Чага берёзовая (гриб): лечебные свойства и применение

Гриб чага разрушает древесину берёзы, но препараты из него лечат запущенные болезни, противостоят раку и укрепляют организм

Текст: Анисимов А.М. · 12-04-2018 03-02-2020 Good-Tips.PRO Чага — берёзовый гриб-паразит. Чага снаружи чёрная, а внутри рыжая. Фото: Healing Herbs

Чага — берёзовый гриб-паразит чёрного цвета, научно именуемый трутовиком. Для березы чага дереворазрушающий гриб, а для людей — лекарственное средство, для лечения болезней желудка и кишечника, профилактики и лечения раковых опухолей, а также как травяной чай.

Трутовик (лат. Inonotus obliquus, англ. Chaga mushrooms), поражает живые стволы деревьев лиственных пород, чаще всего берёзы, но может расти на рябине и ольхе. Споры гриба проникают внутрь дерева через раны и повреждения коры, поэтому часто березовые грибы имеют форму зарубки, сделанную когда-то топором. Заражение спорами чаги вызывает белую ядровую гниль древесины. Сначала в ложном ядре появляются светло-жёлтые пятна и полосы, которые затем расширяются и сливаются. Годичные слои в гнили легко отделяются друг от друга. Вокруг гнили наблюдается светло-бурая защитная зона, внутри видны черные линии, а на изломе — ржаво-бурые вкрапления грибницы чаги.

Для лечебного применения используют черные трещиноватые наросты чаги через 10–15 лет своего паразитирования достигают больших размеров (до 3–5 кг и больше). При этом чагу надо отличать от ложного трутовика, также растущего на берёзах. Чага имеет округлую форму и блестящую поверхность, покрытую трещинами, а ложный трутовик — копытообразную форму плоскостью вниз, с бархатистой поверхностью.

Это настоящая чага (Inonotus obliquus) — чёрный гриб, растущий на березе. Фото: Laughing LichenЛожный трутовик, растущий на березе. Это не чага! Фото: naturitz.com

Следует знать, что крошащаяся и легко разрушающаяся чага не пригодна для лечения. При сборе (собирают зимой, с осени до весны) наросты обрубают топором вдоль ствола, причем внутреннюю, рыхлую часть грибов и куски захваченной древесины отбрасывают как негодные; сушат разрубленные грибы при температуре не выше +50°C.

Важно, чагу заготавливают только с живых деревьев!

Домашнее лекарственное сырье, чагу, хранят в сухом месте не более 4 месяцев (сырье, высушенное в сушилках и упакованное надлежащим образом можно хранить до 2-х лет). Помните, даже хорошо высушенный березовый гриб легко отсыревает и плесневеет. Поэтому в аптеках продают готовый густой экстракт чаги, чтобы сохранить полезные свойства чаги на длительный срок. Впрочем, настой чаги можно сделать и в домашних условиях.

Лечебные свойства чаги

Целебные свойства березового гриба используются во благо здоровья человека с незапамятных времен. На Руси чагой лечились часто неосознанно, употребляя отвар из чаги вместо чая и других напитков. Позже, когда лечебные свойства чаги уже были замечены докторами, народная медицина стала целенаправленно использовать березовый гриб для лечения болезней желудка и кишечника, а также в качестве противоопухолевого средства. Например, есть предание, что рак губы у Владимира Мономаха полностью излечили именно отваром чаги.

О замечательных свойствах чаги писал Абу ибн Сина в своем врачебном Каноне, а в 1858 году была опубликована научная статья об излечении чагой раковой опухоли. Однако, научная медицина не практикует назначение чаги и препаратов на основе березового гриба для лечения серьезных заболеваний, несмотря на то, что чага включена в фармакопею. Считается, что чага не обладает сколь-нибудь ценными свойствами.

В Сибири же чагу почитали и почитают за панацею от всех болезней. Именно в Сибири было замечено, что там, где пьют крепкий ароматный чай из чаги почти никогда не болеют раком. Считается, что гриб чага — основа сибирского здоровья, ведь у настоящих сибиряков (употребляющих травы, коренья и грибы во благо организма) до самой старости нет признаков мастита, фиброза, в порядке печень, почки и желудок, кожа чистая от фурункулов, а женские болезни обходят женщин стороной.

В Сибири и на Дальнем Востоке, и по сей день принято пить чай из чаги для профилактики болезней и отвар из чаги для лечения всякой заразы. Особенно популярным гриб чага стал после выхода в свет произведения «Раковый корпус» Александра Солженицына:

Про доктора Масленникова тот прежний больной рассказал мне, что это старый земский врач Александровского уезда, под Москвой. Что он десятки лет — так раньше это было принято, лечил в одной и той же больнице. И вот заметил, что, хотя в медицинской литературе все больше пишут о раке, у него среди больных крестьян рака не бывает. Отчего б это?.. Стал он исследовать, стал он исследовать, — повторял Костоглотов с удовольствием, — и обнаружил такую вещь: что, экономя деньги на чай, мужики во всей этой местности заваривали не чай, а чагу, иначе называется березовый гриб… Александр Солженицын. Раковый корпус. М., Новый мир, 1991, с. 101-102

Чага с виду чёрная, блестящая, поверхность покрыта трещинами. Фото: ©Henrik Larsson — stock.adobe.com

Уже во второй половине XX века было выявлено, что дубильные вещества и пигменты, образующие хромогенный полифенолкарбоновый комплекс, а также агарициновая кислота, смолы и высокое содержание марганца в чаге способны творить чудеса. Благодаря дубильным веществам чага улучшает иммунитет, стимулирует деятельность головного мозга, нормализирует давление и уровень сахара в крови у больных сахарным диабетом. Тогда же был разработан препарат «Бефунгин», предназначенный для лечения хронических гастритов, дискинезии желудочно-кишечного тракта с явлениями атонии, язвы желудка и онкологических заболеваний. Иностранцы и вовсе рекомендуют принимать чагу при лечении злокачественных опухолей.

Чага противопоказана при хроническом колите и дизентерии, а также при индивидуальной непереносимости. Не рекомендуется сочетать чагу с глюкозой и пенициллином.

За рубежом лекарственные препараты и биологически-активные добавки (БАД) часто применяют в качестве поливитаминной добавки, считается что чага восполняет недостаток витаминов и минералов в организме человека. Действительно, чага содержит комплекс витаминов группы B, витамин D, калий, цезий, рубидий, медь, селен, цинк, железо и др.

Считается, что благодаря антиоксидантным свойствам чага замедляет процесс старения организма. Особенно эффект от употребления чаги заметен по замедленному старению кожи, упругости и отсутствию глубоких морщин, а также малому количеству седых волос у сибиряков, практикующих чагу.

Чага понижает уровень холестерина в крови, благодаря удачному сочетанию антиоксидантов, помогающих уменьшить концентрацию липопротеина низкой плотности (LDL), так называемого «плохого» холестерина (источник). Известно, что высокий уровень холестерина увеличивает риск возникновения сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний, а значит его надо понижать любым доступным способом и пусть вас не смущает, что эксперимент был на крысах, холестерино-понижающий эффект все равно будет попутным, просто регулярно пейте чай из чаги.

Попутным эффектом от снижения уровня холестерина в крови станет нормализация артериального давления, что особенно полезно для людей страдающих артериальной гипертензией в различных степенях запущенности.

Чага полезна для людей, страдающих сахарным диабетом любого типа. Научные исследования проведенные в 2006 году на мышах и крысах доказали, что чага способствует понижению сахара в крови после приёма пищи уже после 8 недель употребления препаратов. Пусть ученые не испытывали гипогликемические свойства чаги на человеке, но это дает большие шансы на лечение диабета в будущем.

В настоящее время врачи рекомендуют употреблять препараты из чаги для снятия побочных эффектов химиотерапии и радиотерапии, при лечении раковых опухолей, а также для лечения артрита.

Гриб чага: препараты и способы применения

Приготовление настоя чаги: высушенный берёзовый гриб заливают холодной кипяченой водой на 4 часа для размягчения, затем растирают на терке или пропускают через мясорубку. На 1 часть измельченного гриба берут 5 частей кипяченой воды не выше +50°C и настаивают двое суток (48 часов). Затем жидкость сливают в чистую посуду, а остаток отжимают, в отжатую жидкость добавляют воду, в которой ранее замачивался гриб для размягчения. Настой чаги пьют по одному стакану 3 раза в день за 30 минут до еды или по полстакана 6 раз в день.

Домашний настой чаги (готовый экстракт чаги из аптеки) применяют при комплексном лечении желудочно-кишечных заболеваний: гастрита, язвы желудка и кишечника и раке. Конечно, чага не может вылечить рак, но значительно уменьшает боль и облегчает самочувствие больного.

Литературный источник: А.П. Попов. Лекарственные растения в народной медицине, 1960

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90000 A Complete Guide To Chaga Mushroom 90001 90002 You might not think much of the Chaga Mushroom when you first see it in the forest. Unremarkable and a little unsightly, this mushroom oozes out of birch trees looking like charcoal, and is often disregarded as rot. 90003 90002 However, the Chaga Mushroom has such an incredible array of health benefits that it has been crowned as the «king of medicinal mushrooms.» Read on to learn about the ways Chaga can boost your immune system, protect your DNA, and much more.90003 90006 Chaga Mushroom Benefits 90007 90002 Properly prepared extracts of the Chaga Mushroom have been reported to provide a variety of acute health benefits while supporting overall balance and wellness in the body. 90003 90010 1. Immune Support 90011 90002 Hot water extracts from has been used to modulate the immune system, improving both underperforming and overreacting immune responses in the body. This is especially helpful for boosting immunity during chemotherapy. 90003 90010 2.Anti-Inflammatory 90011 90002 Studies show that extracts from the Chaga Mushroom have anti-inflammatory properties, helping to mitigate a number of ailments. 90003 90010 3. Anti-Cancer 90011 90002 Chaga extracts have been traditionally used as a folk medicine to treat cancer. Lab studies show that water extracts from Chaga are effective against human cancer cells (in vitro) and animal cells 90003 90010 4. Lower Cholesterol 90011 90002 Compounds found in Chaga have been shown to breakdown LDL cholesterol, which can help to improve blood pressure.90003 90010 5. DNA Protection 90011 90002 Chaga mushroom extract has shown the ability to protect cellular DNA from damage caused by free-radicals. 90003 90010 90031 Health Benefits of Chaga 90032 90011 90002 Research done in-vitro and in animals has shown extracts of Chaga to be 90031 anti-inflammatory 90032, 90031 anti-cancer 90032, as well as contain powerful 90031 anti-oxidants 90032, and many other beneficial compounds. 90003 90002 As with any natural medicine, more research and human studies need to be done to fully understand the benefits of this mushroom.90003 90044 90006 What is Chaga Mushroom 90007 90002 What is referred to when talking about Chaga — 90048 and the source of the powerful medicinal compounds 90049 — is not the actual fruiting body of the mushroom. 90003 90002 Chaga is actually a mass of mycelium, known as a 90048 sclerotia. 90049 This strange looking protrusion is rock hard and mostly black in color, due to an extremely high concentration of melanin. 90003 90002 The scientific name of the Chaga Mushroom is 90048 Inonotus obliquus.90049 A parasitic fungus, Chaga infects birch trees in the hardwood forests of the Northern hemisphere, and thrives in colder climates. It is slow growing, taking 3-5 years to fully form. 90003 90002 Although it has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for a host of ailments, the use of Chaga mushroom extracts as a powerful health supplement is currently growing in popularity throughout North America, and catching the eye of the scientific community. 90003 90061 Chaga for Immune Support 90062 90002 One of the most interesting benefits of Chaga mushrooms is its ability to modulate the immune system.This means that when the immune system is over-reacting, Chaga is able to calm it down and attenuate the response. 90003 90002 In this way, the mushroom is able to help with reducing allergy symptoms, and is the reason why Chaga has been used to treat auto-immune disorders. 90003 90002 On the other hand, if the immune system is not performing to its full potential, Chaga is able to kick it into gear, helping stave off disease and infection. A well functioning immune system is a cornerstone of overall health, so it’s worthwhile to consider how Chaga might help.90003 90002 The immune boosting effects of Chaga mushrooms are due to the presence of 90031 Beta-D-Glucans, 90032 a water soluble compound found within the cell walls of the mushroom. The mechanism by which this works has to do with the way the Beta-D-Glucans interact with the receptors in our immune system- although the exact reason for why this works so well is still unclear. 90003 90002 These Beta-D-Glucans are also what’s responsible for the reported modulating effect on blood pressure and blood sugar level, helping to keep the body in a state of balance.90003 90061 Chaga as an Anitoxidant 90062 90002 The black outer layer of the Chaga «sclerotium» contains a massively high concentration of melanin. Because of this, extracts which include this part of the mushroom are powerful antioxidants, helping to protect the cells of the body from harmful free-radicals. 90003 90002 These extracts can also help protect the body from other «oxidative» processes, such as cancer, arthritis and aging in general. 90003 90010 Potential Side Effects 90011 90002 Chaga is well tolerated, and generally regarded as safe.It has been used as a folk medicine for centuries. 90003 90002 That being said, if you are on other medications, have diabetes, or suffer from auto-immune disease, it is advised to first seek out a qualified health practitioner before starting to supplement your diet with Chaga. The same can be said for any medicinal mushroom or natural health product, and Chaga is no exception. 90003 90006 Wild Harvested Chaga 90007 90002 Where and how Chaga grows has a significant impact on the medicinal value of the mushroom.Efforts to cultivate the mushroom have mostly fallen short in an attempt to replicate the benefits of wild harvested Chaga. 90003 90002 «Cultivated» Chaga is typically just a culture of the mycelium grown out on grain or on some other nutrified media. This is largely ineffective for producing a quality supplement. 90003 90002 The reason for this is that many of the beneficial compounds within the mushroom only form because of the 90031 parasitic relationship 90032 between the Chaga and the host tree, most commonly birch.90003 90002 For example, betulinic acid is a medicinal compound found in wild harvested Chaga that has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. It also is showing promise as a powerful anti-cancer agent, able to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The betulinic acid found in Chaga is actually a derivative of betulin, a compound found in birch trees, and is completely absent in cultivated Chaga which is not growing on birch. 90003 90099 90002 Another important group of compounds found in Chaga is the phytosterols, thought to be responsible for improving cholesterol and having an anti-viral effect.These compounds are found in much lower concentrations and less variety in cultivated Chaga when compared to wild harvested. 90003 90002 Again, this is likely due to the parasitic nature of the fungus, and the length of time it takes for the sclerotium to properly develop in the wild. It is difficult to replicate these conditions artificially. 90003 90061 How to Identify Chaga 90062 90002 The first step to finding Chaga is to make sure you are looking in the right place. So where does Chaga grow? 90003 90002 Chaga is found in birch populated hardwood forests throughout northern climatic zones.It thrives in the cold climates of Russia, Canada and Northern China. It can also be found in the USA- with the further North you go increasing your chances of finding Chaga. 90003 90002 Chaga grows almost exclusively on birch trees. It has been found to grow on other hardwoods, such as beech or maple, but these instances are rare. In addition, the medicinal value of Chaga that has been harvested from trees other than birch may be entirely different. 90003 90112 90002 It is pretty easy to recognize a Chaga sclerotium, although new foragers may mistakenly identify a 90048 tree burl 90049 as Chaga.However, a tree burl is just a normal outgrowth of the tree, usually covered in bark and not indicative of a dying or sick tree. 90003 90002 The burls are usually the same color as the rest of the tree. They can grow quite large, and are often used by carvers and craftsman to make beautiful works of art. 90003 90002 Chaga, on the other hand, is darker than the rest of the tree- almost black- and looks similar charcoal. It is not part of the tree itself, but grows 90031 from 90032 the tree as a separate body.90003 90002 Under the hard crusted black outer layer of the sclerotium, Chaga mushroom is a light orange color, which, when fresh, has the consistency of cork. This is almost a dead giveaway that you have indeed found Chaga. 90003 .90000 Foraging and Using Chaga Mushroom 90001 90002 Chaga mushrooms are a centuries-old wild foraged remedy for everything from high blood pressure to cancer. They fetch a high price in stores or online, but they’re a common, easy to identify mushroom that grows all over the world. It’s most commonly found on white and yellow birch trees, and once you’ve found a stand of birch there’s a good chance it contains Chaga mushrooms. 90003 90002 90003 90002 90007 I’m happy to introduce the author of this guest post, Chef Markus Mueller of the stunning whole foods and foraging blog, 90008 Earth, Food and Fire 90009.Marcus writes about foraging, cooking with wild edibles, and gardening to 90010 encourage others to eat real, from scratch foods at home every day. 90011 90012 90013 90003 90002 90010 (The information contained in this article should not be considered medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only. Nursing or pregnant women should seek the advice of a healthcare practitioner before consuming herbal remedies.) 90011 90003 90002 Chaga mushroom, used for centuries as a herbal remedy in cultures around the world has in recent years been making a comeback in natural health circles and those looking to eat more natural foods.Hailed for its extremely high nutrient and antioxidant levels, Chaga has been used to treat numerous health conditions, including high blood pressure, and even some forms of cancer. 90003 90002 A fungus that grows predominantly on white and yellow birch trees in Northern climates, Chaga can be found around the world over. It grows wild in Russia, China, Northern Europe, and North America. Easy to forage yourself, the Chaga fungus is easiest to harvest in the winter, when there is no foliage to obscure tree trunks.The distinctly black conk stands out well in contrast to the white snow, and light bark of birch trees. 90003 90023 90008 Benefits Of Consuming Chaga Mushrooms 90009 90026 90002 Chaga is jam-packed with nutrients, mineral, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. This explains why the fungus has been used to treat a litany of ailments in various cultures around the world. Due to its high content of betulinic acid, Chaga tea and extract has even been used to treat some forms of cancer, though there is very little scientific evidence to back this up and more definitive research is needed.90003 90002 Regardless of whether or not Chaga is the miracle cure it is said to be, it’s high content of vitamins, essential minerals, and nutrients help create an alkaline body state, and boosts your immune function boosting overall health and well being. Chaga has been known to reduce blood pressure, fight obesity and heart disease, improve cognitive function, and help flush the body of toxins. 90003 90002 90003 90002 Chaga is most often consumed as an extract, or 90008 brewed into a tea 90009 which is easily made at home.Chaga tea is surprisingly light in flavor, with a slightly sweet and fruity flavor. It makes a wonderful substitute for coffee in the mornings, and is a great, natural way to start your day! All that’s needed is a little Chaga that has been cleaned and dried and some hot water! Dried and ground, Chaga can also be added into soups, stews, and smoothies to add a nutrient boost to any recipe! 90003 90023 90008 Where To Find & Forage Chaga 90009 90026 90002 Luckily, Chaga is one of the easiest fungus ‘to 90008 forage for food in North America 90009.Available year round, the Chaga mushroom is technically a parasitic fungus that infects the heartwood of white and yellow birch. Once the infection takes hold, the fungus starts to grow towards the outside of the tree, before finally bursting through the bark and growing a sterile black conk or tumor, on the trunk of the tree. 90003 90045 90008 Identifying & Harvesting Chaga 90009 90048 90002 As mentioned, Chaga grows on white and yellow birch, though very similar looking fungus ‘(fools Chaga) can grow on other species of trees.To avoid confusion, Chaga should only ever be harvested from birch trees, and only from living trees. Chaga should never be harvested from dead trees as the fungus dies when the tree dies. 90003 90002 The Chaga fungus and tree live in unison for up to 30 years before the fungus eventually kills the tree, at which point the fungus also dies and creates fruiting bodies to start the life cycle over again. 90003 90002 90003 90002 To make finding Chaga even easier, forage for the fungus in winter or early spring when there are no leaves to obstruct your view of the fungus.The black conk which is loaded with melanin, creating its black appearance, can grow to quite a large size and can be quite heavy. Take care if you are climbing a tree to get the Chaga. 90003 90002 Simply use an axe, hatchet or knife to break off a chunk or all of the Chaga. If you leave at least one-third of the fungus attached to the tree, the Chaga will continue to grow, allowing for another harvest in a few years. 90003 90002 Once the chaga has been harvested, it only needs to be cleaned and dried before it is used to 90008 brew chaga tea 90009 or is made into an extract or tincture.90003 90063 90064 Rinse the freshly foraged Chaga mushroom in fresh water to remove any debris or insects that may be hiding in its many crevices. 90065 90064 Break the Chaga into fist-sized chunks to speed drying and prevent mold from growing. 90065 90064 Dry the Chaga in a cool dry location until it is light and bone dry. This usually takes about a month. 90065 90070 90002 90003 90002 Once dried, the Chaga mushrooms can be further broken down into smaller chunks, or ground into a fine powder.Both sizes keep well as long as they are fully dried and kept in airtight containers. Finely ground chaga can be used to make smaller ‘single use’ batches of chaga tea, or be added directly to stews and other hearty recipes. Larger chunked chaga is ideal for brewing large batches of tea, and the chunks can be reused until the tea no longer produces a rich dark liquid. 90003 90023 90008 Other Uses For Chaga Mushrooms 90009 90026 90002 While the most common use for Chaga is as a nutritional supplement, chaga was also used by native cultures for other reasons.90003 90002 When fully dried, Chaga makes an excellent ‘fire fungus’ due to its tenancy to smolder and not burn a flame. This allows you to light a piece of chaga, and allow the ember to smolder, enabling you to carry the ember with you from campsite to campsite. A fist sized chunk of chaga can easily smolder for 4 to 5 hours. The larger the chunk, the longer it will burn. 90003 90002 You can also use ground dried Chaga as a fire starter. All that’s needed is a flint and steel, to quickly light the dry powder.90003 90002 90003 90002 The other benefit to Chaga is the sweet-smelling smoke it produces. This scented smoke was used as ‘smudge’ by native cultures to keep mosquitos and other flies at bay as well as an incense in spiritual applications. 90003 90002 90090 90007 Disclaimer: Every year people are poisoned by eating wild mushrooms that closely resemble edible species. Although mushroom poisonings are rare in the grand scheme of things, be aware that you are responsible for proper identification AND consulting multiple sources for your identification.90012 90093 90003 90002 90003 90002 90090 90007 I am not a mushroom expert, nor do I claim to be. I’ve written this based on my own research because I enjoy sharing the fruits of my own mycological journey with others. Do not rely solely on my writings to identify mushroom types, and be sure to cross reference anything mushroom related with at least two (preferably more) credible sources. 90012 90093 90003 90045 About the Author 90048 90002 90010 After working as a cook, and later as a Sous Chef in various fine dining establishments on the East Coast of Canada, Red Seal Chef Markus Mueller started 90011 90008 90010 Earth, Food and Fire 90011 90009 90010 to pass on everyday cooking, foraging , and gardening skills and encourage others to eat real, from scratch foods at home every day.Follow him on 90011 90008 90010 Facebook 90011 90009 90010, 90011 90008 90010 Instagram 90011 90009 90010 and 90011 90008 90010 Twitter 90011 90009 90010 for more real food recipes, foraging, and gardening DIY! 90011 90003 90002 Looking for other inspiration to get out mushroom foraging? Check out these other posts on foraging edible and medicinal mushrooms. 90003 90002 Or, try your hand at growing shiitake mushrooms. 90003 90002 90003 90002 90045 90007 Related 90012 90048 90003 .90000 Chaga Mushroom Powder 90001 90002 Generally found growing on birch trees and other hardwoods, chaga is a sclerotium, or mass of mycelium, resembling burnt charcoal. The sterile conk has been prized for centuries by northern indigenous populations and herbalists alike for its beneficial properties. Our chaga mushroom powder is ground from organic 90003 Inonotus obliquus 90004. Chaga powder can be tinctured, decocted, encapsulated, or blended into a mushroom hot chocolate. 90005 90002 The antioxidant activity of polysaccharides (beta-glucans) contained in chaga help maintain cell integrity and fight free radicals.Chaga is used in traditional Russian Folk Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine to support gastrointestinal health, and as a tonic to support overall health. * 90005 90002 Chaga is a fungus, a parasitic carpophore that looks like the charred remains of burned wood on the side of a birch tree (sometimes growing on Elm and Alder, but Birch is its favorite). It is not the fruiting body of the fungus, but a sclerotia or mass of mycelium. The parasite enters the tree through a ‘wound’ in the bark of a mature tree.It then grows under the bark until it erupts in a deeply cracked, black charcoal like extension. It usually takes another 5-7 years for it to fully mature, at which point it falls to the forest floor, most times killing the host tree in the process. Chaga has been a part of folk medicine in Russia, Poland, China and numerous Baltic countries for many centuries. It was documented by Chinese herbalist Shen Nong in his herbal texts as early as the first century B.C.E. 90005 90002 Chaga supports immune health to help you stay feeling your best and supports the body’s immune defenses to stay feeling healthy.* 90005 90002 Chaga is typically and historically ingested as a tea, but it also has been made into a tincture, and less commonly into powder that is then used as a tea; Encapsulation seems to be rare. There have been reports of it being the base for liqueurs and as a substitute for hops in beer. In Russia, it can be found as a syrup, a tablet, an aerosol, and even as a suppository. If you are using the cut chaga for the purpose of making a tea, you can re-brew your material a second time without loss to flavor or potency.Our chaga powder is milled from the entire sclerotia. 90005 90002 Learn more about our organic chaga on our blog. 90005 90002 90017 Precautions 90018 90019 No known precautions. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. 90005 90002 * This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.For educational purposes only. 90005 .90000 More Research Needed to Prove Chaga Mushrooms Have Health Benefits 90001 90002 90003 Introduction 90004 90005 90006 The Chaga mushroom is called the «king of mushrooms,» while the better-known reishi mushroom gets the title of «queen of mushrooms.» Chaga mushrooms are marketed as having a wide range of medicinal benefits, including anti-inflammatory, cancer-treating and -preventive, hepatoprotective, and immuno-modulation effects. 90007 90006 Given the fact that Chaga mushroom extract sells for as much as $ 130 / oz, this mushroom would have to be scientifically proven to do all of the above (and do my ironing) for me to treat it as royalty.90007 90002 90003 What Are Chaga Mushrooms? 90004 90005 90006 90015 90015 90007 90006 Medicinal mushrooms and fungi are thought to possess approximately 130 medicinal functions, including antitumor, immunomodulating, antioxidant, radical scavenging, cardiovascular, antihypercholesterolemic, antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, detoxification, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects. 90007 90006 The 90021 Inonotus obliquus 90022 mushroom, also known as Chaga mushroom in Russia and Kabanoanatake in Japan, belongs to the Hymenochaetaceae family of Basidiomycetes.90007 90006 Essentially, it is a black parasitic white-rot fungus that generally inhabits the living trunks of mature birch trees (Betula app). It grows best in cold climates between 45 and 50 degrees north, e.g. North America, Siberia, Finland, Japan, and Northeast China. 90007 90006 It has become increasingly difficult to source Chaga mushrooms, hence the high price tag. The mushroom is found in as few as 1 in 20,000 birch trees and takes 10-15 years of parasitism to mature. This has led to the development of commercial techniques for the artificial cultivation of the mushroom (submerged fermentation technology).These attempts to obtain a high yield of Chaga mushrooms affects not just the yield but also the type of constituents obtained. Hardly a surprise when we try to outsmart nature. 90007 90006 The Chaga mushroom consists of two main parts: 90007 90030 90031 the fruiting body (brown part), which is found mainly inside 90032 90031 the sclerotium (black part), which is found mainly outside 90032 90035 90006 The conk (3 — 35 cm) that is used medicinally comprises wood from the birch tree and the mycelium from the invasive fungus (1).The Chaga mushroom survives seasonal environmental stresses, including freezing temperatures, UV irradiation, and the invasion of pathogens and, as such, has evolved with complex, integrated defences. It is these exact integrated defences that are believed to confer the mushroom with adaptogenic health benefits. Adaptogens are compounds that increase the body’s ability to resist stress and adapt to environmental change. 90007 90006 The mushroom was used by the Persian physician Avicenna back in 980 AD.It has been used since the sixteenth century in folk medicine in Russia and Siberia and was formally adopted by the Russian State Pharmacopoeia in 1989. 90007 90006 The Chaga mushroom was popularized in the western world by Nobel Prize-winning author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, who introduced it in his тисяча дев’ятсот шістьдесят вісім semi-autobiographical novel, 90041 The Cancer Ward 90042 (2). 90007 90006 There are now over 3,000 Chaga mushroom products for sale on Amazon, including tea, coffee, powder, capsules, and mushroom chunks.90007 90006 The mushroom contains oxalates, betulinic acid, superoxide dismutase, polyphenols, lanosterol, terpenoids (inotodiol), polysaccharides, and beta glucans. 90007 90006 Commercially available Chaga mushroom products contain (per 100 g): 90007 90050 90031 Energy 167 kcal 90032 90031 Protein 0 90032 90031 Lipid 0 90032 90031 Carbohydrate 33 g 90032 90031 Vit C 8,333 mg (3). 90032 90061 90006 There are two things that Chaga mushrooms are not: 90007 90030 90031 Chaga mushrooms have nothing to do with 90021 Chaga 90022 90021 ‘90022 90021 s Disease, 90022 which is a tropical disease caused by trypanosomes.90032 90031 Chaga mushrooms are not the psychedelic kind of mushrooms (not that kind of mushrooms). 90032 90035 90002 90003 Is There Any Research? 90004 90005 90006 There are 170 published studies on Chaga mushrooms in the scientific literature. There have been no human clinical trials on this product. 90007 90006 To put this into context, there are 3 human clinical trials on Lion’s Mane Mushrooms, and psilocybin (the psychedelic kind of mushroom) can claim over 800 studies, including over 50 clinical trials.90007 90084 90003 Does Chaga Mushroom Prevent or Treat Cancer? 90004 90087 90006 90089 90089 90007 90006 There are a total of 54 papers looking at Chaga mushrooms for cancer treatment or prevention. The knowledge base on Chaga mushrooms in cancer can be summarized as follows. 90007 90006 Laboratory-based studies suggest that Chaga mushrooms may exert an anticancer effect in colorectal, lung, and cervical cancer (4, 5, 6). 90007 90006 Laboratory models also suggest that Chaga mushrooms may exert an anticancer effect via four possible mechanisms: 90007 90006 antioxidation to prevent the development of cancer in the first place 90007 90006 arresting the growth of tumor cells 90007 90006 killing tumor cells directly and 90007 90006 activating the immune system to kill tumor cells (7).90007 90006 The anticancer activity of Chaga mushrooms is largely attributed to triterpenoid compounds in the mushroom (8). 90007 90108 Bottom line 90109 90006 There is no human clinical proof that Chaga mushrooms can prevent or treat cancer at this time. 90007 90084 90003 Does It Have Antiviral Properties? Can It Cure Herpes? 90004 90087 90006 There are three studies looking at the antiviral effects of Chaga mushrooms in herpes simplex infections. 90007 90006 The first study from Russia showed that Chaga mushroom extract protected a cell culture from the cytoxic effects of herpes simplex virus infection (8).90007 90006 A second cell culture study showed that Chaga mushroom extract helped to prevent herpes simplex entry into cells by acting on viral glycopeptides and preventing cell membrane fusion (9). 90007 90006 The third study used aqueous extracts of Chaga mushrooms in mice who had been infected with the herpes simplex virus and showed a survival benefit. Of note, Lentinufa erodes and Pleurotos ostreatus mushrooms showed superior antiviral activity to Chaga mushroom in this study (10). 90007 90108 90125 Bottom Line 90126 90109 90006 There are laboratory and animal data supporting an antiherpes role for Chaga mushrooms.However, this has not been validated in humans. It also has to be said that the Chaga mushroom was not the «King,» as it was trumped by other mushrooms. Finally, (just to be pedantic) herpes virus infection can not be «cured,» as it remains latent in the body — this is why people get recurrent cold sores. 90007 90084 90003 Does It Reduce Inflammation? 90004 90087 90006 90135 90135 90007 90006 There are two studies relevant to inflammation. 90007 90006 The first study was conducted in mice and showed that Chaga mushrooms inhibited anaphylactic shock and IgE production in mice treated with a pro-allergenic compound 48/80 (11).The authors concluded that Chaga mushroom extract may have a role as an anti-allergic functional food. 90007 90006 In the second study, Chaga mushrooms reduced acute paw edema and pain, which had been induced by carrageenin in rats. The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of Chaga mushrooms were due to the inhibition of nitrous oxide expression (via the down-regulation of NF-κB binding activity) (12). 90007 90108 90125 Bottom Line 90126 90109 90006 There are pre-clinical but no clinical studies supporting the role of Chaga mushrooms as an anti-inflammatory agent.90007 90084 90003 Does It 90004 90003 «90004 90003 Aid the GI Tract 90004 90003» 90004 90003? 90004 90087 90006 90163 90163 90007 90006 Again, no human clinical data on the GI tract, but there are three pre-clinical studies of interest. 90007 90006 The first study used dextran sulfate to induce intestinal inflammation in 5-week-old mice (13). The mice were randomized either to no intervention or Chaga mushroom extract at doses of 50 mg / kg body weight or 100 mg / kg body weight.Histological studies showed that Chaga mushrooms suppressed edema, reduced mucosal damage, and lowered levels of nitrous oxide, suggesting that Chaga mushroom exerted an anti-inflammatory effect in these mice. The anti-inflammatory effects noted were due to a reduction in levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -alpha, nitrous oxide, and interleukin (IL) -1beta. 90007 90006 The second study was conducted in mice who were given diethyldithiocarbamate to induce chronic pancreatitis (14). Administration of Chaga mushroom extract helped reduce pancreatitis-related weight loss and pancreatic cell loss in these mice.90007 90006 A follow-up study by the same research groups showed that Chaga mushroom also regulated the gut microbiota in mice with chronic pancreatitis (15). 90007 90108 90125 Bottom Line 90126 90109 90006 Mice data shows some benefits of Chaga mushroom in colitis and pancreatitis, but to date, there have been no human studies. 90007 90084 90003 Does It Improve Physical Endurance? 90004 90087 90006 90185 90185 90007 90006 As mentioned above, Chaga mushrooms are believed to have adaptogenic properties, which would include improved physical endurance.90007 90006 A study in 64 male mice evaluated the effect of sterile water (control) versus Chaga mushroom extract at doses of 100 mg / kg / day, 200 mg / kg / day, or 300 mg / kg / day on physical fatigue (16) . The mice were «forced» to swim. Chaga mushroom extended swimming time and decreased blood lactic acid. Polysaccharides in Chaga mushrooms increased glycogen content of liver and muscle and also reduced blood lactic acid and serum urea nitrogen levels. This was taken as circumstantial evidence that Chaga mushroom may be an antifatigue agent.90007 90108 Bottom Line 90109 90006 You definitely want to try out Chaga mushrooms if your pet mouse enters the winter Olympics, but that is all we can say for now. 90007 90084 90003 Does It Help the Immune System? Antioxidant? 90004 90087 90006 As mentioned above, Chaga mushrooms may exert an anticancer effect via modulation of the immune system. 90007 90006 Polysaccharides isolated from the fruiting body of Inonotus obliquus were found to have an immunomodulating effect on macrophage white blood cells (17).90007 90006 Chaga mushrooms were found to have antioxidant properties 90021 in vitro 90022 which were superior compared to other medicinal mushrooms, such as Agarics blazei, Ganoderma lucidum Mycelium, and Phellinus linteus) (18). Further analysis suggested that the fruiting body of Chaga mushroom has superior antioxidant content as compared to the sclerotium. 90007 90108 Bottom Line 90109 90006 There is pre-clinical but no clinical data to support an immune-modulating effect of Chaga mushrooms.Chaga mushrooms are the «King» when it comes to antioxidants as compared to other mushrooms, but this is entirely limited to laboratory studies. 90007 90084 90003 Will Chaga Mushrooms Help With Hair Loss? 90004 90087 90006 90217 90217 90007 90006 There are no laboratory, animal, or human studies on Chaga mushrooms for hair loss. 90007 90108 Bottom Line 90109 90006 There is no proof at all that connects Chaga mushrooms to hair loss. 90007 90084 90003 Will They Stimulate Weight Loss? 90004 90087 90006 90231 90231 90007 90006 There is a single study looking at weight loss with Chaga mushrooms.90007 90006 This study from China looked at the effect of Chaga mushroom on rats fed a high-fat diet over a period of 12 weeks. The study showed that the administration of Chaga mushrooms controlled body weight, reduced body lipid accumulation and blood levels of free fatty acids, triglycerides, and total cholesterol in the serum, liver, and adipose tissue (19). 90007 90108 Bottom Line 90109 90006 There is no convincing data to support the fact that Chaga mushroom helps with weight loss. 90007 90084 90003 Migraines? 90004 90087 90006 There are no studies looking at Chaga mushrooms and migraines.90007 90108 Bottom Line 90109 90006 There is not even circumstantial evidence to connect Chaga mushrooms to migraine headaches or any other type of headache. 90007 90002 90003 Is Chaga Mushroom Safe? 90004 90005 90006 Chaga mushroom is a source of oxalate, which poses a risk for renal stones. There is a case report of renal stones in a Japanese lady who was taking Chaga mushroom for liver cancer (20). 90007 90006 These mushrooms can inhibit platelet function, which increases the risk of bleeding in people who are taking Coumadin, warfarin, or any of the newer oral anticoagulants (21).90007 90006 Chaga mushrooms can also cause low blood sugar in patients receiving treatment for diabetes (22). 90007 90002 90003 Conclusion 90004 90005 90006 Available information on Chaga mushrooms is limited to animal studies (at best). This raises the question of the nature of the correlation between animal and human studies. Are animal models predictive for humans? A comprehensive review of the subject was published by researchers from Wichita State University in 2009 (23). 90007 90006 The review reports that the predictive power of animal studies is only 10% for drug behavior in humans.We could reasonably expect a similar poor correlation for functional foods. The authors explain that it is not surprising that animals fail to act as «causal analogical models» given ten key differences between humans and animals (genes, gene regulation, gene expression, mutations, proteins, protein-protein interactions, genetic networks, organismal organization , environmental exposure, and evolutionary history). 90007 90006 The authors concluded by saying that «when one empirically analyzes animal models using scientific tools they fall far short of being able to predict human responses.»90007 90006 The current scientific literature does not justify spending large sums of money on Chaga mushrooms. (There are far less expensive sources of vitamin C available.) Neither does it deserve any royal titles. In fact, in the absence of human clinical data, this mushroom should not even have a knighthood. 90007 .