Though Chaga has long been used in Eastern medicine and has built quite a reputation for being healthy and helping to reduce a variety of diseases and illness, there is some good news – studies show that Chaga does contain a high level of nutrients and has medicinal value for some of the most prevalent diseases and ailments, including cardiovascular disease, blood glucose levels and even cancer.
There have been quite a few studies done on Chaga, which is scientifically known as Inonotus obliquus – but the typical consumer of the mushroom might not be aware of truly just how amazing the superfood is. This study[1] has highlighted many of important properties of Chaga, including its pharmalogical effects and biological characteristics. Here are some of the more important aspects of the research that will help you make a decision as to whether or not adding Chaga to your daily routine is right for you.
Biological Characteristics
While we already know the scientific name is Inonotus obliquus, Chaga is actually the Russian name for this particular type of mushroom. It also has some other names, including malalon mushroom and black birch touchwood.
Chaga is mostly found in the northern latitudes of China, Russia (most notably the Siberian region), northern Europe and North America. The exterior of the mushroom is as dark as charcoal and interior is light yellow and spongy. Did you know that Chaga is actually a black parasitic fungus? It makes its home on mature birch trees in colder regions, growing on the tree trunks until they are harvested for consumption.
Pharmalogical Benefits
Chaga is a healthy superfood that gives the body an ample dose of antioxidants, but it’s also been shown to have quite a few important pharmalogical benefits for those suffering from a number of diseases and cancers. For centuries, Chaga has been used to treat cancerous tumors – the anti-cancer properties have also been studied for their effects on reducing the risk of developing cancer through reducing oxidative stress.
One such study, which implanted cancer cells in mice, showed that those who consumed a controlled amount of Chaga experienced a decrease in cancer growth, as opposed to mice that did not. In addition, Chaga has also been viewed as beneficial to reduce cholesterol levels and lower blood glucose, two important factors for those at risk for diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.
Though Chaga has many promising results for reducing the risk of cancer and a number of other health concerns, always be sure and talk with your doctor before consuming it – especially if you are already undergoing cancer therapies. Never stop following the advice of your doctor without consulting with him or her first. Chaga is a powerful superfood to incorporate into a regimen, in addition to other therapies, for maximum health benefits.
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[1] Xiu-hong Zhong, Kuang Ren, Shi-jie Lu, Shu-yan Yang, Dong-zhi Sun. “Progress of research on Inonotus obliquus.” Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine April 2009, Volume 15, Issue 2, pp 156–160 (Accessed August 20, 2017) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11655-009-0156-2