We have received questions about the popular chaga mushroom and whether it effectively cures many ailments. Here we are going to clarify what is related to the chaga mushroom, benefits and contraindications that many are unaware of.
Chaga, also called Inonotus Obliquus, is a wild fungus that grows on birch trees (family Betulaceae) in extremely cold regions of northern latitudes, including the Baltic regions, Alaska, Scandinavia, Siberia, and northern Canada, where temperatures drop below -30 F for the 2-3 months per year required to maintain maximum growth and potency.
Its growth is rare, it is estimated that it appears on only one in 15,000 birch trees. Its name derives from the Komi-Permyak language of the Kama River basin of Russia, where the mushroom has played an important role in traditional medicine for centuries.
Technically, this fungus is a highly concentrated black mass of mycelium protruding from birch trees infected with the parasitic, but non-toxic fungus. The dark, hard, cracked exterior, which often appears as burnt charcoal, is called the sclerotia. The interior has a rusty yellow-brown color.
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Nutritional information
The mushroom contains: alkalis, polysaccharides, phytonutrients, organic acids and many essential minerals and microelements such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, chromium and others.
Inonotus Obliquus is rich in natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phenols, containing the compounds betulinic and betulinic acid, which are derived directly from the birch hosts.
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Health Benefits of Chaga Mushroom
For centuries, this mushroom has been used to create an herbal tea that has served as a potent folk medicine, and today’s research has helped validate many of its early benefits.
Increases the immune system. Inonotus Obliquus has a large amount of Beta-D-Glucans, which help balance the body’s immune system response. This means that the mushroom helps boost the immune system when needed, but slows it down when it’s overactive.
This makes it a natural biological response modifier (BRM). A 2008 study, conducted by the China College of Medicine and Pharmacy, also showed that Inonotus obliquus possessed significant anti-lipid peroxidative (the oxidative breakdown of lipids), anti-hyperglycemic, and antioxidant effects in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.
Relieves anxiety and stress. As an adaptogen, this plant can help reduce stressful feelings. An adaptogenic substance is one that shows a non-specific enhancement of the body’s ability to resist a stressor. Additionally, adaptogens work by balancing the different systems of the body, energizing fatigued systems, and quieting overactive systems.
This is particularly helpful for stressful situations when the body releases stress hormones that lead to feelings of fatigue and anxiety.
Normalizes bad cholesterol levels (LDL) Note: LDL cholesterol levels must be less than 100 mg/dL. There is a protein in mushrooms called chitin that breaks down cholesterol, thus improving heart health and cleaning arteries.
antioxidant properties The mushroom is known for its high content of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an essential enzyme that functions as a powerful antioxidant. SOD performs a vital anti-aging function by neutralizing oxygen free radicals, preventing oxidative damage to tissues and cells.
In studies, low levels of SOD in tissues have been linked to a decrease in general health and a reduction in lifespan. SOD occurs naturally in many forms in all human tissues, but levels decline with age, especially after the age of 30.
skin health It contains polysaccharides (a carbohydrate structure that has a long cell chain of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen) and anti-inflammatory compounds that help lubricate the skin.
Protection against cancer Extracts of this remarkable mushroom have been shown to kill human glial, lung, and colon cancer cells, according to recent research, without harming healthy cells.
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Chaga Mushroom Tea Recipe
The mushroom can be prepared in the form of tea. I recommend using a tea made from ground whole mushrooms and birch bark.
To get the most health benefit from tea, heat water in a crockpot to about 150 degrees, add the tea, and simmer for 4-5 days (it won’t spoil).
Another approach is to take a thermos of hot water (not boiling, but heated to about 180 degrees), add the mushroom, and soak it for 2-3 days. Let the water extract the active ingredients.
You can consume the tea as it steeps, adding more hot water as you use it.
Also know Remedies with inonotus obliquus or chaga mushroom
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Contraindications and side effects of Chaga mushroom
This fungus can interact with certain chemicals, especially pharmaceutical drugs. It is recognized to interact negatively with intravenous administrations of glucose and penicillin.
Another side effect of the mushroom is bleeding, which is increased if you take it with warfarin or aspirin. Additionally, the mushroom interacts with diabetes medications such as insulin, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia, or blood sugar levels that drop too low.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia can include dizziness, tremors, hunger, confusion, feeling weak or anxious, and slurred speech.
Pregnant and nursing mothers, or children, should not use the alcohol extract version of Inonotus Obliquus mushroom extract, and those individuals should consult a health care specialist before using any type of extract, as that researchers have not performed these groups.
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