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Home/ Botanicals/ Inonotus obliquus: Chaga Mushroom Ground 30g
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Inonotus obliquus: Chaga Mushroom Ground 30g

Inonotus obliquus: Chaga Mushroom Ground 30g

Description

Inonotus obliquus aka chaga mushroom, even known as "King of Herbs" has become a bit of a health industry poster child in recent years, with emphasis on it's high antioxidant levels, Chaga has one of the highest ORAC values of any vegetable or fruit. ORAC stands for oxygen radical absorbent capacity; Meaning the higher ORAC value, the better a food is able to protect your body from diseases and free radicals. Research shows that the fungus has a favorable effect on the central nervous system and metabolic processes and boosts immunity to infections. Hot water extracts were found to greatly alleviate the suffering in cancer patients, relieve pain and improve appetite. It is not a radical drug in malignant cancer cases, although it might inhibit the development of tumors if used at its initial stages. Chaga’s nutritional constituents are a major reason chaga has a reputation as a highly effective adaptogen, cancer fighter, and a longevity tonic.

What we call ‘Chaga’ is the dense black mass that can be seen on the outside of trees (almost exclusively birches) infected with the fungus Inonotus obliquus. It is not a fruiting body (meant for spreading spores, the final stage in the life of many mushrooms) but a dense sterile mass of mycelia, with decayed bits of birch tissue incorporated. When chopped from the tree the interior has a rusty yellow-brown color, somewhat granular in appearance, and is often mottled with whitish or cream-colored veins. The hard, deeply cracked black outside of the Chaga is called the sclerotium.

Chaga has long been used in Folk Medicine, from people living in cold climates, where Chaga thrives; It's earliest traceable mention is from the 1600's in Russia, where it was used as a general tonic and for digestion. One group of first people from West Siberia, called the Khanty, used Chaga to make ‘soap water‘. The Chaga was put into the fire, when it turned red (like smoldering charcoal) it was put into a bucket of hot water and then stirred until it broke into small pieces. The black water thus obtained has a strong cleaning and disinfecting ability. This ‘soap water‘ was used to wash the genitals of women during menstruation and after birth; sometimes new-born babies were also washed. It was believed that women who washed themselves with such water, never took ill. In older times it had been used instead of soap to wash the hands, feet and sometimes also the whole body. Chaga was also burned and the smoke was inhaled; its purpose was ritual cleaning.

Today, Chaga is commonly boiled into water for tea, made into tinctures and added to food to reap the benefits, which are reputed to be a result of these components:

Alkalines: Helps balance acid in the bloodstream
Polysaccharides: Supports healthy blood sugars and cholesterol levels
Phytonutrients: Contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
Organic Acids: Improves digestion and prevents constipation
Calcium: Builds and maintains strong bones
Fiber: Helps regulate bowel movements
Zinc: Boosts immune system
Magnesium: Calms nerves and anxiety and prevents migraines
Chromium: A mineral that is an essential part of our metabolic process; it helps regulate blood sugar
Iron: Increases brain function
Vitamin B: Helps convert food into fuel, which in return promotes energy

Our Chaga is wild harvested by mushroom experts Untamed Feast, from Northern Canada.

Features

  • Shipping Weight: 2oz
  • 0 Units in Stock

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