Chagas
CHAGA BENEFITS
Strengthens the immune systemSource of antioxidantsAnti-inflammatorySupports the digestive systemPotentially anti-carcinogenic
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What is chagas?
Chaga, also called oblique polypore, has the scientific name of inonotus obliquus.
Its common name comes from the Russian «чага» which means «fungus». Chaga belongs to the order Hymenoechetaceae, which includes about a hundred species of mushrooms, some of which are medicinal, such as Phellinus linteus.
At first glance, the chaga is an unattractive mushroom. Parasite of the birches on which it grows, takes the look of charred wood. Without a foot, it doesn’t really have a shape: it follows the movement and irregularities of the tree trunk.
In forests, it appears as a hard, dry, rounded brown mass that can be up to 15 inches (38 cm) across.
In summer and autumn, the chaga grows several meters high, directly on the trunks of living trees.
It is found mainly in the birches, although it can also grow on alder, beech and other hardwood species. To parasitize them, our fungus takes advantage of unhealed wounds. It then burrows into the wood and feeds on the tree’s nutrients.
The chaga is capable of withstanding extreme climatic conditions and in particular the cold (down to -40°C). That is why it grows mainly in Russia, Canada, Northern Europe and the cold regions of Korea and the United States.
But chaga is not just a curiosity from a botanical point of view. Beneath their burnt wood appearance lie exceptional medicinal properties.
The mushroom was used by the indigenous peoples of northern Europe and Russia, such as the Khanty, to treat various health problems.
Once ground and infused, it was used to improve digestion, detoxify the body, and support liver function and the immune system. Even today, chaga is an integral part of traditional Russian medicine.
However, thanks to numerous investigations and the results obtained, its consumption has become popular in the rest of the world, where it is considered a functional fungus.
Offered as a dietary supplement, chaga is mainly known for its stimulating, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.
It also has benefits for the digestive system and could be a potential anti-cancer agent, as more and more studies are showing.
Nutritional composition
Amino acidsvitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, D, KMinerals and trace elements: magnesium, potassium, manganese, germanium, phosphorus, silicon, copper, silver, zinc, selenium…Polysaccharides: beta-glucansPhenols and polyphenols: vanillic acidflavonoidsalkaloidssterolssaponinstriterpenes: inotodiol, lanostrerolAntioxidant assets: superoxide dismutase, pigments (melanin)Anticancer assets: Betulin, betulinic acidOrganic acids: acetic acid, butyric acid, oxalic acidfibersProteintanninsConferencescarbohydrates
The benefits of chaga
Strengthens the immune system
The different components of chaga have a beneficial effect on the immune system.
This is particularly the case for the betaglucanspolysaccharides that are also present in other medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake (Lentinula Edodes).
These long sugar molecules are known to stimulate the immune system by promoting the development of leukocytes (or white blood cells)including T cells, the body’s natural killer cells.
Chaga beta-glucans also activate interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine that promotes the production of antibodies to detect and neutralize pathogens.
Also contains many vitamins that strengthen the immune system.
In particular, it is an excellent source of vitamin D (calciferol), which stimulates the defenses and modulates the immune response. Finally, zinc, copper and selenium are all minerals and trace elements in chaga that contribute to the proper functioning of immunity.
This study from Jeju National University in South Korea, conducted on fish, shows that chaga supplementation improves the immune system and confers better resistance to disease.
source of antioxidants
Chaga has a powerful action against free radicals. And rightly so: he is made up of 25% antioxidant active ingredients! Among them are pigments such as melanin.
Melanin, which is responsible for the color of chaga charcoal, is a macromolecule naturally present in the human body.
Although it is known that mainly protect our skin from UV rays, melanin is also involved in fighting free radicals. In particular, it prevents damage to the DNA of cells.
Its antioxidant action is also due to the presence of an enzyme: superoxide dismutase.
An essential component of the mechanism of elimination of free radicals, it has a seeking activity and helps to fight against the aging of the body.
This antioxidant enzyme is also present in reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), a Chinese medicinal mushroom.
The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) index, which defines the antioxidant capacity of food, placed chaga at the top of the list with 345,858 μmol TE/100 g (micromole of Trolox equivalent per 100 g of food , being Trolox a reference antioxidant).
This study from Seoul National University, conducted on human keratinocyte cell lines, shows the trapping ability of chaga and its efficacy in protecting cells from oxidative stress.
anti-inflammatories
Chaga is also a powerful natural anti-inflammatory. It is particularly useful for relieving joint diseases related to inflammation, such as arthritis and osteoarthritis.
This action is mainly due to its interleukin-6 (IL-6) content.
In addition to strengthening the immune system, this cytokine controls and modulates the inflammatory response. It also inhibits the expression of iNOS (nitric oxide synthase) and COX-2 (cyclooxygenase), thus reducing the activity of chemical mediators of inflammation.
The vitamins and minerals of the chaga also contribute to the reduction of inflammation. Vitamin K, for example, helps reduce inflammatory markers. Magnesium, on the other hand, is an ally against chronic inflammation.
This study from Kyung-Hee University in Seoul, carried out on rats, shows the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive (pain sensitivity) properties of chaga.
Supports the digestive system
Chaga is a fungus known for its benefits on the digestive system.
Its fiber content and its anti-inflammatory properties support its proper functioning.
Reduces inflammation of the intestine in cases of ulcerative colitis or gastric ulcers. It also prevents digestion problems, gastritis, constipation, etc…
It is also beneficial for the liver and gallbladder. In particular, it promotes the production of bile, which is essential for the digestion of food, and protects the liver from lipid oxidation. Finally, beta-glucans stimulate the good bacteria in the intestines, thus acting as prebiotics.
This study conducted by different Korean universities on rats shows the hepatoprotective activity of chaga extract.
Potentially against cancer
Chaga is being studied more and more as a potential anticancer agent. In fact, it contains active ingredients recognized for their action on diseased cells.
By parasitizing birch trees, chaga feeds on tree nutrients such as betulin and betulinic acid. Present in birch sap, these natural substances are cytotoxic, that is, toxic to cancer cells.
In addition, the beta-glucans it contains can help slow the growth of cancer and to prevent its spread.
This study, carried out by different Korean universities in mice, shows how chaga inhibits the growth of tumors.
Another study from the Polish Institute of Agricultural Medicine, conducted in vitro, also demonstrated the anti-cancer effects of chaga.
Chaga has the ability to strengthen the immune system…
How to consume chaga?
Chaga in tablets
Is the shape easier to find in organic and specialty stores or on the Internet.
The capsules contain chaga that is dried and then ground into a powder. They have the advantage of being tasteless, especially since chaga has a very pronounced mushroom flavor.
Preferably choose capsules that are 100% natural and/or certified organic and sufficiently titrated in beta-glucan polysaccharides (30% minimum).
Chaga powder
Chaga powder is nothing more than dried mushroom powder. It is a natural way as long as it is wild chaga dried at low temperature to preserve its nutritional qualities.
Chaga powder is consumed as an infusion, with cinnamon for example.
The powder can be consumed as an infusion or decoction (be careful not to boil it), to be diluted in a drink (hot water, milk, shake, tea with milk…) or incorporated into sweet or savory preparations (soups, desserts…).
Chaga in mother tincture
The mother tincture, obtained by hydroalcoholic extraction, has the advantage of preserving the integrity of the nutrients in the chaga. Although it is highly concentrated in active ingredientsIt also contains a large amount of alcohol.
Therefore, this form of dietary supplement is not suitable for pregnant women, children, or people suffering from certain pathologies.
The chaga mother tincture is simply diluted in water or fruit juice. However, it has a strong flavor that may not be to everyone’s liking. To soften your woody flavoryou can add honey or maple syrup.
fresh chagas
If it is more difficult to find, some specialty stores or online stores offer fresh chagausually cut into pieces.
The mushroom is only harvested in winter and kept in a cool place. Fresh chaga can be prepared as an infusion or decoction.
Chaga and Chinese medicinal mushrooms
Chaga blends well with other medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, maitakes, agaricus blazei or shiitake. This mushroom synergy, very rich in beta-glucans, has a powerful action on the immune system.
Some manufacturers also offer dietary supplements that combine the chaga with vitamin C, often from acerola, to facilitate the assimilation of the active molecules of the fungus.
Sustainable consumption: give preference to organic chaga
As with shiitake, cordyceps or other medicinal mushrooms, we advise you to choose the certified organic chaga.
This fungus has the advantage that it does not feed on soil nutrients but on those of the tree it parasitizes. Thus, it absorbs less contaminants from the soil (pesticide residues, heavy metals, etc.).
However, chaga can easily be subjected to chemical treatments (pesticides, insecticides…). If the supplement is not certified organic, it may also contain preservatives and additives.
The dose of chaga The recommended dose ranges from 500 and 2000mg of chaga per day. It must be taken several times during the day.
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