The Healthy Hoff: Do You Chaga?

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Do You Chaga?

I recently got into Chaga and it's not half bad - it does smell bad and the taste is something to get used to. I credit it for turning what was destined to be a horrendous head cold into nothing more than one day of fleeting misery. I've been hooked ever since.

Chaga is classified as a tonic herb, more potent to Reishi. It's also considered an adaptogen. "Adaptogenic plants and mushrooms help to bring the body back into balance and have beneficial effects on the nervous system, immune system, the GI tract, the cardiovascular system and the endocrine system. By supporting the body and mind in these ways, adaptogens help us to cope with stress, stay healthy during the cold and flu season, fight cancer, and lift us out of the dark depths of depression and adrenal burnout." "Adaptogens gently tone and support the body systems over time and need to be taken for a minimum time of two months to develop the full effect of their healing powers. Enjoying a cup of delicious chaga tea daily during the fall and winter months ensures that your are receiving support when it is needed most."

Chaga is actually a mighty potent mushroom chocked full of phytochemicals, including sterols, phenols, and enzymes. It's also high in copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc, and iron. Translation, that's a whole lotta good stuff that you want.

Chaga also just might be the fountain of youth since it contains superoxide dismutase (SOD), the most potent antioxidant in the human body. SOD is an enzyme that halts oxidation, especially the toxicity of a free radical known as singlet oxygen. "This is the type of oxygen which is responsible for oxidizing and damaging the tissues, which results in aging. SOD blocks this damage by quenching the singlet oxygen free radical. The SOD content per gram of Chaga is exceedingly high and accounts for many of its historical powers." This anti-inflammatory affect is also great for people suffering from arthritis.

As if that weren't enough, "studies have shown that Chaga use is an effective way to fight against unwanted bacteria, viruses, and inflammation. Chaga has also been shown to have very strong anti-tumor properties."

Chaga has also been known to improve hair and help with an even tan as well as fade sun spots. But this merely scratches the surface of all the medicinal properties of this superfood.

I get my personal stash of Chaga in powder form from Four Sigma Foods, available via Amazon. This allows me to add to a hot tea, chai tea or a smoothie. Mind you most people drink this stuff straight up and claim that it tastes like coffee, I do not. In fact one of the more delectable ways to consume this miracle herb is via hot chocolate.

One daily dose keeps me calm, grounded and super immune - I won't take on cold & flu season without stocking up - it's my ace in hole. I have also recently discovered that one cup of Chaga will make back pain magically melt away...

To learn more about Chaga, check out David Wofle Presents CHAGA: King of the Medicinal Mushrooms on YouTube.

Check it out!