Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus) is a medicinal mushroom that grows on birch trees in cooler regions. This magical mushroom is fairly unknown but really does have a history. In the East, it has been consumed for centuries as a therapeutic or medicinal tea for all sorts of common health complaints. It's great for the skin, helpful with chemotherapy treatments, fights tumors, and aids in strengthening your immune system. Most recently, it has started to gain popularity in the West.

The Basics

Chaga is a black mass of highly concentrated mycelium that grows on birch trees that have parasitic growths – however, there's no need to worry because it's not toxic. When describing it the hard outer layer looks like a black or burnt charcoal, referred to as the sclerotium. Inside is a darkish-yellow color.

Benefits of the Inonotus Obliquus

Center stage are the antioxidants that offer free radical protection against disease and strengthened immune system function. Although there's more than meets the eye!

Immune System Function Support

The chaga is chalk full of Beta-D-Glucans, which give it the ability to balance your immune system function. When it's under-active, your immune system gets a boost, and when it's over-active, it gets knocked down a few notches. The scientific term for this is BRM, or Biological Response Modifier. Research is ongoing but evidence has been found that shows this mushroom has real potential to aid in the fight against cancer. This mushroom is also loaded with phytonutrients that stimulate stem cells within the bone marrow, supercharging your immunity and specific immune cells like T cells and NK (natural killer) cells.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Experts at About published a study showing how chaga can help treat inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Scientists found that using chaga extract to treat the diseased cells helped reduce oxidative stress, which triggers the disease.

Diabetes

In another recent study, researchers found chaga helped lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels in diabetic mice. Progress in finding alternative therapies for one of the deadliest diseases known to humankind.

Anti-tumor Compound

A nutrient called betulin is absorbed from the bark of the birch tree and converted into betulinic acid. This is an active compound in the chaga mushroom that helps shrink or prevent tumors. Researchers believe the betulinic acid triggers apoptosis and actually influences cell death within right inside the tumor. There is also evidence the BA actively lowers the PH of the tumors too. Extracts of the chaga mushroom have been approved as an anticancer or anti-tumor drug and has been reported successful in the treatment of various cancers; including breast, lung, cervical, and lung cancer.

How To Use

Fresh Mushroom – You can use fresh chaga right off the tree, although usually it's dried first. Many people grate it or break it down into smaller pieces to throw in a blender and grind into a powder.

Experts from Healthy Living say the older the mushroom the more concentrated the medicinal power when used in liquid or extract form.

Powder Or Raw Pieces

Most of us don't live where chaga grows wild, so it's convenient to buy it from herb companies that sell it dried in bulk or powder form.

Tinctures/Chaga Tea

The polysaccharides and antioxidants advantages are only extractable in alcohol or hot water solutions. Some people brew chunks of chaga tea and drink it, but it can also be tinctured in vodka for a few weeks to a month. The simplest route is to just add the powder to hot water and enjoy.

As you can see the chaga mushroom is hugely beneficial to your immune system health, along with a whole whack of other health-related benefits.Speak with your doctor before using this mushroom as a treatment for any serious disease. Experience the benefits of this superfood mushroom for yourself and for you ultimate health!