Beneficial health properties of chaga mushrooms
Chaga is a primary adaptogen, cancer fighter, immune system modulator, anti-tumor agent, gastrointestinal tonifier, longevity tonic and genoprotective agent (DNA-shielding).
Chaga’s purifying, detoxifying and healing properties have been known in Russia for centuries. People in Siberia still brew and drink chaga instead of black tea or coffee. Russian scientists have noticed that in areas where people regularly drink chaga tea, the rate of cancerous diseases among local folk have been much lower than in other regions and illnesses connected with stomach are almost unknown there. Many people in Siberia who drink chaga daily, usually live very long and healthy lives, some even over 100 years.
Chaga mushrooms contain: polysaccharides, alkalines, phyto-nutrients, organic acids and many important minerals and micro-elements such as calcium, zinc, magnesium, chromium and others. Various substances found in chaga possess powerful anticancer and anti-tumor properties.
Many anticancer properties are now being attributed to beta glucans and melanin. Chaga has a high level of melanin that protects DNA and fights radiation by activating the pineal gland.
According to the Russian Medical Academy, chaga mushrooms:
• have a positive effect against lung and liver cancer
• calm the nervous system
• are proven to positively affect various stomach diseases and ulcers
• stimulate the immune system
• help to reduce blood sugar and fight diabetes
In Russia, chaga was approved for public use against cancer by the Medical Academy of Science in Moscow in 1955. Therefore Russian scientists are very confident about the healing properties of chaga, because numerous studies and clinical trials have been conducted in this country since then.
There is a vast amount of research on the beneficial health properties of chaga mushrooms: (*Further research and references are below)
• Highly valued throughout Asia and Europe as both a health super food, tonic, brain booster and a potent medicine
• Improves health, preserves youth and increases longevity and boosts ‘chi’ (life energy)
• Using chaga mushrooms can help to get rid of stones and sand in kidneys (nephrolith)
• As a result of more than 1600 research studies over the past 40 years – including anti-cancer and anti-tumor research – immune deficiencies, diabetes, HIV, hormonal imbalance in vivo and in vitro studies have been improved
• Siberian chaga mushrooms studies include research into: breast, lung, stomach, melanoma, rectal, liver and pulmonary cancers, diabetes, ulcers, TB, cardiovascular-related, leukemia, and HIV (see the extensive chaga research below)
• Supportive clinical results: 85% and 78% reduction on lung and breast carcinoma, respectively; 89.9% erythrocytes in bone marrow. Research shows that beta glucans found in chaga can ward off tumors, cardiovascular, immune deficiencies, viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases
In short, chaga mushrooms are one of the most potent superfoods, tonics and natural medicines available.
Interest in chaga in the West began when Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s 1967 book Cancer Ward introduced his readers to chaga’s use as a traditional Slavic anti-cancer remedy. Another traditional remedy (related to birch trees) for all kinds of health problems (including caner) is birch sap juice which has similar health benefits such as detoxing and antioxidant properties.
How to use chaga mushrooms
1) Drink tea made of chaga mushrooms. This is my favourite way. It’s very easy. Get chaga mushroom online or better still try to find it locally (although this might be easier said than done!) Boil a small piece of chaga in a large amount of water for 30 minutes and then drink the tea. If it’s too strong, dilute it with some boiled water. You can reuse it for at least a month! Just add some more water next day and this time boil it for 1-2 minutes and then drink the tea. Keep reusing it until the tea is very weak – i.e. the colour is almost white. If the chaga tea is not too strong it has a very nice taste. I use glass cookware and keep the chaga on my stove all the time, drinking it two to three times a day or whenever I need it. (It’s a great anti-hangover remedy because it’s highly alkaline and detoxing).
