Chaga ‘Inonotus Obliquus’ Inonotus obliquus (chaga)is known for its antioxidant effects and has been long used as a traditional medicine in Northern Europe, Asia, and Russia. Recent research into the mushrooms for its pharmaceutical potential have discovered the compounds which are responsible for its overall health benefits. Below we will discuss the specific compounds and their corresponding benefits as proven in scientific, peer reviewed articles. This section will attempt to explain the benefits in more detail for individuals who want understand why and how this fungus can help. We encourage everyone to do their own research because it is the best way to understand topics related to the health field. Health is a very complicated and controversial subject and everyone reacts differently to different treatments.
Benefits
Chaga has a lot of benefits. Sometimes is hard to believe but do a quick google search and you’ll find that is has been shown to:
Reduce inflammation
Chaga is a natural anti-inflammatory
Helps manage arthritic symptoms as well as helping with pain relief
Good for Heart Health
Can expand blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Helps improve circulation
Helps prevent heart disease
Saponins help lowers bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol
Helps regulate blood sugars
Can hell lower blood sugar
Supports insulin production in the pancreas and improves cell responsiveness to insulin
Helps reduce stress
Reduces oxidative stress which is highly beneficial to the immune system
Boosts your immune system
High in beta-glucans which help stimulate white blood cells
Beta glucans can also prevent viruses from entering cells and reduce symptoms of Hep C, Bronchitis, coughing, asthma, autoimmune disorders, reheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory digestive disorders
Helps fight Cancer
High in Betulinic acid – known for its anti-cancer properties with little to no side effects
Combats free radicals
Can be taken in conjunction with traditional cancer treatment methods
Good for your gut health
Helps boost intestinal health reducing toxin build up in liver and kidneys and fights bacteria and viruses in the digestive organs
Helps cope with stress, adrenal burnout and depression.
The fungus can help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and adrenaline and also has been shown to boost levels of estrogen and serotonin which help improve one’s mood
Helps sleep
The fungus has the ability to stimulate the endocrine system and boost melatonin levels which are known to improve sleep
How Soon to see results? Medicinal mushrooms generally support the various systems and organs over time. Some individuals may experience results as quick as 1 to 2 weeks while others may notice slower improvements over months of use.
Warnings If you have a medical condition, are taking medications, or are pregnant or nursing, consult your healthcare professional before using this product.
Cancer Fighting Abilities Chaga has been proven to prevent and even eliminate cancer cells in a variety of situations. While research into this topic is new, there is promising research to suggest that Chaga can in fact fight cancer. The main preventative effect chaga can have is through its antioxidants. Polyphenols, triterpenoids, and steroids such as lanosteral, inotodiol, and trametenolic acid help reduce oxidation and prevent damage to cells. Oxidative stress damages cells, proteins and DNA in our bodies which can contribute to aging along with a host of other health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases likeAlzheimer’s. Antioxidants in Chaga scavenge free radicals in the body and help prevent damage to these cells and provide a genoprotective effect. Melanin found in fungal sclerotia (the black crust)of chagahas also been shown to contain strong anti-oxidant and cyto-protective effects. Chaga fungusmycelia has potential for clinical use in cancer prevention and treatment. The endo-polysaccharides present in chaga extractshelp boost your immune system to fight disease and viruses. The stronger your immune system, the better you fight diseases including cancers. A 2009 study found that triterpenes found in chaga can actually cause cancer cells to self-destruct (apoptosis) and unlike other cancer treatments chaga doesn’t harm healthy cells. Sclerotia of chaga is the black crusty layer on the exterior of the chaga. Fungal sclerotia contain hetero-polysaccharides and homo-glycan which showed strong “anti-tumor effects while polysaccharides from cultured mycelia did not” (Y.Kim, et.al, 2005). Therefore chaga from natural sources has actually be shown to be better for cancer fighting purposes. Another reason why buying from Sleeping Giant Chaga is a great idea! Our chaga is sourced from pristine boreal forests surrounding Thunder Bay. Anti-inflammatory Abilities Chaga has been shown to help fight inflammation. Inflammation usually starts as an immune response but can also be a result of chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chaga has been shown to help regulate the cytokine production process which helps control inflammation. Cytokines are proteins produced by cells that act as molecular messengers between cells. Cytokines regulate various inflammatory responses, and as part of the immune system, help regulate the body’s response to disease and infection. Promoting Gut Health Chaga is thought to also help people who are experiencing abdominal distress such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD, CD and UC patients showed “increased free radical derived DNA damage” (M. Najafzadeh et al. 2007). As previously stated, compounds found in chaga can help reduce this DNA damage though its geno-protective effect and help reduce symptoms of CD and UC. It is recognised that oxidative stress is universally accepted as an important factor in the pathogenesis of IBD. Chaga’s antioxidant activities have been shown to protect against oxidative stress in lymphocytes obtained from IBD patients. Furthermore, significant differences in response to DNA damage were also shown between treated and untreated lymphocytes from CD and UC patients. Previously, we discussed chaga’s anti-inflammatory activities which may also play a role in reducing the effects of IBD and IBS. Therefore, “it could be a possible therapeutic agent or as an adjunct to treatment in patients or be a useful supplement in healthy individuals to generally inhibit excessive oxidative stress.” (M. Najafzadeh et al. 2007). Sources: Review on Chaga Medicinal Mushroom, Inonotus obliquus (Higher Basidiomycetes): Realm of Medicinal Applications and Approaches on Estimating its Resource Potential - Mikhail E. Balandaykin1,* & Ivan V. Zmitrovich2 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Zmitrovich/publication/273099088_Review_on_Chaga_Medicinal_Mushroom_Inonotus_obliquus_Higher_Basidiomycetes_Realm_of_Medicinal_Applications_and_Approaches_on_Estimating_its_Resource_Potential/links/54f6eb8f0cf21d8b8a5edd11/Review-on-Chaga-Medicinal-Mushroom-Inonotus-obliquus-Higher-Basidiomycetes-Realm-of-Medicinal-Applications-and-Approaches-on-Estimating-its-Resource-Potential.pdf In Vitro Antitumor Activity and Structure Characterization of Ethanol Extracts from Wild and Cultivated Chaga Medicinal Mushroom, Inonotus obliquus (Pers.:Fr.) Pilát (Aphyllophoromycetideae) - Yong Sun,1 Ting Yin,1 Xian-Hui Chen,1 Gong Zhang,2 Rempel B. Curtis,3Zhan-Hui Lu,4* & Ji-Hong Jiang1*