One of the most well-known forest medicines is the birch parasitizing mushroom from the group of tinder - chaga. Sometimes his fruit body can be seen on aspen, mountain ash, alder. However, for medicinal purposes only fungus grown on living birch trunks is used.
What is chaga mushroom
Through the damaged areas of the bark, the smallest spores of the parasitic fungus get into the tree. They germinate, feeding on the plant sap, cause rotting of the core of the trunk and its gradual destruction.
These fruit bodies are notable for growing exclusively on trees. Externally, they are irregularly shaped growths in the form of a sponge, uneven folds. The tissue of the fruit body is dark, almost black, pierced with light veins.
A real mushroom looks like a shapeless mass grown on a birch trunk. But in the forest you can see very similar fungus parasites, also growing on trees. Outwardly, they resemble hoof. These are false fruit bodies. They do not have those medicinal properties that are inherent in this chaga.
Chaga characteristics
The chemical composition of the fungus was first investigated in the middle of the 19th century by G. Dragendorf. The scientist, having not found active substances (alkaloids, glucosides) in the composition of the fungus, lost interest in him. And only in Soviet times did research on the chemical composition of chaga resume. A mass of beneficial substances was found in the fruit bodies:
- ash elements;
- cellulose;
- polysaccharides;
- lignin;
- sterols (ergosterol, lannesterol, inotodiol);
- mineral substances (calcium, silicon, zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, sulfur, aluminum, phosphorus);
- amino acids (15 names, including glycine, glutamine, aspartic, etc.);
- flavonoids;
- tannins;
- melanins (pigments);
- organic acids (oxalic, acetic, formic, vanillic, etc.);
- lectins (have hypoglycemic and other actions).
Chaga contains a whole range of the most important bioactive elements that are able to regulate metabolic processes, prevent and correct pathological changes in the body.
Medicinal properties
Chaga has the ability to strengthen the body's defenses, improve metabolism in the brain, reduce arterial (venous) pressure. The fungus is used as a general tonic drug to improve the tone of the whole body. Tea from it is drunk at gastrointestinal disorders.
Birch fungus has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect in both internal and external use. The decoction of the inner part of the fungus (1: 5) has a hypoglycemic property. The level of glucose falls by almost 30%, reaches maximum values in 2-3 hours.
Psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis and other skin diseases associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary ducts are treated with infusions of the fungus. Abrasions and cuts are powdered to stop the process of suppuration. Used for inhalation with tumors and inflammatory processes in the larynx.
Interest in chaga is growing. Scientists have discovered the anti-cancer activity of the plant. This drug is particularly effective in the symptomatic treatment of malignant pathologies of the stomach and lungs. Chaga has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. In many patients, slows the growth of the tumor. The exceptions are patients with severe depletion of the body.
Therapeutic effect of birch fungus
Along with drugs for many diseases it is useful to take drugs derived from chagi. They strengthen and complement the main treatment, and in some cases they can be taken independently. So, birch mushroom helps to cure such diseases:
- Uterine fibroids.
- Hemorrhoids, constipation.
Atherosclerosis, hyper- and hypotension, varicose veins.- Gastritis, heartburn, colitis, flatulence.
- Prostate adenoma.
- Arrhythmia.
- Herpes.
- Belmo, glaucoma, conjunctivitis.
- Arthritis.
- Diseases of the liver, gallstone and urolithiasis pathology, nephritis and pyelonephritis.
- Bronchitis.
- Fungal lesions of the skin, dermatitis.
- Diabetes.
- Sinusitis
- Depression, neuralgia.
- Flu.
- Gum disease, periodontal disease.
Atherosclerosis, hyper- and hypotension, varicose veins.Birch mushroom based preparations help to make the main treatment more effective. It is also possible to reduce the dose of chemicals, compensating for this with their therapeutic properties.
How to collect and harvest chaga
Collect fruit bodies from live or freshly chopped old birch trees. They are removed with the help of an ax (hammer), cutting near the very trunk and cleaning it from the loose internal part. Do not collect chaga mushroom if it:
- grows at the bottom of the tree, on the dry, on the deadwood, in ecologically unfavorable places;
- reaches the size of 1-1,5 m;
- has an old crumbling fruit body.
On dead trees, chaga is imperceptibly destroyed, and the content of biologically active substances (biologically active substances) in it sharply decreases. Therefore, the quality of raw materials directly depends on where it grows.
Harvest medical raw materials can be throughout the year. The greatest biological activity is characteristic of the fungus in spring and autumn. Therefore, the benefits of such fruit bodies are many times greater. Someone prefers to go on the "mushroom hunting" in the winter. At this time, the trunks are bare, and the black spongy mass on them is visible from afar.
It is necessary to cut the fruit bodies into 3-6 cm pieces. You can dry them in different ways:
- in the attic;
- in a well ventilated area;
- in the oven (at + 60 ° C);
- in the oven.
Blackened dried mushroom pieces are stored in a glass and sealed container for at least two years.
Preparation and proper use
From the chaga at home, you can prepare various forms of medicines. Each of them is effective in certain diseases.
Chaga tea and infusion
The most common form of treatment is hot extracts from the fungus. Grinding chaga into powder, it can be added to regular or herbal tea and drink in the winter, when the amount of vitamins on the dining table is significantly reduced. Combine the fungus in one drink with birch buds, willow tea and other herbs.
Infusion chaga prepared for medicinal purposes, for example:
- From diabetes, 50 g / 1 l of boiling water, insist in a thermos day, drink a tablespoon for 0.5-1 hour before meals.
- For better bile flow, brew 2 tsp. / 2 cups of water, leave for 3 hours.
- From chronic colitis, 4 tbsp. l. mixes (Potentilla roots + alder seedlings + nettle roots + mustache chaga in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1) infuse for 8 hours in cold water (1.5 l), then boil for 10 minutes and strain.
For the treatment of various diseases, an infusion is prepared with new ingredients that, along with chaga, provide therapeutic activity to the drink.
Broth chaga in the treatment of oncology
As a prophylactic antitumor agent, it is recommended to drink the collection: chaga + city roots + marsh saplings + marsh grass gravel + common cornflower + licorice roots 2: 1: 1: 1: 1: 0.5), take 3-4 p / day fasting. All plants have a cytostatic and antimetastatic effect.
Alcohol tincture and gruel of chaga
Vodka extract of the fungus allows you to improve immunity, reduce intoxication in the body. It is used for oncological and endocrine diseases. Grind 100 g of raw materials, pour a liter of vodka. Insist two weeks. Drink a tablespoon every time before meals.
The gruel of chaga is prepared for external use, it is done simply. The plant is ground into powder, steamed with boiling water. All infused, then in the form of heat applied to the affected skin.
Chaga oil solution
Used in the complex treatment of sinusitis and other diseases. Mix strong infusion of chagi and olive oil (1 tsp. / 2.5 tbsp. L.). The composition is infused and used to lubricate the nasal sinuses, joints.
Pharmacological preparations chagi
On the basis of the birch fungus many medicinal preparations are created. They can be bought at the pharmacy, there they are freely available and a prescription for their purchase is not needed. But without consultation with a doctor or phytotherapeutist, it is not recommended to use these agents. What can help one person can easily hurt another.
So, chaga is available in the form of:
- Syrup This dietary supplement, the use of which accelerates the course of metabolic processes, improves the general condition of the body and the effectiveness of the main medical treatment. A positive effect on various organs and systems: nervous, cardiovascular, digestive and others.
- Cream Balsam. Used in the treatment of articular pathologies, such as arthritis, radiculitis and so on. The drug stops the destruction of cartilage tissue, restores the articular fluid, relieves spasms in muscle tissue. Due to its high penetrating properties, chaga improves the blood supply to the affected areas, which contributes to a better metabolism, elimination of toxins and salts.
- Foot cream. Participates in the treatment of veins, relieves inflammation and pain, swelling and cramps, eliminates capillary reticulum.
- Extract Available in different pharmacological forms (capsules, tincture, and others).
- Herbal drink. Provides an effect on cancer and ulcerative pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
Chaga, as a rule, is introduced into the complex treatment in the form of hot, oil, alcohol extracts or ointments.
Contraindications and features of treatment
Chaga is contraindicated in patients with chronic forms of colitis and dysentery. In the treatment of birch fungus, penicillin and intravenous glucose are excluded. When taking chagi, it is necessary to limit animal fats, proteins, spicy dishes, as well as adhere to the milk-vegetable diet. Chaga infusion is non-toxic, but its use is limited in case of diseases accompanied by fluid retention.
Chaga mushroom is very useful and practically has no contraindications. It can be collected at any time of the year and get excellent vitamin teas, decoctions, infusions that help to be healthy, energetic and viable.
