Naturally Healthy Dogs
Mushrooms for Mutts

November, 2011

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Natural Dog Health Remedies

In this issue:

• Mushrooms for Mutts
• Product Pick - MUSH Mushroom Blend for Dogs
• Mushroom Recipes
• Aromatherapy Recipe - Sinus Infections

I love mushrooms - they are tasty and good for your health as they all contain loads of nutrients and antioxidants.

Did you know that dogs can also benefit from mushrooms?

Here are some mushrooms that you can feed your dog:

Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitakes are commonly consumed in Asia, especially Japan and China. They are not only "meaty" and tasty, but also a rich source of protein, vitamins (A, B6, C), and minerals (such as copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, zinc), and dietary fiber. On top of that, shiitake mushrooms contain over 50 enzymes, including pepsin which digests proteins.

Shiitake mushrooms also have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Maitake Mushrooms

Maitake mushrooms, often referred to as the "King of Mushrooms" in Japan, have been used medicinally in Japan and China for a long time. Maitake mushrooms contain complex immunostimulant polysaccharides, starch, and protein. They have been found to be anti-cancerous and anti-tumor and have a wide range of healing powers, including regulating blood sugar levels and lowering cholesterol.

Reishi

Reishi is traditionally used in China as a tonic herb to help increase energy, enhance and support the cardiovascular and immune systems, improve digestion, and alleviate allergy symptoms. It can also lower blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels. Reishi is rich in polysaccharides, polypeptides, and amino acids. In addition, Reishi has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

When Reishi is given as a supplement during chemotherapy or radiation, it helps reduce some side effects, such as fatigue, appetite loss, bone marrow suppression and risk of infection.

Button Mushrooms

If you cannot get some of the above "exotic" mushrooms, don't worry! The common button mushrooms are also jam-packed with nutrients, including antioxidants, B vitamins (except B12), copper, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium.

Fresh mushrooms should be stored in the refrigerator in a loosely closed paper bag.

Feeding Mushrooms to Mutts

Feeding mushrooms to dogs can't be easier - you can put them in soups or saute them lightly and mix them with your dog's regular food. (See the Recipe Section below for a couple of suggestions.)

You can feed fresh mushrooms to your dog as often as you want. If your dog is sick, has a compromised immune system, or (God forbid) has been diagnosed with cancer and needs as much "mushroom power" as possible, consider giving him/her a mushroom blend supplement. (See Product Pick below.)

If you have an older dog or a dog with a compromised immune system due to, say, cancer, this medicinal mushroom blend is highly recommended.

It contains equal portions of five mushrooms - Reishi, maitake, shiitake, cordyceps, and Turkey tail.

Cordyceps have a long history as medicinal mushrooms in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and have been used to treat several conditions including cancers for thousand of years.

Cordyceps have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-tumor, and antioxidant properties. In addition, they can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels, and enhance organs such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

Turkey Tail has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties. It also enhances the immune system and supports the liver and kidneys.

Fungi Perfecti MUSH Medicinal Mushroom Blend is potent and at the same time easy to use - just mix the powder in with your dog's food.

If your dog's immune system needs a boost, or is unfortunately under treatment for cancer, give this supplement a try!

Mushroom Saute

Ingredient:

• 1 cup fresh mushrooms of your choice, finely slices or chopped
• 1/2 clove garlic, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Instructions:

• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add mushrooms and garlic, and gently cook until tender.
• Add salt and parsley.
• Cool to room temperature and spoon the saute mushrooms onto your dog's food as a topping.

Muttroom Broth

Ingredient:

• Turkey or chicken carcass
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 cup fresh mushrooms of your choice, chopped
• 1 cup zucchini, chopped
• 1/4 cup kelp
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions:

• Place turkey or chicken carcass and garlic cloves in a soup pot or crock pot, and cover with filtered water.
• Bring to a boil, then turn down heat to simmer.
• Check after one hour or so. When you see the cartilage has become soft and is falling off the bone, turn off the heat.
• Drain broth from the bones.
• Discard the bones, but keep all the meat and cartilage.
• Add remaining ingredients to the drained broth and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature.

This is a delicious and nutritious soup and is great for sick dogs with low or no appetite (Of course healthy dogs would love it too :)

Dogs with a sinus infection or other respiratory problems have nasal congestion and perhaps difficulty breathing. This blend can relieve nasal congestion.

Several drops of the blend can be used to massage into the fur of the dog's neck and chest, or placed on a cloth bandanna. Or several drops can be added to the dog's bedding.

You need:

• 1/2 oz. (15 ml) base oil (e.g. sweet almond oil)
• 5 drops of Eucalyptus
• 5 drops of Myrhh
• 5 drops of Ravensare

Mix well and store in a dark glass bottle.