Written by Katolen Yardley, Medical Herbalist

To view entire article with additional information, please visit: http://aeblog.alchemyelixir.com/2012/11/08/chaga-mushroom-or-fungus-also-known-as-“king-of-the-herbs”/

• Latin Name: Inonotus obliquus however it may be found under the Latin names: Polyporus obliquus and Poria obliqua
• Family: Hymenochaetaceae
• Phylum: Basidiomycota (known as a true mushroom).

Habitat

Chaga is a slow growing fungus which grows on birch trees (and is also on alder and beech trees). Geographically, Chaga is restricted to cold habitats, found growing in Russia, Korea, Eastern and Northern Europe, northern areas of the United States, and in Canada.

History of this Medicinal Plant

A healing plant of renowned value throughout the world, Chaga is thought to be one of the strongest immune stimulating medicinal mushrooms and is used today as the base natural product in over forty oncology pharmaceutical medications and compounds. Since the early 16 th century, Chaga has been documented for its medicinal actions. Traditionally Chaga was used as a common remedy for cancer, gastritis, ulcers and other toxic diseases; especially for tumors of the stomach, esophagus, lungs, genital organs and/ or breast.

Medicinal Actions

Much research has been conducted in Russia on this remarkable adaptogen fungus and more recently, health advocate David Wolfe can be found on”You Tube” educating his listeners on Chaga mushroom as a super food used daily for overall health enhancement. Chaga may help to:

• Support and enhance immune function and help improve resistance to dis-ease. Chaga also contains the full spectrum of immune-stimulating phytochemicals found in other medicinal mushrooms.
• Adaptogen properties: help the body to respond and resist internal and external stressors
• Reduce fatigue, improve vitality, endurance and stamina
• Regulate digestion: a useful anti-inflammatory agent of benefit for gastritis, ulcers and general pain.
• Improve mental clarity
• Improve physical performance
• Antioxidant and anti-aging effect
• Regulate the function of muscles and nerves
• Improve resistance to disease
• Enhance sleep quality
• Improve metabolism
• Regulate the activity of cardiovascular and respiratory systems
• Reduce pain
• Promote healthy skin and hair
• Contains antioxidant properties
• A restorative tonic and blood cleansing agent
• Contains anti viral, anti fungal and anti tumor properties.

 

To view entire article with additional information, please visit: http://aeblog.alchemyelixir.com/2012/11/08/chaga-mushroom-or-fungus-also-known-as-“king-of-the-herbs”/