Chaga

Chaga or its scientific name, Inonotus obliquus is a type of fungus which grows on the birch trees of Siberia and other cold regions like Alaska and Northern Canada. Yay Canada!

While it is often called a mushroom, chaga does not resemble any mushrooms and botanists are undecided whether it should be classified as a mushroom at all.

Unlike true mushrooms, chaga has a tough exterior resembling burnt charcoal with a rust colored interior.

They can weigh over 30 pounds but most are smaller in size!!

Chaga’s relationship with the birch tree is symbiotic; they help the tree remain healthy and grow and can even help a sick tree to recover when inserted into the damaged tree. How's that for awesomeness?

TRADITIONAL USES OF CHAGA

The chemicals and processes that help birch trees are also of great value to human health and chaga has been used for centuries and possibly even thousands of years by various cultures.

Indigenous Siberians ground it down and added it to their stews and soups to boost endurance and stave off degenerative diseases.

Inuit Siberians had significantly greater life spans than Inuit from regions where they did not use chaga. Can't argue with that!

Siberians consuming Chaga also appear to have lower rates of cancer. Or that!

Traditional Chinese and Korean practitioners have also made use of chaga since ancient times, and it remains popular in Asian medicine to this day.

"Chaga is significant in ethnomycology, forest ecology, and increasingly in pharmacognosy. Its long-term human use and cultural eastern European and Russian acceptance should awaken serious researchers to its potential as a reservoir of new medicines, and as a powerful preventive ally for protecting DNA. " Paul Stamets

Making Chaga Tea,

One of the most popular ways to take chaga is in the form of tea which can be made quickly from the extracted powder.

Put between one and 2 teaspoons of powder into a teapot and add boiling water.
Let the chaga steep for at least 5 minutes; the longer it steeps, the more medicinal ingredients you will be able to extract.
Add honey to taste.
Sit slowly while counting your blessings and watch your stress melt away!

Health Benefits

Regardless if it is technically a mushroom or fungus, there are numerous health benefits. Chaga contains very significant amounts of powerful antioxidants with far-reaching health applications. Chaga also contains beta-glucans, other polysaccharides, phytosterols and triterpenes like botulin and betulinic acid which give chaga a diverse range of therapeutic benefits. Ergosterol peroxide is a medically exciting component of Chaga. Ergosterol peroxide has shown anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immunosuppressive capabilities in the lab.

Chaga is considered an adaptogen; a substance which helps normalize and balance body functions which is also called homeostasis. This is ideal for us humans.

A VERY POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT

When it comes to potent antioxidant superfoods, chaga has few equals. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is present in chaga in substantial quantities. SOD efficiently neutralizes the damage done by free radicals, protects against disease and slows down the aging process.

Studies have linked low levels of SOD with declining health and decreased lifespan. Diet is the best way to increase SOD levels and compared with other foods, chaga is an excellent source. The cruciferous vegetables broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts are naturally rich in SOD as well.

In the ORAC scale, which was designed to measure the ability of food to deal with oxidative stress and absorb free radical damage, chaga has the highest rating.

It has up to 50 times more SOD enzymes than fruit juices, leafy greens, truffles, and seaweed. Chaga’s incredible ability to combat oxidative stress makes it a powerful ally in the fight against aging, heart disease and cancer.

IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOST
A healthy immune system is vital to great health and protection. Chaga is known to be an adaptogen simultaneously working in two directions to help boost and modulate the immune system. Many food and science experts consider it to be one of the most potent natural foods for controlling autoimmune diseases.

INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS
A variety of the compounds in chaga such as betulinic acid and inotodiol work to reduce dangerous inflammation within the body.

Inflammation can be extremely harmful and is known to possibly lead to severe conditions like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis as well as many other dis-eases. Experts say unchecked inflammation is the root cause of most illnesses and disorders. Check all the foods you are eating that cause inflammation and avoid them as much as possible. The top five inflammatory foods are sugar and high fructose corn syrup, fried foods, refined carbs, meat cooked at high temperatures and excessive alcohol.

ULCERS AND GASTRITIS
Because of its immune boosting and anti-inflammatory abilities, chaga has traditionally been used to support intestinal health and treat ulcers.

According to research, chaga might be a useful alternative treatment for ulcers and inflammatory bowel syndrome. See the research tab for all the science on mushrooms.

HEART HEALTH
As well as protecting the heart by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nature, the betulinic acid in chaga is known to help break down the bad LDL cholesterol in the body.

Research conducted in Russia way back in the 1950s discovered that chaga had a beneficial effect on high blood pressure, but sadly no studies have been undertaken since then.

Be sure to consult your doctor if you have hypertension and are considering taking chaga supplements.

CANCER
Chaga extract has been approved as a treatment for various types of cancer in Russia since the 1950s.

The betulinic acid found in chaga is known to induce apoptosis or cell death and prevent tumors from developing. Many research articles have confirmed that chaga has exciting anti-tumor potential. (2) (3)

Another study has demonstrated that inotodiol; the triterpenoid compound found in chaga has the potential to be an anticancer agent.

Researchers concluded that these subfractions isolated from chaga had the potential to be used in food or by the pharmaceutical industry as an anticancer ingredient.

A 2015 study looked at another compound from Chaga mushroom and its anti-cancer potential.

The study tested the anti-cancer activity of Ergosterol peroxide on mice.

Ergosterol peroxide was shown to inhibit colorectal cancer in mice. The extract inhibited cancer cell and tumor growth.
Authors concluded that the Chaga extract has properties to advocate its use as a supplement for preventing colon cancer.

Research suggests that Chaga may contain multiple anti-cancer components: Betulinic acid, Inotodiol, and Ergosterol peroxide.

DIGESTION

Chaga can be drunk as a healthy tea and is a great way to keep your digestive system in excellent shape. It helps relieve indigestion and other gastrointestinal pain while maintaining the digestive system working smoothly.

Chaga stimulates digestive bile production which helps break down food especially stubborn fats and allows them to be absorbed more efficiently. Chaga is also an excellent source of dietary fiber.

SKIN HEALTH

Chaga gets its distinctive dark color because of its very high melanin content. Melanin is a powerful antioxidant that is known to protect the genes and the DNA.

Melanin is also the main pigment present in our skin and experts suggest that Chaga’s melanin content can enhance the health of your skin, keeping it beautiful and supple. It can help protect both the skin and hair from sun damage and might even help diminish the size of age spots.

LIVER DETOX

Because of its incredible antioxidant activity, chaga tea or supplements are an ideal addition to any detox diet. The betulin is known to have a liver detoxifying effect to help you clean out the liver and start fresh.

There is some research backing this up. A recent study in 2015 tested the protective ability of chaga on the liver.

This study compared chemically induced liver damage in untreated and Chaga pre-treated rats. The study found the Chaga pre-treated rats had significantly less liver damage. The authors concluded that Chaga mushroom extract did show liver protective activity.

MANAGES FEELINGS OF STRESS

On top of all the incredible abilities of chaga tea, it is also considered an adaptogen. Adaptogens help keep your body in balance, by making sure all systems aren’t going into overdrive. By maintaining a quiet balance in your body, you are better able to cope with stressful situations. Other known adaptogens are Astragalus root, Ashwaganda, Holy basil, Schisandra and Siberien ginseng,

Stress management is vital to maintaining your good health, so at the end of a busy day, sit back and de stress with a soothing cup of Chaga tea.

Is Chaga Safe?

YES! Studies done on chaga to date indicate that chaga is safe to use in the recommended doses. There have been no reports of adverse side effects but chaga may interact with certain medications like diabetic medication and anticoagulants.

Who Should Avoid Using Chaga?

Chaga is not recommended for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children under the age of two. People with allergies to penicillin may also have a reaction to chaga.

What does Chaga Taste Like?

Chaga is slightly bitter but many describe its flavor as nice and earthy. It is a bit of an acquired taste and If you find it unpalatable then add some honey or another natural sweetener to your liking.

CHAGA DOSING

There currently is no strict dosage set for chaga, but some experts recommend one teaspoon of powder a day which is about 1 gram. If you’re treating a specific condition, then they suggest you take 2-3 grams a day until your condition clears up. There is currently no information on upper limits but it's always best to err on the side of caution and not overdo it. Too much of anything isn't good for us!

Studies done on chaga to date indicate that chaga is safe to use in the recommended doses. There have been no reports of adverse side effect but chaga may interact with certain medications like diabetic medication and anticoagulants.

Please note that it may keep you awake at night if taken close to bedtime. It might be best to take in the morning.

Fun Fact!

There is an entire genus of mushrooms, found all over the world, that tastes like fried chicken. It's even referred to as the "chicken of the woods." It is most commonly found in eastern North America and is bright orange.