• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

White Oak Animal Hospital

Casey Damron, DVM - Integrative Medicine, Veterinary Herbalist, Holistic Surgeon

  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Western Veterinary Medicine
    • Eastern Medicine
      • Acupuncture
      • Food Therapy
      • Herbal Medicine
    • Tui-Na
    • Alternative Treatments
      • Biopuncture
      • Cancer Treatments
      • Laser Therapy
      • Prolotherapy
    • Pet Nutrition
    • Senior Pets
  • Blog
    • Cat Herbal Remedies
    • Dog Herbal Remedies
    • Pet Care
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Cat Herbal Remedies / Cat Immune Health / How the Maitake Mushroom Supplement Benefits Pets With Cancer

Ali Lehman / May 27, 2019

How the Maitake Mushroom Supplement Benefits Pets With Cancer

image for: How the Maitake Mushroom Supplement Benefits Pets With Cancer

If you’ve been to a cool new restaurant lately, chances are you’ve seen “Hen of the Woods” on the menu.

You may have thought to yourself, is it some kind of chicken?

It isn’t!

In fact, Hen of the Woods is a type of mushroom.

You may be more familiar with its other name, maitake mushroom.

While this is one of the most delicious mushrooms, it is also one of the most healthful.

And like many healthful foods found in nature, this one is also good for your pet.

What is a Maitake mushroom?

Maitake mushrooms are one of nature’s most healthful and powerful plants.

As we mentioned above, this incredible fungus is also known as “Hen of the Woods,” “Sheep’s Head (for its curious appearance),” and Grifola frondosa.

Maitakes grow at the base of oak, elm and maple trees in Japan, China, and North America in the fall.

These wonderful mushrooms are so popular in Asia, people have been consuming them as medicine in Japan and China for thousands of years.

Because of its incredible healing properties, the Japanese call them “dancing mushroom,” for the boost in energy people feel after consumption.

What is Beneficial About Maitake Mushroom for Dogs?

Dried maitake mushrooms are often used to treat:

  • Blood pressure problems
  • Immune function
  • Side effects of chemotherapy
  • Cold and flu viruses
  • Blood sugar
  • High cholesterol

Because maitakes contain polysaccharides and β-1,6-glucan, they are beneficial for the treatment of cancers.

Polysaccharides are proven to regulate the immune system and promote health in human studies.

Experiments in animal studies support the use of this mushroom for cancer treatment due to one component of polysaccharides, β-glucans, which are known to possess immunomodulating properties.

In fact, one study revealed maitake mushroom’s ability to enhance macrophages, natural killer cells, and cytotoxic T-cells.

The research showed maitake reduced tumor growth by 86% compared to untreated animals.

Another study proved the mushroom’s immune enhancement and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly boosting tumor-fighting abilities against syngeneic, allogeneic tumors.

In combination with Vitamin C, one study showed maitake’s ability to inhibit tumor growth and restore suppressed immune functions.

According to the research, maitake mushrooms contain D-fraction, a polysaccharide benefitting human patients with bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and breast cancer among others.

Maitake mushroom contains:

  • Beta-glucans
  • Vitamins B, C, and D
  • Antioxidants
  • Amino acids
  • Copper
  • Potassium
  • Fiber

Additionally, maitake mushrooms have very mild side effects, including the ability to lower blood sugar and blood pressure.

However, safety is not proven in pregnant or lactating animals.

How Can You Administer Dried Maitake Mushroom For Your Pet?

While you could learn how to make a maitake mushroom tincture, we think giving your pet an easy to chew supplement is easier.

A supplement that includes other healthful mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake, and turkey tail, would most effectively help your pup.

Seeking an all natural supplement to boost your dog’s immune system?

Try PET | TAO Complement Immune. Complement Immune is a medicinal mushroom blend.

It also provides beneficial ingredients such as:

  • N-acetyl-L-cysteine
  • Vitamin C
  • Coenzyme Q-10
  • Selenium
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin E

Learn more about PET | TAO Complement Immune.

Related Posts

  • Image for Why Turkey Tail Mushroom Works For Pets With Cancer
    Why Turkey Tail Mushroom Works For Pets With Cancer

    Cancer diagnoses are devastating. What’s worse than finding out your beloved pet has a potentially…

  • Image for Discover The Health Benefits of Shiitake Mushroom Supplements
    Discover The Health Benefits of Shiitake Mushroom Supplements

    Shiitake mushrooms are delicious! Most Americans eat them in tasty Asian dishes, such as stir-fries.…

  • Why Reishi Mushroom Extract Boosts Pet Immune Systems
    Why Reishi Mushroom Extract Boosts Pet Immune Systems

    Will Reiki Mushroom Extract Help Your Pet? Did you know dried reishi mushroom extract benefits…

  • Image for Are Dental Cleanings for Pets Necessary?
    Are Dental Cleanings for Pets Necessary?

      I can usually count on it at least once a week. I follow the…

Filed Under: Cat Immune Health, Dog Immune System Health Tagged With: cancer herbal remedy, Maitake mushroom, pet cancer herbal supplements

Get Connected With Us!

Sign up to get our newsletters! Benefits include:

* EXCLUSIVE DEALS ON SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

*ANIMAL MEDICAL ALERTS IN OUR AREA

*NOTIFICATIONS WHEN A NEW BLOG IS POSTED

*ACCESS TO FREE EDUCATIONAL E-BOOKS

Newsletter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. chaga mushroom supplement says

    December 4, 2019 at 8:34 am

    I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Well written!

    Log in to Reply
    • Becki Baumgartner, BS MH says

      March 9, 2020 at 4:55 pm

      Thank you, Chaga Mushroom Supplement!

      Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Footer

Contact Us

1341 Fairview Blvd.
Fairview, TN 37062

(615) 799-7981

Hours

Monday                       7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday                       7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday                 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday                     7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Friday                           7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday                      8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday                         CLOSED

Follow Us

  • Email
  • Facebook

Schedule Now!

Copyright © 2018-2021 White Oak Animal Hospital | 1341 Fairview Blvd. Fairview, TN 37062 | (615) 799-7981 | All Rights Reserved
Website Maintenance by Think.Web.Go.