Medicinal Mycology Institute develops practical standards for the cultivation, preparation, and extraction of medicinal mushrooms. These standards are intended to improve clarity, safety, and reproducibility across educational, research, and supportive access contexts.
They are not intended to define clinical efficacy, make treatment claims, or replace professional medical guidance. Instead, they establish baseline methodological integrity so that materials discussed in research, education, or charitable programs can be meaningfully compared and understood.
Guiding Principles
All Institute standards are built around the following principles:
Transparency over marketing language
Documentation over assumption
Repeatability over novelty
Safety over yield or speed
Education over persuasion
These principles apply across all species and preparation approaches.
Material Identification & Transparency
Understanding what material is being studied or distributed is essential.
At minimum, materials should be described using:
Species name (genus and species)
Material type (fruiting body, mycelium, fermented biomass, etc.)
Cultivation method and substrate
Harvest and drying approach
Materials that are not clearly described should not be assumed to correspond to published research or traditional references.
Extraction Methods (General)
Extraction is one of the most significant variables influencing final composition.
Institute standards emphasize:
Clear identification of extraction medium (e.g., water)
Documented temperature ranges and duration
Filtration methods sufficient to remove insoluble material
Avoidance of excessive reduction or thermal degradation
Reproducibility across batches
Extraction methods should be described in a way that allows meaningful comparison between preparations.
Quality & Safety Baselines
Regardless of application, safety is non-negotiable.
MMI encourages routine consideration of:
Microbiological cleanliness
Heavy metal awareness based on substrate and environment
Moisture content and stability
Proper handling and storage practices
These considerations apply equally to research materials, educational samples, and supportive access preparations.
Limitations & Ongoing Development
Medicinal mushroom research is evolving, and standards must evolve with it.
Institute methods are considered living documents. As new research emerges or preparation understanding improves, standards may be refined. Changes are made conservatively and documented transparently.
Absence of evidence is not treated as evidence of absence, nor is preliminary research treated as conclusion.
Cultivation Standards (General)
MMI prioritizes cultivation practices that emphasize material clarity and reproducibility.
Key considerations include:
Clear identification of species and strain when possible
Fruiting body–focused cultivation unless otherwise specified
Documented substrate composition
Controlled environmental conditions
Harvest timing appropriate to the species and intended use
Cultivation methods should be described clearly enough that another grower could reasonably replicate them.
Drying & Storage Considerations
Improper drying and storage can alter mushroom composition prior to extraction.
MMI emphasizes:
Controlled drying temperatures appropriate to the species
Avoidance of excessive heat or prolonged exposure
Protection from moisture, light, and contamination
Clear labeling with dates and batch identifiers
Documentation of drying parameters is considered part of preparation integrity.
Water Extraction Considerations
Water extraction is widely used in medicinal mushroom preparation and is the primary focus of many Institute standards.
Key variables include:
Temperature control
Extraction time
Ratio of material to solvent
Filtration approach
Concentration and drying method
Differences in any of these variables can result in substantially different outcomes and should be documented accordingly.
Documentation & Repeatability
Standards are only meaningful if they can be repeated.
MMI emphasizes:
Batch tracking
Date and parameter recording
Observational notes
Clear labeling
Willingness to revise methods based on findings
Documentation is viewed as a core practice, not an administrative burden.
Relationship to Research & Supportive Access
Institute standards inform, but do not dictate:
Research priorities
Educational content
Supportive access programs
They provide a methodological foundation while allowing flexibility for observation, learning, and ethical application.
Standards are not intended to limit inquiry, but to ensure that inquiry is grounded, transparent, and respectful of both science and people.