Description

Chaga mushroom

 Chaga mushrooms may be good for boosting your immune system, fighting cancer, and lowering your cholesterol. You can consume this antioxidant- …

Chaga

General description

Chaga is a mushroom and is known as a mushroom with great medicinal value. It has been used for a very long time to promote health and combat disease. In terms of habitat, Chaga is only found in cold areas, including Russia (mainly Siberia), Canada, the northern USA, Korea and northern Europe. Chaga grows exclusively on dying birch trees. Hence its Dutch name: birchweather fungus. Chaga grows all year round and parasitizes the birch tree by using it as a host. The tree can survive for a while but eventually dies. Autumn or winter are the most suitable times when the mushroom can be spotted, as it is not hidden from view by the foliage of the tree during this period.

The appearance of Chaga is like a black mass of 4 to 40 cm, sticking to the trunk of the tree. Contrary to what many people think, the visible part is not the fruiting body, but the network of mycelium wires, which is very strongly interwoven. Usually the mycelium network is hidden from view by spreading under the ground, for example. With Chaga this is visible, while the fruiting body is very seldom seen and only occurs when the tree on which Chaga occurs has died. On the inside Chaga is yellow or brownish in color and cork-like in structure.

Botanical name

Inonotus obliquus

Common names

Black mass, cinder conk

Active ingredients

Chaga contains several interesting ingredients, which together have a synergistic effect. This means that the active ingredients reinforce each other in their effect.

Chaga contains among others polysaccharides, sterols and betuline/betulinic acid. These ingredients each have their own specific effect, but together they provide a strong antiviral and strengthening effect for the immune system. In this way, Chaga has a beneficial effect on the healing process for various serious diseases, such as immune-related diseases, infections and inflammations. Furthermore, Chaga contains very few calories.

Polysaccharides: Chaga contains several polysaccharides that are currently used in scientific research as an effective anti-cancer drug. The polysaccharides present in Chaga have anti-inflammatory properties and help to increase resistance. Especially when it comes to protection against cancer, these substances have a beneficial effect. In parts of Asia, including Japan, China and Korea, medication for the treatment of cancer based on the polysaccharides present in Chaga has existed since the 1980s. This medication is recognized and prescribed by doctors. Also in Russia there is a permitted anti-cancer drug that has been on the market since 1955.

Betulinic acid: Betulin is a substance found in the bark of birch trees. Chaga ingests this substance and converts it into betulinic acid. This betulinic acid is then present in the fungus and available in this way. Scientific research shows that betulinic acid has a strong anti-cancer and cancer-destroying effect. It is being investigated whether this substance can become part of cancer therapy and chemotherapy. Betulin also has the property of breaking down cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Several studies show that Chaga indeed has a cancer-inhibiting effect, as more research is needed to substantiate this.

Chaga also contains a certain type of melanin, a substance that is mainly found in the sclerotium. This substance has a strong anti-oxidant effect.

Chaga also contains several important nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. The mushroom contains a complex of vitamin B, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, copper, potassium, zinc, iron and dietary fiber.

As an antioxidant, Chaga can influence the aging process. Oxidative stress occurs when the body is exposed to too many free radicals. This happens when the body is exposed to too much sun and pollution. As a result, the skin deteriorates and ages faster. To slow down this process, antioxidants can help to strengthen and rejuvenate the body.  Oxidative stress can cause serious diseases in a further stage, including cancer. This happens when the body cannot protect itself enough and gets too little help.

Chaga as an antioxidant also has the ability to lower cholesterol in the blood. Too high a cholesterol level is linked to cardiovascular diseases, including cardiovascular diseases.

Chaga stimulates the body in the production of certain cytokines, special proteins that help the body strengthen the immune system. In this way, Chaga promotes white blood cells, which help the body to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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