This superfood fungi is often known as the “King of all Mushrooms”! If you’ve never heard of it you are not alone but at the same time people have been known to take Chaga mushroom for many reasons as its proven to help with your heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, parasites, stomach pain, and certain types of cancer. It has endless benefits and the very reason why there’s so much buzz about this disease fighting superfood.
Chaga mainly grows on the outside of birch trees in very cold climates. Chaga mushrooms grow wild in places like Siberia, northern Canada, Alaska, and some northern areas of the continental United States. What do chaga mushrooms look like? They tend to be lumpy with an exterior that looks similar to burnt charcoal.
Chaga mushrooms antioxidant content is extremely impressive and one of the top foods out there. However, their nutrition content is lacking. Below, is a nutritional rundown on Chaga mushrooms. They are low in calories, very high in fiber and free of fat, sugar and carbohydrates.
Five grams of chaga mushroom contains about:
- 5 calories
- 0 grams fat
- 0 grams carbohydrates
- 0 grams sugar
- 5 grams fiber (20 percent DV)
- 1 gram protein
Health Benefits of Chaga Mushroom
- Anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antibacterial properties.
- A huge immune booster and modulator (but can also lower an overactive immune system as well).
- Anti-cancer.
- Improves your skin repair and DNA protection
- It is high in superoxide dismutase (SOD), an important enzyme that functions as a powerful antioxidant. All together it gives your body seven different antioxidants.
- Finally, its also a free radical scavenger in your body
Other Notables:
It has been known to prevent and treat cancer. According to the Memorial Sloan Cancer Center, “Laboratory and animal studies show that Chaga can inhibit cancer progression. Studies in humans are needed.” In fact, in one study, tumor-bearing mice who supplemented with chaga extract experienced a 60 percent tumor size reduction. Meanwhile, mice with metastatic cancer (tumors spread to other parts of the body) had a 25 percent decrease in their number of nodules compared to the control group.
Another study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology looked at the effects of chaga mushroom on cancerous human liver cells. The research reveals that chaga extract may be able to prevent liver cancer cell growth, making it a potential treatment for cancer in the liver.
Improving Your Physical Endurance
In animal studies, chaga has significantly improved physical endurance. One study published in 2015 found that when mice were given chaga mushroom polysaccharides the mice were able to swim longer, the glycogen (fuel) content of both muscles and liver increased while lactic acid levels in the bloodstream decreased. Put that all together and it’s a recipe for less fatigue and better endurance.
How to Use Chaga Mushroom
So you are probably thinking how you would consume Chaga Mushroom? Chaga mushroom is available as a supplement in the form of a capsule, tablet or tincture online and in health food stores. You can also find Chaga coffee or Chaga tea that includes chaga mushroom alone or in combination with other mushrooms such as cordyceps.
Some of the most common medicinal mushrooms in mushroom tea and mushroom coffee are:
- Chaga
- Cordyceps
- Reishi
- Lion’s mane
- Turkey tail
Mushroom coffee is said to be less acidic and have less caffeine compared to regular coffee. A cup of mushroom coffee typically has around half of the caffeine content of a regular cup of joe. What about the taste of mushroom coffee? Makers and drinkers of this interesting brew claim it doesn’t taste like mushrooms and that the added mushrooms taste similar to the coffee itself!
If you want to make chaga mushroom tea at home, it’s not difficult at all. Of course, first you’ll need some raw chunks of chaga mushrooms or chaga mushroom powder.
How to Make Chaga Coffee
How to Make Chaga Tea (1 serving)
First make sure you cut the Chaga into chunks and you can watch the video on how to make Chaga coffee as I demonstrate how its done. You can also grind the chunks into powder form using a coffee grinder and use about 2 teaspoons of the powder.
1. Insert the mushroom chunks into a mug or the mushroom powder into a diffuser and into the mug.
2. Pour 1 cup of boiled water into the mug.
3. Let the mushroom chunks/powder steep for 3 minutes.
4. If you would like, you can add a little lemon juice, raw honey or maple syrup to taste.
Possible Side Effects and Caution
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s best to avoid chaga mushrooms because their use has not been studied in pregnant and breastfeeding women. If you are currently taking any medication or being treated for any medical condition, check with your doctor before you add chaga mushroom to your diet. Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, always speak to a health professional about the best dosage of chaga mushroom for you.
Auto-immune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — Chaga mushroom can make the immune system more active, which could lead to increased symptoms of auto-immune disease.
Diabetes — Chaga may decrease blood sugar levels in diabetics.
Bleeding Disorders — Chaga may raise the risk of bleeding. So it’s best not to use chaga mushroom if you have a bleeding disorder.
Surgery — Stop using Chaga at least two weeks before any type of surgery since chaga may increase bleeding risk and/or affect blood sugar control during and after surgery.
My Thoughts on Chaga Mushroom
I’ve been drinking Chaga for almost 8 years now and I felt noticeable changes when I first started. Since then I drink it regularly in cycles and sometimes not drinking it for a month or two and it just depends how I feel. When I do drink it I feel vibrant and recharged. People have used Chaga mushrooms traditionally for centuries in Russia and Northern European countries. Those countries have used it to supplement their health, boost their immune system, and even fight cancer.
I generally drink it as a coffee or tea and its a great way to add into your diet by drinking this superfood. I can say it tastes great and it will give most people a balanced feeling and energy. Fresh homemade Chaga tea will definitely give you more of that mushroom flavor and if you aren’t use to the flavour you can start off by drinking Chaga coffee. I can say you won’t be disappointed, its very easy to make, and you’ll definitely enjoy the taste along with the health benefits!
