health has always played a vital role in my approach to life. but in these recent years, my focus has shifted to better understanding what i put in my body — and how i treat the Earth.
as my education deepened, my routines upgraded, my awareness expanded. i began to notice how disconnected i’d become from the world around me. and how disconnected i was from my body.
that was the turning point.
i found myself exploring new ways of healing through functional mushrooms and medicinal herbs. all ingredients derived from Earth.
With a piqued curiosity, i wanted to craft a formula that would support my biggest areas of concern: improving my memory, sustaining my energy over time, and enhancing my libido.
in my kitchen, fungtion was born.
my intention is that when you take this tincture, you’re learning to reconnect with your body and with nature.
if fungtion doesn’t become part of your daily routine, i hope it becomes an ally in your personal apothecary whenever your body needs support.
thank you for being a part of our mission.
and remember: nature knows.
- george, founder
how long until i feel it?
nature never hurries, yet everything is accomplished. - lao tzu
—
mushrooms and plants need time to build up in your system, and each system is unique. you should feel the effects soon, with continued use.
most people start to notice positive shifts in their ability to focus, their general energy, and their libido within two weeks.
how do i store the tincture?
store in a cool, dark place like a kitchen cabinet. but with a busy life, we understand that's not always the best course of action. george keeps a bottle in his car for a post-surf pick-me-up. 😉
how long does the tincture last?
each tincture holds ~30 servings. if you follow our recommended cycle (5 days on, 2 days off), the tincture will last 6 weeks.
can i take the tincture every day?
while it is safe to work with this tincture daily, we recommend following a cycle of days on and off. this honors the cycles of nature, and keeps you from building up a tolerance.
try starting with a cycle of 5 days on, 2 days off—not just a popular protocol, but also an honoring of the western cycles of life we find ourselves in (weekdays/weekends).
can i add it to my drinks?
yes, absolutely! we recommend adding it to water, a smoothie, or a morning drink.
we recommend it in the morning. the ingredients in this elixir are energizing and slightly stimulating for your system.
depending on your sensitivity, though, you can explore taking the tincture throughout the day. phoebe takes hers with a midday herbal latte.
what is the QR code on the box?
only one way to find out.
can i combine mushroom elixir with other supplements?
yes, you absolutely can.
if you're new to the mushroom elixir, we recommend trying it alone first to feel the way it affects your body. then, add in your other supplements and plant allies.
we are not doctors, and we always recommend talking to your primary health practitioner before starting a new protocol or stack.
lion's mane | focus + memory
BENEFITS:
+ improves cognitive functions like mental focus and short-term memory
+ promotes neurogenesis (the creation of new neural pathways)
+ stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF)*, a protein essential for regenerating brain tissue and creating new neurons
* protects the brain while it ages and combats dementia-related diseases
+ may help reduce depression and anxiety
+ its bioactive compounds (hericenones and erinacines) increase neural network connectivity — you’re literally able to think and problem-solve more quickly
FOLKLORE:
lion’s mane, like many functional mushrooms, dates back to the origins of traditional chinese medicine, where it was said to be nutritious and beneficial for the major internal organs: liver, spleen, lung, heart, and kidneys. it was championed by ancient healers for its ability to support and nourish qi (life force).
in the mountains of the east, buddhist monks were known to celebrate this mushroom. they would use powdered lion’s mane to heighten their focus during meditation. and in japan, lion's mane was nicknamed yamabushitake, a nod to buddhist monks meaning “those who sleep in the mountains.”
holy basil | stress relief
BENEFITS:
+ adaptogenic (helps the body react to, handle, and heal from stress)
+ antioxidant, neuroprotective, and helps combat cognitive decline
+ improves cognition and blood circulation in the brain
+ supports digestion and gut health
+ functions as an immunomodulator (able to both up- and down- regulate the immune system)
+ high flavonoid content works to balance cortisol levels and support adrenals
+ supports liver and kidney function (hepatoprotective)
FOLKLORE:
one of the most important plants in hinduism. this leaf is believed to be a manifestation of the divine mother on earth, for the benefit of all creation. according to legend, the plant came into being as a manifestation of the goddess tulsi and it is worshipped as her physical incarnation. tulsi is frequently mentioned as one of the main pillars of herbal medicine in ancient Ayurvedic texts, some dating back to as far as 5,000 BC. tulsi (holy basil) derives its name from sanskrit, meaning matchless one. this nomer parallels both the goddess and the plant's myriad benefits. it was event planted around the Taj Mahal for protection, as well as for its ability to fight pollution in a city desperately battling air contamination.
but cross culturally, its honored and believed to bring luck and prosperity.
guarana | energy
BENEFITS:
+ energy, energy, energy. contains a trifecta of energizing alkaloids (caffeine, theobromine, theophylline) and contains more natural caffeine than any other plant
+ adaptogenic (helping the body react to, handle, and heal from stress)
+ increases libido
+ soothes performance related nerves
+ increases mental alertness thanks to theophylline
+ theobromine alkaloid reduces pain and softens the heart
+ enhances memory
FOLKLORE:
Guarana has been used by the indigenous tribes of Brazil for millennia. They would create a chocolatey paste from the seeds, crafting a hot drink for medicinal usage.
It's considered the “Elixir of Youth” and was deemed it as valuable as gold due to its myriad of health benefitting effects.
The Sateré-Mawé tribe are thought to have discovered the therapeutic effects of Guarana, using it for many aspects of life, including social celebrations, for menstrual pains and after childbirth and to increase stamina. With a history stretching back to ancient times, the Amazonian peoples prepare many ointments and medicinal preparations from the seeds to this day.
Since the 1940s, Europeans heavily studied this plant, bringing modern scientific credence to what Brazilian tribes long knew. It's been well-founded that this plant is an energy tonic, relieving cramps, fevers, and headaches. More famously, it gained popularity in the U.S. for its ability to improve focus, alertness, endurance, and stimulate the libido (sexual energy). began heavily studying guaraná (in France and Germany) in the 1940s, finding the indigenous uses to cure fevers, headaches, cramps, and as an energy tonic were well-founded. Guaraná is used and well known for its' stimulating and libido boosting properties.Studies have also demonstrated how it's very protective against the damaging effects of stress because of its' highly preventive nature against premature aging.
goji berry | libido + longevity
BENEFITS:
+ promote the growth of gut-health bacteria for immune support
+ acts as an aphrodisiac, increasing sexual energy and testosterone
+ betaines (alkaloid found in goji) contain neutral chemical compounds shown to reduce fatty deposits in the liver
+ promote feelings of well-being and calmness
+ improve endurance and athletic performance
+ tonifies all three "treasures" in TCM: shen, jing, and qi
FOLKLORE:
The poet Liu Juncy from the Tan dynasty (618-907) praised this herb's miracle effects in a poem for goji. It is written that even the water from the well close to the plants could help the people to attain longevity. One of the most famous phyto-therapists and healers in Chinese history, Li Shudjun, in his famous work “Foundations of Pharmacopedia” from 1578 mentions the goji berry. He observed that the people from the village of Nanchu have the habit of eating goji berries and almost all of them are centenarians.
Goji is among the top 5 tonic herbs(Cordyceps, Ginseng, Schizandra, Deer Antler) that score high on almost all categories of the Three Treasures. Millions of people throughout Asia consume Goji berries every day for both their unique, satisfying flavor, and for their health benefits. since the 1st century, it has been classified in the Chinese Materia Medica as a “superior tonic,” a class of herbs that people should take on an on-going basis to preserve youth and to promote general well being.
+ promote the growth of gut-health bacteria for immune support
+ acts as an aphrodisiac, increasing sexual energy and testosterone
+ betaines (alkaloid found in goji) contain neutral chemical compounds shown to reduce fatty deposits in the liver
+ promote feelings of well-being and calmness
+ improve endurance and athletic performance
+ tonifies all three "treasures" in TCM: shen, jing, and qi
FOLKLORE:
The poet Liu Juncy from the Tan dynasty (618-907) praised this herb's miracle effects in a poem for goji. It is written that even the water from the well close to the plants could help the people to attain longevity. One of the most famous phyto-therapists and healers in Chinese history, Li Shudjun, in his famous work “Foundations of Pharmacopedia” from 1578 mentions the goji berry. He observed that the people from the village of Nanchu have the habit of eating goji berries and almost all of them are centenarians.
Goji is among the top 5 tonic herbs(Cordyceps, Ginseng, Schizandra, Deer Antler) that score high on almost all categories of the Three Treasures. Millions of people throughout Asia consume Goji berries every day for both their unique, satisfying flavor, and for their health benefits. since the 1st century, it has been classified in the Chinese Materia Medica as a “superior tonic,” a class of herbs that people should take on an on-going basis to preserve youth and to promote general well being.
cordyceps | energy + libido
BENEFITS:
+ improve endurance and athletic performance
+ improve cellular energy and ATP production
+ adaptogenic (helping the body react to, handle, and heal from stress)
+ Beta-glucans and nucleosides support the immune system and cell
+ increases sexual energy, fertility, and libido
+ its polysaccharides support liver function and protect the kidneys
FOLKLORE:
welcome to the incredibly magical world of cordyceps, a zombie-like fungus that takes over the consciousness of an invertebrate insect in order to reproduce.
how?
cordyceps preys on specific insect larva. the mycelium takes control of its nervous system, and repositions the insect’s body in a way that will maximize the release of its spores and improve its reproductive potential.
finding cordyceps in the wild is rare, and its increasing popularity makes it one of the most expensive herbal medicines on the planet.
it’s been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine circles to regenerate both the yin and yang parts of our core essence, our jing. jing represents vitality, youth, and resilience — strong jing means improved fertility, improved sex lives. (known to some as Himalayan viagra!)
its ability to improve athletic performance is so profound that in the 1993 olympics, chinese athletes were accused of doping. they were negative — they had been supplementing cordyceps.
panax ginseng | stamina
BENEFITS:
+ adaptogenic (helping the body react to, handle, and heal from stress)
+ may provide short term boost to concentration.
+ boost endurance
+ mood enhancer
+ balances cortisol levels and supports adrenals
+ supports adrenal cortex, improving stress response time
+ balances blood sugar levels
+ increases response to sexual stimuli, improves erectile dysfunction
rhodiola rosea | energy + stress relief
BENEFITS:
+ adaptogenic (helping the body react to, handle, and heal from stress)
+ acts on beta-endorphins and opioid neuropeptides to enhance stress tolerance
+ regulates and uplifts mood while gently combating stress-related fatigue
+ improves mental capacity and ability to focus for extended periods of time
+ naturally boosts endorphins
FOLKLORE:
this ancient bark was prized by vikings.they used it to keep energy levels high and minds sharp during long battles and village raids. and the russian government is said to still have their research on this plant classified.
in Siberia, bundles of thodiola were gifted to newlyweds in hopes that it would boost their fertility levels as well as encourage the birth of healthy babies. and many families kept the location of their rhodiola rosea crops a secret.
