Chaga – the mushroom of immortality

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): What is this amazing mushroom?

Chaga, also known as Inonotus obliquus, is a unique charcoal-like mushroom that grows on birch tree trunks. It can be found in various parts of the world, such as Scandinavia, northern North America, Siberia, China, Japan, and Korea. Depending on the region, it has many different names. In China, it is called the "Queen of Plants", in Japan, the "Diamond of the Forest", and in Siberia, the "Mushroom of Immortality" or "Gift of God". This extraordinary mushroom was also collected in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the coldest regions of Europe.

The history of Chaga dates back to ancient times, when a Siberian tribe gave it its name and used it in their healing rituals. Interestingly, in Siberia, Chaga drinkers live an average of 35 years longer than others! Native American Indians also considered it a sacred healing plant. Chaga was prized by both Russian Tsars and American healers, who collected the mushroom’s hard shells, brewed them as a tea, or ground them up and extracted them.

It is worth adding that during World War II, Chaga gained popularity as an alternative to coffee, and its slightly vanilla flavor made it a favorite drink in Finland!

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a mushroom that looks a bit like charcoal and grows on birch tree trunks. Chaga is full of various nutrients and minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, copper, iron and zinc. It also contains polysaccharides (mainly beta-glucans), phytosterols (about 40% lanosterols, 30% inotodiol, 30% ergosterol), polyphenols (like flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acid), amino acids (like glycine, tryptophan, cysteine), triterpenes (betulin and betulinic acid) and melanin.

Because it has almost no side effects, chaga is a great addition to anyone's diet. It's a mushroom that supports overall health. In studies on human lymphocytes, an aqueous extract of chaga has been found to protect against the harmful effects of hydrogen peroxide, which reduces DNA damage by 40%. Antioxidant effects have also been observed in studies on a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis.

Chaga: Unique Uses and Health Benefits

The hard shells of this unusual mushroom were harvested and brewed into a tea or ground up and extracted.

The substances in Chaga help regulate the immune system by stimulating Th1 cytokines and inhibiting Th2. This can be useful in the case of autoimmune diseases and allergies, where Th2 is dominant. Cytokines are chemical messengers in the immune system – proteins that help activate white blood cells, which are our first line of defense against various diseases. Many foods acidify the body, which can lead to serious diseases. Chaga, as one of the most alkaline foods, neutralizes the acidifying effects of other foods, maintaining blood pH in the normal range (7.35–7.45). An alkaline environment prevents the development of disease, so chaga is a great way to maintain the right pH.

Main applications: anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, Lyme disease, joint diseases (chaga prevents cartilage destruction, helps restore synovial fluid and relieves muscle spasms, which are the main cause of pain. Due to its high penetrating ability, chaga improves metabolism and blood supply to diseased joints, helps remove toxins and salt deposits. Betulin, a natural antiseptic in large quantities in chaga, protects joints from inflammation. Nutrients from chaga enter the joint cartilage, and toxins and salts are gradually removed. Chaga plant components improve metabolism in joint tissues, prevent cartilage destruction and rejuvenate the joint.)

Other uses for Chaga:

It has an analgesic effect (relieves pain), supports mental functions – memory, concentration, thinking (inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase in the brain), detoxification, strengthens the eyes and hair, is probably the strongest adaptogen, has anti-allergic effects (prevents anaphylactic shock), helps with candidiasis, hepatitis C, infectious diseases: bacterial or viral, even in the case of herpes viruses.

Chaga mushroom goes great with coffee or tea!

Chaga extracts have gained popularity as an additive to coffee or tea. They are often combined with other mushrooms. Although Chaga itself does not significantly improve mental abilities or brain function like Lion’s Mane, it is still considered a good additive, thanks to its general health properties and mild flavor, which can tone down the more intense flavors of other mushrooms, making the coffee-mushroom drink taste better.

Precautions: One of the most important advantages of using Chaga is the lack of side effects. When taking preparations based on this mushroom, there are no chemical disorders in the body, and there are no hormonal imbalances. So far, only one contraindication to the use of this mushroom has been identified. This is the simultaneous use of immunological drugs, such as cyclosporines. These are immunosuppressive drugs that are given to patients after transplantation.

As a result, Chaga can inhibit their action, leading to rejection of the transplanted organ. The extract may interact with medications that reduce blood clotting, such as warfarin and acetylsalicylic acid. Because Chaga lowers blood sugar levels, it may be dangerous for people taking insulin and other medications that lower blood sugar. Some common symptoms of hypoglycemia include tremors, weakness, constant hunger/thirst, and irritability.

Sources:

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Baek J, Roh HS, Baek KH, Lee S, Lee S, Song SS, Kim KH. Bioactivity-based analysis and chemical characterization of cytotoxic constituents from Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) that induce apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Oct 5;224:63-75. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.05.025. Epub 2018 May 22. PMID: 29800742

Gründemann C, Gruber CW, Hertrampf A, Zehl M, Kopp B, Huber R. "An aqueous birch leaf extract of Betula pendula inhibits the growth and cell division of inflammatory lymphocytes" 2011

Kou RW, Han R, Gao YQ, Li D, Yin X, Gao JM. Anti-neuroinflammatory polyoxygenated lanostanoids from Chaga mushroom Inonotus obliquus. Phytochemistry. 2021 Apr;184:112647. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2020.112647. Epub 2021 Jan 9. PMID: 33434790

Lee JH, Hyun CK "Insulin-sensitizing and beneficial lipid-metabolic effects of the water-soluble melanin complex extracted from Inonotus obliquus" 2014

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Yang Hu, Chunying Teng, Sumei Yu, Xin Wang, Jinsong Liang, Xin Bai, Liying Dong, Tao Song, Min Yu, Juanjuan Qu "Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide regulates gut microbiota of chronic pancreatitis in mice" 2017

Ying YM, Zhang LY, Zhang X, Bai HB, Liang DE, Ma LF, Shan WG, Zhan ZJ. Terpenoids with alpha-glucosidase inhibitor activity from the submerged culture of Inonotus obliquus. Phytochemistry. 2014 Dec;108:171-6. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.09.022. Epub 2014 Oct 18. PMID: 25446238

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