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Chaga
Chaga, Inonotus obliquus, is a fungus in the Hymenochaetaceae family that grows as a parasite from the trunks of trees, mostly birch. As you can see from the photo above, chaga has a burnt look and strongly resembles charcoal or charred wood. This is due to high levels of melanin in the mushroom.
Chaga, also known as Tinder fungus, usually takes several years to fully mature, and only grows in cold, northern regions of the world. It has been used as a medicinal mushroom in Russia since at least the 16th century, and perhaps much longer.
Chaga was traditionally ground into a fine powder and brewed into tea. Research suggests that many of its bio-active compounds are found in indigestible parts of the mushroom, and are difficult for humans to digest unless properly extracted.
Besides high levels of melanin, chaga also contains an assortment of flavonoids, B vitamins, phenolic compounds, superoxide dismutase, triterpenes, pantothenic acid, betulinic acid and Beta-glucans. It has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well. However, cultivated chaga mushrooms have far fewer beneficial compounds than those crafted by Mother Nature. But that shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Chaga Benefits
The Chinese call chaga the “King of Plants” which is impressive considering their long and storied history using herbs and plants in traditional medicine. There are numerous beneficial compounds in chaga that deserve attention, in fact, too many. But let’s start with betulinic acid.
Betulinic acid is a powerful antiviral, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and it has anti-cancer properties as well. The betulinic acid in chaga is derived from the bark of the host birch tree, which is home to the fungi for several years and responsible for much of its adaptogenic powers. Betulinic acid has been shown to combat melanoma, malignant brain tumors, ovarian cancer, leukemia, and breast cancer.
This 2010 study on betulinic acid’s effect on cancer showed it to be “effective against a wide variety of cancer cells.”[10] While researchers involved in a 2004 study discovered that betulinic acid had potent anti-HIV activity.[11] They concluded that:
Betulinic acid is a very promising new chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of HIV infection and cancer.
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has numerous studies on chaga, which delve into the betulinic acid properties, as well as a host of other active constituents of this super mushroom, and the numerous beneficial effects these have on the body.[12]
Chaga benefits are practically endless and include …
- Immune system activation
- Treatment for psoriasis
- Potent antioxidant properties
- Promotion of longevity and vitality
- Improved skin health
- Improved energy and stamina
- Anti-cancer properties
- Stress reduction
- Improved digestion
- Cardiovascular support
- Improved cognitive health
Chaga is a strong adaptogen, meaning it eliminates the effects of all kinds of stress, providing the support and balance that the body needs in any way it needs it. Because chaga grows for years in harsh climates, and because it receives nutrients from trees that live hundreds, even thousands of years, it is perhaps the greatest adaptogen on the planet. It’s the ability to survive in harsh climates that gives adaptogens their power.
To learn more about how the modern world bombards us with stress, and how chaga combats that due to its strong adaptogenic abilities, check out this video. In the video, Brandon will tell you all the reasons why you want to incorporate this “Gift from the Gods” into your health and diet plan. Chaga is truly a wonder of nature, and, along with chlorella and shilajit, one of the greatest superfoods on earth.
Another beneficial property in chaga is an enzyme called superoxide dismutase. This special antioxidant combats a free radical called singlet oxygen, which does great damage to our tissues and causes premature aging. Tests have shown that one gram of chaga contains between 10,000 and 20,000 units of this enzyme, which is the highest amount from any known food source. Getting this enzyme through food is important because levels of it decline quickly with age.
Chaga is an abundant source of numerous antioxidants. This 2007 study involving subjects with inflammatory bowel disease led researchers to conclude that chaga is a “valuable supplement to inhibit oxidative stress.”[13] Another study, also conducted in 2007, on the antioxidant polyphenols in chaga showed “significant scavenging activity.”[14] In other words, the powerful antioxidants in chaga successfully reduced the effects of oxidative stress caused by free radicals in our body.
Improved skin health is a benefit of consuming chaga due to its high levels of melanin, which contributes to a healthier complexion. Plus the betulinic acid in chaga improves skin tone and clarity. Together they stimulate the production of collagen, which makes skin more elastic and reduces wrinkles. In fact, many cosmetic products contain birch tree extracts.
And then there’s the beta-glucan content in chaga. Beta-glucans are natural fiber molecules known as polysaccharides. They help activate the immune system, and in essence, make it smarter. Beta-glucans don’t stimulate the immune system the way many herbs and plants do, which actually can have a negative effect, especially for people who have an autoimmune disease. What beta-glucans do is help the immune system operate exactly the way it’s supposed to.
Beta-glucans are a type of immunomodulator found mostly in yeast, seaweed, and certain mushrooms. And their immune-enhancing benefits can be the difference between ill health and great health. This 2009 study on the effects of beta-glucans on human immunity and cancer cells concluded that not only are they significant, but that the source of the beta-glucans is equally significant.[15] And it turns out that those found in several species of fungi, including chaga, may be the most powerful of all.
Chaga Uses
Chaga isn’t a culinary mushroom, as it’s nearly as hard as rock. So you can either buy it in small chunks, powder form, or as an extract. The chunks and powder can both be made into tea. The chunks can be reused at least once without losing too much potency or flavor, unless left to simmer the proper length of time.
An extract may be your most beneficial option. As stated earlier, many nutritional properties in chaga mushrooms are indigestible unless made into an extract. However, I always advocate a whole foods approach. So if you have the inclination, the time, and the patience, I’d recommend making your own tea. But it must be done correctly to be most beneficial.
That said, the most important thing is getting your chaga (in any form) from a natural, wild-crafted source from super harsh climates, like those found in Siberia and northern Canada. This is how you get the most beneficial adaptogenic properties. Now, back to your tea preparation …
Add pieces of chaga to a crock pot along with some water and put it on a setting that allows a constant temperature between 150 and 180 degrees. Let the chaga simmer for 4 or 5 days. After that you can refrigerate it and heat it before drinking, or consume it cold. You may need to add some additional water, and you may want to add a sweetener like honey or yacon syrup. Consult with Google for more information.
Interested in trying out this super adaptogen? Head over to Lost Empire Herbs for their chaga extract.
Or if you want to make tea from whole chaga pieces, check out Starwest Botanicals.