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.

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If you're looking for all natural depression medication options, you may be wondering if vitamins for depression can be as effective as prescription medications. Actually, research has shown that for some people, nutritional supplements may be very effective at addressing the most common symptoms of depression. In fact, there are many natural health care providers that rely on this approach.

Without getting into a debate on this subject, suffice to say that nutritional supplementation is not the accepted, mainstream method of treatment in the US. In the European Union and some other countries, all natural depression medication like SAM-e and herbs like passionflower are regularly prescribed for depressive disorders.

If you've tried the common prescription medications and have not been completely happy with the results, know that there are vitamins and nutrients that research has proven are just as effective as prescription drugs. Plus there are almost never any unpleasant side effects.It is now known that nutritional deficiencies are often the cause of both physical as well as mental and emotional symptoms. This is why diet adjustments along with vitamins and nutrients can often provide depression symptom relief.

The nutritional supplements for depression include:

* The nutrient SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) is naturally found in abundance in the body, but levels tend to decline with age. There are many important processes in the body that involve SAMe, and current neurological research suggests that it plays an especially important role in brain and nervous system function.

* Omega-3 fatty acids-a type of fat that is lacking in many people's diets, because dietary sources are limited. Oily fish are the primary sources. Some researchers feel that a lack of omega-3s is the underlying cause of the increased incidence of depressive disorders seen in industrialized societies. Low blood levels of an omega-3 called DHA are associated with major depressive disorders, including suicide.

* 5 HTP-an amino acid complex found in a variety of foods. The body uses it to create serotonin, a feel good brain chemical. Effective for sleep disorders, anxiety and depression.

* Vitamin B-complex has been known for a long time to play an important role in neurological functions, as well as many other processes in the body. It is especially important when depression, anxiety and stress are an issue. B vitamins help to maintain energy levels and a healthy nervous system.

If you try some of these supplements for depression and anxiety and find that they are ineffective, it could be the fault of the manufacturer. SAM-e capsules, for example, must be protected by an enteric coating or individually wrapped in foil. Otherwise, sunlight quickly degrades the nutrient.

The companies which produce the highest quality supplements will often use an enteric coating. This protects the fragile nutrients from being destroyed by stomach acids, and ensures that they are released in the small intestine where they will be better absorbed.

Since depression and anxiety symptoms involve both the mind and body, it's important to pay attention to dietary choices. After making healthy diet adjustments, vitamins and supplements for depression can help to provide additional benefits which can help to make up for any gaps in dietary nutrients.

Come by Max Wardlow's website about natural dietary remedies to learn more about natural depression supplements.

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The problem of having tinnitus is one that can be extremely irritation and exhausting and can totally affect the way people run their lives. The problem is caused by a variety of different things and is categorised by a general ringing or buzzing in the inner ear that only you can hear. Because there are so many different possible reasons for someone having the problem, there is no definitive cure. However you will be able to find a natural tinnitus cure in most cases that will enable you to reduce the symptoms and live a normal life.

As said, there is no true cure for tinnitus. It really depends on what has caused it as to whether you will be able to get rid of it or not. For example, if the problem has been caused by a simple build up of wax which is impacting on the ear drum then this can be sorted out by your doctor or even yourself at home. However, often tinnitus will be due to a more serious underlying medical condition in which case you will only be able to get rid of the tinnitus by curing the more serious issue.

Therefore, it really depends on what the cause if as to whether you will be able to fully cure the problem. However, there are ways to find a natural tinnitus cure that will help you to lessen the issue. One such cure would be to make sure that your lifestyle is more healthy. You know what they say, prevention is better than cure, and this is completely correct. If you cut down on things like drinking and smoking then you will be less likely to get tinnitus.

Another natural tinnitus cure is to tone down the noise around you. This means avoiding loud noise that will exacerbate the problems you are already facing, or wearing ear plugs or ear muffs when you find yourself in a noisy place.

It has also been seen that tinnitus is far more serious for people during the night when there are no other sounds to distract them. Therefore, it is a good idea to listen to some relaxing music or have some natural sounds playing in the background when you go to sleep.

Another major cause and something which serves to exacerbate the problem is stress. Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercise and yoga are great ways to reduce your stress levels and therefore reduce the issue.

Last of all you could look to put a warm compress on your neck before you go to bed or even massage the region as well. This will help to stimulate the circulation in the area and should help.

Finding a natural tinnitus cure that will work for you may take a bit of time. This is because there are so many different possible reasons why you might have the condition. The first thing to do, however, is to make sure that you go to see your doctor straight away as your tinnitus might be a symptom of something far more serious.

If you are tired of having that ringing in your ears, then you should look for a natural tinnitus cure. The tinnitus miracle review has gained many of fame as many say it works.

Posted under depression