Chaga Mushroom (Wild Crafted Loose) - 227g

Chaga
By: Articles by a Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.)

What is Chaga?
Inonotus obliquus, commonly known as Chaga mushroom, is a black fungus that grows parasitically on birch trees. There are records going as far back as the 16th century for the use of chaga in Eastern European folk medicine and traditional botanical medicineI. Chaga is rich in polysaccharides (particularly ß-glucan polysaccharides) as well as betulinic acid, and has a bitter flavour similar to coffee. It is an excellent source of superoxide dismutase (SOD – a powerful antioxidant) and is the mushroom with the highest antioxidant (ORAC) level known. For more information on ORAC, see our article on superfruits.

Chaga's Active Ingredients
Initial research on chaga examined of its ß-glucan polysaccharides. As research continued on chaga's role in immune optitmization, it was discovered that compounds from chaga did not attack pathogens directly, but instead supported the optimization of the body's natural defenses.

How is chaga extracted?
There are three ways that mushrooms are extracted, only two of which are considered reliable. These methods are: hot water extraction, alcohol extraction, and fermentation. Fermentation is considered an unreliable means of extraction due to variations in microbes used. Hot water extraction is the most common and cheapest purification option, and allows all water-soluble components (including polysaccharides) to be extracted. Alcohol (ethanol) extraction isolates the non-water soluble components, like betulinic acid, betulin and phyto-sterols.

In order to obtain maximum therapeutic value, many manufacturers will usually combine two methods, in general hot water extraction and alcohol / ethanol extraction allow for extraction of the most valuable components. Cheap, mass-produced, extracts tend to be hot water based low percentage (4-20%) polysaccharide extracts with limited therapeutic value. Be sure to read the constituents on the label of your supplement to ensure you will get the medicinal effects you seek.

How can I take chaga?
Chaga can be supplemented as dried mushroom powder, liquid, powdered extract, capsule, or tea. It can be found alone or in combination formulas for liver support and inflammation relief. Solid extracts of chaga can be dosed between 200 and 1000mg per day. If making a tea you can dissolve one teaspoon dried mushroom in one cup of hot water several times per day.

Important Information
Chaga mushroom is generally regarded as safe when taken in the recommended doses. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease is not known, so caution should be used. Due to the hypoglycemic activity of polysaccarides, blood sugar monitoring in diabetics is important.

Chaga – Quick Facts

Parts Used
· Whole Fungus.

Applications
· Immune Support

Optimum Dosage
· 200-1000mg Per Day Solid Extract Or 1tsp Of Dried Mushroom In One Cup Hot Water Several Times Daily (Clinical Doses May Be Higher As Recommended By Your
Practitioner).

Works Well With
· Other Mushrooms And Immune Modulating Herbs

Important Information
· Use Caution With Young Children, Pregnant Or Nursing Women And Those With Severe Liver Or Kidney Disease.
· Monitor For Hypoglycemia In Those Susceptible.