How a Naturopath Can Help Support Your Body After Mould Exposure

Many people I see have, at some point, lived in a home or had a work environment with mould. 

How this affects your health and whether it becomes a problem, depends on many factors, including your immune system, overall stress load and length of exposure. 

🟢Signs and symptoms of mould exposure-

Headaches and migraines

Dizziness, brain fog and fatigue

Sensitivities to chemicals

Sinus issues, asthma, nosebleeds

Digestive concerns (nausea, loose bowels, cramps)

Tinnitus

Numbness/tingling in hands and feet

Recurrent skin problems

Recurrent infections such as colds and flu

🟢Mould in our homes or work spaces thrive in warm, damp indoor spaces, especially in bathrooms, poorly ventilated rooms, by clothes drying inside and older buildings.  The mould releases fine fungal spores into the air around us.  

🟢These spores can trigger a response in the body, and this response/symptoms depends on the individual body's immune reaction, which is why we all respond to an exposure differently.  

🟢Complete avoidance of mould is not necessary, but it is important to reduce your exposure and support and strengthen your immune system to help manage their effect on your body.

🟢Practical steps, nutrients and herbs to reduce exposure and support recovery-

Fix any areas of dampness/water leakage

Improve ventilation to the room, opening windows, even on cold days.  

Remove visable mould when you see it before it spreads- inspect your house regularly.  Small patches can be removed with a cleaning solution, larger areas may require more expert help.

Wear gloves, mask and eye protection when removing mould, and wash your clothes on a hot wash immediately after.

🟢Best herbs and nutrients to help support the immune system against mould include-

Oregano, Pau D'Arco, Garlic, Astragalus, Echinacea, Thyme, Dandelion root, Cinnamon, Withania, Licorice, Berberine, Ginger, Rosemary, Milk Thistle and Tumeric.  

(please get professional advice to check contraindications for certain herbs).

Vitamin C and Zinc- for your immune function, Quercetin- to help immune function and reduce inflammation, Magnesium and B Vitamins to help with detoxification, Selinium- to help protect your cells and reduce risk of damage, NAC- to support antioxidant activity and Omega-3 fatty acids.  Ensure you are hydrated well and support your gut with lots of fibre.  

As a naturopath, I often support people recovering from mould exposure by focusing on repairing the gut lining, supporting liver health, and strengthening the immune system. Using targeted herbs and nutrients, the aim is to help the body detoxify more effectively and better cope with the effects of mould exposure.  

If you’d like more personalised guidance on how to get the right herbs and nutrients to help support your body if you have been exposed to mould, I’d be happy to chat with you over a phone call or consultation. 

References

Aujla, R. (Host). (2026). Why mould harms your health and how to protect yourself (No. 337) [Audio podcast episode]. In The Doctor’s Kitchen Podcast. The Doctor’s Kitchen. https://www.thedoctorskitchen.com/podcasts/337-why-mould-harms-your-health-and-how-to-protect-yourself-dr-peter-cook-phd 

Gómez-Gaviria, M., Baruch-Martínez, D. A., & Mora-Montes, H. M. (2025). Natural Source-Derived Compounds with Antifungal Activity Against Medically Relevant Fungi. Infection and drug resistance, 18, 6389–6406. https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S554647 

Wu, Q., Wang, X., Nepovimova, E., Wang, Y., Yang, H., Li, L., Zhang, X., & Kuca, K. (2017). Antioxidant agents against trichothecenes: New hints for oxidative stress treatment. Oncotarget, 8(66), 110708–110726. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.22800 

Stoev, S. D. (2025). Biocontrol Agents and Natural Feed Supplements as a Safe and Cost-Effective Way for Preventing Health Ailments Provoked by Mycotoxins. Foods, 14(11), 1960. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14111960 

Gawad, A.M.A., Molham, F., Tagyan, A.I. et al. Microbiological and pharmacological investigation of phytochemicals extracted from selected ethnomedicinal plants with their potential against food pathogen. Sci Rep 15, 39017 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05663-0 

Gharibpour, F., Shirban, F., Bagherniya, M., Nosouhian, M., Sathyapalan, T., & Sahebkar, A. (2021). The Effects of Nutraceuticals and Herbal Medicine on Candida albicans in Oral Candidiasis: A Comprehensive Review. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 1308, 225–248. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64872-5_16