PRIMA MATERIA is a mushroom extraction project started by Stef Spijkermans through WINGMAN
MODERN ALCHEMY
“The basis of the opus, the prima materia, is one of the most famous secrets in alchemy.
Alchemy set itself the task of acquiring this ‘treasure hard to attain’, and of producing it in visible form, as the physical gold or the panacea or the transforming tincture ”
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the PRIMA MATERIA family!
It has been an interesting journey since I started with the idea of creating my own mushroom extractions.
Now, as I’m literally typing this page, explaining what it all is… I have to say I have no idea where this journey will end, but the process thus far has been an absolute pleasure!
As you might know by now, the Funghi called Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus) have been used as a tincture for countless years.
Records of using this beautiful mushroom go way back to traditional Chinese medicine, and most likely has been used in times we can’t even imagine.
The Kingdom of mushrooms have been around for 3.2 billion years, making it one of the most ancient living beings on our planet.
As a reference, plants have been around for 500 million years, and humans just a mere fraction of that.
So we could easily state that our planet is a mushroom planet where we humans are the aliens, and not the other way around…
We are profoundly connected with Funghi, way beyond all the scientific knowledge (really, science simply states we don’t know shit).
It’s actually only our sacred, spiritual and cultural relationship that reveals a glimpse of the truly ancient symbiosis between the Funghi and us humans.
EXTRACT & RESEARCH
Lion’s Mane is a unique mushroom within the long tradition of revered fungi.
Its fruiting body naturally contains a wide range of fascinating and promising compounds, among which polysaccharides
— particularly beta-D-glucans — play a very well known central role.
These beta-D-glucans are locked within the chitinous structure of the mushroom and become accessible only through careful extraction.
Alongside them, Lion’s Mane carries an impressive spectrum of naturally occurring bioactive constituents, including:
• Hericenones
• Erinacines
• Sterols
• Nucleosides
• Ergothioneine
• Phospholipids
• Phenolic compounds
• Cyathane-type diterpenoids
Within academic circles, these components continue to draw significant research interest, exploring their diverse characteristics and chemical profiles.
Specifically for Lion’s Mane, Hericenones and Erinacines are considered its most defining natural compounds.
These two groups are widely regarded as key markers for the mushroom’s biochemical identity and are therefore frequently highlighted in analytical research. Their distinct molecular profiles make them central to how Lion’s Mane is characterized in scientific literature.
If you wish to dive deeper into the scientific landscape behind this mushroom, there is an abundance of literature available — from analytical reviews to detailed biochemical studies — which offers a broader view of Lion’s Mane and its many naturally occurring compounds.
Please do ask me for references to such articles, as I follow the scientific literature closely!
INTENTION
My ideal for this initiative called PRIMA MATERIA is to create a 100% transparent process,
something which, unfortunately, seems to be rather unique in the industry of mushrooms and its extractions.
Each batch that I create will receive a name and number,
and I will share all the steps I’ve taken in order for you to completely recreate each batch.
Why?
As the process itself has been extremely rewarding and requires mostly patience,
I would only wish for you to experience it yourself.
It is not rocket science to create tinctures, anyone could make their own.
Next to the transparency, I consider this alchemic process of creation to be a very organic one.
As I’m doing research around the matter continuously,
new insights & methods will always be discovered and experimented with.
Leading to a more diverse and potent tincture.
Normally consistency is key, however, in my process the only consistency you will find are: my curiosity & enthusiasm.
The outcome will never be exactly the same, hence every batch becomes unique.
HOW TO TAKE LION’S MANE
When you’re starting with Lion’s Mane:
Please you start a little intentional program for yourself.
Really dedicate to take Lion’s Mane daily for 2-3 weeks, every morning.
Make it a little ritual;
You wake up (empty stomach), walk straight to the fridge, take out the bottle, shake really well, take you dose Lion’s Mane
and carry on.
I always say: “take it and forget it!”.
Don’t try to “feel” anything, see if you “notice something”.
Simply take and go about your day :)
However… after the 2-3 week period, this is the moment when you:
Stop, really check-in with yourself and make an assessment
In case you wish to continue after this period, please switch towardds taking it in a more intuitive way.
Intuitive? Meaning: do what feels right/good for you!
Every-body is different, so you need to discover your own rhythm of taking Lion’s Mane.
There are no fixed templates on how to take Lion’s Mane, only crude averages.
Please discover your own!
OVERALL PROTOCOL
1. Storage
Store in a cold and dark place, although it should be able to remain good for up to 12 months, due to the 22% alcohol.
2. Dosage
This is a difficult one, as research is still all over the place and does not offer a clear guideline.
Yet, I would use 1 full pipet (about 20 drops), with a minimum of one time a day.
(Some people take around 2-3 times a day. They do so for their personal reasons)
3. Method
Shake very well before usage, place directly underneath your tongue (or dissolve the drops in water)
and drink this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Again: Don’t try to “feel” anything, if it “works or not”. Just go about your day as normal.
4. General Note
This product is a mushroom preparation.
Use it in a way that aligns with your own preferences, awareness, and personal routine.
If the taste is too intense, simply take with some water :)
DISCLAIMER:
I simply expect everyone to do their own research regarding Lion’s Mane (and any other extractions actually).
Never blindly follow what brands shout, a lot of marketing is behind this.
Platforms like PubMed, CORE, Semantic Scholar and Google Scholar are great resources for academic journals and papers.
I craft these tinctures with great care and attention.
However, it is important that you listen to your own body and judgment.
If you have concerns, sensitivities, or simply don’t feel comfortable using it, then don’t take it.
If you experience any discomfort, just stop — your well-being always comes first.
Common sense matters, and I trust that you’ll use this product in a way that feels right for you.
HOW TO REQUEST
At the moment I only take direct requests via my PRIMA MATERIA Instagram account or personally.
€25 for a 30ML bottle - which will last between 2-4 weeks average. (the 30ML bottle will soon not be available anymore, only 50ML)
€42 for a 50ML bottle - which will last between 4-6 weeks average.
Shipping is globally possible - enquire for exact prices
Shipping in The Netherlands has a fixed price of €6,80 (PostNL with tracking via MyParcel)
BATCHES (ARCHIVE)
THE BATCHES BELOW ARE OLD BATCHES, MY APOLOGIES FOR ANY CONFUSION.
THESE ACT AS AN ARCHIVE, IN ORDER TO BE TRANSPARANT AND SHOW PEOPLE THE PROGRESS I MADE
IN THE CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE EXTRACTION
WHEN YOU ORDER, YOU WILL SIMPLY RECEIVE THE LATEST BATCH I MADE)
I like to work in batches, making every tincture unique and guaranteed of the highest focus on quality, intention and detail.
Once one batch is sold out, I create a new one.
As a homage to the pure creative power of the feminine, I like to name all the batches in honour to female deities.
These are names and stories I come across during my own studies around various topics within the sciences, having a deep appreciation for Philosophy and all the ancient stories that make our current world.
Below you’ll find all the batches I’ve made, including every step I took in order to create the batch.
#1 - “EVE”
Created 7 June 2020
Finished 29 June 2020
39.15 grams dried Lion’s Mane fruiting body -
homegrown batch ordered via homegreen.nl
Dual extraction process
Step 1:
Alcohol extraction using 500 ml of Navimer 96% pure alcohol - 3 weeks storage in freezer
Step 2:
Water extraction with filtered out residue from alcohol extraction, using 750 ml of mineral water (Bar Le Duc) and boiling for 3 hours.
Step 3:
Cooled boiled water naturally and mixed this with the alcohol mixture, which resulted in a 1250 ml tincture with 30% alchohol. These are individually bottled.
#2 - “NAMMU”
Created 7 June 2020
Finished 29 June 2020
89.02 grams dried Lion’s Mane fruiting body -
bought batch via Dutch biological farmer
Dual extraction process
Step 1:
Alcohol extraction using 500 ml of Navimer 96% pure bio ethanol - 3 weeks storage in freezer
Step 2:
Water extraction with filtered out residue from alcohol extraction, using 750 ml of mineral water (Bar Le Duc) and boiling for 3 hours.
Step 3:
Cooled boiled water naturally and mixed this with the alcohol mixture, which resulted in a 1250 ml tincture with 30% alchohol. These are individually bottled.
#3 - “OLIVER”
Created 3 January 2021
Finished 3 February 2021
200 grams dried Lion’s Mane fruiting body - batch via Dutch biological farmer
Multiple steps extraction process
Step 1:
Water extraction - submerging the 200 grams Lion’s Mane fruiting body powder in 2000ml of mineral water (Bar le Duc).
Step 2:
Submerged the 2000ml water mixture in an ultrasonic bath for 120 minutes.
Step 3:
Separated the 2000ml Lion’s Mane mixture in half and applied high pressure extraction by having the mixture in a pressure cooker for 60 minutes.
Step 4:
Filtered the Lion’s Mane from the water solution, stored the water and submerged the Lion’s mane in 500ml of Pural 96% bio ethanol.
Step 5:
Stored the ethanol Lion’s Mane mixture for 4 weeks, exposing it to different temperature conditions: including freezer, room temperature and warm baths.
Step 6:
After 4 weeks, filtered the Lion’s Mane from the ethanol and mixed this with the Lion’s Mane water extraction to end up with 1200ml 30% alcohol Lion’s Mane extraction. Bottled and labeled by hand.
#4 - “SOPHIA”
Created 17 February 2021
Finished 29 March 2021
416 grams dried Lion’s Mane fruiting body - mixed batch via Dutch biological farmer and personally homegrown in Amsterdam
Multiple steps extraction process
Step 1:
Alchohol extraction - submerging the 416 grams Lion’s Mane fruiting body powder in 1000ml of Pural 96% bio ethanol and store for 6 weeks.
Step 2:
Conducted ultrasonic extraction within the alchohol extraction for 60 minutes.
Step 3:
Filtered out the 416 grams Lion’s Mane residue, stored the alcohol extraction to later combine with water extraction.
Step 4:
Mixed the 416 grams of Lion’s Mane together with 2000ml of mineral water (Bar le Duc) and cooked this in a pressure cooker for 120 minutes.
Step 5:
Once done with the pressure cooker, reducing the water extraction from 2000ml to 1100 ml on medium heat.
Step 6:
Once the water extraction cooled, filtered out the Lion’s Mane residue from the water extraction, mixed this with the Lion’s Mane alcohol extraction to end up with 1200ml 30% alcohol Lion’s Mane multi steps extraction. Bottled and labeled by hand.
#5 - “KALI”
Created 06 February 2021
Finished 29 May 2021
420 grams dried Lion’s Mane fruiting body - mixed batch via Dutch biological farmer and personally homegrown in Amsterdam
Multiple steps extraction process
Step 1: Alcohol extraction - submerging 200 grams Lion’s Mane fruiting body powder in 500 ml of Pural 96% bio ethanol and store for 3,5 months.
Step 2: Filtered out the 200 grams Lion’s Mane from the alcohol extraction, put alcohol extraction aside, and applied high pressure heath extraction with this 200 grams residue.
Step 3: With the other 220 grams of Lion’s Mane, submerged this in 4 litres of mineral water and applied 2x 60 minutes ultrasonic extraction within a period of 24 hours.
Step 4: Once done with ultrasonic extraction, reducing the water extraction from 4000ml to 1100 ml on very low heat.
Step 5: Once the water extraction cooled, filtered out the last Lion’s Mane residue from the water extraction, mixed this with the Lion’s Mane alcohol extraction to end up with 1200ml 30% alcohol Lion’s Mane multi steps extraction.
Step 6: Bottled and labeled by hand.
#6 - “DEMETER”
Created 30 June 2021
Finished 29 May 2021
500 grams dried Lion’s Mane fruiting body - mixed batch via Dutch biological farmer and personally homegrown in Amsterdam
Multiple steps extraction process
Step 1: Alcohol extraction - submerging 200 grams Lion’s Mane fruiting body powder in 500 ml of Pural 96% bio ethanol and store for 5 weeks. During 5 weeks, I exposed it to multiple conditions; freezer, heath and blender. Ended up with effectively 330ml of 96% bio ethanol.
Step 3: With the other 300 grams of Lion’s Mane, submerged this in 4 litres of mineral water and applied 3x 60 minutes ultrasonic extraction within a period of 24 hours.
Step 4: Once done with ultrasonic extraction, I poured 2x 800ML of the liquid and put these in high pressure lab bottles and within a WMF pressure cooker.
Bottle #1 I exposed 15 minutes to 14 psi.
Bottle #2 I exposed 180 minutes to 14 psi.
Step 5: For the final step, I filtered out all the Lion’s Mane residue from all the water and ethanol extractions and mixed all water extractions into one big pan.
On lowest simmer, I evaporated the excess water down to 1.27L water, so that mixed with the 330ml 96% bio ethanol I would finally end up with a 1,6L 20% tincture.
Step 6: Bottled and labeled by hand.
#7 - “ISHTAR”
Finished 22 September 2021
700 grams dried Lion’s Mane fruiting body - mixed batch via Dutch biological farmer and personally homegrown in Amsterdam
Multiple steps extraction process
Step 1: Alcohol extraction - submerging 100 grams Lion’s Mane fruiting body powder in 500 ml of Pural 96% bio ethanol and store for 2 weeks. During 5 weeks, I exposed it to multiple conditions; freezer, heath and blender. Ended up with effectively 330ml of 96% bio ethanol.
Step 3: With the other 600 grams of Lion’s Mane, submerged this in 4 litres of mineral water and applied 3x 60 minutes ultrasonic extraction within a period of 24 hours.
Step 4: Once done with ultrasonic extraction, I poured 2x 800ML of the liquid and put these in high pressure lab bottles and within a WMF pressure cooker.
Bottle #1 I exposed 15 minutes to 14 psi.
Bottle #2 I exposed 180 minutes to 14 psi.
Step 5: For the final step, I filtered out all the Lion’s Mane residue from all the water and ethanol extractions and mixed all water extractions into one big pan.
On lowest simmer, I evaporated the excess water down to 1.27L water, so that mixed with the 330ml 96% bio ethanol I would finally end up with a 1,6L 20% tincture.
Step 6: Bottled and labeled by hand.
#8 - “ISIS”
Finished 1 October 2021
800 grams dried Lion’s Mane fruiting body - mixed batch via Dutch biological farmer and personally homegrown in Amsterdam
Multiple steps extraction process
Step 1: Alcohol extraction - submerging 100 grams Lion’s Mane fruiting body powder in 500 ml of Pural 96% bio ethanol and store for 2 weeks. During 5 weeks, I exposed it to multiple conditions; freezer, heath and blender. Ended up with effectively 330ml of 96% bio ethanol.
Step 3: With the other 700 grams of Lion’s Mane, submerged this in 4 litres of mineral water and applied 3x 60 minutes ultrasonic extraction within a period of 24 hours.
Step 4: Once done with ultrasonic extraction, I poured 2x 800ML of the liquid and put these in high pressure lab bottles and within a WMF pressure cooker.
Bottle #1 I exposed 15 minutes to 14 psi.
Bottle #2 I exposed 180 minutes to 14 psi.
Step 5: For the final step, I filtered out all the Lion’s Mane residue from all the water and ethanol extractions and mixed all water extractions into one big pan.
On lowest simmer, I evaporated the excess water down to 1.27L water, so that mixed with the 330ml 96% bio ethanol I would finally end up with a 1,6L 20% tincture.
Step 6: Bottled and labeled by hand.
#9 -”PERSEPHONE”
Finished 18 November 2021
900 grams dried Lion’s Mane fruiting body - mixed batch via Dutch biological farmer.
Multiple steps extraction process
Step 1: Alcohol extraction - submerging 100 grams Lion’s Mane fruiting body powder in 500 ml of Pural 96% bio ethanol and store for 2 weeks. During 5 weeks, I exposed it to multiple conditions; freezer, heath and blender. Ended up with effectively 330ml of 96% bio ethanol.
Step 3: With the other 900 grams of Lion’s Mane, submerged this in 4 litres of mineral water and applied 3x 60 minutes ultrasonic extraction within a period of 24 hours.
Step 4: Once done with ultrasonic extraction, I poured 2x 800ML of the liquid and put these in high pressure lab bottles and within a WMF pressure cooker.
Bottle #1 I exposed 15 minutes to 14 psi.
Bottle #2 I exposed 180 minutes to 14 psi.
Step 5: For the final step, I filtered out all the Lion’s Mane residue from all the water and ethanol extractions and mixed all water extractions into one big pan.
On lowest simmer, I evaporated the excess water down to 1.27L water, so that mixed with the 330ml 96% bio ethanol I would finally end up with a 1,6L 20% tincture.
Step 6: Bottled and labeled by hand.
#10 - MITHRA
Finished 05 January 2022
1000 grams dried Lion’s Mane fruiting body - mixed batch via Dutch biological farmer.
Multiple steps extraction process
Step 1: Alcohol extraction - submerging 100 grams Lion’s Mane fruiting body powder in 500 ml of Pural 96% bio ethanol and store for 2 weeks. During 5 weeks, I exposed it to multiple conditions; freezer, heath and blender.
Step 3: With the other 900 grams of Lion’s Mane, submerged this in 9 litres of mineral water and applied 3x 60 minutes ultrasonic extraction within a period of 24 hours.
Step 4: Once done with ultrasonic extraction, I poured 2x 900ML of the liquid and put these in high pressure lab bottles and within a WMF pressure cooker.
Step 5: For the final step, I filtered out all the Lion’s Mane residue from all the water and ethanol extractions and mixed all water extractions into one big pan.
On the lowest simmer using a heath reducer, I evaporated the excess water down to 1.4L water, so that mixed with the 96% bio ethanol extraction I would finally end up with a 1,8L 20% tincture.
Step 6: Bottled and labeled by hand.
#11 - “DIANA”
Finished 24 March 2022
1000 grams dried Lion’s Mane fruiting body - mixed batch via Dutch biological farmer.
Multiple steps extraction process
Step 1: Alcohol extraction - submerging 100 grams Lion’s Mane fruiting body powder in 500 ml of Pural 96% bio ethanol and store for 2 weeks.
Step 3: With the other 900 grams of Lion’s Mane, submerged this in 9 litres of mineral water and applied 3x 60 minutes ultrasonic extraction within a period of 24 hours.
Step 4: Once done with ultrasonic extraction, I poured 2x 900ML of the liquid and put these in high pressure lab bottles and within a WMF pressure cooker. Equally I poured 2x900ml of the liquid in bottles and warmed these a “Bain-marie”.
Step 5: For the final step, I filtered out all the Lion’s Mane residue from all the water and ethanol extractions and mixed all water extractions into one big pan.
On the lowest simmer using a heath reducer, I evaporated the excess water down to 1.5L water, so that mixed with the 96% bio ethanol extraction I would finally end up with a 1,9L 20% tincture.
Step 6: Bottled and labeled by hand.
Lion’s Mane Specifications:
Below you will find the specification sheet from German based medicinal mushroom company called Mycotrition for their organic dried Lion’s Mane powder, which they source from China.
This is NOT an analysis of the Lion’s Mane that PRIMA MATERIA grows/sources, yet acts only as an reference.
However, it should overlap with the values of our organically Dutch grown Lion’s Mane.
Nutritional values:
100g contain:
Energy 1094kJ / 263kcal
Protein 11.3g
Carbohydrates 46.2g
Sugar 1.6g
Fat 0.3g
Saturated fatty acids 0.1g
Fibre 46.2g
Ash 7.7g
Sodium < 0.2g
Heavy metals:
Lead (as Pb) ≤ 2.0 mg/kg
Cadmium (as Cd) ≤ 1.0 mg/kg
Mercury (as Hg) ≤ 0.1 mg/kg
EFSA REGULATIONS
Due to the very strict, and necessary, European laws regarding the regulation of tested food consumption, acted out by the European Food Safety Association (EFSA), no product statements and promises can be made about any medical claims of the use of medicinal mushrooms and its tinctures.
However, PRIMA MATERIA does refer to scientific results, done by the global academic community, scientifically proven and documented in peer reviewed scientific literature, which is being monitored continuously.
PRIMA MATERIA
KVK: 74763350
1052EM Amsterdam