PRESENTING SUNSHINE IN A BOX, a luxury holistic wellness box

We are so excited to be interviewing several brands who are contributing to the box.

Here we have interviewed Medical Herbalist & Naturopath, Sophie Barrett and also a mycotherapy advisor with Hifas da Terra, whose Mico-Shii extract we are featuring in the box!

. I have no doubt you will love this interview and will learn so much!

1) Can you tell us about your background and what brought you to Hifas da Terra?

Yes, of course, I retrained as a Medical Herbalist and Naturopath in my mid-thirties and I was actually diagnosed with a type of skin cancer around this time. Within my personal herbal protocol was the medicinal mushroom “Reishi” (Ganoderma lucidum) and I remember experiencing many benefits to my immune, gastrointestinal, skin and emotional health almost immediately. Reishi really sparked my interest and love for medicinal mushrooms and I started using them more myself and with myclients. It was a dream come true when Hifas da Terra approached me to work with them within their education, science, and training department and I have now been consulting for them for nearly two years now while I still have my own independent practice @sharingplantwisdom seeing clients both digitally and in person, as well as holding herbal medicine workshops and events for all ages.

2) Can you tell us a bit about Hifas da Terra and how they stand out from other medicinal mushrooms on the market?

Hifas da Terra really stands out as a medicinal mushroom biotech with over 24 years of research into mycotherapy. A female owned, oxygen-positive company (planting over 120,000 mycorrhized chestnut trees a year), they really care about the environment and human health. Re-investing over 62% of profits back into research and development. With over 15 clinical trials currently underway including two oncology trials, Hifas da Terra are leading the way in terms of quality, safety and efficacy bringing out new medicinal mushroom formulations with 100% organic, standardised concentrated extracts alongside micronized powders, pediatric formulas and integrative oncology ranges. All Hifas da Terra products are GMP certified.

3) It is so exciting to have Mico-Shii featured in the boxes for Sunshine in a Box; can you share a bit about this product, how it is different to other medicinal mushrooms on the market and how it can help going through illness or when recovering.

Shiitake is well known for its medicinal uses all over China, Japan, and Taiwan, it has many therapeutic properties and mechanisms of action. Useful for metabolism, it reduces levels of total cholesterol and increases HDL levels, improving the lipid profile and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. It has an immune-modulating effect by activating macrophages and stimulating the production of interleukins, it is also fantastic for the circulatory system and the liver, being hepatoprotective. Mico-Shii extract stands out as a 8:1 organic shiitake extract, it is a high concentration of Shiitake that is organically cultivated on mature logs with a standardized level of bioactive substances including beta (1-3), (1-6) glucans (Lentinan), alpha-glucans, Ergosterol, Linoleic acid and y-Aminobutryic acid (GABA).

4) I am aware that Shiitake can help with boosting the immune system; can you explain more about this?

Shiitake has immune boosting effects, increasing phagocytes, Th lymphocytes, NK cells, and production of interferon, it also has antiviral properties and an antibacterial and antitumor effect enhancing macrophage activity and angiogenic activity. It is the lentinan (beta-glucan in Shiitake) that stands out with proven actions, modulating the activity of macrophages, T-lymphocytes, and interferon synthesis, inhibiting the growth of tumours.

5) What is the best way for people to take this product? Take Mico-Shii on an empty stomach or between meals, for a duration of at least 2 months. You can adapt the dosage according to the severity and symptoms presented. This product is applicable for adults (14 years and above) and a usual dose is 1-2 capsules a day. Hifas da Terra concentrated extracts cannot be taken by anyone who has a pre-existing allergy to mushrooms and should be avoided if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Space other medications out by one hour so not to affect the bioavailability of Mico-Shii.

6) Is there anything you would like to add about Mico-Shii?

Much research has been done on Shiitake, for its action on the cardiovascular system, especially relating to blood pressure regulation, cholesterol, obesity and weight management. As well as having an anti-tumour effect, Shiitake as I mentioned before is antimicrobial and is actually used as an antibiotic in the East in products such as toothpaste. It is the fungus with the highest bacteriostatic activity, supported by multiple scientific studies. Lenthionine (a sulphur amino acid) present in Lentinula edodes extract has been shown to have potent bactericidal activity (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus megaterium), as well as an antifungal effect (against Candida albicans) and its high levels of ergosterol, as a source of vitamin D, moderates the action of pro-inflammatory immune cells, strengthening host defences  (Hatbani et al., 2001)

7) Lastly, in terms of cooking, I know you (like me) love cooking & so what is your favourite shitake mushroom dish?

Ooooh I love a tasty broth or soup with Shiitake and actually there is a recipe I would like to try called a “Healing Japanese Rice Porridge” that I saw the recipe for the other day that I will make soon: make a dashi stock by boiling 3 cups of water with kombu and a handful of bonito flakes, let it sit for 15 mins and strain. Add 1-inch pieces of organic chicken thighs (approx. 1 cup) and bring to the boil, then add sliced vegetables and fungi – Shiitake mushrooms would be perfect here with carrots etc. a bowl of rice and 2 tsp soy sauce, a pinch of salt to season the broth and you could top with an egg and spring onion! Enjoy

Find out more about Hifas da Terra & be sure to order your wellness box before the 30th of June when pre-orders close at the Yes to Life wellness shop