An Unexpected Source of Healing
In recent years, herbal tea has seen a resurgence of popularity as people have taken new interest in the countless benefits herbal teas have to offer. Of the many teas that have begun to receive attention, one of the more peculiar options is chaga mushroom tea. Unique in the mushroom kingdom, chaga mushroom grows almost exclusively on birch trees, and resembles a large growth of burnt bark. Yet in spite of its strange appearance, this mushroom has been hailed throughout Europe and Asia as a “gift of God” for its dramatic and powerful restorative abilities. First used as a folk medicine in 16th century Siberia (and possibly earlier), modern research is now beginning to validate many of chaga tea’s historic uses, and with its high nutritional and antioxidant levels, chaga tea offers benefits for nearly everyone.
Rich in Vitamins & Antioxidants
One of chaga tea’s most impressive qualities is its high level of antioxidants, along with a variety of vitamins and minerals. Listed as one of the top antioxidant foods currently known, chaga greatly overtakes better-known antioxidant foods such as blueberries and red beans, and even rivals potent spices like turmeric, cinnamon and clove. This high antioxidant content helps to protect the cells from damage caused by free radicals, especially within the cardiovascular system. Chaga mushrooms are also abundant with vitamins, including vitamin K, vitamin D and several B vitamins. Its mineral content also includes such important nutritional vitamins as calcium, iron and manganese. While all important and highly useful, these constituents represent only a fraction of chaga tea’s impressive healing properties.
Strengthens Immune Defense
Excellent nutritional constituents is only a part of the many positive effects chaga tea has to offer the immune system. Not only does it provide nourishment for the various elements of the immune system, but its constituents also act as a natural antimicrobial, able to effectively combat numerous bacteria, viruses, fungi and even some parasitic worms. The polysaccharides found in chaga are also useful for promoting the production of white blood cells, bolstering the body’s defense against invading pathogens, and its anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties help to regulate immune response by alleviating severe inflammation and high fevers. The anti-inflammatory effect can even be useful in other areas, such as relieving digestive discomfort.
Anti-Cancer Activity
Perhaps the most remarkable of all of chaga tea’s impressive properties is its effect on cancer. Studies have shown that drinking chaga tea offers not only protective effects against cancers, but may even help to combat tumors. In such studies, it was found that betulinic acid, the primary constituent in chaga, and a number of its phytosterols may directly eliminate cancer cells – however, it is not yet known how it accomplishes this. Chaga’s immune-boosting effect is also essential for equipping the body to defend itself against cancer cells. Furthermore, chaga tea has demonstrated significant effect in helping to overcome the unpleasant side effects of cancer treatments like chemotherapy.
Preparation:
The unique nature of chaga requires it to have a longer steeping time than most teas in order to achieve its beneficial qualities. To prepare or make a cup of chaga tea, immerse one tea bag in hot water for a period of 10-15 minutes. Generally, chaga tea offers an appealing earthy taste, though it should be noted that the taste is also affected by the water that is used. Filtered water is recommended for better quality. Chaga tea may be consumed as-is, or accented with sugar, honey or lemon according to taste. It is recommended to consult with a doctor prior to drinking chaga if you are pregnant, nursing or currently taking prescribed medication.
Research continues to investigate the even greater possibilities provided by this remarkable herbal tea. While we do not yet understand everything about the workings of this marvelous mushroom, it cannot be denied that chaga tea has much to offer for those who are willing to give it a try.
If you are interested in investigating the benefits of chaga firsthand, it is imperative that you pay careful attention to the quality and source of the tea you acquire. As this is a rather unusual tea, and not as well-known as some of the more common herbal teas, it may be difficult to find in local retail, except in certain health food stores. Most likely, your best option will be to order it online. Since chaga’s unique mixture of beneficial constituents can only be found in mushrooms that have grown in the wild, it is essential that you find a company that offers wildcraft or wild-harvested chaga if you hope to enjoy any of its benefits. Our recommendation goes to Buddha Teas. This herbal tea company is dedicated to offering teas and tisanes that provide the best qualities of nature. While their chaga tea is sustainable wild-harvested, most of their teas are certified organic, and all of their tea bags are bleach-free to eliminate unwanted chemicals, leaving you with the purest natural tea possible. We hope you’ve found the articles on this site to be informative and useful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
Reprinted here from from www.chagatea.org