The most bizarre developing medicinal mushroom. Its free-growing specimens penetrate the hyphae, the fungal filaments, of some insect species and during their development, they awaken the host. When the cultivation technology was developed, it was discovered that it had to be grown in an oxygen-deprived environment, because if it did not struggle and suffer during its development, it would not produce valuable active substances. Evidence exists that Cordyceps species have existed for as much as 48 million years. The most expensive specimens, sold for high prices above the gold rate, are free-collected specimens. For a long time, it was the second big shot mushroom, but it has now become perhaps the first, overtaking Reishi as the best-selling medicinal mushroom in the world, both on its own and in blends. A real doping agent that is not even on the doping list. In oxidative and vigorous sports, everyone takes it, even if they don’t talk about it. It is an excellent aphrodisiac, or libido enhancer, which according to an anecdote was observed by shepherds in the Himalayas by observing what the yaks were eating when they found out they were jumping on each other all day long. They ate the same thing, and the effect was the same…. allegedly. So it’s a fascinating plant in all its flavours, with so many legends surrounding it. Its main active ingredients are polysaccharides and sugar derivatives (e.g. proteins, peptides, polyamines and essential amino acids; sterols (ergosterol, sitosterol, daucosterol and campesterol), saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid), polycyclic aromatic carbon hydrogens, essential vitamins (K and E, B1, B2 and B12) and macro- and microelements.

In veterinary medicine, more common uses are on their own:

• Energy – if you need a little extra energy Cordyceps provides it at the mitochondrial level.
• Pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
• Cancer – even with chemotherapy, to avoid side effects.
• Weakened conditions, e.g.: strengthening a weakened body after breastfeeding or reducing weakness in old age.
• Strengthening nervous system stabilisation
• Endurance – workload endurance for working dogs
• Kidney diseases and prostate problems

However, its synergistic effect in mixtures may make it even more widely used than on its own.

A new trend in some restaurants, the ‘Hen of the Woods’ is not a poultry dish, but a mushroom called maitake, which grows mainly on the stumps of oak, elm and maple trees. It is one of the most delicious and useful mushrooms. Mushrooms contain vitamins B, C and D, amino acids, macro- and microelements and are a rich source of fibre. Many studies confirm its anti-tumour and restorative effects on the weakened immune system. Its high antioxidant capacity is mainly due to its polysaccharide components.

Not only beta-glucans but also fructo-oligo-saccharides (FOS) oligofructose, polydextrose, dextrin and lactulose all play a role in the immunostimulant effect. Some of them cannot be absorbed, yet they exert their immunomodulatory effects by modulating the gut microflora. Maitake has been studied to increase the number of macrophages, natural killer cells and cytotoxic T cells, thus exerting its anti-tumour effects.

It helps to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.

It is often used in the following conditions in pets:

• Immunodeficiency
• Tumours, and the side effects of chemotherapy
• Blood pressure, and blood sugar problems,
• Infections
• Liver, and pancreatic diseases
• Intestinal problems

The mention of areas that seem distant from each other, independent of each other, shows that, like medicinal mushrooms in general, it has a robust effect on the whole body as a functioning whole. It is important to emphasise that it does this in synergy with other medicinal mushrooms, i.e. by reinforcing each other’s effects. One of the ingredients in Tumor, Obese and Metabolic is Maitake. Unfortunately, there are few treatments for immune deficiency in so-called Western veterinary medicine. Pets with malignant tumours are often given chemotherapy. A human scientific experiment has shown that Maitake mushroom owes its outstanding antitumour activity to a polysaccharide in the d fraction, mainly used for lung, liver, prostate, and breast tumours. It became popular by reducing the side effects of pain, hair loss and nausea caused by chemotherapy. Also in human trials, a chemotherapy drug called Mitomycin and Maitake mushroom alone were 45-60% effective against cancer, while when used together, the effectiveness was 90%!

Pets undergoing chemotherapy and immunocompromised pets can also benefit from these mushroom mixtures. In addition to reducing side effects, they lead to a rapid return of vitality.

In diabetic dogs, especially those on insulin therapy, extra caution is needed because the drug may work too well and cause insulin levels to be too low, which is of course undesirable.

Start with fractional doses, gradually build up the medicinal mushroom therapy and then reduce and eventually stop insulin supplementation with continuous insulin monitoring.

The adaptogenic almond mushroom has a number of scientifically proven, unique medicinal properties. Its anti-tumour effects have been demonstrated in laboratory settings and in animal studies. A vast amount of information is now available, mainly from experience in humans and experimental animals.

I have very briefly summarised its extremely wide range of beneficial physiological properties.

Native to the American continent, the Almond mushroom (Agaricus blazei murill) has a pleasant almond-like smell and taste. The crispy fleshy mushrooms are eaten almost daily in some parts of Brazil. It was called the Mushroom of Life, or Cogumelo da Vida and it was the secret to the longevity of the area’s inhabitants. Growing Agaricus blazei murill is not easy, which is why it is expensive.

Almond mushrooms are an excellent source of minerals (Fe, Ca, P, Cu, Zn, K, Na), vitamins (D2, E vit, Biotin, Folic acid, Niacin) and fibre (about 20% of the fibre content).

It has a polysaccharide content of 12% which is the highest among medicinal mushrooms. It is mainly composed of easily absorbable 1-3 and 1-6 beta glucans with antioxidant activity, which gives it outstanding antitumor and immunomodulatory activity.

Its anti-tumour effects have been demonstrated in laboratory conditions and in animal studies. Almond mushroom stimulates T-lymphocytes and macrophages. It prevents the formation of metastases. Its mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it appears to “switch on the apoptotic effect” in tumour cells. (Programmed cell death.) Its anti-tumour effects have been found to be most effective in breast, leukaemia, prostate, colon and rectal cancers. The active substance agaritin is effective against leukaemia (2010 Japanese researchers).

It reduces blood fat, thus preventing atherosclerosis.

Improves insulin sensitivity through its isoflavones, thereby normalising blood sugar levels – antidiabetic effect. Use with insulin treatment requires caution and attention!

Liver protectant helps the regeneration of damaged liver cells.

Immune booster.

Improves oxygenation at the cellular level through its extremely powerful antioxidant action.

Almond mushroom also strengthens the nervous system, it can be used successfully in cases of mental fatigue, in reducing symptoms of emotional stress, in lowering the risk of age-related degenerative diseases and in slowing down their destructive effects.

It is a natural antibiotic. Its antiviral activity is demonstrated by its effectiveness against influenza, it is one of the natural antivirals against HIV. It kills a significant proportion of bacteria, and it also helps in the infection of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, which causes pneumonia and meningitis, by destroying the bacteria.

It also combats the Candida fungus through its fungicidal action.

It also has an anti-inflammatory effect. It does this by releasing cytokines, chemokines and leukocyte growth factors. It has been reported to significantly improve chronic ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

In adults with Crohn’s disease, intestinal inflammation was significantly reduced when they took almond mushroom extract for 12 days (Scandinavian Journal of Immunology 2011.)

I’ve left the real curiosity for the end, the relief of allergy symptoms by reducing IgE levels. The real difference between less severe so-called food intolerance and allergy is that the body produces a different type of immunoglobulin. IgG levels were significantly elevated in food intolerance, while IgE levels were significantly elevated in true allergy. These are usually checked by blood tests.

It began its phenomenal career some 4000 years ago, but in the last 10-12 years it has been rediscovered not only by alternative medicine but also increasingly recognised by conventional or western medicine.

Widely researched, with more than 400 biologically active compounds already identified. The thousands of studies appearing in the medical journal www.pubmed.org alone show that the heightened interest in Ganoderma, the “mushroom of immortality”, cannot be a coincidence.

The main ingredients are: the main triterpenes are ganoderic acid, beta-glucans, proteins (Ling-zhi-8) and antioxidants such as zinc, vitamin C and selenium. It is very important to use only mushrooms grown in an organic environment and the way in which they are processed has a big influence on their effectiveness. HerbalVet products are made by using innovative and unique technology.

Alcoholic and aqueous extraction are used to extract the active ingredients so that the indigestible chitinous substances are retained.

It is used in dogs in the following cases:

• Cancer
• Allergies
• Liver and pancreas diseases
• Autoimmune diseases
• Circulatory, blood pressure, cardiac support
• Chronic inflammatory processes – e.g.: musculoskeletal problems, arthritis
• Skin diseases
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Adjuvant therapy in infections
• Stress or nervous system instability

It is safe and smart because it has no harmful side effects and cannot be overdosed and because of its “adaptogenic” properties, it detects the body’s weaknesses and harmonises the body’s functioning. Consequently, even if you feed it to your pet for a lengthy period of time for no given reason, this mushroom will prolong the life of your dog and give it a better quality of life.