Chaga and Your Health
Good Health Starts Here
CHAGA RESEARCH AND MEDICAL STUDIES
In the past few years, the medical industry has seen a resurgence of interest in Chaga mushrooms for novel pharmaceutical compounds as well as a health supplements. However, its health benefits are nothing new, as indigenous Siberians have been using Chaga mushroom as a medicine for thousands of years and it is also used in the Russian Pharmacopeia for treatment of cancers and tumors.
Extracted Chaga can have a wide range of therapeutic effects. These effects depend on the level of extraction (Chaga tea being the most basic/lowest level), the quality of the raw material, how it has been processed and of course the dosage.
Research has also shown significant differences in therapeutic effects between wild-harvested Chaga and cultivated Inonotus obliquus mycelia, in particular in sterol and polyphenolic composition.
chaga Therapeutic Actions & Effects
Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Viral Properties
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These anti-inflammatory & anti-viral properties are linked to the immune supporting properties of Chaga. Apart from that, the antioxidants in Chaga can have a positive effect on inflammation, and in combating immune-related and viral diseases such as cancers, tumors, Hepatitis-C, the herpes virus, AIDS, HIV-1 and various strains of influenza.
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Scientific research indicates that Chaga extract exhibits a virucidal effect on the hepatitis C virus, reducing its infectious properties 100-fold within 10 minutes. Also, studies have shown that Chaga has a pronounced antiviral activity against influenza viruses A/H1N1, A/H1N1/dm2009, A/H3N2 and A/H5N1.
Anti-Ulcer and Anti-Gastritis Properties
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In folk medicine Chaga was used often to treat gastritis and related gastrointestinal problems. Again, the immune support of Chaga plays an important role here, both in the treatment and prevention of these problems.
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It is hypothesized that betulinic acid and the phytosterols present in Chaga also play a role. Most ulcers are caused by bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori. A well-functioning immune system will be able to deal with this pathogen.
Anti-Oxidant Properties: Revitalizing and Anti-Aging
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A high quality extract should include the sclerotium (the black outside layer) of the Chaga. This is important, because this sclerotium contains a massive amount of a specific fungi - melanin, giving good quality extracts a very high level of anti-oxidants and turning Chaga into powerful anti-aging tool. Research has shown DNA-regenerating and re-vitalizing properties. The whole body will benefit from this; you will look better (skin and hair) and your organs will function better.
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Antioxidant power can be expressed in an ORAC-value (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity).
Chaga Is a Natural BRM-Biological Response Modifier and Adaptogen
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It not only stimulates the body’s immune function when necessary, but can also slow it down when it is overactive. In short, it will normalize the immune function, which classifies Chaga as an adaptogen.
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Because of this property Chaga can be used to neutralize the side effects of pharmaceuticals, to compensate for the age-related decline of our immune function, to neutralize genetic immune-disorders (like many auto-immune diseases) and, in general, to help us to deal with all the stresses of modern life. Stress (mental, physical, chemical, environmental i.e. the change of seasons, urban life, pollution, etc.) has an enormous negative impact on our health, resistance and well being.
Cardiovascular and Sugar Levels
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Research has shown that betulinic acid (a compound unique to Chaga) is be able to break down ‘bad’ cholesterol in the bloodstream. Besides that, the ß-glucans, part of the polysaccharides in Chaga also have a proven positive effect on cholesterol levels. By normalizing those levels Chaga contributes to lowering high blood pressure and promotes a healthy cardio-vascular system: less plaque, stronger arteries.
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Chaga’s anti-diabetic effect is associated with its terpinoids, which inhibit the enzyme, alpha-glucosidase. In order to overcome the intestinal barrier, polysaccharides must be broken down to simple sugars (monosaccharides), which can be absorbed through the intestinal wall. Thus, α-glucosidase inhibitors interfere with the penetration of carbohydrates into the blood, thereby affecting one’s blood sugar level after eating. Studies point to a decrease in blood sugar level from 15.8% to 29.9% in two hours after administering Chaga extract.
Anti-Cancer Adjuvant Properties
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Chaga has proven to be very effective in supporting standard cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. It can reduce the devastating effect these treatments have on the immune system (causing side effects like nausea, insomnia, poor appetite, fatigue, etc. – these side effects are often the result of a compromised immune function).
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It also helps prevent metastasis (cancer cells traveling through the bloodstream should be neutralized by the immune system before they can cause harm). Chaga can significantly contribute to the quality of life during and after treatment this way.
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Furthermore, several scientific studies demonstrate that Chaga itself has an anti-cancer potential, in particular during the early stages of cancer. The betulinic acid and some of the phytosterols and polysaccharides present in Chaga demonstrated the ability to kill cancer cells directly. How this works exactly is the subject of several theories. So, Chaga has both an indirect (by stimulating the immune system to battle cancer-cells) and potentially a direct (by causing apoptosis [=programmed cell death]) effect during cancer treatments. Anti-tumor activity was only found in extracts prepared by lengthy heating or decocting, infusions prepared by steeping the raw material were not active against the tested tumors.