TruNorth Naturals

10/03/2024

Nearly a decade of sustainable harvesting! 🌿

While TruNorth began with Chaga, over the years we’ve grown to offer a wide variety of mushrooms and fungi to our customers.

Our dedicated crews now ethically harvest turkey tail, willow bracket, reishi, and birch polypore.

From the beginning, land stewardship and forest sustainability have always been at the heart of what we do. We’re fortunate to work with passionate men and women who share TruNorth’s vision of conservation and regenerative practices - and who simply LOVE the forest and being in the bush !

The first photo features our current crew—Corey (Crew Boss), along with, Jackie, Kyle, Almira, and Jimmy the bush dog !

➡️ Swipe through for some TruNorth harvesting memories (the final image is one of the very first photos of our founder, Cody, harvesting Chaga, during the first year of TruNorth’s inception).

10/01/2024

This week, we at TruNorth stand with our Indigenous sisters and brothers, as we honour Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

For us, this day, this week, is about more than just wearing orange—it’s about listening, learning, remembering, and healing.

We honour the treaties, the survivors, the children who never made it home, and those continuing the journey to reclaim their traditions.

This time is a call to all of us, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, to listen, learn, and act with purpose.

Here are some meaningful ways to learn more, listen more, and be more involved with our Indigenous culture:

* Support indegenous businesses and artists; visit online platforms such as Shop First Nations, Indigenous Fashion Arts, and The Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada

* Educate yourself on Indigenous Culture and History. Pick up a book by an indigenous author; some great ones include Thomas King, Richard Wagamese, and Eden Robinson.

• Follow informative and inspirational indigenous artists, healers, and influencers. Some of our faves:

• Watch documentaries or films, such as Indian Horse, We Were Children, or The Grizzlies - all which provide powerful insights into Indigenous experiences.

• Participate in Cultural Events:
Attend a Pow Wow! PowWows are vibrant, inclusive celebrations of Indigenous culture, dance, and song - and all are welcome! Come celebrate!

• Support Indigenous Activism, like “Idle No More” Stay informed about issues impacting Indigenous peoples and land rights, environmental protection, and justice.

• Donate to Indigenous organizations, such as “First Nations Child and Family Caring Society” , “Native Women’s Association of Canada”, or local initiatives.

By supporting Indigenous businesses, learning from Indigenous voices, and actively participating in reconciliation efforts, we can collectively move towards a future that respects and celebrates Indigenous cultures and traditions.

Miigwetch 🙏🏼 🪶 ❤️

09/16/2024

Wild vs. Lab-Cultivated Turkey Tail: Which is Superior?

Turkey tail mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and modern science is catching up!

But did you know there’s a significant difference between wild-harvested and lab-cultivated turkey tail?

Recent studies show that wild-harvested turkey tail contains a broader spectrum of bioactive compounds compared to its lab-grown counterpart. These compounds, including polysaccharopeptides (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK), are essential for immune support and have shown potential in cancer therapy.

One study published in the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” found that wild mushrooms contain higher concentrations of antioxidants and adaptogens, which are critical for fighting inflammation and boosting immunity.

In fact, research highlights that the stressors in nature – temperature changes, natural predators, and variable nutrients – cause wild mushrooms to develop stronger defense mechanisms. This results in a richer profile of health-boosting compounds.

However, cultivated turkey tail mushrooms also have several benefits, particularly for brands looking to source ingredients consistently and efficiently.

Some advantages of cultivated turkey tail, when compared to wild-harvested, include:
- Consistency in Quality and Potency
- Standardized Growing Conditions
- Scalability and Availability
- Year-Round Production
- Cost-Effectiveness

While wild-harvested turkey tail may offer a broader spectrum of bioactive compounds, cultivated turkey tail provides consistency, and a lower cost.

If using turkey tail for its medicinal properties, opting for wild-harvested varieties MAY be a better option, however, depending on your brand needs, cultivated turkey tail may provide a more suitable solution.

🌲 At TruNorth, we provide bulk sales of our sustainably wild harvested turkey tail, as well as work with trusted partner farms to provide a high quality cultivated option, as well!

📷 pictured above:

1) Wild turkey tail about to be sustainably harvested by our TruNorth crew

2) Milled wild turkey tail at < 10 mm, ready to ship to a customer

09/08/2024

Looking for a tonic that will nourish your gut, reduce inflammation, increase energy levels, and help with anxiety?

Woodroot Tonic, by , is your new best friend.

We’re proud to have been providing our Wild Chaga to Morningside Naturals for several years now, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the high quality products they provide to their customers.

In their words:

“I’ve been buying Chaga from TruNorth for over two years. I use it to make a product I sell and will only use the best available chaga on the market. TruNorth Chags is by far the best 100% organic mushroom. More importantly, is the leadership behind the company. We only work with like minded companies that put integrity, authenticity, passion, and commitment to developing a solid honest partnership. Cody and his team follow the same principles of doing business. Great people to work with. They never let us down!”

🍃🍄 Thank you Morningside Naturals … we’re big fans !

08/08/2024

We are seeking individuals interested in harvesting medicinal mushrooms in ONTARIO!

TruNorth Naturals (TN) is a mushroom/plant-medicine foraging and processing company based in Ontario. Our customers come to us for the high-quality, safe, wild-harvested variety we maintain. We are committed to forest conservation and regeneration, emphasizing sustainable practices. Our deep respect and passion for the wilderness drive our efforts. We’re actively seeking team members who share our reverence for the forests and all the life they support.
This position is ideal for individuals who are eager to learn, acquire new skills, engage in physically demanding work, and thrive in a natural environment. We work all year round and harvest different species depending on the season.

We offer opportunities for both Independent Harvesters and Full-time Harvesters. Please note that as a TN harvester (Independent or Full-time) you are not required to search random forest areas in hopes of finding fungi. We have a robust system in place that ensure harvesters can reliably locate the specific species they are seeking while maintaining sustainability of the forest ecosystem. We provide all necessary tools for your success. By utilizing GIS from forestry databases, we accurately locate various species. Collaborating with forest management companies, we overlay our data with forestry inventory datasets to pinpoint the specific locations of fungal species within the forest.
Independent Harvesters:
● Work on your own schedule after completing online and field training and deemed competent by a TN Trainer
● Employed as contractors, requiring reliable transportation
Full-time Harvesters
● Accommodation trailers are provided while working.
● Typical schedule: 4 days/3 nights in the bush, followed by 3 days off.
● Option to work additional days if desired

If you are interested and would like more information about the position, feel free to contact me, Lisa at lisaann@trunorthnaturals.com. Additionally, kindly send your resume to the same address if you would like to apply. Check us out here:

We harness and respect the potency and purity of nature and strive to share our natural products with like minded people.

08/08/2024

Swipe ▶️ for some behind the scenes with our harvesting crew !

Our campsite runs on a solar / gas generator, which allows us to keep a deep freezer on-site for the week.

This is crucial to maintain the integrity and active components of the fungi we harvest.

When our crew returns from the bush to the campsite, they immediately fill out our traceability and tracking logs, ensure each species is properly bagged, tagged and organized, then places them into the freezer.

Then we enjoy dinner and an evening around the campfire 🌲🙏🏼

07/16/2024

Reishi season is here !

Our harvesters have been busy in the forest, and we are now taking orders for Wild Reishi.

With our in-house particle reduction, we can offer slices and tea cuts in a variety of sizes.

We also offer Reishi in liquid dual extract, which can be purchased by retail partners under the TruNorth brand, or can be private labeled with your brand.

Due to the short harvesting season, there is a limited amount of product available, and we sell out quickly every year.

Our 100% Wild Reishi is available in bulk orders; DM us, or tap the contact button to send over an email.

📸 Pictured here; our most seasoned harvester, Matt, holding a large Wild Reishi he discovered in an Ontario forest.

05/18/2024

Prairie Doctor is one of our long-term customers who shares our values, ethos, and commitment to sustainability.

For years, we have been providing all our wild fungi species to Prairie Doctor, which they manufacture and extract for their private label sales.

➡️ Swipe for a quick list of all the tinctures you can find on the Prairie Doctor website, as well as in stores! 🌿

They also have some new blends and single herb tinctures being added soon, so look out for those!

Thank you to our long-time wholesale partner, Prairie Doctor, for a relationship that we truly value 🍄🌲💫

04/24/2024

We are currently taking pre-orders for the upcoming Wild Reishi season.

Slices and tea cuts of a variety of sizes are available.

Due to the short harvesting season, there is a limited amount of product available, and we sell out quickly every year.

Our 100% Wild Reishi is available in bulk orders; DM us, or click to contact button to send over an email.

04/23/2024

Can you name these mushrooms from our recent harvests? 1, 2 , and 3 ?

Let us know in the comments ⬇️

04/23/2024

Beautiful, medicinal Artist`s Conk🍄

Here in Northern Ontario, we sustainably harvest this mushroom from a variety of deciduous trees.

Artist’s Conk contains a range of beneficial compounds, such as beta glucans, which are powerful immunomodulators, and triterpenes, which have been known to improve digestion.

In addition, a variety of other polysaccharides, sterols, and polyphenolic compounds contribute to its medicinal properties.

Potential benefits of Artist’s Conk based on in vitro and in vivo studies:

✔️ Respiratory Support:
Several studies, conducted on both human cells and mice, have shown positive effects on distressed respiratory systems, which is likely be attributed to its ganoderic acid content.

✔️ Libido Boost:
A study from 2005 found that extracts of G. applanatum significantly increased nitric oxide synthesis. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator which increases blood flow through the arteries, and plays a pivotal role in cardiac function, peristalsis and sexual arousal.

✔️ Pain Management:
A study conducted on rats in 2021 displayed promising potential for supporting pain management. Ganoderic acids A, B, G and H and compound C6 are antinociceptive, meaning they can act as pain inhibitors.

✔️ Immune Support:
In a 2016 study, rainbow trout were provided Artist’s Conk supplement, and after 45 days, the tested immunologic parameters had increased significantly for all the treated fish. The researchers concluded Artist’s Conk has the potential to activate immunologic parameters.

✔️ Antioxidant Activity:
In a 2012 study, researchers tested the antioxidant activity of Artist’s Conk, where it exhibited the highest free-radical scavenging ability, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and reducing ability. This antioxidant activity strongly correlated to the levels of alpha-glucans, an anti-cancer and immunomodulatory polysaccharide.

✔️ Liver and Kidney Health:
In a 2021 study conducted on rats, extracts of Artist’s Conk were shown to have promising effects on liver enzymes and showed strong potential for hepatoprotective properties.

💫We offer Artist’s Conk in bulk orders of chunks, powders, and tea cuts of various sizes.

*sources in comments

04/23/2024

TruNorth protects purity.
⠀
We only wild harvest fungi from secluded forest regions of Canada 🇨🇦
⠀
Sourcing and harvesting in this environment, away from highways, industrial areas, landfills and cities, means our Chaga is exposed to the least amount of potential contaminants possible.

This allows TruNorth to provide your favourite brands with some of the highest quality Chaga. 🍄‍🟫
⠀
To learn more, head to our bio or send us a DM!