in white spots. It is one of the most well-known and widely recognized Amanita mushrooms, and is found in a variety of habitats around the world.

Amanita pantherina: Amanita pantherina, also known as the panther mushroom, is a medium to large mushroom with a brown or gray cap. It is found in a variety of habitats, including forests and grasslands, and is distributed throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere.

Amanita phalloides: Amanita phalloides, also known as the death cap, is a highly poisonous mushroom that is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and gardens. It is one of the most toxic mushrooms in the world, and can cause severe illness or death if ingested.

Amanita caesarea: Amanita caesarea, also known as the Caesar’s mushroom, is a medium to large mushroom with a bright orange cap and yellow gills. It is found in a variety of habitats, including wooded areas, and is distributed throughout much of Europe and Asia.

Amanita fulva: Amanita fulva, also known as the tawny grisette, is a medium to large mushroom with a yellow or orange cap and white gills. It is found in a variety of habitats, including wooded areas, and is distributed throughout much of Europe and North America.

These are just a few examples of the many different groups of Amanita mushrooms that are found around the world. There are many other species of Amanita mushrooms, each with its own unique characteristics and features.

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Amanita Muscaria – a bit of history

Amanita muscaria, also known as the fly agaric, is a distinctive mushroom with a bright red cap covered in white spots. It has been the subject of myth, legend, and fascination for centuries, and is still shrouded in mystery and controversy today.

Illustration from 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Amanita muscaria mushroom has a long history of use, dating back to ancient times. It has been used as a traditional medicinal and psychoactive plant by cultures all over the world, including in Siberia, where it has a long history of use in indigenous shamanic practices.

In Siberia, the Amanita muscaria mushroom was used as part of a spiritual practice in which it was consumed as a tea in order to induce visions and facilitate communication with the spirit world. According to the book “Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers,” the mushroom was also used for its medicinal properties, and was believed to have the ability to cure a variety of ailments, including cancer and tuberculosis.

The Amanita muscaria mushroom has also played a role in various mythologies and folklore around the world. In many European cultures, it was associated with the supernatural and was believed to be a gift from the gods. In Norse mythology, the Amanita muscaria mushroom was believed to be the “food of the gods,” and was associated with the god Odin. In some Native American cultures, it was believed to be a sacred plant that could bring people into contact with the spirit world.

Despite its long history of use, the Amanita muscaria mushroom remains a controversial and somewhat mysterious substance. While some people claim that it has powerful medicinal and psychoactive properties, others argue that it is highly toxic and can be deadly if consumed. According to the book “Poisonous Mushrooms of the Northern United States and Canada,” the Amanita muscaria mushroom contains several toxic compounds that can cause hallucinations, nausea, and vomiting. It is important to note that the Amanita muscaria mushroom is a controlled substance in many countries, and its possession and use is illegal in some places.

In conclusion, the Amanita muscaria mushroom is a fascinating plant with a long and storied history. Its use as a traditional medicinal and psychoactive plant has been documented for centuries, and it has played a role in various mythologies and folklore around the world. However, due to its controversial nature and potential toxicity, it is important to exercise caution when considering its use.

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The difference between Amanita Muscaria tincture and extract.

The difference between a tincture and an extract lies in the therapeutic result you want to achieve. The tincture is easier and cheaper to produce comparing to the extract. During the preparation of Amanita Muscaria tincture alcohol is used as a solvent. A tincture of fresh Amanita Muscaria mushroom is made with a 1:1 ratio. It is a good antinociceptive agent for pain in the joints and spine. Used only externally.

Dried mushroom tincture, on the other hand, is made with a large amounts of alcohol. The dilution ratio is approximately 1:10,1:8,1:6. Dried mushroom tinctures can be both used internally and externally. Tinctures can be made at home in any quantity without special equipment.

However the concentration volumes of the active substance in such tinctures is quite small. Additionally the percentage of the main active substance of muscimol and neurotoxic ibotenic acid is not determined. Another important aspect to consider is that alcohol, which is used to make tinctures, is a poor solvent for muscimol. Muscimol as a chemical substance dissolves poorly in alcohol, but in water it dissolves much better. This property must be taken into account when making a tincture or extract.

The extract higher concentration of active substances, which cannot be obtained in tincture. Extract preparation process uses various solvents and technologies to extract useful substances. This is a complex process, since the extraction process requires special knowledge and equipment. In the result of extraction, the concentration of active substances can be significantly higher than in an easy-to-make tincture.

Extracts can be liquid, soft (like resin) and dry. Like tinctures, extracts can be evaluated by the content of dry active substances. Standardized extracts, unlike basic extracts, are extracts in which one or more active ingredients are produced in a fixed amount, expressed as a percentage. This model is used in the pharmaceutical industry, where all sold batches contain a certain amount of active substance. The advantage of standardized extracts is that they provide a specific dose and potency that remains the same across all the items within a batch of a product.

We have developed a new technology for obtaining a standardized water based extract of Amanita Muscaria. Our extract is produced without the use of ethanol and high temperatures. The extract obtained using this technology preserves the maximum amount of useful substances, polysaccharides and vitamins. The amount of muscimol and other substances is standardized due to precise analysis in a special laboratory using efficient methods of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Technology and quality control that we use for drying raw material and for extraction completely eliminates ibotenic acid from the final product. Ibotenic acid undergoes a complete decarboxylation process, which also allows us to detect and eliminate dangerous concentrations of other substances.

Calm Mushroom Standardized Water-Based Extract

As a result, we offer a completely new product on the market – a natural standardized water based extract of Amanita Muscaria with a high concentration of bio-active substances, which allows you to control the applied therapeutic dose.

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TGA Laboratory analysis for Calm Mushroom Resin Extract

Sample No63 concentrate

Visual description

Dense, easily deformable, non-sticky, specific odor, slightly oily

DSC– differential scanning calorimetry (change in heat flow with temperature)

This % defining analysis was previously used, but with increasing concentration the method is too sensitive, which is illustrated by many peaks at 140 ° C.

Therefore, TGA (thermogravimetric method) will hence be used, in which the change in mass of the material was determined. Compared to the previous method, the material was not damaged but converted to melted state by determining the melting point, but the TGA method is a material destruction method, thus the material gets damaged. Each substance has its own temperature at which the structure collapses or, more precisely, becomes not functional, making it possible to determine the mass fraction of each substance in the material from the total mass that was initially introduced.

TGA: After 1st derivative (1 / min) the amount of substances present in 5-7 components can be seen.

The question here is, have you used any additives, or is there a possibility of any substance entering the press? Given that the largest amount in the composition should be muscimol, the largest peak appears from 536.97 ° C to 695.08 ° C, and using the law of mass loss, we can calculate each component (see Table 1), but the device offers the possibility to determine immediately in this range how much weight is lost, which is the loss of muscimol, respectively (8.5%). The temperature of destruction is not mentioned anywhere in the scientific literature, so an actual hypothesis has been put forward here, to the exclusion of other variants. The TGA method has a limited ability to determine the destruction temperatures of the other components because there is no theoretical information that can overlap.

Muscimol

NAME:	Muscimol
CHEMICAL NAME:	5- (Aminomethyl) -3 (2H) -isoxazolone
ALTERNATE CHEMICAL NAMES:	5- (aminomethyl) -3-isoxazolol, 5-aminomethyl-3-hydroxyisaxazole
ALTERNATE CHEMICAL NAMES:	3-hydroxy-5-aminomethylisoxazole; agarin, pantherine
CHEMICAL FORMULA	C4H6N2O2
MELTING POINT	175 ° (crystals) (DSC)
DESTRUCTION TEMPERATURE	600 ° C (Information obtained by us)

Given the possible presence of ibotenic acid in the DSC data (see Figure 3), its assumption may be negligible if the correct acquisition conditions were observed.

Ibotenic acid

NAME:	Ibotenic Acid
CHEMICAL NAME:	alpha-Amino-2,3-dihydro-3-oxo-5-iso-xazoleacetic acid
ALTERNATE CHEMICAL NAMES:	alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-isoxazoleacetic acid
ALTERNATE CHEMICAL NAMES:	amino- (3-hydroxy-5-isoxazolyl) acetic acid
CHEMICAL FORMULA	C5H6N2O4
MOLECULAR WEIGHT	158.11
MELTING POINT	151-152 ° (anhydrous crystals)
MELTING POINT	144-146 ° (monohydrate crystals)

Muscatone

NAME:	Muscazone
CHEMICAL NAME:	alpha-Amino-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-5-oxazoleacetic acid
ALTERNATE CHEMICAL NAMES:	alpha-amino-2-oxo-4-oxazoline-5-acetic acid
CHEMICAL FORMULA	C5H6N2O4
MOLECULAR WEIGHT	158.11

As such, there are many different other substances in mushrooms that qualify as nutrients: vitamins A; B1B2; C; D1, PP. Mushrooms also contain minerals: potassium, phosphorus, iron; trace elements: zinc, copper, magnesium, iodine. Mushrooms are also rich in extracts. Of course, in the case of fly agaric, it is worth mentioning the pigment that gives red color. This means that both valuable substances and muscimol are ingested at the same time when consuming such a product.

Conclusion: Muscimol content 8.5% in a specific sample No63 concentrate.

2/14/2022

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Combating hangxiety

Ever had a rough day after drinking too much the night before, wondering why do you feel so bad?

Well, from scientific perspective it all revolves around GABA – an inhibitory neurotransmitter. GABA stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid and according to scientists it can be the key to understanding the negative effects of alcohol on mental wellbeing – feelings of stress, fear and even panic or the so called hangxiety.

Our bodies have multiple systems cooperating to defend us from harmful substances and GABA is one of the key elements in doing that. GABA alongside with another neurotransmitter glutamate help with communication between different systems in our bodies.

Chemical structure of Gamma-aminobutyric acid

GABA’s main purpose is in regulating body’s nervous system. It is the system that regulates our balance, movement, thoughts, senses and other important functions. Therefore body functionality can be impacted by nervous system being underactive or hyperactive. This can lead to neurotransmitters to treat ordinary situation as dangerous, thus leading to stress and anxiety.

That’s where GABA comes in – by regulating neurotransmitter of the body GABA decreases anxiety levels alongside with various other mental health issues. Here the success lies in having enough neurotransmitters to make the nervous system properly react to different stimuli. However in case of overzealous alcohol induction GABA glutamate isn’t able to function properly, resulting in possible hangxiety after a night of proper partying.

When we drink alcohol the production of GABA neurotransmitter is hindered. Scientific studies claim that excessive alcohol consumption can cause both shortterm and longterm symptoms by depleting GABA production. This effect on neurotransmitters can result in significant damage to physical and mental health.

Speaking in general, most of us had a first-hand experience of alcohol affecting on our bodies. By suppressing the central nervous system, alcohol leads to the loss of motor skills, impedes speech and vision, impairs judgment.

Turns out alcohol is not only really good at exterminating important cells in our bodies that cater to our alertness and health, but also reduces production of GABA. And having a GABA withdrawal is not a pleasant thing, since it can lead to intrusive thoughts, constant worries, and other unpleasantries of mental health symptoms. Moreover, GABA decrease in the brain can make existing mental health issues even worse and cause substance use relapses.

You can increase GABA transmission and rebalance neurotransmitters with muscimol, since muscimol is is a powerful GABA agonist.

Moreover it has also been scientifically claimed that muscimol significantly improves sleep-wake state changes in alcohol withdrawal, reducing the percentage of active wakefulness and increasing the percentage of REM sleep.

Another beneficial effect of muscimol is protecting liver from ethanol toxicity and improving liver function.

Our Calm Mushroom products contain muscimol as the main active ingredient thus helping you successfully combat hagxiety and other harmful effects caused by alcohol usage.

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Calm Mushroom extract – the scientific approach

Our Calm Mushroom Amanita Muscaria Standardized Water-Based Extract contains a standard content of active substances. The extensive research we’ve done into Amanita Muscaria helped us perfect the extract creation process. During the process all the useful polysaccharides and substances are freed from chitin and stored in the extract, while the temperature during dehydration and extraction does not exceed 40° C, ensuring the high quality of the end product.

To obtain 10 grams of fly agaric resin extract, 50 grams of dried mushrooms are used. To obtain 50 grams of dried mushrooms, at least 600 grams of high-quality fresh fly agaric caps (1:12) are used. Therefore, to obtain 1 gram of fly agaric resin, 60 grams of fresh mushrooms are needed. But the problem is that mushrooms differ in the content of active substances. This depends on the place of collection, dehydration technology, storage time and many other factors. The weight of the mushroom is important, but it is most important to obtain a standard content of active substances in the extract. The main substance in the body of the fungus is chitin. It is useless for our body. We use a special technology to extract useful substances into purified water. The main substance is muscimol. Important polysaccharides and vitamins are also preserved in the extract, because the cooking temperature does not exceed 40°C.

Quality of Calm Mushroom extract is proven by the analysis made in the scientific laboratory of Latvian University using the Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Analysis showed that our Amanita Muscaria extract contains high % of muscimol – 14.5% to be specific and 0% harmful neurotoxic ibotenic acid, making it 100% ibotenic acid free.

By conducting multiple extraction experiments and performing dozens of analysis in the laboratory of the University, we became confident in the quality and content of the main active substance in our product – muscimol.

The research was conducted with the help of scientists, chemists, doctors and pharmacists from Europe and Canada. As a result, a technology for the industrial production of a standardized water extract of Amanita Muscaria – Calm Mushroom Standardized Water-Based Extract was created.

In essence Calm Mushroom Extract is made of 10% Amanita Muscaria resin dissolved in vegetable glycerin and water. Because of muscimol, its main active ingredient, the resulting product has various therapeutic effects.

When applied to the skin it relieves pain, while a few drops under the tongue held for 1-2 minutes are enough to relieve anxiety. The extract also relieves hangxiety in 3-5 min and helps with insomnia.

Apart form being ibotenic acid free Calm Mushroom Standardized Water-Based Extract also does not contain alcohol, since it is purely water based extract. Moreover our extract has a standard content of muscimol and is made entirely from natural plant substances.

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The story behind Calm Mushroom

Calm Mushroom is a family company from Latvia.

We have been collecting and preparing wild medicinal Amanita Muscaria mushrooms for years and we are very passionate of the magnificent Amanita Muscaria mushroom.

The mushrooms that are used in our products are collected locally in Latvian forests.

Forests in Latvia take 53% of the country’s territory – that’s almost double the world average, making Latvia one of the most forested EU member states.

Green and lush forests of Latvia are great for recreation and connecting with nature. Latvians have rich tradition of forest hiking, picking mushrooms and berries and we at Calm Mushroom are proud to be part of this tradition.

Years of experience helped us accumulate a great deal of knowledge about Amanita Muscaria therapeutic properties and science behind it.

It is known that the amount of nutrients in mushrooms varies depending on the time of year, region, weather conditions, processing technology, storage and other factors.

All these factors impact mushroom quality, therefore we impose a strict product control to ensure that our product quality is at the highest level.