Chaga
Chaga
The inconspicuous Chaga mushroom until recently lived in relative obscurity to most of the world however this fungus has been used for centuries by many indigenous tribes in the northern hemisphere.
- Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial
- Immunomodulation
- Aids in treatment of cancers
- Extremely high in antioxidants
- Adaptogenic
Dosage:
- 1-3 x 10 drops daily (maintenance is once daily, acute cases three times daily)
- Adaptogen
- Can be taken any time of day in between meals
The earliest documented account of use comes from Ötzi the iceman - the oldest known mummified cave man in the world. Ötzi was a bronze age human who fell into a frozen crevice in the alps, his body was perfectly preserved since 3300 BCE allowing us a glimpse into the lives of prehistoric man. On his person he had intricate copper weapons & 3 different mushroom species – one being Chaga. Historically Chaga was used for lighting fires & as a medicine as it has both anti-inflammatory & antibacterial compounds. However it was most prized as a treatment for whipworm, a parasite later discovered by researchers to be living in Ötzi's colon. This ancient cave man knew what illness he had & used this mushrooms powerful medicinal qualities to treat it.
Extensive research proves that it can be used to treat ulcers , tuberculosis, as well as stomach, liver & heart disease. It also demonstrated potent immune modulating actions; upon ingestion, a range of secondary metabolites are produced, many of which are highly active as potent immune boosters.
It contains a large range of important active constituents including polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, lanostane triterpenoids & melanin. It is a rich source of β-glucans (beta glucans) and polysaccharides which have strong immune balancing properties - enhancing the body’s ability to produce natural killer (NK) cells. On a cellular level, Chaga has been shown to support the response to oxidative molecules that may impact human DNA if not quenched.
It has also been proven to treat various cancers, including breast cancer, lip cancer, gastric, parotid gland, pulmonary, stomach, skin & rectal cancer - this is in part due to oxygenated triterpenes, particularly inotodiol & obliquol along with Chaga's high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity) value.
It is also a great adjunct treatment with chemotherapy due to its ability to prevent intoxication, regurgitation, it also improves appetite and immunity, while reducing pain. It is also used for treating Hodgkin’s disease & to regenerate organ & gland cells.
Attempts at cultivating this fungus on simulated mediums results in a reduced & markedly different production of metabolites. Cultivated Chaga develops a lower number of phytosterols, particularly lanosterol, an intermediate in the synthesis of ergosterol & lanostane-type triterpenes.
For this reason we use ethically wild harvested Chaga. After ten to fifteen years of parasitism on birch tree trunks, Inonotus obliquus fungus acquires the status of “Chaga.” And at the age of twenty years, Chaga is considered to be fully mature as a tonic herb.