Medicinal Mushrooms

• Posted on 25 September 2019
• By Heidi Hill - President & Co-Founder, Holistic Hound
• Posted in anitoxidant, detox, holistic hound, immune system, inflammation, medicinal mushrooms, mushroom, natural, pet wellness, pets
• 0

National Mushroom Month is a perfect time to shine a bright light on the powerful healing and nutritional properties of medicinal mushrooms. Mushrooms have been used for food and medicine in different cultures for thousands of years. There is much scientific research into their many therapeutic health benefits of these little morsels.

National Mushroom Month in September is a perfect time to shine a bright light on the powerful healing and nutritional properties of medicinal mushrooms. Mushrooms have been used for food and medicine in different cultures for thousands of years. There is much scientific research into their many therapeutic health benefits including:

• Support and modulate the immune system
• Help reduce inflammation and pain
• Powerful antioxidant properties
• Support liver and kidney function
• Regulate blood sugar and blood pressure levels
• Help maintain normal histamine levels during seasonal allergies
• Antifungal, antibacterial and anti-tumor properties
• Adaptogenic (helps the body manage stress)

Naturally Powerful

The compounds of medical interest are beta-glucans, polysaccharides, glycoproteins, ergosterols, triterpenes, and antibiotics. Mushrooms protect themselves with a range of chemicals that are antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal. Isolating these chemicals have led to powerful drugs such as penicillin. 

One of nature's “superfoods”, mushrooms contain all nine essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein. They are a good source of fiber and some important vitamins and minerals. The fiber content in mushrooms comes from the chitin in their cell walls. Chitin is a prebiotic food source.

Mushrooms also contain fatty acids. One of the fatty acids in mushrooms is linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that humans and dogs don’t produce. Fatty acids are necessary building blocks in the manufacture of hormone-like substances that regulate the immune response.

They also naturally contain vitamins, particularly B and D vitamins. B vitamins are necessary for nervous system function, increasing metabolism, and possibly reducing the risk of some cancers.  More exciting is the discovery that mushrooms contain ergosterol, the biological precursor to vitamin D. Mushrooms are the only non-animal food that naturally contains Vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial for activating or triggering T cells - the immune system’s killer cells. Vitamin D deficiency is considered widespread in both humans and animals, even throughout the industrial world, and is responsible for a host of health problems such as brittle bones, weaker muscles, liver and kidney disorders, depression, and autoimmune diseases. 

Holistic Hound has been a fan of these fantastic fungi for many years and have infused our CBD bites and chews with a blend of five certified-organic medicinal mushrooms: Reishi, Shiitake, Mesima, Poria, and Turkey Tail. This blend is also available as a stand-alone product that can be added to your dog or cat’s food. They are grown at a certified organic laboratory in Washington State and are non-hallucinogenic and non-toxic.

In addition, our Mighty Mojo Full Spectrum Hemp Oil with 250 mg CBD contains our wildcrafted Chaga extract for immune support. Chaga mushrooms are harvested from birch trees in pristine woodland environments in the US and are rich in beta-glucans, betulin, and terpenes for additional anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Our Mushrooms and Their Benefits

• Reishi - Queen mushroom is known for “calming the spirit.”  Anti-inflammatory. Helps defend against tumor growth, supports liver detoxification, heart support
• Poria - Antibacterial, reduces gastric distress & ulcers
• Shiitake - Immune modulator, supports liver, regulates cholesterol
• Mesima - Regulates blood sugar levels, antioxidant properties
• Turkey Tail - Anti-viral, supports patients through chemotherapy
• Chaga - Inhibits cancer progression, antiviral properties, lowers blood sugar and blood pressure, rich in antioxidants

If you're interested in learning more about how nature's little powerhouse can help support your pet's wellness, stop into The Pet Beastro or check out our online store for our wide variety of mushroom-based products. 

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