Let’s take a look at this unique mushroom and explore chaga mushroom benefits, so you can consider adding it to your daily health routine.
Mushrooms are a beneficial addition to your diet, but there are some that pack a bigger health punch than others.
The chaga mushroom is an example of a fungus that has traditionally been used to treat a number of ailments. The chaga is also known as a health booster, providing general advantages such as its antioxidant properties.
What is a Chaga Mushroom?
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is also known as birch fungus, white rot fungus, or kabanoanatake in Japan.
It grows on the trunk of mainly birch trees in northern latitudes or colder climates throughout the world and can only be collected from living or freshly cut birch trees. The mushroom dies on dry standing or fallen trees, and then the active compounds in the mushroom decreases dramatically.
The chaga produces a woody growth that looks like a lump of burned charcoal, although the inside is soft and orange in color.
Chaga mushroom benefits are well known in traditional medicine. The chaga mushroom is considered a powerful antioxidant, a substance that may protect cells against free radicals, which could play a role in cancer, heart disease and other ailments.
Chaga is popular in many countries as a tea, used as a remedy for gastric problems and other ailments. Chaga-derived polysaccharides are considered a valuable source of antioxidant and antitumor compounds.
What are Chaga Mushroom Benefits?
While there haven’t been many studies using humans, it does appear the chaga contains compounds that may impact the immune system. Extensive animal studies demonstrate anticancer activity in various types of tumor cells, antiviral effects, and anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. As well, studies on mice have shown antitumor activity and antioxidant activity.
The chaga has a long history of use in traditional medicine, used to treat disorders as varied as tuberculosis, liver diseases and heart diseases. It’s currently used in traditional medicines to support the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Baltic countries, for instance. It’s believed to support heart health and boost the immune system.
Studies continue to show that chaga mushrooms include the presence of compounds that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and analgesic effects. Although further studies on humans are needed, Chaga can be used to prevent and treat cancer; stimulate the immune system; reduce inflammation; and, protect the liver.
Mushrooms may also act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of good gut microbiota, another of the many these mushrooms provide benefits.
How Do You Eat Chaga Mushrooms?
Although chaga is edible, it is quite bitter so it’s not usually eaten whole. It’s better to ingest as a tea, made from the whole mushroom. Chaga has traditionally been grated into a fine powder and brewed as an herbal tea. It can also be ingested as a supplement or capsule.
It’s believed that the medicinal properties are released by taking chaga with either warm or cold water. A recommended product on Amazon that is sourced from the wild can be used to brew your own tea or coffee, or incorporate them in your diet as you wish.
Amazon Link>>Sayan Siberian Pure Raw Chaga Mushroom Chunks
There are some precautions for people with certain ailments, however. Chaga shouldn’t be taken by those on blood-thinning medications, on diabetic medications, or those with kidney disease. In those instances, it’s best to seek medical advice before introducing chaga to your diet.
For others, the chaga mushroom may make it worth considering a cup of chaga tea as part of a daily health routine.
Final Thoughts
The chaga mushroom is another on the long list of fungus that provide general health benefits, such as low fat and low cholesterol. Chaga mushroom benefits go beyond that to include anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant properties, as well as stimulating the immune system and supporting gut health.
For these reasons, it’s worth taking advantage of chaga mushroom benefits by making a cup of chaga tea today.
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Sources:
https://namyco.org/docs/Three_Popular_Medicinal_Mushroom_Supplements.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7198532/
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/chaga-mushroom
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618583/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chaga-mushroom
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