The Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is known as the “Mushroom of Immortality” and has been heralded universally for centuries. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s called Lingzhi, and considered to balance Qi (vital) energy.
- Actions: Immunomodulating, Immune Tonic, Nervous system Tonic, Cardiovascular Tonic, Hepatoprotective, Anti-Tumor, Anti-Cancer, Adaptogen, Anti-allergenic
- Constituents: Beta Glucans, polyphenols, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, triterpenoids, terpenes ganoderic acids and lucidenic acid
- Medicinal Uses: Balance energy, Lower cortisol levels and anxiety, provide immune support, promote respiratory, heart, and gut health, fight viral infections, support hormone regulation, prevent & combat cancer, work synergistically with chemotherapy…
And more! This already sounds like an amazing supplement to add to your dogs’ regimen, but it gets even cooler! Centuries ago, Chinese mothers found that if they took Reishi throughout their pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding, their children were born calmer. They noted that their children were easier to soothe, cried less, and recovered quicker from disruptions. This little known hack is affectionately termed “Reishi Babies”.
As a dog owner, I can’t help but wonder if the same applies to dogs. If you were to provide an appropriate dose to your female dog throughout her pregnancy, would that also help her pups as it would for a human mother and her babies?
Reishi is, after all, a safe medicinal mushroom widely used in the pet industry for dogs and cats. It’s one of the most common mushrooms used in medicinal mushroom tinctures, glycerites, and powders.
Unfortunately, even “Reishi Babies” are a lesser-known concept, so there doesn’t seem to be any publicly available studies that show it would do the same for dogs as well. But I certainly think it’s worth a try! At the very least, you now know that this is a versatile and amazing supplement that is thankfully very easily sourceable throughout the US.
If you do decide to add Reishi to your dog’s regimen, make sure you do the following:
- Be Consistent! Reishi only works as an immune-modulator and stress-regulator if you take it daily. This is a wonderful addition to dogs in stressful situations, like being boarded or a prolonged stay at the vet.
- Use the Fruiting Body! Some companies will cut corners to save money and only use the mycelium of the mushroom. This is not as potent as using the fruiting body. Make sure the company/brand you use is sourcing well too. Look for organically grown, ideally on logs rather than sawdust or substrate.
- Tinctures vs Glycerites? Many herbal companies for animals use glycerites over tinctures; this means they use glycerin instead of alcohol. It’s up to you to decide, but tinctures are shelf-stable longer and the amount of alcohol used in them is only enough that would be found in a ripe fruit and is therefore considered safe for children as well. Always do your own research and make the decision right for your family! Powder supplements are always an option too.
I love how intelligent mushrooms are and what amazing benefits they offer us and our animals! Reishi is one of my absolute favorite “superfoods” to take because of the plethora of benefits it offers. Our current day and age can be very stressful and leaves many people and animals in a constant state of “fight or flight”. This is a supplement you can implement that will help take you out of that, and become more regulated. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to be born with these properties already a part of your system!
Are you going to try for a Reishi Puppy?