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Chaga is a sterile, barren parasitic form that looks like a piece of coal, which grows on tree bark after it has been infected with tinder fungus spores. The parasite penetrates the tree through breaks, cracks and other wounds formed earlier due to bad weather or insects. Most often this is the middle or bottom of the trunk, next to the broken branches.
Chaga can grow on a tree for 20 or more years, until it kills the tree in the final tree. In this case, the weight of the fungus can reach 5 kg, and the shape depends on the number and depth of the cracks through which the infection occurred. The parasite infects birch forests throughout Russia and beyond its borders, it is called birch fungus or beveled tinder fungus, a gift from God and a mushroom of immortality. Chaga has a special place in Japanese and Chinese medicine, as the Chinese believe that this mushroom can prolong life.
You can collect chaga at any time of the year, but it is better during the absence of foliage – in autumn or winter. In addition, at this time, the fungus is considered the most biologically active. Since, in addition to chaga, poisonous mushrooms can also grow on a birch, when collecting it, you need to make sure that this is a tinder fungus. The growths are cut down with an ax, cut down with a saw from growing or cut down trees during logging. You can not cut mushrooms from dried trees, as well as from the lower part of the trunks, as it will be poor in useful substances. For medicinal purposes, chaga is used both raw and dried.
First, the upper layer with cracks and ingrown parts of the tree bark is cut off from the fungus, and then the light brown inner layer. The middle part is suitable for blanks. It is cut into pieces no more than 10 cm and dried in dryers or ovens at a temperature not exceeding 60 ° C. Dried chaga is stored in dry bags or boxes for no more than 2 years.
Medicinal properties of chaga
Chaga is a powerful tool that has absorbed the vitality of trees. The healing properties of the birch fungus are explained by its unique composition, which includes almost all the elements of the periodic table. At the same time, scientists are still studying its components. The betulinic acid presented by the chaga birch is rich in a wide range of useful properties and has an antitumor effect.
Magnesium normalizes blood pressure, myocardial function and, in combination with potassium, improves the transmission of signals in the nervous system. Salts of potassium and sodium maintain the optimal level of water-salt balance and oxygen in the cells of tissues and organs. Iron activates the production of hemoglobin. The most powerful natural antioxidant – zinc – slows down the aging process. Manganese regulates the absorption of iron into the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the level of glucose, cholesterol and thyroid hormones, which reduces the risk of diabetes, strokes and heart attacks. This microelement also strengthens the nervous and reproductive systems.
Birch sap contains polysaccharides, aluminum, silver, cobalt, nickel, silicon, formic and oxalic acids, resins, fiber and phenols.
Rich in chaga and vitamins. Retinol helps maintain vision for many years, folic acid is necessary for pregnant women, as it is responsible for the formation of the fetal nervous system. Vitamin C restores the body’s defenses against SARS and influenza, strengthening the immune system. Tocopherol is involved in the metabolism of protein compounds, carbohydrates and fats. Nicotinic acid helps to reduce “bad” cholesterol. Chaga also contains a large concentration of B vitamins, which are necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system and energy metabolism.
Thus, birch fungus, when used correctly, is priceless for the body. In folk medicine, chaga is used to treat certain types of gastritis. The semi-dense chaga extract is the main component of the Befungin preparation for improving immunity and treating gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers.
Ready-made chaga can be purchased in the following forms:
- phyto-tea;
- chaga in packs;
- chaga oil.
Chaga contraindications
Despite the many useful properties, improper use of chaga can harm the body. As a rule, this is manifested by allergic reactions with a rash, redness and skin irritation.
You can not use birch mushroom:
- with colitis;
- with dysentery;
- if you are allergic to chaga components;
- together with antibiotics;
- with intravenous administration of glucose;
- during pregnancy and lactation;
- with neurological diseases.
When preparing infusions and decoctions from chaga, dosing, technology and rules of administration should not be violated.
Before starting treatment with chaga preparations, you should consult with your doctor.
Infusions and tea from chaga can be given to children after consulting a pediatrician not earlier than 3 years in reduced quantities so as not to provoke an allergic reaction.
Application of fungus
In herbal medicine, chaga is used as a tonic and anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as a symptomatic agent for tumors of various localization. When treating with chaga, patients are advised to give up junk food.
Women
Birch mushroom is a very useful tool for the female body. In folk medicine, chaga is used to treat endometriosis, fibroids and uterine erosions. According to one version, infusions from the fungus can get rid of infertility. Chaga infusion is taken in the same way as for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, tampons soaked in it are also inserted into the vagina at night.
For men
It has been proven that substances and microelements in the composition of chaga have a positive effect on potency and prolong men’s health. The mushroom regulates hormone levels, increases libido, and increases endurance during physical exertion.
Tea
Grind fresh or dried and pre-soaked mushroom with a knife and pour into a teapot or cup. Pour the mushroom powder with boiled water not higher than 60 ° C in a ratio of 1: 5 and brew for 2 hours with the lid closed, then strain. Keep tea for no more than a day and drink half an hour before meals.
With gastritis and ulcers
Chaga relieves pain and heaviness in the stomach and intestines, normalizing their functions and increasing overall tone. The positive effect of chaga on patients with gastrointestinal diseases is confirmed by x-rays.
Universal infusion
Rinse the mushroom thoroughly and soak in boiled water. After 5 hours, remove and grind, and leave the water for infusion. Pour a part of the chopped mushroom with infusion in a ratio of 1:5, heated to 50 ° C and leave for another 2 days. Then drain the liquid and squeeze out the sediment. To the resulting infusion, add boiled water to the initial amount.
The infusion can be stored for several days. For gastric and duodenal ulcers, take an infusion of 1 tbsp. spoon three times a day half an hour before meals.
In dentistry
Chaga preparations are also used to treat diseases of the oral cavity, putting them in gum pockets or taking them orally. The use of chaga is combined with rinsing problem areas. With gingivitis and periodontal disease, cotton swabs are moistened in a warm decoction of birch fungus and applied to the gums for 10 minutes.
Infusion
1 st. pour a spoonful of chopped chaga with 2 cups of warm boiled water and let it brew for 2 hours.
decoction
1 st. pour a spoonful of crushed chaga with 5 cups of boiling water and simmer over low heat or a steam bath for about 7 minutes.
For skin diseases
Chaga gives results in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema and other skin diseases, it is especially effective if skin pathologies are combined with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and biliary system. Chaga preparations are also used to combat herpes, papillomas, warts, chlamydia and mycoplasmas.
Healing bath
1 cup powdered chaga pour 1,5 liters of warm boiled water, cover and leave for 2 hours. Pour the infusion into a bath of water. Bathing in such a bath should take no more than 20 minutes. In parallel, you need to take infusions of chaga inside.
In cosmetology
Chaga is also used in cosmetics to maintain the beauty of hair and skin. When applied externally, ointments, creams and infusions of birch fungus give a rejuvenating effect – the skin of the face is tightened, and small wrinkles are smoothed out.
Mask for dry skin
Mix 1 teaspoon of olive oil with 2 tbsp. spoons of chaga, add a third of a glass of water, one yolk, pour boiling water and leave for an hour.
Mask for oily skin
Mix 1 teaspoon of rye flour with 1 teaspoon of honey, yolk, 1 teaspoon of Befungin. Apply the mixture on your face for 15 minutes.
Reviews of doctors about chaga
Svetlana Barnaulova, candidate of medical sciences, cardiologist of the highest category, phytotherapist:
– Chaga has long been a substitute for tea and a drink for vigor, improving immunity with anti-inflammatory effects. So, it is not toxic, but on the contrary, it has a detoxifying effect. And now we use it in collections for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, as an anti-febrile and emollient. The antitumor properties of chaga today are of great scientific interest, and the most valuable thing here is the absence of toxicity.