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Mycotherapy

The oldest superfood in the world - medicine from the forest

Forget artificial vitamin tablets. Nature has pharmacies in store that are only slowly being rediscovered in the West. They have been standard in Asia for thousands of years: medicinal mushrooms. Especially for people in Winterthur and Zurich who are under high pressure to perform or whose immune system is challenged by stress, shift work and environmental pollution (e.g. on airplanes), they are the perfect natural support.

Mycotherapy at Fly-TCM is the "booster" for your treatment. I use mushroom extracts alongside acupuncture to nourish the body from within, detoxify and modulate the immune system.

What are medicinal mushrooms? (No mushrooms, no drugs)

I'm not talking about edible mushrooms from the supermarket or intoxicating "magic mushrooms". I use medicinal mushrooms (such as reishi, cordyceps and hericium). These mushrooms are so-called adaptogens.

This means that they work intelligently. They adapt to the needs of your body. If your immune system is too weak (susceptibility to infection), they boost it. If it is overactive (allergy/autoimmune), they regulate it down. They bring balance (homeostasis) to your system.

My favorites for your health

I recommend specific extracts depending on the symptoms. Here are three classics from my practice:

  • Reishi (the mushroom of immortality): Calms the mind ("Shen"), promotes sleep and has a strong anti-allergic effect (natural antihistamine). Perfect for stressed managers and allergy sufferers.
  • Cordyceps (the caterpillar fungus): The energy supplier for the kidneys. It improves oxygen uptake in the blood and increases stamina. The insider tip for athletes and pilots.
  • Hericium (hedgehog spiny beard): The "gastrointestinal mushroom". It sanitizes the mucous membranes in the digestive tract and calms the nervous stomach ("stomach brain").

Areas of application: When is mycotherapy useful?

I rarely use mushrooms as the sole therapy, but usually as a powerful amplifier of your TCM treatment:

1. allergies & hay fever

Instead of suppressing the immune system with cortisone, I train it. Mushrooms such as reishi and almond mushroom (ABM) regulate the release of histamine. A cure starting in winter, before the pollen flies, is ideal.

2. exhaustion & long Covid

After viral infections or in the case of chronic fatigue syndrome, medicinal mushrooms help to restart the mitochondria (the cells' power plants).

3. digestive problems (irritable bowel syndrome/leaky gut)

A disturbed intestinal flora is often the root of evil. Hericium helps to regenerate the intestinal mucosa and alleviate inflammation.

4. aviation support (radiation & stress)

For crews: Certain mushrooms have antioxidant properties that can help reduce cell stress caused by cosmic radiation and make it easier to adapt to time zones. Vital mushrooms are particularly suitable for professions in which medication is strictly regulated, such as pilots.

Who is this method for?

For anyone who wants to actively support their health - simple and uncomplicated. The intake (mostly capsules) can be perfectly integrated into everyday life, even in the hotel or in the cockpit.

Quality is everything: why not simply buy online?

Mushrooms are like sponges. They store everything from their environment - unfortunately also heavy metals and pesticides if they are grown cheaply. I will only advise you on high-quality, tested organic extracts from certified producers (usually from Germany or Switzerland). Please do not use cheap products from the internet, as they do more harm than good.

Advice & costs in Winterthur

The mycotherapy consultation is part of your TCM session. I often test kinesiologically or by pulse to see which mushroom suits you best. You buy the mushroom preparations themselves directly from the manufacturer or in the pharmacy (costs approx. 40-60 CHF per month/cure). The consultation is billed via the 590 tariff.

At a glance: Mycotherapy

  • ⏱ Intake: Simply as a capsule or powder (morning/evening).
  • 🍄 Principle: "Helping the immune system to help itself".
  • ⚠️ Important: Only use certified organic quality!
  • 📍 Location: Consultation at the Fly-TCM practice in Winterthur.
  • 🎯 Perfect for: Hay fever, intestinal cleansing & energy boost.

Use the intelligence of nature.

Book an appointment for a consultation

Frequently asked questions

No, absolutely not. Medicinal mushrooms have no psychoactive effect whatsoever. They do not alter consciousness. You can then drive a car, work or fly an airplane without any problems.

Mushrooms are not headache pills. They work profoundly on the body’s environment. Sometimes you can feel a boost of energy (e.g. with Cordyceps) after just a few days, but for deep regulation (e.g. for allergies or intestinal problems) you should plan a cure of at least 3 months.

In most cases yes, as they are food supplements. However, there are exceptions (e.g. strong blood thinners or immunosuppressants after transplants). This is why professional advice is so important: I check interactions before you start.

I almost always recommend extracts. The pure mushroom powder still contains the chitin skeleton of the mushroom, which is very difficult for the human intestine to break down. Extracts are concentrated, standardized and much more readily available to the body (higher bioavailability).

My consultation is usually covered by supplementary insurance (tariff 590). The preparations (capsules) themselves are considered dietary supplements and usually have to be paid for by the patient. However, some accommodating insurance companies pay a contribution if they have been prescribed by a doctor/therapist. It is worth asking!