About Us

About Forbidden Root

At Forbidden Root, we believe that taking care of your body should be easy, fun, and delicious. That’s why we’re on a mission to bring botanical and mushroom ingredients into everyday life - by incorporating them into delicious snacks that make adding them to your routine effortless and enjoyable.

Our goal is to create snacks that not only taste great but also feature thoughtfully chosen, high-quality organic ingredients. Whether you're looking for a quick pick-me-up during a busy day or a sweet treat to enjoy with friends, our cookie doughs have got you covered.

We believe that taking care of yourself should be a joyful experience, and we’re excited to be part of your journey toward wellness and indulgence without compromise.

Meet the Founder: Alice Grönvall

Forbidden Root was born from the belief that indulgence and wellness can go hand in hand - a philosophy deeply rooted in the journey of our founder, Alice Grönvall.

Raised in Lausanne, Switzerland, with Swedish-Swiss roots, Alice has always been drawn to the balance between health, good food, and fun. After attending the International School of Lausanne, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management at EHL, one of the world’s top hospitality schools.

While hospitality shaped her career, Alice’s passion for a more holistic lifestyle led her to earn a certification in Holistic Health Coaching from IIN. But it was a personal experience that set her on the path to creating Forbidden Root - when she started sneaking adaptogens into food to get her parents to eat them.

Her mom’s autoimmune condition meant major dietary changes, including avoiding gluten and dairy. At the same time, Alice noticed that adaptogen powders had an unpleasant gritty texture that made them hard to enjoy in beverages. The solution? Incorporating functional mushrooms and herbs into delicious foods - starting with cookie dough.

What began as a kitchen experiment soon became a bigger mission: to make these ingredients accessible and enjoyable to use. With Forbidden Root, Alice brings together premium ingredients, culinary creativity, and a love of great food - so you can nourish yourself without sacrificing joy.

Because taking care of yourself should feel just as good as it tastes.

About the Extracts

Do your extracts contain magic mushrooms (psilocybin)?

No. Our extracts are made from legal, non-psychoactive functional mushrooms only. They do NOT contain psilocybin or any psychoactive compounds.

Are the mushrooms organic?

Yes. All mushrooms used in our tinctures are certified organic and grown in controlled, traceable environments. Most are cultivated at our partner farm in Finland; some varieties (like our current Maitake batch) are sourced from certified organic growers in the Netherlands. Chaga, however, only grows in the wild and is sustainably foraged from Finnish birch trees.

Are your tinctures safe?

Yes. Every batch is produced in a certified facility and tested by accredited third-party laboratories for microbiological purity and heavy metals. Only batches that meet strict safety specifications are bottled.

How do I use the extracts?

Our extracts couldn't be easier to use - simply add a few droppers to any beverage, such as coffee, tea, smoothies, or water. You can also add them to soups & sauces.

Are these fruiting-body mushrooms?

Yes. Our extracts are made from fruiting bodies (the actual mushroom) only - not mycelium.

Are these tinctures legal?

Yes. Our extracts contain only legal, food-grade mushrooms, organic alcohol & water. They comply with Swiss and European food regulations.

What are functional mushrooms?

Functional mushrooms are varieties valued for their unique nutritional profile and naturally occurring compounds. They are non-psychoactive and have been used traditionally in many cultures.

About the Cookies

Are your cookies gluten-free and vegan?

Yes. All of our cookies are naturally gluten-free and vegan, made without dairy, eggs, or wheat.

Do the cookies contain mushroom extracts?

Yes - our cookies are enhanced with mushrooms & adaptogens such as Lion’s Mane, Maca root, Maitake, and Shiitake. They are completely non-psychoactive and used as food ingredients.

Are there any additives or preservatives in the cookies?

No. We don’t use any additives or preservatives in our cookies. They’re made with simple, real ingredients you’d find in your own kitchen - nothing artificial, nothing unnecessary.

How big are the cookies?

Each cookie is baked from 50g of dough and weighs around 47g once baked. Our Classic Chocolate Chip cookies spread more while baking and thus appear larger in comparison to the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies.

How should I store the cookies?

You can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week, or freeze them for longer storage. They reheat beautifully in the oven.

Will your cookie doughs be back?

We are kneading out a few issues with manufacturing - so hopefully in the near future! In the meantime, you can buy our baked cookies which are made with the same recipes.

Shipping & Returns

Do you offer free shipping?

We offer free shipping within Switzerland on orders over CHF 100. Shipping rates are calculated automatically at checkout.

How long does delivery take?

Swiss orders typically arrive within 2-3 business days once shipped. We offer priority shipping at a small surcharge - if you select this, your order will arrive the day after it is shipped.

International delivery times vary based on destination and customs, but expect at least one week's wait.

We aim to send out orders as fast as possible, usually within 24 hours. However, as a small business, this is not always possible - but we promise to do our best! Please let us know if your order is urgent.

How will I know my order has shipped?

You’ll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking details as soon as your order leaves our facility.

What is your return policy?

For safety and hygiene reasons, we cannot accept returns on consumable products. If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, contact us within 7 days so we can arrange a replacement.

How are refunds processed?

Approved refunds are issued to your original payment method. Processing times vary depending on your bank.