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Chaga

   Here"s an interesting article from Transform Magazine in Toronto about Chaga

A number of years ago I became aware of this fungus in an unusual way. I had gone on a "Mushroom Walk" with a woman and her family. She was a Russian Homeopath. She kept asking me if I had ever seen a "black mass" growing on birch trees. When I told her I did recall seeing such a thing before but did not pay it much attention, she suggested I keep my eyes open.

I finally spotted one and asked her why she was excited by my find. She explained that she had helped numerous people that had cancers and other stomach ailments with the black growth.

That was my introduction to this previously thought of as mysterious and magical fungus, and my quest to learn all about this unusual but effective therapeutic mushroom.

Inonutus Obliquus or Chaga, as it is known in Russia, is a fungus that grows on Birch trees in Siberia, Northern Europe and Northern Canada. It has been "folk-medicine" since the Sixteenth-century, used as a remedy against cancer and diseases of the digestive system. In Russia, along with its well-known use against cancer, Chaga is held in high regard as a tonic blood purifier and pain reliever.

In recent years, the perception of it as "mysterious and magical" changed with scientific medical literature in Russia focusing on its medicinal properties. (Hutchens)

Following clinical studies, the fungus was recommended and approved, in 1955, for public use in Russia against cancer by the Medical Research Council , under the name "Befungin". (Reid, 1976)

In 1960 the United States National Cancer Institute received a report that a decoction of Chaga was used successfully to treat cancer in Australia (Hartwell, 1971).

What Is Chaga ?

Inonutus Obliquus, also known as birch mushroom, birch clinker, polyspore, black birch touchwood and tschagapilz, is a hard, black, deeply barked, and stalk-less growth, resembling burnt charcoal, found growing on alder and birch trees. The fertile fruiting bodies are transitory and hard to find. The portion of the fungus traditionally used is the inner golden brown layer, growing closest to the tree.

Chemistry

The fungus is rich in oxygenated triterpenes, obliquol, lanosterol and inotodiol as well as some other sterols.

Pharmacology

Considering its long history against cancer, researchers in Europe tested it in labs for anti-tumour activity. A number of Russian and Polish researchers tested various extracts invitro and in vivo eventually leading to the use of the official preparation "Befungin" as an anti-cancer therapy. Anti-tumour activity was observed in extracts and by lengthy heating "decoctions" which investigators noted was the means of preparation used in folk medicine.

Chaga relieves pain and improved patient"s condition by reducing sickness and heartburn. Taken in early stages of the disease Chaga can halt the growth of tumours, and is said to be especially effective against stomach and lung tumours. Chaga is apparently non-toxic and has no side effects. It is also said to be beneficial in cases of chronic gastritis and has been used for all stomach type complaints including ulcers. (Reid, 1976)

Human Clinical Studies

A study in Poland, with 48 patients having third and fourth stage malignancies, found Chaga injections with cobalt salts to be the most effective form of preparation.

In ten of the patients, tumours reduced in size, pain decreased, hemorrhaging occurred less often and was less intense, and recovery was faster with improvement of sleep and appetite. Most of these patients were women treated for cancer of the genital organs or breast cancer. (Piaskowski, 1957)

Other clinical studies were conducted in lung cancer patients using an aerosol preparation and in inoperable genital cancer in women with and extract of chaga administered by injection and suppository (Hartwell, 1971a).

Traditional Usage

Used for many decades in Russia, Poland and most of the Baltic Countries, Chaga is a remedy for cancer - including inoperable breast cancer, lip cancer, gastric, pulmonary, stomach, skin and rectal cancers and Hodgkin"s disease. Chaga also treats ulcers and gastritis. In Western Siberia, Chaga alleviates tuberculosis, liver or heart disease, stomach ailments, worms and is an internal cleansing agent.

Preparation And Dosage

Chaga has been prepared as a tea, decoction, extract, syrup injection, suppository, tablet and aerosol (Hartwell 1971). Use the inner yellow and golden mass closer to the tree. Prepare a tea by boiling the ingredients for a few minutes. Use approximately 3 square centimeters or one tablespoon of crushed mushroom. It will produce 2.5 - 3 liters of tea to be to be taken in a dose of 3 cups per day, ½ hour before meals. Continue for 15-20 weeks with intervals of 7-10 days.

According to anti-tumour studies, boiling activates anti-tumour particles leading to tumour inhibition in mice (Lucas 1960). So, it seems that both folklore and laboratory evidence point toward boiling the fungus and administering the tea.

Related Species

Recent investigations of a closely related species, I. Radiatus, have shown that constituents extracted from this fungus also display significant anti-tumour activity (Kahlos 1989). Also, Inonutus Sciurinus, I. Tabacinus and I. Orientalis have shown high rates of tumour inhibition against Ehrlich Carcinoma and Sarcoma 180.

In conclusion, although Chaga is hard to find in the woods and even harder to find it sold commercially, some heath food stores and some Homeopaths that are familiar with it will know where to find it.

Because of it"s diverse health benefits it is well worth the search.

References

Reid, D.A. 1976 Inonotus Obliquus in Britain, trans. BR. Mycol. Soc.

Hutchens Alma R. 1973 Indians Herbology of North America.

HOBBS, Christopher 1995 Medicinal Mushrooms an exploration of Tradition, Healing and Culture. 121-124

Hartwell, J.L. 1971 Plants used against cancer Lloydia LUCAS EH 1960 Papers of the Michigan Academy of Science Arts and Letters.

Kahlos, K. 1989 Antitumor Activity of Some Extracts and Compounds from Inonotus Radiatus; Fitoterapia Vol.60 No.2.

 

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