PRIMA MATERIA is a medicinal mushroom brand 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 medicinal supplement.
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 medicine 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.
MEDICINE
Lion’s Mane is an unique medicinal supplement within the superstar group of medicinal mushrooms, specifically known for these two factors: NGF and BDNF.
NGF, in other words, Nerve Growth Factor, the ability to regrow our nerve cells (neurons) in our brains.
Some studies have been done where they had very promising results regarding matters like Alzheimers and dementia *1
The second factor BDNF is better known als Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor.
This protein 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 the medicinal mushroom are carbohydrates which are called polysaccharides.
To be more exact, the magic component of the polysaccharides are called beta-D-Glucans, which are trapped within the tough (chitin) cell walls of the mushroom. To be even more precise… it’s the beta-D-Glucans 1-3, 1-6 that triggers our immune system and initiates all the healing properties.
- Scroll to the video below about Beta-D-Glucans 1-3, 1-6 that very. nicely informs their workings. -
To conclude, for us humans it should have very positive effects on our:
overall cognitive functions, overall wellbeing, clarity & focus, memory retention and reducing cognitive symptoms like brain fog.
Besides the cognitive functions, Lion’s Mane hosts a list of other bio activities, including;
-Anticancer
-Antitumor and immunomodulation
-Anti depressants/anxiety
-Anti-gastric ulcer
-Neuroprotection and neuroregeneration
-Anti-oxidation and hepatoprotection
-Anti-hyperlipidemia
-Anti-hyperglycemia
-Anti-fatigue
-Anti-aging*2
*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)
In the case you do want to dive a bit deeper without getting lost in the academic papers, I highly recommend this great article called “From Depression to Immune Support, Our Guide to Using Medicinal Mushrooms” published by the amazing psychedelic journalism platform called Double Blind.
INTENTION
My ideal for this initiative called PRIMA MATERIA is to create a 100% transparent process,
something which, unfortunately, seems to be quite unique in the industry of medicinal mushrooms and its supplements.
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.
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 better and more potent potion.
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 making it unique.
HOW TO TAKE LION’S MANE
1. Storage: store in a cold and dark place, although it should be able to remain good for months, due to the 20% alcohol
2. Dosage: this is a difficult one, as research is still all over the place and does not offer a clear guideline.
However, more is better than less. So I would use 1-2 full pipets (half a tea spoon), a minimum of one time a day.
Some people take around 3 times a day, or take an extra dose before an important happening or meeting.
3. Method: Shake very well before usage, dissolve the drops in water and drink this ideally in the morning on an empty stomach
HOW TO ORDER
At the moment I only take direct orders via my PRIMA MATERIA Instagram account or personally.
I ask €25 for a 30ML bottle - which will last between 2-4 weeks.
I ask €42 for a 50ML bottle - which will last between 4-6 weeks
Shipping is globally possible - enquire for exact prices
Shipping in The Netherlands has a fixed price of €7,00 (PostNL with tracking)
BATCHES
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.