Hericium erinaceus is a type of mushroom that is found naturally in forested areas, especially in the northern hemisphere, and goes by several common names.
It prefers to live in decaying oak, beech, or walnut wood. Despite its slightly meaty, seafood-like flavor, this edible and medicinal mushroom is completely safe.
One of nature’s greatest gifts is lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), a herb that has been used as a health tonic for centuries because of its reputation for fostering courage and sharp recall.
Some of the active ingredients in lion’s mane, including cyathane, erinacines, and hericenones, have been shown to improve memory and focus, making it a popular choice in Eastern medicine.
It is a great natural way to support the nervous system because its low molecular weight allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate the growth, repair, and protection of nerves and neurons.
Mainstream science has not conducted any studies on humans using “western” criteria for anything that is naturally grown and highly beneficial to the body. Few studies have been conducted to determine health effects, and those that have been done have only used rats as subjects.
Peer-reviewed papers that haven’t actually been about the science but to sway opinion in order to receive funding, etc., have all been exposed as attempts to influence public opinion rather than actual scientific progress in recent years.
These methods can no longer be relied upon to determine the healthfulness of a product.
There is no greater guide, healer, or supplier of natural remedies than Mother Nature. You can trust that the health benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom will benefit both you and your pet because of its high regard in eastern cultures.
It is a valuable medicinal and culinary mushroom in China, Japan, and Korea, where it has been used for years to help strengthen the spleen and metabolism, fight fatigue, and improve the brain.
Is Lion’s Mane Mushroom Safe for Cats & Dogs?
There hasn’t been much research conducted in the West to establish risks and benefits for animals.
Given its widespread application in Eastern cultures as a culinary and medicinal mushroom, the answer is yes, provided that appropriate dosing guidelines are adhered to.
If you want to make sure there are no negative reactions, you should start with a lower dose and gradually increase to the right one.
Never give raw mushrooms to your pet, as they are highly poisonous in their uncooked state and cannot be digested by animals. Medicinal mushrooms are safest and most effective when given to pets in powder or tincture form.
Using mushrooms for healing with pets needs to be done wisely as they are incredibly powerful; unless you’re working with an integrative vet, go with the safer option of using powder or tinctures. You can also cook your mushrooms to feed or make tea with the mushrooms.
Because the healing properties are concentrated in the fruiting bodies, it is imperative that you purchase a high-quality product that incorporates the entire plant into the powder or tincture. Avoid purchasing anything that consists solely of mycelium.
The safest way to give Lion’s Mane to your pet is to buy the pure product intended for human consumption, as many Lion’s Mane powders are mixed with other ingredients or other mushrooms.
Although there are products designed specifically for canines and felines, they have not been subjected to the same rigorous testing as their human counterparts.
If you want to err on the side of caution, always choose human-grade products over pet products because you know you will be getting something that has been tested to a higher standard.
Make sure the capsules you buy for your pet are made entirely of mushroom (not just mycelium) and have fruiting bodies before giving them to him or her.
Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom
- Possibly aids in stroke recovery due to its nootropic properties
- restores damaged neurons and promotes the development of new ones
- Facilitates bowel function and lessens IBS symptoms.
- Fosters the development of beneficial gut bacteria
- Treats and prevents stomach ulcers
- Assist the brain and nerves.
- Benefits memory
- Aids in focusing attention
- Enhances mental acuity and retards the deterioration associated with Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
- As a natural anti-inflammatory, it aids in decreasing inflammation.
- Helps to calm nerves
- Can play a role in mitigating the symptoms of depression.
- Supports healthy kidney and lung function
- Aids in the speedy healing of nerve damage.
- Protects against coronary disease
- Benefits in treating diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.
- Reduces the proliferation of cancer cells and tumors.
- Excellent supplement to a raw food diet.
- Aids in restoring hormonal balance
- Can be useful in reducing allergy symptoms
- has liver-protecting properties
- Facilitates lipid-level lowering.
- Enhances the quality of sleep
- Promotes rapid healing of wounds
- Beneficial in cases of degenerative myelopathy
Side effects
Hericium erinaceus Mushroom Powder has not been linked to any adverse effects.
Do not give your pet any mushrooms if it has a sensitivity to them.
Do not give to animals while they are nursing.
It is possible that your pet’s allergies will worsen as neuron repair and stimulation begin, so you may need to reduce their dosage temporarily.
As the composition of the gut flora shifts, some initial gastrointestinal unease is to be expected.
Stop using it and see a holistic veterinarian if any problems arise.
How to Give Lion’s Mane Mushroom to Cats & Dogs
- Powder
- Tincture
- Capsule
- Mix with animal-friendly mushroom powders.
Do not give your cat or dog any raw mushrooms.
Dosage for Pets
Daily ingestion is recommended for the best recuperative and preventative effects.
The correct dosage will be determined by the specific product and the recommendations of the manufacturer. If you’re using a powder intended for humans, you’ll need to adjust the dosage to account for your pet’s size.
Instructions for a generic powdered substance.
Mixing the powder with your pet’s food is one option, but you can also inject it (without the needle) directly into your pet’s mouth.
Ratio of dose to body mass:
- Fido and Fluffy Start with 1/16 tsp once a day (even for larger breeds) and monitor your pet’s progress. A
- Your cat or dog will get used to the taste gradually if you start with a lower dose.
- 1/8 tsp once a day for medium dogs.
- 1/4 teaspoon twice daily for large dogs.
- Large-sized canines Take half a teaspoon twice daily.
It is impossible to provide exact numbers without knowing the specifics of the product and the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Frequency
To maximize results, administer once daily, preferably with each of your pet’s meals. Lion’s mane mushroom should be taken twice daily for more serious health conditions.
Although it would be difficult to overdose your pet on Lion’s Mane Mushroom, it is a potent natural remedy, and you should recognize that your pet’s body will need time to heal itself and that the nervous system is being stimulated and regrowth is occurring where needed, so your pet may experience changes.
As mentioned before, excessive stimulation of the neurons can cause itching in some animals, especially those with allergies.
Depending on your pet’s underlying health condition and general health, you may need to gradually increase the dosage over time. If your pet can handle it, start with a pinch mixed into their food and work up to the proper amount over time.
If this is the case, continue giving the powder at a low enough dose that your pet is getting the benefits without being so itchy that it constantly scratches. The next step is to figure out what’s triggering the itching so frequently.
Because the skin is a major organ for eliminating toxins, any skin problems on the outside are an indication that something is wrong internally.
The first place to look when trying to figure out why someone is constantly itching or experiencing other allergy symptoms is at their diet, as this is often the root cause of the underlying digestive imbalance.
When you realize that being healthy is all about shaping your inner landscape, you’ll quickly realize how straightforward it is to achieve.
When you realize that changes in pH — either acidic or alkaline — determine whether or not your pet becomes ill, the situation simplifies even further.
The normal pH of a healthy animal is acidic. Alkaline animals are sick animals. Details can be found by clicking here.
No medical advice should be taken from this article. Always get your pet checked out by a holistic vet for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.
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