Herb Blurb: Mushrooms

Supportive supplements for horse and human

Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years to nourish the body. Technically classified as fungi, mushrooms offer multiple benefits, including strengthening and balancing the immune system, supporting the respiratory system, calming the nervous system, increasing endurance, preventing or minimizing tumors, healing the digestive tract, and balancing the endocrine system. Many mushrooms are adaptogens, which mean they help your horse’s body manage stress by supporting communication between the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems.

Most mushrooms are symbiotic with other plants or trees. They have an amazing threadlike root system called mycelium, which forms a complex system of connections in the soil. The mycelium provides nutrition for the plants and the mushrooms that are part of this network.

All mushrooms contain a type of polysaccharide called beta-D glucan, which has been studied for its ability to modulate the immune system and have anti-tumor actions. Mushrooms also contain antioxidants and many minerals including potassium, zinc, and copper.

Three commonly used mushrooms in horse supplements are Reishi, Cordyceps and Turkey Tail.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is called Ling Zhi in Chinese, when translated means “spirit plant.” It is also known as the Mushroom of Immortality.  This mushroom has a sweet flavor and is neutral to slightly warming in its action. Reishi is best known for its ability to calm the spirit, strengthen the immune system, inhibit histamines (allergic reactions), and as a longevity tonic. Considered a rare mushroom, it is now cultivated.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) called Dong Chong Xia Cao in Chinese. This translates to “winter worm, summer flower,” since this fungus grows from hibernating caterpillar larvae in the Himalayan Mountains, blooming in the spring. Cordyceps has a sweet flavor with a warming action. Best known for increasing endurance, cordyceps is an adaptogen that helps balance immune and endocrine function. Used in formulas for strengthening kidney and lung weaknesses, cordyceps is also rare and quite expensive and is now cultivated.

Turkey Tail (Tramates versicolor) in China is called Yun Zhi, meaning “cloud fungus.” This warm and sweet mushroom builds immune function, strengthens the liver, and offers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits to the digestive, urinary, and respiratory systems. In Asia, T. versicolor is studied widely for its support of cancer recovery. Widely available, turkey tail is an energy tonic and may be helpful to supplement if your horse has a chronic disease.

These amazing fungi offer multiple benefits to both horse and human. Mushrooms are often added to soups in Asia for their immune boosting and strengthening tonic support. Mushroom supplements are supportive to your horse’s overall health. When purchasing mushrooms always buy organic, as the conventional ones are likely sprayed with pesticides. For the most effective use of these fungi, check with your equine herbalist or herbal trained veterinarian.

Andrea Baldwin is a Clinical Herbalist with training in various herbal traditions, including Western, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic, and Native American. As a lifelong horse advocate, she believes that herbs and other holistic modalities, when used thoughtfully, offer the gentlest and most powerful way to bring balance to your horse.  Andrea is the co-author of Equine Herbal and Energetics and founded EquiBotanical to empower others to restore balance in mind and body through education of the traditional uses of our plant allies. www.equibotanical.com.