Tinctura Muscariae ~ Fly agaric Mother tincture and traditional way of preparation
"Some (15-20 percent) of my patients who were treated with Agaricus muscarius had altered dreams during or after therapy. Primarily they were flying dreams with positive content, dreams along the lines of Alice in Wonderland and other pleasant dream experiences. In no cases did nightmares kick in; however, it is important that only small doses are taken in therapy. But even in large doses, patients generally had good and very enthusiastic feeling that the next day would not bring any negative after-effects or hangovers...nearly all patients showed higher motivation, mood brightening, and improved spiritual and body wellnessafter fly agaric prescriptions. But here again, the dose is not makes it a poison!" (Waldschmidt 1992, 67)
Habitat
Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) was first described by Carl Linnaeus (Swedish botanist and the father of modern taxonomy) in 1753, as Agaricus muscarius, the epithet deriving from the Latin "musca", or "fly", apparently referring to its use in parts of Europe as an insecticide, crushed in milk for attracting and killing flies. Widespread in north-temperate regions, throughout Europe, Iceland, northern Asia, including Siberia and Korea, North Africa, and western North America. In some places where is introduced, A. muscaria is considered a pest species in native forests where it forms mycorrhizas with native trees, including species of Nothofagus, and adversely affects native fungi.
Like most Amanita species, as well as a wide range of other fungi, A. muscaria is ectomycorrhizal, forming an intimate, mutually beneficial relationship with the roots of its host trees. In its native range in the temperate northern hemisphere, A. muscaria hosts include birches and various conifers, including species of Abies, Cedrus, Picea and Pinus.
Collecting and preparing the mushroom
Fruiting bodies of fly agaric (A. muscaria) should appear in different regions from October till Decembre. White dotted red mushrooms are collected carefuly from the mycelium, separated from the stem and placed into basket (Practice to leave as many spores back to forest soil).
Later, caps are cleaned with brush to avoid dirt, leaves, insects and slugs. Caps are placed, whole (more drying period) or sliced into/over source of heat. Heat source can be either oven or radiator. *Sun drying possible but, less effective (ibotenic acid turing into muscazone under influence of UV instead muscimol). Drying process is done when caps are nice and crispy.
During dehydration process of fly agaric caps with heating element included, H2O and CO2 are evaporating and converting ibotenic acid into muscimol while termic proces decompounds alkaloid muscarine.
Decarboxylation (*optional)
Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group and releases carbon dioxide. Usually, decarboxylation refers to a reaction of carboxylic acids, removing a carbon atom from a carbon chain.
Dry fly agaric caps are exposed to 85°-90°c temperature for 30 minutes to 45 minutes. *Electric oven works well in this case.
Preparing the tincture (extract)
Tinctures are prepared in clean mason jars (recycled prefered in care of higher ecological awareness). In clean mason jar grind desired *amount of dry fly agaric caps (*Amout of dry fly agaric comes from individuals knowlwdge about the potency of the mushroom). After grinding the mushroom caps prepare 45% alcohol solution (*un-refied/edible 96% ethanol) or some of various strong bottled liquor (rum, votka, brandy...) and pour over the mushroom material (2-3 fingers over the grinded material). Close the jar store for another three weeks in dark place. Shake jar/s occasionaly during 3-week maceration.
After maceration period is over, take the jar out and carefuly open the lid. Drain the material into separate container (*cloth can be useful).
Take precious red liquid from the container and go though filtration process using filter papers.
Filtrate, the clear liquid (dark-red) obtained after the process of filtration is pure fly agaric tincture; strong "muscaria"-frangnance present over the tincture.
Store the fly agaric tincture in dark bottles and keep away from long-term sun exposure.
"Muscaria cloud"
During maceration process, later visible after filtration is being done and stored, strange "phenomenon" can appear in bottle; slimy and whitish formation; that reminds on "cloud". Without any information about, named the phenomenon "muscaria cloud".
After latter observation and more information seems that muscaria cloud phenomenon could be formation made out of fly agaric (A. muscaria) spores (white), possible fatty acids and other mushrooms secondary metabolites. term "phenomenon"seems right as well since, after some period muscaria cloud "disappears" from the bottle and liquid becomes clear.
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