Lion’s Mane Tincture
Lion’s Mane Tincture by Prima Materia Modern Alchemy: Nature’s Brain and Gut Ally
At our gallery, café, and store, we celebrate nature and sustainability in all its forms, showcasing artists, makers, and brands that open our minds to new ways of seeing and being. Each piece and product we feature is chosen to inspire transformation, spark curiosity, and elevate everyday experiences in health, wellbeing and creativity.
We are thrilled to now incorporate Prima Materia’s unique Lion’s Mane tincture into our collection. This handcrafted tincture is now available for purchase in-store and can be enjoyed as an addition to your coffee or drink at our café.
What is Lion’s Mane?
The Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is a medicinal mushroom renowned for its nootropic and neuroprotective properties. It has been revered for centuries in traditional medicine, particularly in Asia. This distinctive, cascading mushroom resembles a lion’s mane, hence its name, and is now gaining traction globally as a natural way to support brain and gut health.
Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane contains two active compounds: hericenones and erinacines, which stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). NGF is essential for the growth, repair, and regeneration of neurons, making Lion’s Mane a powerhouse for supporting cognitive and neurological health. It also contains a protein known as BDNF - Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor, that promotes the survival of nerve cells (neurons) by playing a role in the growth, maturation (differentiation), and maintenance of these cells. Research has indicated that people who suffer from ADHD/ADD have lowered levels of BDNF, hence Lion’s Mane is in growing interest for this group and offers a valid alternative for synthetic drugs like Ritalin.
The key ingredient of this medicinal mushroom are carbohydrates called polysaccharides. The magic components of the polysaccharides are called beta-D-Glucans, which are trapped within the tough (chitin) cell walls of the mushroom. The beta-D-Glucans 1-3, 1-6 triggers our immune system and initiates the healing properties.
Overview of Suggested Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane:
Brain Health and Cognition:
Stimulates NGF, promoting the repair and growth of neurons.
Can enhance memory, focus, and mental clarity.
May slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Gut Health:
Supports the gut-brain axis, improving digestion and reducing inflammation.
May aid in healing the gut lining and balancing microbiota.
Mood and Emotional Well-being:
Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression by modulating the nervous system and enhancing brain function.
Immunity Boost:
Contains antioxidants and beta-glucans that strengthen the immune system.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Reduces chronic inflammation, which is linked to various diseases.
Harvesting Lion’s Mane with Prima Materia
Prima Materia Modern Alchemy is an Amsterdam-based passion project founded by Stef Spijkermans with a very simple focus: embarking on a journey to craft an ever-improving tincture, all while remaining transparent in its venture and process.
Prima Materia has a distinct love for the Lion’s Mane mushroom. Heat, pressure, and frequency are the key pillars on which the extraction rests. It also incorporates the old alchemical "Spagyric" method, which allows for the extraction of the Lion’s Mane’s own minerals.
By embracing both modern and medieval methods, Prima Materia crafts a truly full-spectrum Spagyric tincture. Spagyrics combine plant matter, essential oils, and mineral salts to create an elixir that is believed to harness the plant’s full potential.
The Lion’s Mane is organically grown in The Netherlands by a farmer who deeply understands mushrooms. Once Prima Materia receives the Lion’s Mane, every subsequent step is done by hand. With passion and patience, in a small, home-based laboratory in Amsterdam.
How to Use Lion’s Mane
Prima Materia’s tincture provides a simple and effective way to incorporate Lion’s Mane into your routine. Here’s how to use it:
Dosage: One full pipet a day for a period of three weeks. After that you can use it more intuitively when you feel like taking it.
Consumption: Add the tincture to a glass of water, juice, tea, or consume it directly under the tongue for faster absorption.
Frequency: For best results, take it daily, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach.
Storage: Store in a cool, dark place to maintain potency.
Why Choose Prima Materia’s Tincture?
We choose Prima Materia because of its commitment to quality, sustainability, and transparency. By blending traditional alchemical wisdom with modern extraction methods, they craft a product that is potent, bioavailable, and imbued with care and passion.
For more details, follow their journey on Instagram: @primamateriamodernalchemy or on the Website: www.primamateriamodernalchemy.com
Further Sources:
*1 Prevention of Early Alzheimer’s Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study
*2 Structures, biological activities, and industrial applications of the polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) mushroom: A review - International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2017)