The use of medicinal mushrooms in veterinary medicine is on the rise. Sure, it’s a natural kind of magic, but their use also has significant scientific backing, supported by years of historical research, rather than just a blind belief in the power of mushrooms to heal.
ONCE UPON A TIME…
History tells us that medicinal mushrooms have been used for their health benefits for thousands of years:
- In ancient times, they were revered as longevity tonics and thus cherished by the ruling emperors.
- In Chinese and other Eastern medical systems, mushrooms like Reishi, Cordyceps, and Turkey tail have been used for millennia.
Fast forward to today and our increased use of these earthy ingredients in modern-day potions — like ThorneVet’s Mushroom Medley and ThorneVet’s Immugen (immune support formula) for example — and it becomes clear that the therapeutic benefits of medicinal mushrooms have stood the test of time.
MODERN DAY MUSHROOM USE
Modern science doesn’t just accept historical anecdotes, though: it has long been working to unravel the mysteries of medicinal mushrooms. In the process, scientists and medical professionals have confirmed the powerful healing potential of fungi, including their ability to:
- Support immune function
- Promote vitality
- Treat allergies
- Provide symptom relief for gastrointestinal, respiratory, and auto immune disease
- Play a key role in cancer care: used as a complementary therapy, mushrooms can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, while enhancing quality of life.
IMPORTANCE OF SOURCING, HARVESTING & PRODUCTION
But buyer beware: not all mushroom product are created equal!
Sourcing medicinal mushrooms from trusted suppliers who prioritize the harvest of fruiting bodies — rather than the mycelium — is important to ensuring the highest quality, potency, and efficacy of the relevant healing compounds within.
It is also important that any medicinal mushroom product you use for your dog or cat goes through the process of hot water extraction in order to activate the mushrooms’ healing compounds in their most absorbable and beneficial forms.
ThorneVet’s Mushroom Medley, used to treat a variety of immune system challenges, has been carefully formulated by vets, uses rigorously researched organic ingredients, and is scrupulously tested to ensure it meets all the above criteria.
As animal parents, we are constantly on the lookout for ways to improve the health, happiness, and longevity of our dogs and cats. (If we could get them to live forever, we would!) Increasingly, this means turning to natural, holistic healing options, with medicinal mushrooms emerging as a real star.
With their rich history and growing scientific validation, and in the right formulas from the right suppliers, medicinal mushrooms offer a safe and effective means of supporting the well-being of our furry favorites.
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.
