The beneficial properties of the Medicinal Mushroom Chaga

BY DR. FRANCESCA ARDIGÒ

Let's talk about Chaga: a powerful Medicinal Mushroom

In the oldest Chinese herbal medicine and nutrition manual, dating back to 2800 BC and entitled: “Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica” (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing), Chaga, like Reishi, is classified as being one of the "superior herbs".
Specifically, in this ancient treatise on Traditional Chinese Medicine we read: "Chaga ensures excellent health and an excellent level of energy, up to a very advanced age".

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) grows on the bark of birch trees in very cold countries, such as Siberia, Northern Europe and Canada.

For centuries, thanks to its wealth of active ingredients that make it an important adaptogen, it has been prescribed in various traditional medicines to strengthen immune defenses and improve the general health of body and mind.

Chaga, the mushroom for health

In ancient times and in Siberian medicine, the Medicinal Mushroom Chaga was widely used in the form of a daily infusion to combat gastritis, dermatitis, psoriasis, joint pain, for its antioxidant properties, to combat stress, aging and to increase physical energy.
Given its great effectiveness for skin care, it was also applied directly onto the skin.

Since then, hundreds of scientific studies have been conducted on Chaga, demonstrating the powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hypoglycemic, antioxidant and immunomodulatory actions of this precious gift of nature.

Chaga has an important series of active ingredients and is characterized above all by its high content of beta-glucans, terpenes and antioxidants - in particular SOD (El Enshasy et al., 2013). It also contains vitamins, minerals and all essential amino acids.

In detail, the Chaga Medicinal Mushroom contains:

1,3 and 1,6 beta- glucans and 1,3 alpha- glucans: useful for strengthening the immune system, they activate macrophages, lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells, and fight pathogenic germs and infections (Van et al.,2009) triggering and stimulating useful immune system activity;
betulinic acid (pentacyclic triterpene), useful for skin problems, to fight infection, to rebalance the metabolism and for its antioxidant action (Won et al.,2010; Zhong et al.2013; El Enshasy et al.,2013);
polyphenols: powerful antioxidants capable of effectively eliminating oxygen free radicals (ROS), which contribute to aging and disease. Furthermore, they are useful hypoglycemics and protect the cardiovascular system (El Enshasy et al.,2013);
SOD (Superoxydismutase): the most powerful antioxidant present in nature, which protects cells, organs, vessels and tissues from the degenerative action of free radicals (ROS). Chaga has approximately 50 times more SOD than other medicinal mushrooms (Zhong et al. 2013);
melanin: responsible for the black color of the Medicinal Mushroom, has an important antioxidant protective effect on DNA (Zhong et al. 2013);
Vitamin D (ergosterol), important for bone synthesis;
B complex vitamins (thiamine, niacin and riboflavin);
All essential amino acids: this is why Chaga is very useful in vegetarian, vegan and all low-protein diets which do not include animal proteins.

When to use Chaga the Mushroom of Good Health?

Chaga is defined as "the king of herbs" and "a gift from God" because, thanks to its properties, it counteracts a vast number of symptoms and illnesses and guarantees a perfect state of health.

The beneficial properties of Chaga derive from the fact that the mushroom contains all the amino acids essential to the body, which is why its use is highly recommended regardless of diet (varied and balanced, vegan or vegetarian).

Its characteristics make it the Mushroom Medicine most used to deal with multiple illnesses:

SKIN
It is useful for those suffering from psoriasis, eczema and skin rashes, not to mention skin blemishes such as acne or scars and the dreaded signs of aging.
In a study of psoriasis patients, Chaga led to complete disappearance of psoriatic rashes in 76% of patients and notable improvement in 16% of patients (Dosychev, 1973; Frost, 2016).
GLYCAEMIA
University studies have shown that the use of Chaga has led to an increase in hypoglycemic activity and an important antioxidant activity (Zhong et al. 2013).
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI-AGGREGATION ACTION
In vitro studies on cells have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties and also an anti-platelet action (Zhong et al. 2013).
IMMUNE SYSTEM and DISEASES
Chaga is useful in diseases caused by pathogenic germs, because it strengthens immune defenses capable of fighting bacteria and viruses, as many researchers have demonstrated (Balandaykin et al., 2015; Wold 2020). A study conducted both in vitro and in vivo has shown that Chaga beta-glucans activate macrophages in the phagocytosis of hostile germs and strengthen the Th1 and Th2 balance of the immune system, which attacks hostile germs both directly and through antibodies (Won et al., 2010). Furthermore, Chaga exerts an interesting anti-inflammatory action, demonstrated by prof. Van (University of Manitoba, Canada) thanks to its ability to reduce the most important inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα) (Kim YR. 2005; Van et al., 2009).

This dual action against pathogenic microorganisms and inflammation is useful in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, influenza) and urinary tract infections (such as cystitis). It was shown that aqueous extract of Chaga in cell cultures suppressed the infectivity of hepatitis C virus (Shibnev et al., 2011) and prevented HIV replication (Shibnev et al., 2015).
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
This Medicinal Mushroom is able to counteract stomach discomfort (Fedotov et al., 1981). It reduces pain even in the case of gastroduodenal ulcers (Frost M. 2016; Fedotov, et al.,1981), but not only: Chaga in tablets is an excellent natural remedy for those with a slow or non-functioning metabolism, for Chron's disease or ulcerative colitis and for those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular disorders.
ANTI-AGING
Chaga is a natural antioxidant, important for protecting the body from toxins and free radicals (Sun et al.,2008; Shashkina MY et al.,2006; Duru et al.,2019). It contains a quantity 50 times greater than other Medicinal Mushrooms of SOD (Superoxydismutase), the most powerful antioxidant enzyme in the body, to protect cells, organs, vessels and tissues from the degenerative action of ROS (Zhong et al.2013; Hu et al.,2009).
ENERGY AND PSYCHE
This mushroom increases energy and willpower. In fact, it increases the energy produced by each cell and thus helps to achieve better results in sport and in everyday life. A study demonstrated that the polysaccharide (PIO-1), contained in the mushroom reduced physical and mental fatigue, accelerating the elimination of lactic acid (Zhang et al., 2020). For this reason, in ancient Siberian and Chinese medicine, Chaga was widely used as an anti-fatigue remedy.

In brief: Chaga significantly strengthens the immune system and has an important anti-inflammatory effect, thanks to the beta-glucans, terpenes and polypeptides it contains. Furthermore, it acts both preventively, therapeutically and cosmetically, proving worthy of the name it was given centuries ago: "The King of Herbs".