Chaga Chaga Chaga!
What is Chaga and WHY is it good for you?! Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus) is considered a parasitic fungus. It has been around for thousands of years. It has been dated back to 5,300 years ago when Otzi the Iceman, was found in the Austrian Alps in 1991. He was found to be carrying a gemstone of this black gold in his pouch! How cool is that? For centuries our ancestors have been using Chaga for its powerful health benefits…so why shouldn’t we? They had seen for themselves by empirical proof that it WORKS!
Health Benefits
Chaga has not been nicknamed the “King” for no reason! The antioxidant content in Chaga is one of the highest if not THE highest amongst all other foods! It is covered by a black burnt charcoal appearance on the exterior, while on the inside, it has this beautiful golden cork. The cork is where the magical properties are. Okay, okay, Chaga is technically not magical, but it sure does seem that way. The majority of the antioxidants are in the golden flesh. These antioxidants are known to reduce inflammation throughout the body, modulate the immune system, lower blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and now studies are showing it may aid in preventing and fighting cancer! Antioxidants not only assist in neutralizing free radicals INSIDE the body, but topically on the skin as well.
According to https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-ethnopharmacology the polysaccharides within chaga were found to scavenge free radicals and protect human keratinocytes from oxidative stress. So, what are free radicals, what is oxidative stress and why is this important?
Free radicals contribute to many health problems such as cardiovascular and inflammatory disease. Free radicals are generated in the body by various endogenous systems. Let’s face it, we are exposed to chemicals, pesticides and pollutants everywhere now a days, especially in our food. These radicals become dangerous when we do not have enough natural antioxidants in our system to neutralize them. Free radicals have an unpaired electron(s) which makes them highly unstable and reactive. Therefore, they seek out other molecules in the body to gain an electron. Once that targeted molecule gives up an electron, it in itself becomes a free radical. This process continues and usually results in chronic inflammation or some other illness such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or even cancer.
This is what we refer to as oxidative stress. It is called oxidative stress once the tissues have been damaged. The damage can be internal or external. The good news is Chaga has an abundant of polysaccharides (antioxidants) that are stable and generous, which gives them the ability to donate electrons and neutralize free radicals on a large scale while remaining stable. Studies have revealed that the polysaccharides found in chaga induce changes in the gut microbiota and brings changes towards a healthy bacterial profile. If these antioxidants help the gut, what can they do for our skin? Sometimes, our skin exterior is our only indicator of what is going on in the inside.
Today, we are learning more and more about leaky gut, the gut microbiome, the skin microbiome, and how important the gut-brain connection is. Therefore, if chaga changes the gut microbiome in a positive way and if 70% of our immune system is in our gut, it is a no brainer to try this super food! Externally or internally. Am I seeing things…….or did you just witness a chaga horn riding in on a white horse, to save our free radical ridden bodies?
Last but certainly NOT least…are you ready for this little nugget of information?…..there was a recent study that showed Chaga as a potential effective NATURAL antiviral that could supplement the current anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. Yep, Chaga can even help with Covid.
At SkinBiome we forage all of the chaga used in our products by hand. They are ethically removed from Birch trees located in remote locations of the Adirondack mountains. Our chaga is prepared using a dual extraction method. This method is preferred because some constituents are water soluble (Beta-glucans), and some are alcohol soluble (triterpenes). The chaga is ground to a fine powder and soaked in Everclear alcohol for 8-12 weeks. After the 8-12 weeks, a decoction is made. To get the most constituents as possible the decoction will simmer for 24-48 hours. The end result of the tincture liquid combined will be around 30-40 percent.
Look for Chaga in our Shop!