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

Medicinal mushrooms, hugely popular for thousands of years in the Orient, are coming in vogue today also in the West. On the coattails of their increasing popularity follow issues of quality and ethical representation between competing brands.

All medicinal mushroom species are plagued by this. Most fiercely debated is red reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), the most popular of all medicinal mushrooms. So this article will primarily focus on that species, but it's generally applicable to all species of medicinal mushrooms.

An obvious caution is to stay away from cheap, mass-produced reishi. It may be merely dried and pulverized. In order to be medicinal, the mushroom cell-wall has to be broken down. Mass-produced reishi may be mostly inert and ineffective.

Then there are the real therapeutic grade red reishi brands, which are produced with much more care. But even here there are big differences between brands. Each claims to be the best, of course, because they want to sell their product. So lets set the facts straight and be independently informed consumers.

There are primarily three ways to extract the medicinal compounds from red reishi. Each method pulls out different compounds, all of which have been proven by scientific research to be therapeutically important.

1. Water (Hot) Extraction (polysaccharides, etc.)

2. Alcohol/Ethanol Extraction (triterpenoids, etc.)

3. Fermentation (arabinoxylanes, etc.)

The water soluble compounds, primarily polysaccharides, are powerful anti-tumor agents, immune enhancers and strong antioxidants. [1]

The alcohol soluble compounds are mainly triterpenoids, a large group of related compounds. Scientific studies suggest they help stabilize cholesterol, blood pressure and clotting. Most importantly, they are the anti-inflammatory compounds so critical to many of reishi's suggested uses, including arthritis, allergies and asthma. [1]

Finally, by fermenting the red reishi, the original medicinal compounds break down to form new compounds with unique healing properties. These "secondary metabolites" have among other things been shown to be immune enhancing and help regulate blood sugar, as well as having unique anti-tumor properties. [2]

Since this article is not intended to elevate any one brand over another, no brand names will be mentioned. Nevertheless, the author does know of two highly reputed brands (American and Japanese) that claim only hot water extracted red reishi is of any value and that alcohol extracts are useless.

They do that, of course, because they wish to sell their products. However, there is no scientific validity to those claims. All three extraction methods listed above yield important medicinal compounds.

When looking for the best reishi extract, find one that uses at least the first two extraction methods in combination: Hot Water and Alcohol Extraction. Even better may be a brand that includes all three methods listed.

An additional point to keep in mind is the form the reishi comes in. Reishi that dissolves completely in a water-based liquid such as coffee probably only contains reishi from hot water extraction. As a substitute for regular coffee, this would be a superb health-choice. However, it will not contain the water-insoluble triterpenoids so valued for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Alcohol tinctures, on the other hand, are well worth considering because they may be a blend of water and alcohol extracts. The way to tell is if the tincture is cloudy. When water-soluble polysaccharides get mixed with alcohol, they fall out of solution. Cloudiness in an alcohol tincture indicates high polysaccharide content. Just shake before taking. Tablets and capsules can contain hot water extract, alcohol extract or both. You need to find out from the manufacturer.

[1] Boh B, Berovic M, Zhang J, Zhi-Bin L. "Ganoderma lucidum and its pharmaceutically active compounds." Biotechnol Annu Rev. 2007;13:265-301.

[2] Tang YJ, Zhang W, Zhong JJ. "Performance analyses of a pH-shift and DOT-shift integrated fed-batch fermentation process for the production of ganoderic acid and Ganoderma polysaccharides by medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum." Bioresource Technology 2009 Mar;100(5):1852-9.

Dr. Rafael has worked in the health field since the 1990's, currently specializing in medicinal mushrooms. He partners with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC on red reishi extract and cordyceps extract plus the newly popular mesima and more.

Posted under arthritis

Generally, most psychiatrists will prescribe benzodiazepines for anxiety, with the most popular being Ativan (lorazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam). While these medications are usually the first choice, there are however different options used that were not originally created to treat anxiety.

Certain classes of antidepressants are also prescribed to treat anxiety, though they were initially designed to treat depression. Antidepressants are different from anti-anxiety drugs in many ways. Antidepressants have a smaller risk of dependency and abuse. They also take longer to start (4 to 6 weeks) and cannot be used for sudden onset of symptoms like benzodiazepines can.

The most commonly prescribed antidepressant medication to treat anxiety is SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Medications such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Lexapro are the most common. SSRIs are commonly prescribed to treat general anxiety disorders as well as more severe anxiety such as OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder. As with any medications these come with a risk of side effects. These include weight gain, stomach upset and nausea, sexual problems, sleepiness and dizziness, nervousness, and headaches. In addition, there may also be certain severe side effects involved such as suicidal thoughts, hostility, and aggression. Furthermore, antidepressants and benzodiazepines can increase symptoms of anxiety and depression.

SSRIs:

These medications are used to treat anxiety by correcting the chemical imbalance in the brain involving serotonin. SSRIs accomplish this by making more of the neurotransmitter available to the receptor sites of the post-synaptic nerve.

A relatively new medication for anxiety called Buspirone or BuSpar works like an SSRI as it increases serotonin in the brain, thus reducing brain activity. In addition, it also reduces dopamine which is responsible for increasing heart rate and blood pressure. This medication begins to work in less time and carries fewer side effects than other anti-anxiety medications such as sedation. Furthermore, BuSpar does not cause loss of memory or coordination as well as not being habit forming like Ativan. However, the effectiveness of this medication is limited to that of generalized anxiety disorder only.

Oftentimes, Beta Blockers are prescribed as a treatment for anxiety as this disorder is known for increasing blood pressure and creating heart problems. They are also beneficial in alleviating other symptoms of anxiety including dizziness, sweating, trembling voice, and rapid heart rate. The most optimum use of this medication is in the treatment of phobias. Beta Blockers also come with a risk of side effects which include nausea, sleepiness, lightheadedness, and a very slow pulse.

Talk with your psychiatrist. He or she will ask you a series of questions and may conduct some physical tests to determine which medication, if any, is necessary. Remember to be patient as some drugs take several weeks to go into effect. However, it is important to let your doctor know if you dont feel that your medication is working or if you feel that it is causing adverse effects. You may have to switch to another prescription within the same class of drugs or to an entirely different class altogether.

Funmi Salami is an established writer who loves to write and share. She started an online classroom at Clivir.com where she provide more information about Anxiety Attack Symptoms and Herbs for Anxiety Disorder.

Posted under depression