My Story
I first encountered medicinal mushrooms during my father’s adjunctive cancer treatment at the Osher Center for Integrative Health in San Francisco.
I started to read the biomedical literature on medicinal mushrooms, explore extraction techniques, and began to offer talks and workshops at conferences around the country. During this time I became increasingly interested in the practice of natural medicine, and enrolled in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program at Bastyr University. During my medical education I dedicated many hours to laboratory research investigating the impacts of medicinal mushroom extracts on cancer cell lines, and wrote extensively on my blog, reishiandroses.com, where I bring my knowledge of medicinal mushroom research and practice to the general public.
Professional Life
In 2018 I was invited to author the chapter on medicinal mushrooms in the 5th edition of the Textbook of Natural Medicine, and soon after began consulting with North American Mushroom Extracts (NAMMEX), a premier source for medicinal mushroom extracts, and other companies. My work on Fomitopsis cajanderi, the rosy polypore, was published in the Journal of Immunology in 2021.
In order to bring clinically-relevant mushroom medicine to the world, I co-founded Lucidum Medicinals in 2021, and currently serve as Chief Science Officer. Our team formulates clinical-grade, system-targeted mushroom extract products that take the guesswork out of applied mycology. If you are interested in our formulas for clinical practice or for personal use, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
I consult on many topics related to medicinal mushroom research, product development, translation, and clinical practice. This includes extraction techniques, formulations, wildcrafting, processing, dosing, and food and drug interactions. I also speak on these topics, as well as the clinical applications of mushrooms, ethnomycology, and more.
In my medical practice, I am a primary care physician with a special focus in oncology, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, reproductive health for all genders, chronic fatigue, and digestive health.
I am continually curious about all things related to natural and integrative medicine, medicinal mushrooms and applied mycology, and how to live well - if you are too, let’s connect and explore together.
Professional highlights
Naturopathic Physician, private practice
2020 - present
Washington state
I am a primary care doctor with a special focus in oncology, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, reproductive health for all genders, chronic fatigue and digestive health. My practice has an emphasis on lifestyle and diet interventions, hydrotherapy, nervous system support, botanical and mycological medicines and pharmaceuticals when necessary.
Medicinal Mushroom Educator and Consultant
2015 - present
I work with companies to optimize the use of medicinal mushrooms in their products, to provide key scientific background and context, and to avoid common mistakes in applied mycology. My blog is the home for my writing on all things regarding extraction methods, foraging and current research on medicinal mushrooms.
Author, Textbook of Natural Medicine 5th edition, Medicinals Mushrooms chapter
2020
I wrote the Medicinal Mushrooms chapter in the 5th edition of The Textbook of Natural Medicine. The chapter includes monographs on the most widely used medicinal mushrooms and information regarding historical use, clinical research and therapeutic recommendations. The Textbook of Natural Medicine covers preventative, non-invasive and natural treatments as well as practical diagnostic and therapeutic guidance, designed especially for practicing clinicians.
Laboratory research
2016 - 2019
Bastyr University
While in medical school at Bastyr University, I participated in laboratory research with Drs. Cynthia Wenner and Olivia Froehlich aimed to determine if hot ethanol and aqueous extracts from the Fomitopsis cajanderi (rosy polypore) mushroom are cytotoxic to human cancer less lines and modulate TNF secretion by human monocytes.
Published in Journal of Immunology
2021
The research I participated in for many years while at Bastyr University was published in the Journal of Immunology, Volume 206, Issue 1, co-authored with Cynthia Wenner and Olivia Froehlich.
Co-Founder, Chief Science Officer, Lucidum Medicinals
2021 - present
I co-founded Lucidum Medicinals to bring my knowledge of mushrooms and medicine to the world. We help holistic practitioners confidently heal their patients with medicinal mushrooms, integrating the current research with traditional use to craft formulas that are evidence-informed, clinically-relevant, and grounded in tradition.
Herbalist, Dandelion Botanicals
2013 - 2020
I formulated herbal teas, wildcrafted local herbs and educated customers about herbal medicine. Dandelion Botanical Company has over 500 herbs and spices from around the world.
Education
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
2015-2020
Bastyr University
I completed my Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University, a four-year clinical doctorate in primary care naturopathic medicine.
Bachelors of Science,
Nutrition Science
2008-2012
California State Polytechnic University - San Luis Obispo
I completed a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition. In addition to preparatory science courses such as chemistry and biology, the program offers cousework in nutrient metabolism, clinical nutrition, culinary arts, food systems management, and sports, community, and lifecycle nutrition.