Last Updated on June 23, 2025 by Nico
Learn how to make a dual-extracted Lion’s Mane mushroom tincture using alcohol and water for a boost of cognitive and immune support. This is a step-by-step guide is written for beginners and takes you through how to make it!
Lion’s Mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus), named for their mane-like appearance, have a long and rich history of medicinal use, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used for over a thousand years to treat digestive issues, improve spleen function, and promote overall health and longevity.
These days, there is an exciting amount of research into medicinal mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and turkey tail. There is an increasing amount of research into their impact on focus, mood, and many other potential benefits.
Purpose of a double extraction
A dual extraction method uses both alcohol and water to extract the medicinal properties from Lion’s Mane. This helps to make sure that your final tincture has both the water-soluble and alcohol-soluble beneficial compounds.
Potential benefits of Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane mushroom offers a host of potential benefits thanks to its bioactive compounds:
Neuroprotective properties – Rich in hericenones and erinacines, compounds shown to stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production, which supports brain cell growth and survival.
Cognitive enhancement – May help improve memory, reduce brain fog, and enhance overall cognitive function.
Immune system support – Contains immune-boosting polysaccharides that help regulate inflammation.
Antioxidant-rich – Acts as a natural antioxidant that may support neuronal health and protect cells from damage.
Mental wellness – Early studies suggest it could reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Fresh or dried Lion’s Mane
I use dried mushrooms to make my tinctures. This ensures there isn’t excessive water content in the alcohol extraction part of the process.
If you’re foraging for fresh mushrooms, I recommend cleaning them and slicing them into small pieces. Then let them dry or dehydrate them. Once the slices are dried, you can go ahead and make the tincture.
Lion’s Mane tincture recipe
Ingredients
Dried Lion’s Mane mushrooms – here’s an organic source. I prefer to use slices of the mushroom instead of powders because I find straining off the powder overly time-consuming. But you can easily use powders as well.
High-proof alcohol (at least 80-proof vodka or food-grade alcohol) – If you want to avoid alcohol, you can simply swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin.
Tools
A glass jar for the extraction – I like these ones
Paper coffee filter, fine mesh strainer, or cheesecloth (a glass french press would also work!) – I like these unbleached ones
Small amber glass bottles with dropper tops – You can use any glass storage jar, but I like the dropper tops because they make dosing easier – I like these dropper bottles
A small funnel
Saucepan or crockpot with lid
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
Alcohol-extraction
If you’re using foraged Lion’s Mane, make sure it’s dried and in slices. I like to use slices that are about ¼ inch long.
Add your Lion’s Mane powder or slices to a clean glass jar.
Cover the mushroom in alcohol. You want everything to be completely submerged below the alcohol.
Add a piece of parchment paper on top of the jar, between the alcohol and your plastic or metal lid.
Date and label the jar and set it in a cool, dark place like a pantry for 8 weeks. I like to leave it for the full 8 weeks to help make sure that the tincture is full of alcohol-soluble constituents.
Hot-water extraction
After 8 weeks, use cheesecloth, a mesh strainer, or a coffee filter to strain off the tincture. If you used powdered Lion’s Mane, definitely use a coffee filter to get a clean strain.
Set the alcohol tincture aside and add the same mushroom solids that were in the alcohol tincture into a small saucepan.
Cover the mushrooms with 3 cups of water.
On a stovetop or in a crockpot, gently heat the mushrooms until ½ of the water has evaporated. You want to avoid simmering or boiling the water – the goal is to gently warm it to facilitate the extraction. A crockpot is ideal for this because you can control the temperature more precisely and steep the mushrooms for longer (which will help extract the water-soluble polysaccharides).
Once half of the water has evaporated, strain off the mushroom solids.
Combine
Combine the alcohol tincture with the hot water extraction. Stir it together with a spoon and use a funnel to add your homemade tincture to a tincture bottle or clean glass jar. You can use a ratio of 1:1, but my preferred ratio is 3:1, three parts alcohol tincture to 1 part water extraction.
How to use Lion’s Mane tincture
- Direct: Place 1–2 droppers under the tongue for quick absorption.
- In a drink: Add to water, tea, or juice.
How much to take
I tend to start with 1 dropper and slowly work up to 2 per day. I like to take it in the morning to help with focus throughout the afternoon. Listen to your body and consult a qualified healthcare provider.
How long does it last
This tincture, due to its water content, is best used within 1 year. Store in a cool, dark place and do your best to strain off all of the mushrooms from the tincture to prevent spoilage.
How to make it without alcohol
It’s best to make this one with alcohol, but you can substitute alcohol with raw vinegar or food-grade glycerin. The potency will be reduced and it will have a shorter shelf life. Use vinegar-based tinctures within 6 months and glycerin-based within a year.
Disclaimer – I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of your health care provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with other medication.
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How To Make Dual-Extracted Lion’s Mane Tincture
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If you’re using foraged Lion’s Mane, make sure it’s dried and in slices. I like to use slices that are about ¼ inch long.
- Add your Lion’s Mane powder or slices to a clean glass jar.
- Cover the mushroom in alcohol. You want everything to be completely submerged below the alcohol.
- Add a piece of parchment paper on top of the jar, between the alcohol and your plastic or metal lid.
- Date and label the jar and set it in a cool, dark place like a pantry for 8 weeks. I like to leave it for the full 8 weeks to help make sure that the tincture is full of alcohol-soluble constituents.
- After 8 weeks, use cheesecloth, a mesh strainer, or a coffee filter to strain off the tincture. If you used powdered Lion’s Mane, definitely use a coffee filter to get a clean strain.
- Set the alcohol tincture aside and add the same mushroom solids that were in the alcohol tincture into a small saucepan.
- Cover the mushrooms with 3 cups of water.
- On a stovetop or in a crockpot, gently heat the mushrooms until ½ of the water has evaporated. You want to avoid simmering or boiling the water – the goal is to gently warm it to facilitate the extraction. A crockpot is ideal for this because you can control the temperature more precisely and steep the mushrooms for longer (which will help extract the water-soluble polysaccharides).
- Once half of the water has evaporated, strain off the mushroom solids.
- Combine the alcohol tincture with the hot water extraction. Stir it together with a spoon and use a funnel to add your homemade tincture to a tincture bottle or clean glass jar. You can use a ratio of 1:1, but my preferred ratio is 3:1, three parts alcohol tincture to 1 part water extraction.
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