The Surprising Benefits of Chaga Mushroom Powder
Some of nature’s best gifts come in the oddest of packages, which is definitely the case with Chaga. Although Chaga mushroom looks like a burnt lump of charcoal, it’s packed with a rainbow of vitamins and minerals necessary for life on earth. Recent medical studies have shown it has beneficial effects on the human body, including preventing cancer cell growth. That’s pretty enough for us.
What is Chaga Mushroom powder?
Chaga is a type of fungus that grows on the bark rot of birch trees in cold northern climates (vacation, anyone?). Therefore, it can be found in places like Canada, Alaska, Northeast Asia, and Siberia. It isn’t the prettiest of mushrooms and looks like a clump of dirt, picture dark black with an orange hue. It can’t be eaten raw, as the texture is like cork, so it’s usually ground into a powder. Chaga mushroom tea has been used in Asia for centuries for its natural medicinal properties.
Chaga Mushroom powder benefits
Inflammation & Immunity
When your body is under attack from toxins or injury, blood including white blood cells rush to the spot, which causes inflammation. It’s a way that your body protects itself from infection, but long term inflammation has been linked to diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
Chaga helps your body as an anti-inflammatory and immune booster. In animal studies, Chaga was shown to stimulate white blood cells and promote the formation of beneficial cytokines (proteins that regulate the immune system). Think of Chaga as providing your body with necessary back-up, sending reinforcements to keep your organs safe.
Nutrient Dense
The human body is a complicated organism. The chemical reactions and brainpower it takes even to read this sentence are nothing short of miraculous. That being said, it requires a lot of vitamins and minerals. Chaga Mushrooms are superfood powerhouses packed with B complex vitamins, vitamin D, potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium, and the list goes on. These antioxidants, in turn, have been shown to lower cholesterol, regulate blood pressure, and are anti-aging.
Cancer-Fighting
Although more research needs to be done in this area, scientists believe Chaga may aid in preventing cancer. As mentioned above, Chaga is nutrient-dense and a powerful antioxidant. It helps your body fight off cancer by reducing oxidative stress and cell damage. A 2010 study demonstrated that introducing Chaga slowed the growth of lung, breast, and cervical cancer cells. Other studies revealed that Chaga slowed the growth of tumours in lab mice.
How to use Chaga mushroom powder
Chaga has been traditionally ground down into a powder and brewed as an herbal tea. Most people enjoy it heated up with a squeeze of lemon flavour. Brewing Chaga as a tea allows you to reap all its benefits without any calories or extra effort. Not into hot beverages? No worries! Chaga powder can also easily be added to smoothies. It’s important to be conscious of adding the correct dose since too much Chaga can be harmful and upset your stomach.
