{"id":11994,"date":"2019-03-11T11:01:21","date_gmt":"2019-03-10T22:01:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ascensionkitchen.com\/?p=11994"},"modified":"2020-06-22T10:59:56","modified_gmt":"2020-06-21T22:59:56","slug":"chaga-mushroom-hot-chocolate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ascensionkitchen.com\/chaga-mushroom-hot-chocolate\/","title":{"rendered":"Chaga mushroom hot chocolate"},"content":{"rendered":"

‘Shroom Hot Chocolate?! It’s actually delicious – and a great way to provide antioxidants, promote stamina and support the body’s natural immunity.<\/em><\/p>\n

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We're making a delicious, creamy 'shroom brew today guys! I've always wanted to try out a Chaga Mushroom Hot Chocolate - what a fun way to incorporate a wonderful functional food into your day with some pretty impressive health benefits.<\/p>\n

My suggestion - jump on down to the recipe, make yourself a brew, then pop back up to read all about the benefits. Exciting stuff!<\/p>\n

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👋 Meet Chaga: Inonotus obliquus (higher Basidiomycetes)<\/h2>\n

Chaga is not actually a mushroom, but a parasitic fungus that grows on Birch trees throughout the northern hemisphere.<\/p>\n

It grows like a big black mass<\/a><\/span> on the trunk. Chaga must be collected from mature Birch trees – living or freshly cut, as the active constituents in are destroyed in those harvested from dry standing and fallen trees {1<\/a>}.<\/span><\/p>\n

You’ll find chaga mushroom growing in Canada, northern parts of the United States, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Japan, South Korea, China and northern Europe {2<\/a>}.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chaga has been used in Siberian and Baltic medicine for centuries, for tuberculosis, diabetes, stomach ulcers, gastritis, intestinal worms and polyps, as a cancer preventative and anti-tumour agent, to modulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and to protect both liver and heart {3<\/a>}.<\/span><\/p>\n

Traditionally, chaga has been taken as an infusion (a hot water extract) using a small piece of mushroom (1-2g), or a tablespoon of crushed mushroom, three times a day {4<\/a>}.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Nobel Prize winning Russian novelist Alexandre Soljénitsyne, referenced chaga’s use in Siberian gulags in his novel, The Cancer Ward.<\/p>\n

Health authorities associated the widespread consumption of chaga infusion with a decreased incidence in cancer at the time. It was finally officially included in the Soviet Pharmacopeia in 1955.<\/p>\n

Recently, scientific investigations have supported traditional use with evidence of its ability to exert a range of therapeutic effects – from antioxidant support, to immune and inflammatory modulation, to anti-tumour actions.<\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=\"Chaga Mushroom Hot Chocolate - a surprisingly delicious tonic to provide stamina and immune support. Recipe and key benefits here.\" username=\"laurenglucina\"]<\/p>\n

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🍄 5 chaga mushroom benefits<\/h2>\n

Chaga mushroom has an array of biologically active constituents. These include polysaccharides (particularly, beta-glucan), triterpenes, polyphenols, betulin and betulinic acid (the latter are derived from the host birch tree).<\/p>\n

To date, a search of PubMed reveals there are 192 published studies on chaga. All of which are either in vitro<\/em> or animal studies – there are no human clinical trials as of yet, that I can see.<\/p>\n

This isn’t unusual in the world of science – it is very rare that there is funding available for research on herbs (or fungi) that ultimately can’t be patented.<\/p>\n

A lack of scientific evidence however does not by any means discredit a long history of efficacious empirical use.<\/p>\n

As Shikov et al.<\/span><\/a> state so eloquently – herbal and natural remedies are the product of hundreds of years of careful observation of their therapeutic effects and risks; thus their properties are quite well known.<\/em><\/p>\n

Regardless, in the studies we do have – it is clear to see there is emerging evidence to validate traditional use. Here is a brief summary…<\/p>\n

💥 Antioxidant effects, protection against oxidative damage<\/h3>\n

Extracts of chaga mushroom have been found to exert super-oxide dismutase (SOD) like activity. SOD is an enzyme your body produces, to neutralise the damage done to cells by superoxide radicals.<\/p>\n

Chaga extracts have also been shown to be as protective as catalase against hydrogen peroxide – another, more potent oxidiser, produced by reactions in the body {5<\/a>, 6<\/a>}.<\/span><\/p>\n

This protective effect has been found in cell cultures from patients with inflammatory bowel disease {7<\/a>},<\/span> and in pancreatic beta-cells with hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage {8<\/a>}.<\/span> This demonstrates it could have potential in protecting against inflammatory disorders and diabetes.<\/p>\n

To elaborate a little on the significance of this - both SOD and catalase are known as a primary antioxidants as they sit at the top of the ‘antioxidant pyramid’ (yes, there’s such a thing!).<\/p>\n

As enzymes, they can literally quench billions of free radicals per minute, over the span of several days before exhausting themselves.<\/p>\n

In comparison, dietary antioxidants – known as secondary antioxidants - such as vitamins A, C and E, carotenoids and flavonoids, can only quench one free radical at a time, so are rapidly used up.<\/p>\n

Billions vs one.<\/p>\n

The diagram embedded in this article<\/a><\/span> provides the perfect illustration.<\/p>\n

An excess of oxidising agents such as hydrogen peroxide, relative to antioxidants, lead to oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and other macromolecules – this plays a significant role in the development of many diseases, age-related illnesses and cancers.<\/p>\n

So, to think chaga is potentially on par with the antioxidant big guns is quite exciting!<\/p>\n

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😷 Immune support<\/h3>\n

Medicinal mushrooms have an immune-modulatory effect on the immune system. This means they can both stimulate and inhibit depending on conditions.<\/p>\n

The type of extraction method seems to influence the effect on the immune system. Water based extracts have been found to activate immune cells, whereas ethanol extracts inhibit {9<\/a>}.<\/span> This is due to the differing solubility of the constituents in the solvent.<\/p>\n

One study found an immune-stimulatory effect on bone marrow cells from immunosuppressed mice using a water extract {10<\/a>}.<\/span> Another similarly provided evidence (in vitro<\/em> and in vivo<\/em>) that polysaccharides isolated from chaga mushroom have a strong stimulatory effect on cells of the immune system {11<\/a>}.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chaga and other medicinal mushrooms may therefore be helpful in supporting the immune system across quite a spectrum – from the common cold, to more serious infections.<\/p>\n

🦠 Anti-viral<\/h3>\n

One study took a water extract of chaga, and examined its anti-viral effects against hepatitis C in cell cultures. The authors found it reduced the viral infective properties 100-fold within 10 minutes {12<\/a>}.<\/span> Similarly, it has shown efficacy against HIV virus in cell cultures {13<\/a>}.<\/span><\/p>\n

🧬 Anti-cancer activity<\/h3>\n

Chaga mushroom has been shown to inhibit growth and proliferation of various cancers in vitro<\/em> (lung cancer, cervical cancer, human hepatoma) {14<\/a>, 15<\/a>, 16<\/a>}<\/span>. A few studies have found anticancer effects in rats.<\/p>\n

Anticancer effects may be due to its antioxidant effects, its cytoprotective effects, ability to induce cell death in tumor cells, or modulate the immune system.<\/p>\n

There are currently several different anti-tumor drugs on the market at present, in Japan, China, Russia and Korea, developed from the mycelium and fruiting bodies of various medicinal mushrooms, including chaga {17<\/a>}.<\/span><\/p>\n

⚡️ Promotes stamina, reduces fatigue<\/h3>\n

Polysaccharides isolated from chaga mushroom were found to promote stamina and alleviate fatigue in some incredibly stressed mice (poor darlings), with no toxic effect on major organs {18<\/a>}.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chaga, like other medicinal mushrooms (such as reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane and shiitake) is classed as an adaptogen.<\/p>\n

Adaptogens are non-toxic natural substances that help the body adapt to stress, support normal metabolic function, and help restore balance (Winston & Maimes, 2007).<\/span><\/p>\n

Regular intake may help enhance the body’s resilience and maintain optimal homeostasis.<\/p>\n

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⚠️ Chaga mushroom cautions<\/h2>\n

I can’t tell you if chaga is right for you – please consult with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or have a serious health condition, are on blood thinners or other medications. Always follow the dosage guidelines.<\/p>\n

☕️ Chaga mushroom hot chocolate<\/h2>\n

And now for the fun part! Having given up coffee in the new year, I’d been really missing that comforting morning drink. This has been a delightful substitute. My morning rituals are complete again!<\/p>\n

It couldn’t be easier to make, either. Simply make a black tea with chaga powder and hot water, then add to a blender with coconut milk, cacao and raw honey – blend and enjoy. It will froth up café style which is quite lovely.<\/p>\n

Hot tip – my partner loves his with a dash of vanilla for a flavour twist.<\/p>\n

🍵 More delicious, health-supportive tonics<\/h2>\n