About immunoroots

immunoroots is a knowledge platform for people with complex immune disorders, such as mast cell disorders, dysautonomia, ME/CFS, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Samter’s triad, and everything else that may fall within that spectrum. The original German page immunoloco was founded in 2019 by Lisa Dostmann, who has long volunteered on the board of VAEM e.V. and in the MWB of the Ehlers-Danlos-Organisation e.V. to support those affected, in addition to her work as a therapist in the Harz region.

In 2026, Daniela Dwersteg — a phytotherapist, nutritionist, and someone living with the condition herself — joined the team as the second lead author. And immunoroots was launched as a counterpart to immunoloco.

What is it about?

immunoroots was created because there is a lack of useful, evidence-based information on the above topics, as well as a lack of honest communication between research findings and clinical practice.

Together, we draw on our scientific backgrounds, personal experiences, and our pursuit of knowledge to create content — such as articles on often-overlooked connections between the immune system and chronic bladder and pelvic conditions, including IC/BPS and endometriosis, as well as the spectrum mentioned above.

We are grounded in evidence-based medicine and aim to scientifically contextualize observations from clinical practice and provide information on the latest medical findings that are important for patients and healthcare providers.

The articles are written for the general public in an accessible style, but their content is at a level that also medical professionals have told us they find useful. We place a high value on engaging with the community, holding regular online meetings, and having discussions in the comment sections here.

The articles start with a TL;DR (too long; didn't read) — that is, a summary — because we know that cognitive function can vary greatly or be limited.

In our mission, we are supported by our guest authors from the fields of medicine and pharmacy, as well as all the wonderful people who point out broken links, flag typos, send us questions, ideas, and suggestions, or simply leave a comment. Thank you for that! 💚

Who writes here?

Lisa Dostmann

I am a naturopath specializing in immunology. I have been running my own practice since 2018, which was initially located in Winterhausen near Würzburg. Since 2025, I have been living and working in the beautiful Harz region near Göttingen. It had long been my dream to study medicine, and I tried very hard to make that dream a reality. Ultimately, I had to accept that, given my physical condition and its specific effects, it simply wasn’t possible for me. However, the detour I had to take has now enabled me to provide intensive support to people with complex medical conditions and, above all, to raise awareness so that others can be diagnosed and treated more quickly.

What I bring to the table: more than 8 years of clinical experience as a naturopath, a science geek with a passion for medical studies, presentations at allergy conferences, and experience serving on the board of VAEM e.V.—plus the perspective of someone who knows firsthand what it’s like to sometimes feel frustrated with one’s own body. For some, this may seem like a contradiction. For me, it’s everyday life.

Comprehensive Training and Continuing Education Programs

Training programs

• seit 2020, fortlaufend: Buteyko Clinic International — Certified Buteyko Breathing Instructor Training with Patrick McKeown
• 10–11/2021: Lange Institut, Alfeld — Hypnosis for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Advanced)
• 08–12/2020: Lange Institut, Alfeld — Certified Hypnotist, including Hypnoanalysis and Hypnocoaching
• 01–07/2019: Isolde Richter School of Natural Medicine — Certified Fasting Coach
• 01–05/2019: IHK Würzburg-Schweinfurt — Certificate of Competence pursuant to Section 50 of the German Medicines Act (AMG)
• 05/2018: Heilbronn Public Health Department — Alternative Practitioner Licensing
• 09/2017–05/2018: Dt. Heilpraktiker-Institut / NATURA Akademie — Differential Diagnosis and Physical Examination Methods
• 05/2016–05/2018: Heilpraktikerschule Dr. Jung, Kronberg — Intensive In-Person Course
• 01/2016–05/2018: Heilpraktikerschule Isolde Richter — Distance Learning Course for Alternative Medicine Practitioners
• 10/2009–09/2013: PFH Göttingen — Business Administration / General Management, B.Sc. (Ø 1,18), Best of the Year 2013, Deutschlandstipendium 2012–2013
• 06/2009: Boarding School Schloss Torgelow — Leaving certificate (Ø 1,0)

Professional Development Courses (Selection)

• since 2018: Annual participation in the Endoscopy and Allergy Conference in Erlangen
• 02/2021: 4th Interdisciplinary Workshop on Gastrointestinal Immunodiagnostics, Waldkrankenhaus Erlangen
• 11/2020: Andrea Thiem — Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in Functional Medicine
• 10/2020: Prof. Raithel & Prof. Gschossmann — Clay in Gastroenterology
• 06–07/2020: Kyra Kauffmann — Neurotransmitter Continuing Education Series I–III
• 02/2020: Kyra Kauffmann — Histaminosis: Accurate Diagnosis, Effective Treatment
• 04/2019: Dr. Volker Schmiedel — Autoimmune Diseases

Lectures, Workshops, and Publications

• 03/2026: Presentation: “Breathing Therapy for EDS & POTS”, Ehlers-Danlos Organization e.V.
• 12/2025: Workshop: “Science Meets Practice: Breathing Therapy for Regulating the Autonomic Nervous System”, 9th Allergy and Endoscopy Conference, Waldkrankenhaus Erlangen
• 11/2025: Presentation on Omega-3 Metabolism, VAEM e.V. General Meeting
• 10/2024: Lecture: “Hypnotherapy for Migraines, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Allergies”, 8th Allergy and Endoscopy Conference, Waldkrankenhaus Erlangen
• 10/2022: Presentation on NSAID/Salicylate Intolerance (with Lena Heitmann), 6th Allergy and Endoscopy Conference, Waldkrankenhaus Erlangen
• 2021: Panel Discussion “Out of the Crisis”, 5th Allergy and Endoscopy Conference, Waldkrankenhaus Erlangen
• 09/2018: Presentation on NSAID/Salicylate Intolerance, 2nd Endoscopy and Allergy Congress, Waldkrankenhaus Erlangen

Publications

• Heinrich J, Hotfiel K, Rieker R, Finzel St, Goj D, Dostmann L, Raithel M (2019): Biological Treatment of NSAID Intolerance and Food Allergies Using Eggs of the Pig Whipworm Trichuris suis (TSO) in combination with antiallergic drugs. Congress of the German Society of Internal Medicine (DGIM), Wiesbaden
• Dostmann LJ, Vollmar BH (2014): Women in the management of family businesses — a critical reflection. Research Papers No. 2014/01, PFH Private University of Applied Sciences Göttingen

Daniela Dwersteg

I am a geoecologist, technical writer, phytotherapist, and nutritionist all rolled into one. What sounds like a colorful résumé is, above all, one thing: I have always kept digging where answers were missing.

Chronic illnesses, allergies, intolerances, mast cell disorders, and the often arduous search for helpful answers have led me to delve deeply into the connections between the body, the mind, and the immune system. My second great passion in medicine is the gut and its inhabitants. In my own medical history, the gut has always been a central focal point, and research increasingly suggests that the microbiome plays a key role in many diseases. Much remains to be explored, but it’s precisely this detective work that I enjoy.

To put things in context: My Ph.D. is in the natural sciences, not medicine. What it has given me is the ability to read studies, evaluate methodology, and explain complex concepts in an understandable way. I learned the latter as a technical writer.

Comprehensive Training and Continuing Education Programs

Training Programs

• since 08/2026: AFPA (American Fitness Professionals & Associates) — Holistic Nutrition Coach Certification (NBHWC approved)
• 05/2026–08/2026: AFPA — Health and Wellness Coach Certification (NBHWC approved)
• 12/2019–12/2020: Impulse e.V. Distance Learning School for Independent Health Professions — Nutritionist (ZFU-accredited)
• 02/2018–02/2019: Bertlies Adler, Ingenried — Herbal Medicine Training (Hands-On Seminars)
• 07/2013–04/2014: tecteam GmbH, Dortmund — Full-time Technical Writer Training Program with tekom Certification
• 11/2007–05/2011 (defense in 2012): University of Bonn, Geography — Dr. rer. nat., Dissertation: „Spatio-temporal patterns of soil CO₂-efflux in a forested catchment of the Eifel National Park"
• 10/2002–06/2007: TU Bergakademie Freiberg — Geoökologie, Diploma; Specializations: Hydrology and Limnology, Hydrogeology, Atmosphere and Climate, Environment, Economics, and Law
• 06/2002: Grammar school Borghorst — Leaving certificate

Professional Development Courses (Selection)

• 02/2025: Prof. Kirkamm — video course „Gut Health"
• 07/2023: Dr. Nirala Jacobi — The SIBO Success Plan
• 05/2021: PAN University — Interactions Between Diet and the Immune System
• 05/2021: PAN University — Stress, the Gut-Brain Axis, and Emotional Eating; Nutritional Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• 04/2021: PAN University — Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases Through Nutrition During Pregnancy and Childhood, Prenatal Programming, and the First 1,000 Days
• 01/2021: PAN University — Prevention and Treatment of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Through Evidence-Based Nutritional Therapy
• 01/2021: PAN University — Vegan Diets: Benefits, Drawbacks, Therapeutic Potential, and Critical Life Stages
• 11/2020: PAN University — Nutritional Medicine in Gastroenterology and the Role of the Microbiome
• 11/2020: PAN University — Nutritional Therapy Strategies in Oncology, Nutrition, and Pharmacology