With this one simple step, you can get a head start on self-care.
With the rise of super herbs and adaptogens, nutrient-rich wellness coffees have become increasingly popular. And it's only natural that we'd try to do some good for our bodies by using our well-established daily ritual of enjoying our favorite morning beverage. Adding an adaptogenic mushroom to your coffee is the simplest way to reap the benefits of this ancient fungus. Chaga is one of these mushrooms, and it's often found in pre-packaged wellness coffees because it's high in potent antioxidants that can help you stay healthy and prevent disease.
What exactly is the Chaga mushroom?
Chaga mushroom is a parasitic mushroom that grows on trees and resembles a burned piece of wood. It prefers birch trees, but it can also be found on elm and alder trees. Chaga finds its way into a wound or crevice in the bark of a tree and grows beneath the tree's skin until it finally bursts out as a cracked and broken projection. Unfortunately, because Chaga kills trees from the inside out, the tree is nearly dead when it juts out from the bark.
Chaga has been used to treat illnesses, restore vitality, and increase energy in cultures for thousands of years. The mushroom was utilized as a health and longevity remedy in Russia, Poland, China, and the Baltic states. In addition, the chunks of Chaga are used to produce a tea and occasionally a tincture. It's also available as a powder, though it's less popular.
The indigenous peoples of the Siberian Mountains inhaled Chaga, drank Chaga tea, smoked Chaga, and used it to make a skin poultice.
What are the advantages of Chaga mushrooms in terms of health?
B-complex vitamins, amino acids, fiber, vitamin D, potassium, copper, selenium, zinc, iron, manganese, calcium, and magnesium are just a few of the vitamins and minerals found in Chaga mushrooms. In addition, it's high in antioxidants, which help cells protect themselves from damage and slow down the aging process. Antioxidants can also lower bad cholesterol, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Chaga mushrooms are helpful in the battle against cancer by a large body of credible research. Yet, even though it has been utilized in European and Asian traditional medicine for thousands of years and has even been hailed as a "Gift from God," American scientists are only beginning to investigate its medical potential.
In a 2016 Japanese study, Chaga was shown to have tumor-suppressive activities in mice. Chaga was given to mice with cancerous tumors, and a 60 percent reduction in tumors was found, while a 25 percent reduction in cancerous nodules was observed in mice with metastatic disease.
Chaga is also an adaptogen, which helps the adrenal system control stress, reduces anxiety, and balance hormones, contributing to overall wellness.
Where can I find Chaga mushrooms to buy?
Chaga can be found in a variety of forms. Birch Boys sells Chaga harvested from loggers in the Adirondack Mountains. They buy the mushrooms from the birch trees that have already been felled. The company sells ground Chaga for tea, which it claims may be used to replace a cup of coffee in the morning for a less caffeinated boost. Topical products, such as Chaga creams, are also available.
Four Sigmatic, for example, sells adaptogen-coffee mixes that incorporate Chaga. They are typically sold as a powder mixed with hot water and consumed as a healthy alternative to coffee.
You may also make your Chaga tea by boiling Chaga pieces in water and drinking it straight away or using the tea instead of water in your coffee-making process for simple homemade Chaga Coffee.
In conclusion, should I give Chaga Coffee a try?
Barbara Moschitta, MPS, RDN, a registered dietitian and nutritionist, explains the benefits of coffee even before it gets a superfood boost "Coffee is an antioxidant in and of itself, even without the mushroom. The unprocessed green coffee bean contains about 1,000 antioxidants, with hundreds more developing during roasting." Antioxidants in coffee have been linked to lower mortality and a lower risk of acquiring Alzheimer's disease and dementia. They've also demonstrated promise in the fight against Type 2 Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and several malignancies.
Chaga can assist in boosting the antioxidant effects of coffee while also aiding digestion and reducing the jittery effect it has on the body.
It's crucial to consult your doctor before adding any supplement to your daily routine, as it is with any other. However, if you don't have any serious health issues, Chaga mushrooms could be a great addition to your regular self-care regimen.