What to look for on a mushroom label.

1. 1.

   Does it say fruiting body?

   The fruiting body is the mushroom itself. "Mycelium" or "mycelium on grain" often means much of the weight is the grain it grew on. If the label doesn't say, ask.

2. 2.

   Is it dual-extracted?

   Water and alcohol draw out different compounds. A label should say which method was used. "Extract" on its own tells you very little.

3. 3.

   Is the ratio shown, and ratio of what?

   A ratio like 1:3 should tell you dried mushroom to liquid. If only an "equivalent to" figure is given, check whether it's fresh or dried weight.

4. 4.

   How much dried mushroom is in each serving?

   Look for milligrams per millilitre, or per dose. Without this, two bottles can't be compared fairly.

5. 5.

   Is it certified organic?

   Look for a certification body's symbol and licence number, not just the word "organic" in the copy.

6. 6.

   Where was it grown, and by whom?

   A good maker can tell you the farm or forest, the country, and who did the extraction.

7. 7.

   Are lab results available?

   Ask for a certificate of analysis covering at least heavy metals and microbiology for the batch you're buying.

8. 8.

   What else is in the bottle?

   Check the full ingredient list: the alcohol, any glycerine, water, flavourings or sweeteners.

Want the maths in full? How to work out a tincture's real strength or try the calculator.