In a city where fast-paced living is the norm and stress is baked into the lifestyle, Tania Lodi has chosen to slow down. The founder of Dubai’s beloved Tania’s Teahouse has long championed mindful living through tea, through design, and more recently, through fungi.
After navigating her own health journey with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, Tania began exploring a more plant-based approach to healing. “I’ve always believed in the body’s innate ability to self-heal,” she shares. “That belief inspired me to immerse myself in the world of healing plants.” It wasn’t long before she stumbled upon the intelligent and ancient world of functional mushrooms.
“This knowledge didn’t just resonate with me, it empowered me.”
As a certified tea sommelier, she was already deeply familiar with the power of botanicals, but mushrooms opened a new portal entirely. “I became fascinated by adaptogens: plants and fungi that help you adapt to stress physically, mentally, and spiritually,” she says. Her research led her to discover reishi for calming the nervous system, cordyceps for pain and energy, chaga for focus, and lion’s mane for immunity and cognition.
What started as a personal shift soon became a creative mission. “We were actually the first eatery in Dubai to curate a mushroom latte menu, before they were trendy,” she laughs. Today, Tania’s Teahouse incorporates mushrooms not just into drinks, but food and even cocktails.
Tania’s Favourite Mushrooms
“Mushrooms are nature’s quiet healers,” Tania explains. “They’ve been used for centuries in traditional medicine, but we’re only now starting to understand their full potential.” Her go-tos?
Lion’s Mane
“For mental clarity and focus without the crash you get from caffeine.”
Cordyceps
“A lifesaver for energy and muscle recovery, especially with lupus flare-ups.”
Reishi
“My go-to for calming the nervous system. It’s like a warm, grounding hug.”
Chaga
“An antioxidant powerhouse that gives me an overall sense of vitality.”
But it’s not just the physical benefits that draw her in. Mushrooms, she believes, hold a deeper wisdom. “They grow in the toughest environments, break down what no longer serves, and help regenerate life. There’s so much we can learn from that.”
The Fungi Philosophy
Incorporating mushrooms into her life was both a physical and intuitive decision. “I was tired of relying on medications that came with side effects and didn’t address the root cause,” she explains. “Mushrooms felt right, not just physically, but spiritually and mentally too.” They’ve helped her navigate chronic illness, burnout, and even the emotional rollercoaster of running a business.
For Tania, fungi are more than a supplement. They’re a teacher. “They remind us to adapt, to flow, to connect. Mycelium, the underground network of fungus, connects entire forests. There’s something beautiful about that invisible web of support.”
She’s especially excited by the way mushrooms are shaping wellness and sustainability conversations. “We’re only scratching the surface. Mushrooms are now being explored for everything from skincare to leather alternatives. They’re intelligent, efficient, and regenerative, qualities we need more of in our world.”
Fungi for the Future
For anyone curious about getting started, Tania suggests keeping it simple. “Try a blend in something you already enjoy, like mushroom coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It’s not about doing it perfectly, it’s about what feels good and consistent.”
She also encourages people to reframe mushrooms as part of a lifestyle, not just a trend. “They support the nervous system, regulate stress, and ground you. In today’s world, that’s powerful.”
Her vision? “I imagine a future where mushrooms are as common as turmeric or ginger, where we see them not just as supplements, but as daily tools for balance, resilience, and regeneration.”
“That plants and nature are here to support us, in the most gentle, intuitive, and grounding ways. In a world that’s constantly pushing us to do more and move faster, the real healing often lies in slowing down and returning to the basics. Tune out the noise, listen to your body, and trust your inner wisdom. Everything you need to heal, grow, and thrive is already within you, and nature is here to guide you back to it.”
From mushrooms to matcha and everything in between, Tania is always brewing up something special.
Follow her world of wellness and whimsy below.
Instagram: @tanialodi @taniasteahouse
Website: taniasteahouse.com
