Chaga Mushroom

[Seppo Ilmarinen]

I didn't find a topic about Chaga mushroom and it's health benefits, there seems to be a lot of studies that proves Chaga to be a very useful. Chaga mushroom is a parasitic fungus that can be found on broad-leaved trees, mostly silver and white birch. It has very high ORAC-rating, adaptogenic properties and has a long history of folk medicinal use in Eastern European countries.

https://www.coamerlin.com/Chaga/ResourceCenter/Files/ResearchCenter/Chaga%20mushroom%20extract%20inhibits%20oxidative%20DNA%20damage%20in%20human%20lymphocytes%20as%20assessed%20by%20comet%20assay.pdf

The Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is claimed to have beneficial properties for human health, such as anti-bacterial, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The antioxidant effects of the mushroom may be partly explained by protection of cell components against free radicals. We evaluated the effect of aqueous Chaga mushroom extracts for their potential for protecting against oxidative damage to DNA in human lymphocytes. Cells were pretreated with various concentrations (10, 50, 100 and 500 μ/mL) of the extract for 1 h at 37°C. Cells were then treated with 100 μM of H2O2 for 5∼min as an oxidative stress. Evaluation of oxidative damage was performed using single-cell gel electrophoresis for DNA fragmentation (Comet assay). Using image analysis, the degree of DNA damage was evaluated as the DNA tail moment. Cells pretreated with Chaga extract showed over 40% reduction in DNA fragmentation compared with the positive control (100 μmol H2O2 treatment). Thus, Chaga mushroom treatment affords cellular protection against endogenous DNA damage produced by H2O2.

So using chaga could possibly help and be one more useful tool in delaying/preventing cancer development (along with proper dietary changes). The DNA damage in lymphocytes from oxidation was reduced using different dosages (10mg/mL-500mg/mL) sclerotium and mycelium extracted from Chaga. 10mg/mL dosage reduced oxidation damage 44% with sclerotium and 34% with mycelium. 500 mg/mL reduced 61% with sclerotium and 71% with mycelium. They also tested ascorbic acid (vitamin C), a-tocopherol (form of vitamin E) and trolox (derivative of vitamin E) with 100mg/mL which latter scored over 50% reduction in oxidation and ascorbic acid about 25%.


http://www.mychaga.com/healthbenefits.aspx

Wildcrafted Siberian Chaga contains :

Numerous Phytonutrient Nutrient Compounds
Ergo sterol (a Vitamin D2 precursor)
Complex immune activating compounds, especially a high concentration of melanin
Many forms of Beta Glucans (Complex sugars called Polysaccharides)
Saponins, Sterols, Triterpenes, Betulinic Acid, SOD (superoxide dismutase)
Contains Amino Acid Complexes (proteins) and other trace minerals
Melanin, a DNA protector beneficial to maintaining healthy skin
Extremely high antioxidant values measured by ORAC, HORAC and SORAC scales
Compounds shown to support human Natural Killer (NK) Cell activity
Chaga contains a complex "cocktail" of phytonutrients and immune activating compounds such as Beta Glucans (Complex Carbohydrates) or Polysaccharides also found in Algae, Yeast, Oats, etc. Chaga's Beta Glucan - polysaccharides are a potent immune activator. The Beta Glucans are powerful immune boosters that work by stimulating the body's ability to set up cellular defenses. Beta Glucans are largely responsible for modulating immune deficiencies.

Siberian Chaga has 29 beta fractions. It contains Saponins, Sterols, Triterpenes, SOD, Protein and Amino Acid Complexes and other Trace Minerals.

Here you can find bunch more research about chaga.

http://www.mychaga.com/scienceresearch.aspx
http://www.oriveda.com/resources.php


How to collect it and preparation (collecting should be complete without damaging the tree):

http://mushroom-collecting.com/mushroomchaga.html

When and where to find them: (ecology) Chaga can be found all year round since it persists on the tree for many years. It is most always found on yellow, or white birch. It's probably possible to find it on gray birch but gray birch is more likely to be infected with Piptoporus betulina, the birch polypore. Since gray and white birch occasionally hybridize in this area, exact identification of the tree can be difficult. They have been reported to grow on hardwoods such as beech or hornbeam but I have never found one on anything but birch. Current information suggests that chaga found on birch has the best medicinal qualities. Chaga can be easier to find in the winter because birches will be easier to spot and because the chaga may grow high on the tree where the greenery may obscure them during the warmer months. A hatchet or axe is usually required for removal. They can be easier to remove when frozen. Scarred trees created by excavating or skidding logs during lumber harvesting can develop chaga. Older trees are more likely candidates although they can be found on middle aged trees as well.

Preparation: Chaga is usually prepared as a tea or tincture. As always try a small amount at first. If you have health issues or take medication there is a possibility of interaction. Check with your doctor. Tea can be made from fresh cut chaga but it is more often dried first. It must be chopped or broken up into smaller pieces for drying unless the pieces are small. A hatchet or hammer is best but you may want to do it in a box because pieces can fly. A bench vise will work well. Drying at 110-125 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. Dry it for at least 24 hours then remove it for a few days so any remaining interior moisture will stabilize. Then dry it again for another 24 hours or until it is bone dry. I have successfully dried chaga by placing it on top of my water heater. It takes longer but saves on energy bills. A warm attic also works well. It can then be ground for use with a meat grinder or grist mill. It can be further ground in a heavy-duty blender to make it finer. You can use a cheese grater if you want to use a bit at a time.

Steeping ground or powdered chaga in the normal way makes a pleasant tea. For the best medicinal benefit there is evidence that decocting it by boiling for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours is best. In either case, the tea is surprising good with a more tea-like than mushroom flavor because of its tannic qualities. It brews up darker than you would expect and blends very successfully with other teas and spices. As far as mushroom teas go, it is "choice".

I have recently brewed India pale ale using chaga as a replacement for boiling hops. It was exceptionally successful. I decocted (long hard boiling) chaga powder in a separate pot, adding it to the wort at the end. I found it extremely good with it’s tannic qualities also adding a positive note to the brew. Chaga ale’s character was very different from the brew I made with the same recipe substituting reishi (Ganoderma tsugae) as the hop replacement. I will definitely make chaga ale again soon.

A tincture of chaga can be made using alcohol and water. That makes 80 or 100 proof vodka a good choice for making the tincture. Fill up a container such as a bottle or jar at least 1/2 with chaga powder then fill it to the top with the vodka and allow it to sit for a few days or up to 2 weeks. Strain off the liquid and run it through an unbleached coffee filter then squeeze the filter when it has stopped dripping. That yields a "single extraction". You may take the leftover single extracted chaga mash (marc) and boil (decoct) in water. Reduce the liquid by half and add it to your first extraction making a stronger "double extraction" maintaining an alcohol concentration of at least 25%. Chris Hobbs' book Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, & Culture (Herbs and Health Series) covers this in detai

Enjoy your chaga tea :)

 

[Skyfarmr]

Thank you Seppo Ilmarinen for bringing the topic of Chaga (Birch Mushroom) to the forum. This is an old posting, but since it's still here will add to it anyway.

I recently came across this mushroom in one of my herbal books, Indian Herbology of North America by Alma R. Hutchens (1973). While the book may be dated compared to some of the references you sited, I found some discrepancies in the collection and preparation she documents versus the method you've included. I can not attest to which way is better, just including it as additional information with an explanation of why it may be more beneficial. Most of her references are based on folk uses, with more modern (1973 and earlier) scientific references when available.

Preparation: Chaga is usually prepared as a tea or tincture. As always try a small amount at first. If you have health issues or take medication there is a possibility of interaction. Check with your doctor. Tea can be made from fresh cut chaga but it is more often dried first. It must be chopped or broken up into smaller pieces for drying unless the pieces are small. A hatchet or hammer is best but you may want to do it in a box because pieces can fly. A bench vise will work well. Drying at 110-125 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. Dry it for at least 24 hours then remove it for a few days so any remaining interior moisture will stabilize. Then dry it again for another 24 hours or until it is bone dry. I have successfully dried chaga by placing it on top of my water heater. It takes longer but saves on energy bills. A warm attic also works well. It can then be ground for use with a meat grinder or grist mill. It can be further ground in a heavy-duty blender to make it finer. You can use a cheese grater if you want to use a bit at a time.

Steeping ground or powdered chaga in the normal way makes a pleasant tea. For the best medicinal benefit there is evidence that decocting it by boiling for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours is best. In either case, the tea is surprising good with a more tea-like than mushroom flavor because of its tannic qualities. It brews up darker than you would expect and blends very successfully with other teas and spices. As far as mushroom teas go, it is "choice".

Regarding the collection, Hutchens writes:

When the projection [the Chaga, or Birch Mushroom (Inonotus obliquus)] is sawn [sic] off of the tree, it is as if the tree was having cosmetic surgery or the removal of an out-of-control wart. The matured and most desired Chaga is 30-40 cm in width, 10-15 cm in thickness, and up to 4-5 ft long, and from 4-5 lb. in weight. There are three layers: (1) outside, rough with some old bark and possibly twigs, must be cleaned; (2) inside, soft, very close to the tree trunk, must be cut off; and (3) middle part, granulated and not spoiled, which is the part to use. It can be collected at any time of the year.

Always keep Chaga in a dry and dark place (dark covered jar) as dampness and strong light dissipate its power.

Part used: Inside granulated parts of the three layers.
Solvents: Boiled (but not boiling)water, alcohol, vodka
Bodily influence: Tonic, Blood purifying action, Anodyne, Restorative.
Domestic Use: The middle portion which have been carefully separated and cleaned must be crushed or shredded then soaked in warm water (not over 50 degrees[C?]). When preparing Chaga think of it as yeast, water too hot will kill the living fungus. For 1 part of crushed Chaga pour over 5 parts of boiled (not boiling [allowed to cool to warm temperature])water, let stand covered 48 hr., strain [,and] pour more boiled (not boiling) water, say twice as much, then drink three cups a day 30 min. before each meal.

She also writes:

The existence of Chaga and its uses are mentioned in Russian literature, in sources such as, monographies(sic), medical books, encyclopaedias(sic) and popular herbal books.

Since 1955, the Medical Academy of Science, Moscow, has promoted Chaga for clinical and domestic medicine, encouraged it commercially, and collected it for medical use.
[....]
Chaga is blood purifying and regenerates deteriorated organs and glands, "Medical Encyclopaedia" (Moscow l965). Time must be given for Chaga. Recommended treatment is from three to five months, with seven to ten days intervals.

So IMHO, and with this being a fungus type medicine, I would venture to say that boiling the Chaga would most likely destroy the beneficial qualities of the mushroom.

Anyone choosing to try Chaga may want to keep these collection and preparation suggestions in mind when purchasing either raw product or prepared tinctures so you're getting a potent product with the medicinal properties intact.

It's great to see that there has been scientific study of this mushroom revealing some its' virtues which eluded researchers at the time when Hutchens wrote this book.