Chaga mushroom is one of the ugliest mushroom that you will ever see, but this fungus that grows as a parasite on white birch trees have wonderful health benefits. Chaga mushroom is widely used as a folk medicine in many North European and Russian countries since the 16th century.
Inonotus obliquus is used to treat a variety of ailments like stomach, liver, heart problems, sleep issues, stress, tuberculosis, infections, and even headaches, as reported in the Web MD. In some countries like Siberia, chaga is used as a blood cleanser and disinfectant. While chaga tea for cancer is famous in Norwegians, which is why they call the fungus kreftkjuke meaning cancer polypore.
Russian author and Nobel laureate Alexandr Solzhenitsyn introduced chaga to the world making it famous as an anti-cancer medicine. Solzhenitsyn suffered cancer himself so he found a way to help patients like him have a natural medicinal supplement.
Chaga Mushroom Tea Health Benefits
According to the article in Live Strong, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center made a study that demonstrated the anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immune-strengthening properties of chaga mushroom.
The Feng Shui London reported that Chaga is a primary adaptogen, immune system modulator, anti-cancer, gastrointestinal tonifier, and DNA protective agent.
Here are the top six health benefits of chaga tea:
- Strengthens immunity
- Soothes pain
- Supports gastrointestinal health
- Stabilizes blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Reduces risk of cancer
- Antioxidant
Chaga is rich in different vitamins, minerals and natural compounds like super oxide dismutase, polyphenols, betulin and betulinic acid, beta glucans, phytosterols, and polysaccharides. These are the main ingredients to making a superfood like chaga mushroom which can be truly deceiving at first glance.
Side Effects of Chaga Mushroom
Chaga mushroom contains beta glucans that kind of display minor side effects like other mushrooms, such as reishi mushroom. Some people taking chaga tea report experiencing dry mouth and throat, itchiness, upset stomach, nosebleed and bloody stools.
How to Brew or Make Chaga Tea Bags
Approximately 12 cups of water should be bring to boil before adding 1 teabag of chaga mushroom or one-fourth cup of chaga chunks. About 12 cups will be made by making chaga tea recipe. The solution should be heated at low heat setting for at least one hour and filtered to remove the solid mushrooms. Leave the solution overnight before consumption. Learn how to fight stress with chaga tea.
Cooled chaga tea is best served with natural honey, lemon juice, or maple syrup for added flavor.
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