Chaga, a fungus among us

What makes the Chaga mushroom so special?

Chaga is a parasitic Polyporus fungus commonly found on living and dead birch trees throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This species of mushroom has played an important role in cultures across the globe for centuries. Modern research has identified numerous medicinal qualities of this strange looking fungus.

Chaga is a medicine and not a culinary mushroom. Often consumed as an infusion, according to an article in the Integrative Cancer Therapy Journal, this powerhouse of a mushroom was utilized by natives of Siberia as an “anthelmintic (to expel parasites), as an anti tubercular, to cure digestive disorders such as gastritis and ulcers, and to prevent cardiac or hepatic illnesses.” “In 1955, the USSR Ministry of Health recognized the therapeutic benefits of Chaga. Health authorities saw that populations of people who culturally consumed Chaga had lower numbers of cancer cases. In addition, Chaga was praised in other cultures for its positive effect on lipid metabolism, cardiac function, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and anti tumor activities (Gery and Dubreule 833).

Various studies over the last decade have demonstrated the power of “Inonotus obliquus to inhibit hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus and demonstrated antioxidant and immunostimulatory activities in vitro” (Gery and Dubreule 833). Due to the presence of betulin and betulinic acid, Chaga is a very beneficial remedy alongside modern cancer treatment therapies.

Two important constituents found in Chaga are betulin and betulunic acid. These compounds are extracted by the parastitic fungi from the birch host trees. Birch bark is a medicine that has been utilized by natives and modern naturopaths alike. A 2008 study demonstrated the anti cancer properties of betulin and betulinic acid (Fulda, 1096). This information suggests the benefit of Chaga consumption alongside modern cancer treatments. Another more recent study demonstrated the anti inflammatory effects of I. obliquus when colitis was induced in mice, indicating the potential benefits for treating inflammatory bowel disease (Mishra and Kang 1107).

I could go on and on about the medicinal benefits of Chaga, along with other polypores and the medicinal fungi world in general.

It is hard to deny that as our culture changes the medicine we need to persevere has maintained its presence in the forests that surround us. The intelligence of fungi and their communication within the plant and animal world indicate their importance in our daily lives as stewards of the Earth. Studies have been performed both formally and informally across the world for decades, maybe even centuries, on the powerful constituents found in these species and their role in our modern world.

The Chaga in my tinctures was sustainably harvested by friends in the mountains of New Hampshire. Infused with love and healing intentions. I hope to share this medicine with all who may benefit. Alongside a healthy and active lifestyle I hope this medicine can bring balance to our hectic modern lives, helping the body to adapt to internal and external stressors.

In order to receive all the constituents from this tough and fibrous fungi I have used a dual extraction method. The first step in this extraction is to tincture the mushroom in a mix of grain alcohol and cold water and macerate for 8-10 weeks, shaking daily. The second step is a hot water decoction to extract water soluble compounds. The two methods are combined and mixed with raw honey for taste and additional antimicrobial benefits. This beautiful Chaga medicine, infused with loving intentions is available as an individual tincture or in a formula.

Try My Double Extracted Chaga Tincture

Soul Creations Tincture Ingredients: Dried Chaga Mushroom, 95% Everclear, Spring Water, Raw Honey

Contraindications: Please consult with your doctor if you are on any medication before taking herbal supplements

Resources

Gery, PharmaD, Antoine, Christelle, Dubreule, MSc. “Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), a Future Potential Medicinal fungus in Oncology? A Chemical Study and a Comparison of the Cytotoxicity Against Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells(A549) and Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (BEAS-2B)”. Integrative Cancer Therapies, vol. #17, no. # 3, 2018, pp. 832-843.

Fulda S. Betulinic acid for cancer treatment and prevention. Int J Mol Sci. 2008;9:1096-1107.

Mishra, Siddhartha, Ju-Hee, Kang. “Orally administered aqueous extract of Inonotus obliquus ameliorates acute inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. # 143, no. # 2, 2012, pp. 524-532.

Stamets, Paul. Mycelium Running. Ten Speed Press, 2005. Pp. 256-258.