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Why Use Siberian Chaga?
There
have been more than a hundred species of medicinal mushrooms found to
inhibit the growth of different kinds of tumors, especially cancers of
the stomach, esophagus, and lungs. But chaga seems to stand out from the
rest. This is a mushroom that commonly grows in northern regions on
birch, alder and beech trees. However for medicinal purposes only birch
chaga can be used. Because of its close association with birch trees, it
is often referred to as the "Birch mushroom". Unlike most mushrooms,
chaga is a polypore, a fungus with pores instead of gills. It has the
appearance of a black, irregular, cracked mass, grows on tree trunks and
is most often sterile. It is not cultivated but wild-crafted.
Chaga
draws its nutrients out of living trees, rather than from the ground.
Fungi digest food outside their bodies by releasing enzymes into the
surrounding environment, breaking down organic matter into a form the
fungus can then absorb. A look at the research on chaga shows a similar
pattern with respect to its effect on tumors. Scientific research
regarding the effects of chaga have centered on its common folk uses.
The anti-cancer properties of betulin or betulinic acid, a chemical
obtained from birch bark is now being studied for use as a
chemotherapeutic agent. Chaga contains large amounts of betulinic acid
in a form that can be ingested orally, and contains the full spectrum of
immune-stimulating phytochemicals.
Siberian
Chaga contains 215 phytonutrients including 29 polysaccharide or beta
glucan derivatives.
Siberian
Chaga, unlike the other medicinal mushrooms has an exceptional amount of
Betulinic acid and SOD (Super Oxide Dismutase) content. SOD is an
extremely potent antioxidant enzyme that fights cellular damage from
reactive single oxygen molecules, also known as free radicals. Research
suggests that SOD may be the most important enzyme in our body for the
control of free radicals, keeping our cell membranes young, supple, and
healthy. SOD is one of the most important anti-oxidants in our body.
Chaga has far more SOD than Vitamins C, E and foods like barley grass,
seaweed prunes, fish oils, and aromatherapy essential oils.
Preparations from chaga can be applied as an active biogenic stimulator,
which increase protective forces within the human body, stimulate the
central nervous and neurohumoral (they increase the activity of
estrogens) systems of organism, improve metabolism including activation
of metabolism in cerebral tissue, restore activity of stagnant systems,
regulate the activity of cardiovascular and respiratory systems,
stimulate the homogeny (increase the level of leukocytes), act as the
over-all strengthening means, increase the resistibility to infectious
diseases, possess antipyretic properties during the internal and local
application, strengthen the cytostatic activity of antitumorigenic
preparations, detains increase of tumors, causes their gradual
regression and slows down the development of metastases, i.e. they
themselves possess cytostatic action. In this case the health of
patients considerably improves, their fitness for work is restored, and
general tone rises.
Chaga
restores the resistibility to harmful organisms and increases its
protecting mechanisms directed towards the fight with malignant tumors.
Furthermore, Chaga possesses spasmolitic, diuretic, antimicrobial,
reparative properties, it normalizes the activity of the
gastrointestinal tract and intestinal micro flora, and contributes to
the cicatrisation of stomach ulcers and duodenum, manifesting gastro
protective properties. The external use of chaga manifests the
antipyretic, healing and anaesthetizing action, protects the skin from
harmful effect of the environment and virus infections, it removes
edemas and contributes to restoration of the healthy state of skin.
Dove
Health Alliance - September 27, 2005
According
to The Korean Nutrition Society:
1) Chaga Increases
the defense reactions of an organism
2) Stimulates
metabolism in brain tissues
3) Has an anti-inflammatory effect when used
internally and externally
4) Is an antioxidant
5) Delays the growth of some kinds of tumors
6) Lowers arterial and venous blood pressure
7) Regulates the heart
beat.
8) Decreases sugar level in blood
According to The Russian Medical Academy:
1) Positive effect on lung cancer and liver cancer
2) Calms the nervous system
3) Proven medically, it effects
positively various
stomach diseases and ulcers
4) Stimulates the immune system
The antimutagenic action of the molecules found in the white
part of birch bark where chaga feeds inhibit free-radical
oxidation and induce the production of interferons, which help
induce DNA repair. The substances, contained in white part of
birch bark contribute to the decrease of hypoxia and to
increase of the stability of organism to the oxygen
deficiency, being antihypoxant correcting the metabolism of
cells.
The
anti-cancer properties of betulin or betulinic acid, a chemical isolated
from birch trees is now being studied for use as a chemotherapeutic
agent. Chaga contains large amounts of
betulinic acid in a form that can be ingested orally,
and it also contains the full spectrum of immune-stimulating
phytochemicals found in other medicinal mushrooms such as maitake
mushroom and shiitake mushroom.
Since
the 16th century, Chaga Mushroom has been used in folk medicine and the
botanical medicine of the Eastern European countries as a remedy for
cancer and gastritis, ulcers, tuberculosis (TB) of the bones. In 1958,
scientific studies in Finland and Russia found this mushroom provided an
epochal effect in breast cancer, liver cancer, uterine cancer, and
gastric cancer, as well as in hypertension and diabetes.
What recent medical research revealed about Chaga's
Secrets
Chaga contains an extraordinary amount of
phyto-nutrients such as Beta Glucans, Polysaccharides, and
other synergistic anti mutagenic and anti viral minerals,
amino acids and nucleosides.
John Pezzuto of the University of Chicago is quoted as
stating “the activity of the Betulinic acid is one of the most
promising discoveries among 2500 plant extracts studied.”
The Betulinic acid contained in Chaga covers the full spectrum
of immune stimulating effects found in similar medicinal
mushrooms such as Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms.
Russian and Japanese medical professionals both contend
that Chaga is 100 times more effective than Ganoderma Lucidum or
Phellinus Linteus. The International Agriculture Development
Institute in Korea confirms such claims.
The Japanese Cancer Society claims Chaga plays an important
role in combating cancer. Chaga reinforces the membrane of the
cancer cells and prevents them from spreading. The Gandodelan A-B is responsible for blood sugar
maintenance. Chaga activates the immune system and arrests
the excess production of allergen. Gandodelan A-B does lower
blood sugar content in white mice clinical studies
by 60-89% in seven hours.
Chaga contains high levels of Beta Glucan
polysaccharides, a proven and potent anti cancer agent. Maitake does as well and many clinical studies attest to its
potent anti viral and anti tumor effects. The Beta Glucans are
powerful immune boosters, not by killing virus or cancer cells
directly, but by stimulating the body’s ability to set up
cellular defenses.
Numerous studies also indicate
that a 50% reduction in glycemic
peaks are achieved due to the Beta Glucan effects on
cholesterol levels.
There are over 1600 research papers on Beta Glucan activity
including studies from Harvard Medical School, National Cancer
Institute, the Department of Agriculture and others. These
studies prove Beta Glucan are external immunomodulators that
can
keep one’s immune system in a highly prepared state, ready for
combat against cancer like cells.
Research Reports:
Chaga's Inhibiting Effects on Tumor Growth: Rzymowska 1998
Extract Betulin inhibits tumor growth: Noda et al 1997
Anti-Mutagenic effects on Chaga: Akiko Saitoh, Chizuko Sato
& Kazuhito Niiyama 1996/08
Effects of the Extracts from fungus Inonotus Oliquus on
Catalase level in HeLa and nocardia cells: A. Jarosz, M Skorska, J. Rzymowska, J. Kochmanska, E
Malarczyk Vol 137 1990
Effects of Aqueous extracts from Inonotus Obliquus on the
Mitotic Index and Enzyme Activities : J. Rzymowska Vol 137 1998
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