The chaga mushroom grows on birch trees throughout the northern hemisphere. It resembles a dark clump of dirt more than a mushroom. Chaga has gained popularity in the recent times, and we love to make a tea out of it!
If you are trying to avoid coffee for the sake of caffeine consumption, chaga tea is for you. It has a very "coffee-like" flavor to it, and I love to brew it slowly in my crock pot with added unsweetened dark chocolate and cinnamon sticks. It is absolutely DIVINE!
Today I'm sharing my simple recipe below, but check out all of the benefits of consuming chaga, you may be surprised how a simple mushroom can benefit you so much!
Ingredients:
6 cubes organic dried chaga mushroom tea chunks click HERE
2 sticks cinnamon
4 oz unsweetened dark chocolate
12 cups purified water
Stevia (if desired)
Directions:
In a large crock pot, pour in the water. Add the chaga mushroom chunks, cinnamon sticks, and chocolate. Set to low and allow to cook for 8 hours.
Remove the chunks of chaga and cinnamon sticks. Store in glass jars and keep refrigerated up to 2 weeks. Enjoy hot or cold!
Add sweetener as desired.
Right out the gate, chaga is definetly considered a superfood!
Chaga mushrooms are rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including:
B-complex vitamins
rubidium
cesium
amino acids
fiber
zinc
iron
manganese
Preventing and fighting cancer Some studies suggest that chaga mushrooms may slow the growth of certain cancer cells. 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. 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.
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 chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to 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.
