How to Make a Potent Lion's Mane Tincture: Advanced Double Extraction Method for Brain Health

About this Guide

Learn how to create potent double extracts by combining both alcohol and water extraction methods. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore how to extract Lion's Mane mushroom's powerful compounds - including neurotrophic and neuroprotective hericenones and erinacines - using professional herbalist techniques.

💡 While industrial labs use different methods, this technique offers an effective approach for small-batch herbalists combining traditional wisdom with modern extraction principles - no specialized lab equipment needed.

This is an advanced tutorial intended for experienced medicine makers. If you're new to tincture making, we recommend starting with our beginner's guide to tincture making before attempting this double extraction method.

What You'll Learn in This Guide

Before diving into the detailed process, here's what we'll cover:

• Complete Lion's Mane mushroom double extraction process
• Professional lab techniques for herbal medicine making
• How to use alcohol and hot water extraction methods
• Calculating proper ratios and using dilution equations
• Using a hydraulic tincture press for optimal results

Required Materials and Specifications

Equipment

• Hydraulic tincture press (optional: you can press manually)
• Press cloth & straining materials 
• Large glass jar for maceration
• Pot for decoction
• Measuring equipment

Ingredients and Measurements

• Fresh Lion's Mane mushroom: 580g
• 95% ethanol (organic cane alcohol): 1160ml (1:2 ratio)
• Water for decoction: calculated based on marc weight (1:10-1:12 ratio)

Process Overview

This double extraction method consists of two main phases:

1. Alcohol extraction
2. Hot water decoction

The final product combines these extracts to capture both alcohol-soluble and water-soluble constituents, creating a more complete medicine.

Key Measurements

• Fresh mushroom weight: 580g
• Tincture ratio: 1:2
• Alcohol strength: 95% ethanol
• Final pressed tincture volume: 1500ml [Double extract uses half (750ml) of final tincture]
• Marc weight after pressing: 162g
• Water ratio: 1:10-1:12
• Water for decoction: 1750 mL
• Final decoction volume: 875ml

Video Tutorial and Written Guide

Watch the complete tutorial below, then follow along with the transcript-based written guide.

Written Guide [based on original transcript]

Introduction

Today we're diving into making a Lion's Mane mushroom tincture using a professional double extraction method. This process is more complex than making a standard plant-based extract because mushrooms contain both alcohol-soluble and hot water-soluble constituents.

Understanding Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Lion's Mane is particularly special among medicinal mushrooms. Here's why:

• Brain Health Benefits: Its neurotrophic and neuroprotective phytochemicals (hericenones and erinacines) can cross the blood-brain barrier. The mushroom even looks like brain tissue, and research shows it supports brain health in multiple ways:
• Helps protect potentially degrading brain cells
• Improves focus and cognition
• Shows promise in studies with dementia, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia patients
• May slow cognitive degradation and restore some lost functions
• Immune System Support: The polysaccharides in Lion's Mane act as immunomodulators, meaning they:
• Help nourish and strengthen the immune system
• Can be taken daily as a tonic
• Support the body's natural immune responses
• Unlike immune stimulants, they help regulate immune function
• Additional Benefits:
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Anti-tumor potential
• Vulnerary (healing) properties, especially for mucous membranes and eyes

Phase 1: Alcohol Extraction

Initial Setup:

• Fresh Lion's Mane weight: 580 grams
• Using a 1:2 ratio, requiring 1,160ml of high-proof alcohol
• Using 95% alcohol (referred to as "100 strength" in herbal medicine)
• The high alcohol content is crucial due to the mushroom's water content

Processing Steps:

1. Chop mushrooms into smaller pieces
2. Process in batches in a Vitamix (or any blender) with the alcohol
3. Create a slurry-like consistency
4. Transfer to storage container
5. Shake daily for minimum two weeks

Phase 2: Pressing and Decoction

After Maceration:

• Original mushroom weight: 580g
• Final marc weight: 162g
• Final pressed tincture volume: 1,500ml
• Alcohol percentage dropped to 65% due to mushroom's water content
• Water ratio for decoction 1:10-1:12

Creating the Decoction:

1. Place pressed marc in pot with water - 162g marc [x] 10 = 1620g/ml water
2. Simmer gently for over an hour, uncovered
3. Break up pressed "pancakes" with immersion blender
4. Create thick, soupy consistency for maximum polysaccharide extraction (see equation below for determining final decoction volume).

The Mathematics of Double Extraction

Calculating Final Alcohol Percentage:

1. Use hydrometer¹ to measure current alcohol content (65%)
2. Target final alcohol content: 30-35% (ideal for polysaccharide stability)
3. Use dilution equation: [(Current % ÷ Target %) × Target Volume] - Target Volume = Decoction Volume
4. For 750ml tincture portion:
• (65 ÷ 30) × 750 = 1,625
• 1,625 - 750 = 875ml decoction needed

Final Steps and Storage

Combining Extracts:

1. Mix 750ml tincture with 875ml decoction
2. Total volume: 1,625ml (54 ounces)
3. Final alcohol content: 30% (verified with hydrometer) 
4. Experiment with adding a hydrocolloid like xanthan gum for increased stability (to avoid precipitation of polysaccharides)

Storage Notes:

• Solution may thicken as it cools due to polysaccharide content
• Shake well before using
• Can be challenging in dropper bottles or spray tops
• Store in appropriate container size for volume

Usage Tips

• Take 1-2 dropperfuls daily as a tonic 
• Shake well before each use, as polysaccharides may still fall out of solution.
• If polysaccharides precipitate, shaking reincorporates them
• Avoid mixing with high-alcohol preparations
• Consider bottling in smaller portions for ease of use

Other Herbs and Mushrooms for Double Extraction

This method works effectively with many herbs and mushrooms that contain both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble constituents, including:

Medicinal Mushrooms

• Reishi
• Cordyceps
• Chaga
• Maitake

Herbs

• Marshmallow root
• Comfrey leaf/root
• Burdock Root
• Echinacea whole pant
• Hawthorn berry
• Rose hips

Take Your Herbal Medicine Making Further

Ready to deepen your understanding of herbal medicine making? Our comprehensive Herbal Remedies Intensive course covers:

• All 4 primary extraction solvents (water, oil, alcohol, and glycerin)
• The science of phytochemical polarity
• Solvent selection principles
• Step-by-step video tutorials
• Detailed handouts and lectures

Learn more about the Herbal Remedies Intensive course

Resources and Equipment

Purchase Equipment

• Hydraulic Tincture Press
• Organic Cane Alcohol

Additional Resources

• Lion's Mane FAQs
• Lion's Mane Tincture
• Full Online Course
• Visit Our Website

End Notes:

¹Hydrometers are helpful for estimating tincture alcohol content but aren’t fully accurate. They’re designed for pure liquid solutions, but dissolved plant compounds, like polysaccharides, can increase the liquid's density, causing slightly lower readings.

To improve accuracy, use a clean, calibrated hydrometer, allow the tincture to settle, and note that the reading is an approximation. For precise results, advanced tools like gas chromatography are needed, but hydrometers work well for most herbal purposes.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbal products, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition. The information shared here is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

References:

Li, I. C., Lee, L. Y., Tzeng, T. T., Chen, W. P., Chen, Y. P., Shiao, Y. J., & Chen, C. C. (2018). Neurohealth Properties of Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Enriched with Erinacines. Behavioural neurology, 2018, 5802634. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/5802634

Sabaratnam, V., Kah-Hui, W., Naidu, M., & David, P. R. (2013). Neuronal health – Can culinary and medicinal mushrooms help? Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 3(1), 62–68. https://doi.org/10.4103/2225-4110.106549

Wong, K.-H., & Cheung, P. C.-K. (2009). Functional ingredients from mushrooms for foods and nutraceuticals. International Journal on Medicinal Mushrooms, 11(3), 255–268. Retrieved from https://eprints.um.edu.my/8185/1/47-1-8.pdf