Chaga

What is Chaga mushroom?

Chaga, innonotus obliquus, birch tea is a parasitic fungus that most often settles on birch trunks, from which it received another of its names - black birch mushroom. It can also grow on walnut, rowan, alder and other trees with damaged bark, under which spores fall. Developing, the birch chaga mushroom forms a characteristic black shapeless growth on the tree - sclerotia. This formation in a dense protective shell, which allows the fungus to wait for favorable conditions, germinate, release "traditional" fruiting bodies and give spores. It is the sclerotia that is used to obtain biologically active additives and is being studied by scientists to obtain useful components.

Healing properties of chaga mushroom

There are numerous in vitro and in vivo animal studies in which scientists study what chaga helps with:

• cancer;
• gastrointestinal problems;
• psoriasis;
• herpes, HIV and a number of other viral and bacterial diseases;
• cardiovascular disease

How does chaga mushroom work?

The main active ingredient is betulinic acid, which the fungus produces while parasitizing on the bark. This substance has also been found in the mycelium of birch fungus grown on other plant substrates, but in smaller quantities. Betulinic acid stimulates the production of the enzyme topoisomerase, which inhibits the proliferation of some types of cancer cells and promotes the development of apoptosis (programmed cell death) in malignant tissues.

Among the substances important for the body, chaga contains:

• polysaccharides, including beta-glucans with a high immunomodulatory effect;
• sterols: lingosterol, as a bioavailable precursor of vitamin D2; lanosterol, which participates in protein structuring processes;
inotodiol with activity against cancer cells;
• melano-glucan complexes with a pronounced antimicrobial effect;
• pterins, which also have an antitumor effect.

Chaga also contains oxalates, so it is recommended to take it with caution if you have urolithiasis and kidney disease.

Buy birch chaga mushroom in the Papa Nature store

Our online store sells chaga in two of the most popular forms:

• Chaga birch mushroom powder is a crushed sclerotia, in which the content of beneficial components corresponds to the natural level in the fruiting body of the mushroom. Their concentration can be increased by brewing chaga tea or making an alcohol tincture;
• Dry extract of birch chaga mushroom is a product of extraction of beneficial components, i.e. initially it has an increased content of them. Such a preparation can be taken without prior preparation, simply by washing it down with water.

The price of chaga mushroom may vary depending on the form of release and packaging size. To buy chaga from Ukraine, select the appropriate type of preparation, add it to the cart and place an order online. We will promptly process the application and deliver the goods worldwide.