Siberian chaga mushroom appears as a black mass on birch trees, dead or alive. Occasionally, it may also be seen growing on hornbeam, ash, elm or beech.

Europeans have used chaga for centuries as a cure for digestive ailments, tuberculosis, and cancers of the liver and heart. [121]

The black "skin" was removed and the lighter inside boiled as tea. Being such a compact natural medicine made it a valuable, portable remedy for healers of old.

Today's scientific focus on chaga extract is primarily as an anti-tumor remedy. In fact, it was approved in Russia as a cancer drug already in 1955, successfully used to treat cancers of the stomach, lungs, breasts and cervix. [122]

A modern study conducted in 1998 showed that chaga extract does indeed inhibit the growth of cervical cancer cells under laboratory conditions. [123] Another study from the mid-90's found the active compound betulin to cause growth inhibition and death of melanoma cells, also in lab. [124, 25]

Additional research has shown cancer cell division to be decreased by some of the active compounds of the chaga mushroom. [125, 126]

Although traditional healers used to peel off the black outside (probably because it looked unappetizing), the skin actually contains 30% betulin, a highly prized medicinal compound, [127] while the inside is rich in fungal lanostanes. So both parts would be valuable in preparing the tea.

Better yet are chaga extracts made with both the mycelium ("root") and the whole mushroom fruit body. The mycelium is richer in medicinally active proteins than the mushroom itself.

Research on chaga has also reported potent anti-viral properties. Two studies on influenza virus [127] and HIV [128] were published with positive results in 1996. Chaga probably works on viruses indirectly by enhancing the human immune system, as indicated by two papers published in 2002 and 2005. [25, 129] Historical use of chaga as an anti-inflammatory may be attributed to that same mechanism. [130]

Furthermore, alcohol extract of chaga mushroom has been found to lower blood sugar levels. [131] Chaga also demonstrates significant antioxidant properties that help protect the genetic integrity of the cells. [132, 133]

As an interesting anecdote that does not relate to human health but demonstrates the curative power of the Chaga mushroom, Paul Stamets mentions a Quebec arborist who uses a chaga poultice to cure chestnut blight. It not only cures the infection but the tree even becomes blight resistant after treatment. [134]

Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes.

Credits: Thank you, Paul Stamets, for research references.

Dr. Rafael has worked in the natural health field since finishing Chiropractic College in the mid-90's. He currently focuses on medicinal mushrooms in partnership with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC, an NC business offering Chaga Mushroom Extract and much more. For the scientific references to this article, go to the Chaga Extract page and click on any number indicating a reference.

Posted under arthritis

The market is now full of products to say they can relieve joint apin and arthritis and there is a new supplement drink called supple which claims that the drink if taken every day will help to relieve joint pain. The drink will show best results when taken with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

The promoters of supple drink claim it has powerful ingredients and that over 13 million people use their product. The plan consists of you having 1 bottle per day and they claim that you should feel significant results just after 7 days. They even give you a 30 day money back guarantee. One of the main advantages of a drink compared to tablets is that it is easier to absorb which leads to a greater beneficial effect.

The drink contains glucosamine and chondrotiin. Studies have shown that both of these supplements taken together have better results. The two substances are known to relieve joint pain and are taken by many people as supplements and in tablet form. Other substances in the drink are vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

The drink does show good results but maybe not in the seven days. It takes much longer to feel the results. More like around 90 days. This also depends on your lifestyle and your diet. I think it does depend on each person and if it does not work out for you then maybe take up the refund.

Your weight can have a huige impact on your joints. Having a large weight can have great strain on some of your joints, especially the knees and hips. The drink also helps in weight loss.

Overall the drink works for a lot of people and results will vary in time depending on a number of factors. Following the steps taken in the plan will help you and keeping a balanced diet will too.

You can find out more information and readSupple Drink Reviews at http://www.suppledrink.info

Posted under arthritis

Acne is a condition that is not only traumatic on the skin, but on the emotions as well. Most everyone has experienced it at some point in his or her life, though the occurrence and severity can vary from mild and infrequent to painful and chronic. In every situation though, one is left with unsightly scars that take effort to heal and fade, and which take a toll on self-confidence. If you're looking for an acne scar cure, look at some of the treatments below to both prevent the severity of the formation, as well as to speed up the healing time.

1. Hyper-pigmentation.

Hyper pigmentation scars can and will darken if they are not protected from the sun. By wearing sunscreen on a daily basis you are preventing the dark spots from getting any darker. By logic, the darker the spot, the longer it will take to fade away.

2. Scabbing.

If you're in the stage where you are itching to pick away at the protective crust that formed over your pimple, think again. Scabs are not scars that can just be removed. If you try to peel a scab while it's still trying to heal the lesion, you are doing yourself a disservice and only increasing the possibility of permanent scarring.

3. Chemical peels for mild scarring.

This involves the application of acids on the skin in order to shed the top layer of skin and allow a new, healthier layer to emerge. It must be done by a professional and maybe require more than one visit. This is recommended for milder cases of scarring and not for deep puncture scars.

4. small incisions.

Sometimes acne will cause tethering of the skin, which results in surface undulations and a rolled appearance. In this case small incisions will allow for a needle to break up the tethering fibers and release the skin so it goes back into a smooth plane.

5. Punch excisions for pitted scars.

Traditionally called icepick scars, these give most chronic acne sufferers the most frustration. An effective acne scar cure is a technique called punch excision works to remove your pitted area with a small biopsy-style tool, and then the remaining wound is left to heal back together into a smoother surface. Any scarring that results will be very light and negligible.

As you can see, chronic acne does not have to leave you feeling bereft. Though the resulting scars can be debilitating on the soul and spirit, be aware than there are options out there that can help in a significant way. Talk to your dermatologist to assess your situation and see which option will work for you.

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Posted under depression