Struggling with endometriosis.

If you’ve been struggling with endometriosis, know that you’re not alone. The condition affects 10% of women worldwide (roughly 190 million women).

Getting the actual diagnosis may have been incredibly difficult. Endometriosis is one of the conditions that’s most often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

As the journalist Amanda Ruggeri writes in BBC Future,

“women are less likely to have their pain treated, their symptoms taken seriously, or to be given a diagnosis than men.”

(This gender bias in medicine has been referred to as the ‘gender health gap’.) Women wait an average of eight years to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis.

But once you understand the kind of pain you’re dealing with, you can take action.

Of course, the pain of endometriosis can be difficult to manage, and traditional treatments may have left you in search of further healing. 

Fortunately, a new approach has emerged, one that we at Mabel are excited to introduce you to: 

Healing though mushrooms

Many women have shared stories about how using functional mushrooms for endometriosis has made a huge difference to their symptoms. 

We want to share more of these stories with you, to show that living with endometriosis is not a life sentence, and that there are ways to cope. We are strong believers in power through knowledge and have tried to gather a few exciting studies bringing attention to the use of functional mushrooms for endometriosis. But first:

Can functional mushrooms help endometriosis?

The most common symptoms that women with endometriosis experience include:

• Painful periods (dysmenorrhea): This can involve pelvic pain and cramping before the menstrual period starts, which may then continue for days during it. You may also experience lower back and stomach pain.

• Pain during or after sex

• Pain during urination or bowel movements (most likely to occur before or during the menstrual period)

• Excessive bleeding during menstrual periods or between periods

• Fatigue

Because of the gender health gap, (the lack of funding into female conditions) there is still a lot we don’t know about endometriosis,  including how best to treat it. The general first line of treatment to manage the pain, is over-the-counter or prescription painkillers. Those who are fortunate to see a doctor who actually diagnoses them will often opt for hormone therapy to tackle hormonal imbalances. But this may lead to side effects, including irregular uterine bleeding/spotting, weight gain, mood changes (e.g. depression), and bone loss.

But here is the good news, there are also natural alternative methods to help with symptoms, one of which is the use of functional mushrooms.

Functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis), Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi), and Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) are rich in beta-glucans. These are natural substances that can improve cognitive and immune function, as well as gut health. This may help alleviate the symptoms of endometriosis.

Jessica Duffin (aka the Endo Belly Coach) has shared her own experience of using functional mushrooms:

“I’ve been experimenting with medicinal mushrooms to help with my endometriosis symptoms. Mainly, my fatigue and brain fog, which as many of you know, is an ongoing battle with me…. I feel clearer headed, my cognitive function has improved and my memory is sharper. Working has become so much less of a struggle….”

On the Endometriosis News website, Duffin mentions she gets these benefits from using about 1 teaspoon a day of Lion’s Mane. “[T]he results are really noticeable,” she says. 

At Mabel, we believe that a huge benefit of adding functional mushrooms into a diet is that they can help relieve endometriosis symptoms without any nasty side effects.

The science behind functional mushrooms for endometriosis

We are staying on top of the latest research so that you don’t have to. Here are a few insights from researchers that we find particularly encouraging.

In the book Bioactive Compounds in Edible Mushrooms (2025), Anthonia Odinita Chime and Matthew Chidozie Ogwu focus on “the potential of edible mushrooms as a complementary strategy for managing reproductive diseases, highlighting their rich nutritional profiles and bioactive compounds. They note that functional mushrooms “are rich sources of antioxidants, polysaccharides, vitamins, and minerals,” which “have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hormonal regulatory, and immune-enhancing properties, making them promising candidates for supporting reproductive health.”

Chime and Ogwu point out that “Reishi mushrooms can modulate hormone levels and reduce inflammation,” which may play a role in alleviating endometriosis symptoms. After all, hormonal imbalances are involved in the spread of endometriosis, while inflammation is linked to the symptoms of pain.

A 2025 review of studies published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that beta-glucans can significantly reduce feelings of fatigue (a common symptom of endometriosis).

In a 2024 study published in the Journal of Gynecological Research, the authors conclude that “endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can be modulated with the adoption of anti-inflammatory dietary habits that can impact women’s quality of life in the long term.” Functional mushrooms are a rich source of anti-inflammatory compounds, which is why Cindy Geyer, a functional medicine physician, recommends including them as part of your supplement routine.

Introducing Morning Manna and Midnight Manna

We spent two years designing our products to meet your exact needs. This is why Mabel’s Morning Manna is a blend of Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps extract: this combination allows you to benefit from the anti-inflammatory benefits of these mushrooms alongside their energy-boosting properties. We find this synergy is ideal for reducing pain and discomfort while giving you the energy and focus to tackle the day ahead.

In our Midnight Manna, you’ll find Reishi and Chaga extracts. Both of these mushrooms also offer impressive anti-inflammatory benefits, but we paired them together so you can enjoy their combined calming effects. Manna Midnight is perfect for unwinding and feeling rested after a busy day.

If you have endometriosis, we recommend incorporating both Morning Manna and Midnight Manna into your daily routine. This is ideal for symptom relief, and it ensures you’ll feel energised, clearheaded and relaxed following the rhythm of the day.