Chaga

I don't think the tea is bad at all. But the active components don't come out easily. It really needs to be boiled in water and then extracted with ethanol and the water and ethanol extracts combined. Pain in the ass. So I just take a capsule full of the powdered fungus daily. Actully, powdering it is no easy task. It is very hard. I used a chisel and big mallet to break it into pieces small enough to go into the meat grinder. That produced smaller pieces. Then those pieces went into the grain mill. That produced course powder. That went into caps.
 
You can extract Chaga in a crockpot for a couple of days on low heat. Here is a friend's recipe.

1 bottle of wine (I like Merlot)
1 liter of distilled or purified water.
1 tsp. of sea salt
4 Tbsp. of ground Chaga

Keep it on low heat for a couple of days with lid on. It will reduce a bit. Filter it and keep it in dark colored bottles. The slug that come from the Chaga when filtered can be reused again.


I forgot to add:

You can tinker with the dosage yourself. There are no known side effects that I am aware of. But do your own research.
 
Last edited:
How does it compare to spirulina I wonder? I've been taking spirulina for almost a year now. It too, is considered a super-food.
 
Chaga Fudge Recipe

Chaga powder
Cacao powder
Coconut oil
Raw honey
Vanilla Extract
Himalayan Pink Sea Salt

Toppings of your choice: I use goji berries, crystallized ginger, and mulberries.

I am sorry to say that I don't measure anything! Pretty much ever. So you've got to go with feel here.

I like to use almost the same amounts of chaga to cacao, (let's say a few tablespoons of each for a smaller sized batch) but a little more chaga than cacao. Get a large bowl and work in the coconut oil and the honey with a spoon (start with about 2 TBSP each), until you get the right consistency and sweetness. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of pink sea salt. Once it's all good and blended you can roll them into shapes. This is fun because it's like playdough. Kids love this! My 4 year old son loves it when I make them into hearts. Pick up little cookie cutters at a kitchen store and get creative.

Not only is this functional medicine, but it's fun and delicious. Especially for kids who desire sweets, you can feel good about offering them something that is sweet, yet healthy for their immune systems and won't leave them with a sugar spike since chaga has blood sugar balancing properties.
After you have your desired shape, add a topping to make them oh so fancy. You will impress your friends and the crystallized ginger really blends nicely with the flavors in the fudge. Then pop them in the fridge. They will harden into the perfect consistency. If you leave them out they tend to stay a little too gooey. Better to just store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat them.

This fudge recipe is not limited to chaga. I have made Chaga/Ashwagandha fudge, reishi fudge, chaga/spirulina/chia seed, ashwagandha/shatavari...sky's the limit!!! I mean let's be honest here, what herb won't taste good after adding some form of fat and honey?!

Chaga fudge will last for a while. There is nothing really in the ingredients that goes bad quickly. If you don't want to add cacao, you can add carob, or nothing at all. Just the chaga, coconut oil and honey is delicious too. This base recipe is intended to inspire other ideas, so please, if you have found this helpful, I'd love to hear what you come up with in the kitchen too!

Yours in health and herbal fudgeness,
Melanie Rose
http://www.rosebearmedicinals.com/blog/chaga-fudge-recipe
 
donnay said:
Chaga Fudge Recipe

Chaga powder
Cacao powder
Coconut oil
Raw honey
Vanilla Extract
Himalayan Pink Sea Salt

Toppings of your choice: I use goji berries, crystallized ginger, and mulberries.

I am sorry to say that I don't measure anything! Pretty much ever. So you've got to go with feel here.

I like to use almost the same amounts of chaga to cacao, (let's say a few tablespoons of each for a smaller sized batch) but a little more chaga than cacao. Get a large bowl and work in the coconut oil and the honey with a spoon (start with about 2 TBSP each), until you get the right consistency and sweetness. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of pink sea salt. Once it's all good and blended you can roll them into shapes. This is fun because it's like playdough. Kids love this! My 4 year old son loves it when I make them into hearts. Pick up little cookie cutters at a kitchen store and get creative.

Not only is this functional medicine, but it's fun and delicious. Especially for kids who desire sweets, you can feel good about offering them something that is sweet, yet healthy for their immune systems and won't leave them with a sugar spike since chaga has blood sugar balancing properties.
After you have your desired shape, add a topping to make them oh so fancy. You will impress your friends and the crystallized ginger really blends nicely with the flavors in the fudge. Then pop them in the fridge. They will harden into the perfect consistency. If you leave them out they tend to stay a little too gooey. Better to just store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat them.

This fudge recipe is not limited to chaga. I have made Chaga/Ashwagandha fudge, reishi fudge, chaga/spirulina/chia seed, ashwagandha/shatavari...sky's the limit!!! I mean let's be honest here, what herb won't taste good after adding some form of fat and honey?!

Chaga fudge will last for a while. There is nothing really in the ingredients that goes bad quickly. If you don't want to add cacao, you can add carob, or nothing at all. Just the chaga, coconut oil and honey is delicious too. This base recipe is intended to inspire other ideas, so please, if you have found this helpful, I'd love to hear what you come up with in the kitchen too!

Yours in health and herbal fudgeness,
Melanie Rose
http://www.rosebearmedicinals.com/blog/chaga-fudge-recipe
Click to expand...

This looks awesome. I've been planning on experimenting with making healthy 'Almond Joys'. One of my all time favorite candies. So, I'm thinking about starting this way:

cacao nibs
coconut oil (Aunt Patty's - it's a thick cream for those who don't know that)
shredded, dried coconut
raw honey
organic raw almonds

I thought I'd mix the coconut oil with the coconut flakes just thick enough to form bars (on wax paper).
Press almonds on the bars, refrigerate.
Grind the nibs into a powder (this can be tricky), and then mix them with the honey and warm it, but don't simmer because of course, it loses its nutritional value.
Let the nibs sit and dissolve completely into the honey. Periodically stirring well.
Spoon the cacao/honey mixture over the bars. (may need to warm mixture up again).
Refrigerate

All natural, all healthy. Not sure what the caloric value is though, probably fairly high, but hey, if it works, I won't feel as guilty eating these. :D
 
Deborah K said:
This looks awesome. I've been planning on experimenting with making healthy 'Almond Joys'. One of my all time favorite candies. So, I'm thinking about starting this way:

cacao nibs
coconut oil (Aunt Patty's - it's a thick cream for those who don't know that)
shredded, dried coconut
raw honey
organic raw almonds

I thought I'd mix the coconut oil with the coconut flakes just thick enough to form bars (on wax paper).
Press almonds on the bars, refrigerate.
Grind the nibs into a powder (this can be tricky), and then mix them with the honey and warm it, but don't simmer because of course, it loses its nutritional value.
Let the nibs sit and dissolve completely into the honey. Periodically stirring well.
Spoon the cacao/honey mixture over the bars. (may need to warm mixture up again).
Refrigerate

All natural, all healthy. Not sure what the caloric value is though, probably fairly high, but hey, if it works, I won't feel as guilty eating these. :D
Click to expand...

Have you ever heard of Coconut Truffles?

Take Organic Unrefined coconut oil and scoop out with melon ball scooper. (about 20) It is rolled in cacao powder, coconut sugar and minced toasted Almonds (or any nuts you would prefer). I like the Almonds. They are really fabulous.

I may add to the dry mix some Chaga. I think it will be great.
 
donnay said:
Have you ever heard of Coconut Truffles?

Take Organic Unrefined coconut oil and scoop out with melon ball scooper. (about 20) It is rolled in cacao powder, coconut sugar and minced toasted Almonds (or any nuts you would prefer). I like the Almonds. They are really fabulous.

I may add to the dry mix some Chaga. I think it will be great.
Click to expand...

Oh dayem. The cravings are starting. A trip to the health food store is in my near future. lol.
 
Deborah K said:
Oh dayem. The cravings are starting. A trip to the health food store is in my near future. lol.
Click to expand...


You can even toast your coconut flakes and add to the dry mix too. There are many different ways you can make these. I was even thinking of using dry Goji berries to it as well.

Christmas this year is going to have these--much to my husband's chagrin. :)
 
10 Natural Solutions For Boosting Your Immune System - See more at: http://www.naturalblaze.co

10 Natural Solutions For Boosting Your Immune System

by Alanna Ketler

Everybody gets sick from time to time, some more often than others. Most people do tend to get sick more often in the colder months. Is this because the cold weather causes the cold symptoms? No. It’s because the air is dryer which makes it easier for viruses to travel, and generally people are not getting enough sunlight and water intake. Instead of reaching for that bottle of symptom suppressant, over-the-counter drug, why not opt to heal what caused you to develop the cold in the first place, and boost your immune system?


Below are the top 10 remedies for treating the common cold naturally, and boosting your immune system.

1. Vitamin D

This is one of the most overlooked and perhaps most effective remedies for treating the common cold. It is important to get as much sunshine and fresh air as you can during the colder months, but sometimes it is just too cold, and it’s nice to just curl up inside with a blanket, hot tea and a good movie. Consider taking a high dose of vitamin D3 daily, but even higher when you are sick. Some experts recommend taking 10,000 international units or more of Vitamin D3 to get yourself back to normal health.

2. Honey

Make sure to purchase raw, organic, unpasteurized honey. Not only can this boost your immune system, but it treats cold and flu symptoms as well. Honey has a diverse array of antioxidant, antiviral and antibacterial nutrients. It also mixes well with a few of the ingredients that will be mentioned below.

3. Ginger

Like honey, ginger is an amazing healer, which also has anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger has long been known to ease nausea, which can be very beneficial if you have a cold. It also helps to warm the body, which is beneficial in assisting with the expelling of toxins and other invaders. Try mixing some fresh grated ginger root with some honey and hot water.

4. Oil Of Oregano

Potent, yet, disgusting! I kid you not, this powerful oil will open up your sinuses and leave the most awful taste in your mouth - but it works! Each little, disgusting droplet contains antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant properties that can directly fight off cold and flu bugs in your body.

5. Onion

There are many different ways that onions are said to help prevent and even cure colds and flu including: cutting an onion in half and placing it in the room of the sick person. Rumor has it that the onion will absorb the bacteria and the virus. Another modality involves cutting a white onion in half and putting each half against each foot of the person who is sick and securing each onion in place with a sock before bed. These may sound crazy, but many people swear by these techniques. Check out some more information on these methods here. For those who are a bit more skeptical, try eating onions, raw and cooked, whichever way you like, while sick. Onions are rich in sulfur-containing compounds; sulfur is a powerful detox element that helps the body to release toxins.

6. Cinnamon

Cinnamon has extremely high anti-oxidant activity and the oil of cinnamon has strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. To treat your cold, try adding a cinnamon stick to boiling water for 2 minutes or so, drink the water as is or mix it with some honey and lemon.

7. Pepper

The capsaicin that is present in pepper helps to thin mucous and provide relief from congestion. While sick, try eating more pepper on your food than you normally would, or try gargling a teaspoon of black pepper mixed with some warm water. You can also benefit from smelling pepper throughout the day. Caution: this may cause you to sneeze a lot!

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

Because cold viruses tend to cause the body to become overly acidic, which makes it harder for the immune system to fight off the virus, apple cider can do wonders to alkalize the body. While this powerful vinegar has amazing healing benefits which you can read more about here, it is also quite unpleasant. Try mixing it with warm water, honey and lemon to make it a bit more bearable and you’ll be better in no time!

9. Vitamin C

This vitamin is a powerful immune booster and also an excellent remedy for both treating and preventing colds. Many experts believe that an extremely high dose of vitamin C (2,000 mg or more) can be very beneficial for treatment. If this seems like too much for you, consider eating lots of vitamin C rich foods such as peppers, leafy greens such as kale, kiwis, berries citrus fruits, (try juicing these) and many others.

10. Chaga Mushroom

Chaga mushroom, also knows as “The Gift From God” by the Siberians and the “Mushroom of Immortality,” is a fungus that grows on birch trees. There are far too many benefits to list here, so I will stick to how it helps to treat a cold and write a whole other article on all of these amazing benefits of the chaga mushroom. One of the many active constituents of the chaga mushroom is beta glucans, which can boost the immune system, and treat the common cold, flu, allergies and many other ailments. Try boiling a piece of chaga mushroom with hot water and adding turmeric and honey.

http://www.naturalblaze.com/2014/11/10-natural-remedies-for-conquering.html#sthash.uAsnujnp.dpuf
 
Chaga mushroom: Nine potential health benefits

Impressive article on Chaga.

Chaga mushroom: Nine potential health benefits

By Zawn Villines
Reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT

chaga-mushrooms.jpg



Chaga mushrooms contain a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

The chaga mushroom grows on birch trees throughout the northern hemisphere. It resembles a dark clump of dirt more than a mushroom, but is distinguished from other growths by its orange tissue.

Doctors, alternative medicine advocates, and researchers are increasingly interested in the potential health benefits of the chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus). Some studies on chaga mushrooms have yielded promising results.


1. Nutrient dense superfood

Chaga mushrooms are rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including:

B-complex vitamins
vitamin D
potassium
rubidium
cesium
amino acids
fiber
copper
selenium
zinc
iron
manganese
magnesium
calcium

2. Preventing and fighting cancer

Increasingly, researchers are taking seriously the possibility that chaga mushrooms may be able to prevent cancer and slow its growth.

Chaga is rich in antioxidants, which are chemicals that help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals or oxidants. When the body is unable to produce enough antioxidants to prevent this damage, oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress can cause cancer and a host of other health problems.

A 2010 study found that chaga could slow the growth of lung, breast, and cervical cancer cells in a petri dish. The same study also found that chaga could slow the growth of tumors in mice.

A 2009 study found that triterpenes, the compounds found in chaga and some other mushrooms, cause tumor cells to self-destruct. Unlike other cancer treatments, however, chaga does not appear to harm healthy cells.

Although other studies have found similarly promising results, they have all been carried out on animals or in a laboratory. To prove the anti-cancer benefits of chaga conclusively, researchers will need to conduct extensive studies on humans.

3. Lowering cholesterol

Chaga mushrooms contain many antioxidants that may reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called "bad" cholesterol.

High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for heart disease, so chaga mushrooms could be useful in the fight against cardiovascular disease.

4. Slowing the aging process

Oxidative stress causes physical signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and gray hair. Exposure to sun, pollution, and other sources of damage create too many free radicals for the body to neutralize, which accelerates the aging process of the skin.

In theory, supplying the body with more antioxidants could slow the aging process, or even reverse visible signs of aging.

Although no research has conclusively linked chaga to anti-aging benefits, its effectiveness in fighting other forms of oxidative stress suggests that it could also fight aging.

5. Lowering blood pressure

Research suggests that oxidative stress is a contributing factor for high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more prone to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular health issues.

Chaga's antioxidants could have a potential role in lowering blood pressure and preventing poor cardiovascular health.

6. Supporting the immune system

Cytokines are the immune system's chemical messengers. They are proteins that play a vital role in stimulating white blood cells, which are the immune system's first line of defense against a range of illnesses.

Some research on mice suggests that chaga may help regulate the production of cytokines, supporting the immune system by helping cells communicate with one another. This could help fight infections, from minor colds to life-threatening illnesses.

7. Fighting inflammation

When the body is fighting an illness, inflammation supports the fight. But sometimes, inflammation transitions from a short-term attack to a chronic health problem.

Some illnesses, particularly chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to inflammation. Recent research suggests that some conditions that are not considered inflammatory, including depression, may be partly due to chronic inflammation.

Chaga's role in regulating cytokine production may also help control inflammation. This points to a role for chaga in fighting autoimmune conditions and possibly some other diseases.

8. Lowering blood sugar

Chaga might also have a role in the fight against diabetes.

A 2006 study found that chaga mushrooms could lower blood sugar in rats. The rodents were genetically modified to have diabetes and to be obese. After eating chaga mushrooms for 8 weeks, their blood sugar levels were lower.

Though no research has been done on humans yet, this suggests that chaga might contribute to an alternative treatment for diabetes in the future.

9. Preventing drug side effects

Research is still in its infancy, but if chaga proves effective at fighting illnesses such as cancer and arthritis, it could be an alternative to traditional treatments.

Treating people with chaga mushrooms could prevent them from experiencing the side effects of other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and various medications prescribed for chronic illnesses.

How to use chaga mushrooms

Chaga mushroom is available as a supplement and in herbal teas.

People planning to make their own chaga supplements, or who wish to incorporate chaga into their diet, should consult a doctor before doing so. The right daily intake of chaga varies depending on treatment goals.

Chaga is not a substitute for other forms of medical care, so people who have conditions such as cancer, diabetes, or high blood pressure should continue with their usual treatment.

Instead, chaga can be incorporated as a supplement under the direction of a doctor.

Risks of chaga mushrooms
As with other supplements and medications, chaga carries some risks. It can also trigger side effects and may interact dangerously with some medications.

Because chaga lowers blood sugar, it can be dangerous for people taking insulin and other blood sugar-lowering medications.

To reduce the risks of using chaga mushrooms, a person should consider the following:

Continue taking all prescribed medications, as chaga is not a substitute for traditional medicine.
Tell a doctor about all medications being used. As with other drugs and supplements, chaga may alter the effectiveness of various medications.
Write down any side effects from chaga use. Though rare, chaga can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Trouble breathing, changes in heart rate, and loss of consciousness are medical emergencies.
Avoid using other herbal supplements while taking chaga, unless a doctor advises otherwise.
Research supplement brands and buy from reputable sources, as chaga is not monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Click to expand...
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318527.php
 
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