August 2021
Holistic Horsekeeping
How to have a healthy happy horse.
Volume 26, Number 8
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In This Issue:
1. Medicinal Mushrooms
2. Is your horse the perfect match for you and his job?
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1. Medicinal Mushrooms
Mushrooms are ancient foods that contain powerful healing compounds. Here is a list with some information about the most well known medicinal mushrooms. I love mushrooms as part of my holistic healing approach to health and wellness. The company, Immubiome, has an entire line of products based around medicinal mushrooms. The Bluegreen Algae company, has several amazing products containing mushrooms and algae. I believe algae and mushrooms complement each other beautifully.
Antrodia Camphorata – This native Taiwanese mushroom is best known for its high levels and diversity of triterpenoid compounds. The triterpenes are highest in the fruiting bodies and lower in the mycelial portion. These compounds provide strong antioxidant, immune modulation, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilation activity. This mushroom gives support for liver and kidney function and is gentle liver detoxifier.
Chaga – Common names, Birch mushroom, Clinker polypore. It has a neutral thermal nature and a sweet and mildly bitter flavor. Its properties include support for the nervous system and emotional balance. It has anti-tumor activity, neutralizes toxins, relieves pain, improves appetite, modulates blood sugar, and stimulates the immune system. It is also a liver tonic and blood purifier. Chaga contains a wide variety of triterpenes.
Cordyceps – Common names, Cordyceps, Caterpillar fungus. It has a neutral to slightly warm thermal nature and a sweet flavor. Chaga promotes an overall sense of well-being with its ability to help ease stress and anxiety. It helps to clear Phlegm from the lungs and respiratory system, supports the kidneys, supports the immune system, stops bleeding, lowers cholesterol, decreases fatigue, helps with metabolism of lactic acid and supports the heart. Cordyceps is a potent antioxidant. Cordyceps is high in amino acids, glutamic acid, unsaturated fatty acids, Vitamin B12, superoxide dismutase, and Beta glucans.
Coriolus – Common name is Turkey tail. It is slightly warm with a sweet flavor. It helps clear dampness from the body and clears Phlegm from the respiratory tract. It is a liver and kidney tonic, stimulates the immune system and helps with muscle regeneration. Turkey tail has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-tumor properties. It is also a potent antioxidant. It is high in polysaccharides and Beta glucan.
Hericium Erinaceus – Common name is Lion’s mane. It is neuroprotective for nerve bundles and myelin sheaths and stimulates synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
Himematsutake – Common names, Royal sun agaricus, King agaricus, Mushroom of God, Sun Mushroom, Mushroom of life. This mushroom has neutral nature and a mildly sweet flavor. Its properties include support for the immune system, liver balancing, nervous system support, modulation of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol, lowers blood pressure. It also has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It is also protects against cancer and enhances tumor regression. Agaricus contains high levels of protein, carbohydrates, and digestive enzymes.
Maitake – Common names, Hen of the woods, Cloud mushroom, Sheep’s head. It has a neutral thermal nature and a bland to slightly sweet flavor. Maitake supports the stomach and intestines, strengthens the liver and heart, supports emotional health, suppresses weight gain and modulates blood sugar. It has antiviral, antibacterial, anti-cancer and anti-candida properties. It is a strong antioxidant. It contains polysaccharides.
Poria – Common names, Indian bread, Tuckahoe, China root, Hoelen. It is neutral in thermal nature and has a bland to sweet taste. Poria supports the spleen and stomach, dispels dampness, balances the emotions, and lowers blood sugar. It acts as a diuretic to promote urination and promotes secretion of Ne, K and Cl ions. Poria contains triterpenic acids, polysaccharides, potassium, lipids, ergosterol, lecithin, amino acids and protease enzymes.
Reishi – Common names, Mushroom of immortality, Spirit plant, Phantom mushroom. It is neutral to slightly warm in thermal nature and has a sweet to mildly bitter flavor. Reishi strengthens the heart, liver, kidney, lungs, and spleen. It elevates the mood, supports the immune system, promotes sleep, modulates blood sugar, and oxygenates the blood. It is a strong antioxidant and is anti-arthritic. It is considered an adaptogen, which makes it especially indicated in chronic disease. It contains triterpenes, polysaccharides, including Beta glucans, ergosterol, amino acids, enzymes, lipids, carbohydrates, volatile oils, trace minerals and vitamins.
Shitake – Common names, Flower mushroom, Winter mushroom, Chinese black mushroom. It is neutral in thermal nature and has a sweet flavor. It strengthens the stomach and intestines, strengthens the kidneys, and fortifies bone, supports the immune system, builds the blood, detoxifies the liver and modulates blood sugar. Shitake is antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and anti-tumor. It contains polysaccharides, including Beta glucans, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and choline.
Here is a in depth video with even more information on mushrooms by Barbara Swanson: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=fRRz9v9ZX_E&list=PL3Q_nRCN39p1S_RlqNQK03zgJ6w_kHyPK&index=31&t=7s
I research these products very carefully and offer these products from companies I trust at www.holistichorsekeeping.com.
Check out, Immubiome, on our website as they have an entire line of products based around medicinal mushrooms. The Bluegreen Algae company, has several amazing products containing mushrooms and algae. I believe algae and mushrooms complement each other beautifully.
Have concerns about your horse’s wellbeing or medical conditions and would like to get Holistic Veterinary advice specific to your horse? Visit: https://holistichorsekeeping.com/consultations.html
2. Is your horse the perfect match for you and his job?
If you are a horse lover, you have probably experienced the pain and frustration of finding “the perfect horse”, only to discover later that the two of you are a poor match. This approach looks at horses in a whole new way. Just as with humans, these wonderful creatures have different constitutions and personalities that can be defined and evaluated.
Using Traditional Chinese Medicine as her model, Dr. Ward has developed 5 basic types and 6 combo horse types and temperaments. She describes the personality as well as the best training, occupation, diet, and management approach for each. After experiencing years of frustration with her own poor equine matches and watching hundreds of clients in similar situations, Dr. Ward has dedicated herself to creating a practical approach to creating a stronger partnership with your horse.
Our goal is to empower you to recognize your most fitting equine companion – or learn how better to work, live, and play with the horse you already care for. She hopes this will be a significant step toward helping you to understand your horse better and realize your lifelong equestrian dreams.
Our horses give us so much, now you can give them what they need. Find the right balancing formula to help him be happy & healthy.
Click on the link below to learn more about the temperaments and discover which one your horse might be. http://www.horsetemperament.com
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