Medicinal mushrooms: immune system boosters
Medicinal mushrooms have been studied for decades. Researchers have found and continue to find a wide range of benefits especially for the immune, endocrine and central nervous systems.
Mushrooms have been prized in traditional medicine since ancient Egyptian and Chinese healers used them to promote health and longevity. But it wasn’t until 1928 that scientists learned to identify the beneficial properties of mushrooms and extract the active ingredients for medicinal use.
Medicinal mushrooms variety
There are many varieties of medicinal mushrooms. Most have wonderful characteristics that can provide benefit for overall well-being. Let’s look at a few in a little more detail to learn the benefits of each and how they compare to one another.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) – This medicinal chaga mushroom properties superstar was used in Russian folk medicine as early as the 16th century.
Mushrooms variety
Maitake (Grifolafrondosa) –
Maitake means “dancing mushroom”. It is also known as hen-of-the-woods, ram’s head, and sheep’s head. It is native to northeastern Japan and North America, and grows at the base of trees, particularly oaks.
Maitake is known in the Italian American community as the signorina mushroom.
Mushrooms types
Morel (Morchella esculenta) – The morel mushroom is one of the most aprized medicinal mushrooms. In their raw form, morel mushrooms contain a gastrointestinal irritant, but parboiling or blanching before consuming removes it.
Morel (Morchella esculenta) The only variety of mushroom more widely cultivated than the shiitake is the common white button mushroom. Shiitake mushrooms are now widely cultivated all over the world.
Reishi (Ganodermalucidum) This medicinal mushroom likely has the longest history of medicinal use. Reishi mushroom is known in Chinese as língzhī (“spirit plant”), and in Japanese as mannentake (“10,000 year mushroom”). mushrooms.
Almond mushroom (Agaricus subrufescens) Also known as mushroom of the sun, mushroom of life, and God’s mushroom, the almond mushroom has an almond fragrance and somewhat sweet taste. production of all mushrooms.
Bay bolete (Boletus badius) This medicinal mushroom is named for its bay or chestnut-colored cap. It grows in coniferous or mixed woods forests in Europe and North America, sometimes in prolific numbers.
Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) Cordyceps grows around the world, thriving best in humid temperate and tropical forests. In parts of eastern Asia including China, Cordyceps is rare and commands a high price.
The research of chaga –the altimate better health solution
He post-antibiotic world of Western Medicine is now beginning to study, evaluate, and test Chaga for the active compounds underlying its historically understood homeopathic siberian chaga benefits. As with many other natural medicinal foods and herbs, the modern medical and scientific community is coming to understand that dietary supplements offer a complex balance of active compounds, delivery mineral structures, and co-agents, more effective to sustaining a healthy immune balance than isolated compounds synthesized from these natural products. As a result, Chaga is often recognized as a health booster by many people.
The benefits of chaga
Extraction Methods for Chaga Extract
A few of the most important active compounds in Siberian Chaga mushroom are polysaccharides, phenols, variety of triterpenes, sterols and melanin. Recent research is now beginning to demonstrate that these compounds could effectively improve human health. Given this broad range of ingredients Chaga is one of the most useful mushrooms for general immune support. *
The trouble with free radicals
Every day we breathe polluted air, eat food with artificial additives, drink water, containing dozens of harmful substances, and lead a life full of stress. Scientists have found that under the influence of the above factors, formation of so-called “free radicals” takes place in the human body, which are responsible for the accelerated destruction and deformation of the body’s cells.
They can also damage DNA molecules, impairs memory and accelerates aging.
The problem lies with the structure of oxygen atoms. Normally, the nucleus of an atom of oxygen is surrounded by 8 electrons, which are combined in pairs to form a stable and safe molecule.
Antioxidants – our health’s best friend
So, how do we remove free radicals?
You now know how dangerous free radicals can be to your health, but you may not know the best natural way to control and eliminate them. It is not easy to avoid the oxidative damage associated with free radicals, but it is possible. Unfortunately, many consumers are not aware how the active ingredients in our food work to stop free radicals in their tracks.
The science behind chaga and antioxidants benefits
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) tests are among the most acknowledged methods to measure antioxidants value in food. ORAC tests measure antioxidant scavenging activity against oxygen radicals that could affect our health and foods high in antioxidants.
Chaga is unique among medicinal mushrooms. In addition to its potent immune stimulating properties Chaga has an extremely high ORAC content.
You can
see the comparison below:
Lab tests have shown that Siberian chaga extract, with its high concentration of antioxidants, has great potential to find and destroy free radicals, thereby protecting cells from the oxidation process. The ORAC value of 1,532 µmol TE/gram for Sayan Siberian chaga extract was much higher than blueberries, pomegranate, or acai extracts.
Siberian chaga extract powder
1,532
mg /100 gram
Acai Extract
1,027
mg /100 gram
Blueberries
96,21
mg /100 gram
Pomegranate
44,79
mg /100 gram
If you’re not familiar with
what makes specific foods healthy
You may be confused by comparisons of foods sources of antioxidants that claim to be best for our health. There’s no need for concern though. There are a lot of foods beneficial for a variety of health challenges, or simply when looking to alternatives for a new health regime. You will find chaga a one-stop-shop for improved health. Here we have an immune-boosting friend for life helping to support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol level and also an excellent source of best antioxidant foods. Chaga’s nutrition benefits are well documented, but let’s look at a comparison between chaga and a few other superfoods.
Avocado
Chaga contains Beta D Glucans which help improve higher cholesterol levels. This component helps to stop bad cholesterol from entering the bloodstream. Avocados are high in vitamin D and folic acid and also assist to keep normal cholesterol value.
Goji and Acai Berries
These berries contain a high amount of polysaccharides. This is a major factor in their popularity and a big selling point. This component is found in the form of pectin. Chaga has the same benefits as these berries and shares a similar history. However, Chaga’s polysaccharide is chitin, which is incredibly beneficial for humans.
Quinoa
This grain has received positive press over the past few years. It has a high level of vitamins and antioxidants. Chaga mushrooms, however, have an even higher level of antioxidant.
Spinach, Kale and other Dark Leafy Greens
Typically, beneficial for the skin, eyes and hair, leafy greens contain chlorophyll with is said to assist with the removal of toxins in the body. Chaga can be consumed with little effort when compared to greens. One needs to consume a relatively large amount of these greens to experience a real benefit.
Parsley
Once considered to be merely a garnish, parsley is actually quite nutritious. However, as with other greens, one needs to consume a large amount of parsley to experience any benefit. One can experience the same benefit with chaga tea.
Conclusion
Chaga has been around for centuries. Many civilizations have used it for general well-being and we continue to learn more about it, more and more people will likely seek it out. Research continues on the benefits of chaga. More people are growing interested and using this and other medicinal mushrooms. Your body will thank you for incorporating more into your everyday. You will likely see the benefits in your general health and overall feeling of wellness. Considering trying chaga today
