Chaga Mushrooms
Chaga Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms represent a growing segment of today’s pharmaceutical industry owing to the plethora of useful bioactive compounds. While they have a long history of use across diverse cultures, they are backed up by reasonable scientific investigation now, according to this study.
This study found that chaga could slow the growth of lung, breast, and cervical cancer cells in a lab. It also found that chaga could slow the growth of tumors in mice.
Clinical Summary
Chaga mushroom, found on Birch and other trees in cold climates, has been used in folk medicine in Russia and other North European countries for generations. Chaga draws nutrients from the tree on which it grows and extracts are typically derived from the inner layers of the bark. The active constituents are thought to be a combination of triterpenes, such as betulinic acid, sterols, and polysaccharides. Chaga has demonstrated anticancer, antiviral, antiplatelet , anti-inflammatory, analgesic , immune stimulating properties in vitro, and hypoglycemic effects in mice . Chaga extract has inhibitory and proapoptotic effects against colon cancer and hepatoma cells.
It also reduced toxicity associated with radiation and inhibited tumor cell growth in animal models . In some studies, Chaga demonstrates selective apoptosis in tumor cells with no effects on healthy cells .
No clinical trials have been conducted to assess chaga’s safety and efficacy for disease prevention or for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes.
Constituents of chaga mushroom extract may interact with anticoagulant and antidiabetic drugs…continue reading at Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center
Chaga Mushroom
Source: Truly Organic Foods
The chaga mushroom is well known for its full spectrum of immune stimulating phytochemicals. It is also high in betulin or betulinic acid which is a chemotherapeutic agent, which is why the pharmaceutical industry is interested in it and is currently doing many tests on its constituents. Chaga is best consumed in its natural state as a tea tonic that has had time to brew over 12 hours.
The chaga fungus grows from the birch tree and has the highest ORAC value of any substance ever tested on the planet. ORAC = Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, measured in units of antioxidants, developed by the National Institute on Aging in the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The ORAC value of Chaga is 35,000 compared to spinach which is 1,260 or blueberries which are 9,160. Goji Berries are 25,000 on the ORAC scale.
Benefits of drinking Chaga Tonic include:
- boosting the immune system
- treating stomach diseases
- treating Intestinal worms & parasites
- liver and heart ailments
- cancers
- increases metabolism
- hypertension
- diabetes
- inhibits the growth of tumors
- stimulates the central nervous system
- increases the resistibility of organism to infectious diseases
Chaga also contains Sterols and Triterpenes including lanosterol (a tetracyclic triterpene derivative), inotodiol (triterpene alcohol), and ergosterol (a Vitamin D precursor). These help support digestion, help detoxification, and may help maintain respiratory health. Germanium, which helps support the health of your blood. Melanin, which enhances the appearance of hair, skin and eyes, and helps maintain a more youthful appearance. Important Nucleosides, minerals and amino acids, Saponin, Magnesium, Chromium, Iron, Kalium, Beta-glucan, Inotodiol, Isoprenoid and others, all offering tremendous health benefits. WOW!
CHAGA PREPARATION
Your dried chaga will stay good for up to 2 years if you keep it in a dark and dry place.
Brewing Instructions: Research shows the best way to draw the nutrients from Chaga Mushroom is by water extraction. We do not recommend using boiling water with raw Chaga, since the hot temperature may corrupt the melanin complex and the polysaccharides, among other active ingredients. Place 1 liter of purified water in a pot. Bring water up to 122° (this will be medium temperature on most stoves). Place 2-3 chunks or 2-3 tablespoons of powder into the water. Cover with lid, take off the heat and brew for 10-12 hours. Strain off and store in a cool dark place in glass jars. Chaga tea keeps up to 14 days and the lefover chunks or powder can be re-used up to 5 times
Sit back, relax and enjoy the wonderful benefits of this super mushroom!
DISCLAIMER
Medicinal mushrooms and herbs are good to use because they are natural. However, this does not mean that they can’t also be harmful if used improperly. Although there has never been a recorded negative interaction with Chaga, it is always in your best interest to consult your doctor first. There are many instances in which Chaga has helped so much that the use of pharmaceutical drugs was no longer needed, it is for this reason that your physician should be made aware that you are taking Chaga.
Healing properties
Source: Natural News
Several studies support chaga’s medicinal value. Researchers at Kyunghee University in Seoul, South Korea examined chaga’s effectiveness in protecting cellular DNA. Cells were treated with chaga mushroom extract then exposed to oxidative stress. The extract-treated cells had 40 percent less DNA mutation compared with the untreated cells. In another study, Japanese researchers discovered that chaga had higher levels of cell protective antioxidants than other medicinal mushrooms included in the investigation. Chaga has been shown to be effective against cancers of the liver, uterus, breast, colon, skin, cervix and lung. It also attacks tumor cells without disturbing healthy tissue. Additionally, this mushroom has been found to be antiviral and anti-inflammatory.
Chaga mushroom is nutrient rich. Sterols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals are just a few of the constituents found in chaga. Immune function is enhanced by the beta glucans present in the mushroom which activate T-cell activity and the production of antibodies...continue reading full article at Natural News
Published Clinical Trials / Studies / Reviews
Where can I get this treatment and more information?
Available in speciality food stores, as a supplement, and Online.