The lemon is a small hybrid tree cultivated from wild plants which grows to a height of 10-20 ft in height. It has mildly fragrant white flowers that produce fruit with an acidic yellow pulp. The peel of the fruit is usually light yellow and is dotted with aromatic oil glands. Lime trees are similar, but the fruits have a greenish pulp and peel that becomes yellow in maturity.

History of Lemons

Lemons were thought to have originated in China or India, having been cultivated in the region for about 2,500 years. It was originally developed as a cross between the lime and citron. They were first introduced to Europe by Arabs who brought them to Spain in the 11^th century. Like many other fruits and vegetables, lemons were brought by Christopher Columbus in his second voyage to the Americas in 1493. During the California Gold Rush, there was a high demand of lemons because of its ability to combat scurvy. People were willing to pay $1 per lemon because of its health benefits.

History of Limes

Limes are thought to have originated in Southeast Asia and then were introduced to Egypt and Northern Africa by Arab traders. The Arabian Moors brought limes to Spain in the 13^th century and was spread throughout southern Europe during the Crusades. Like lemons, limes found their way to the Americas with the help of Columbus. As limes flourish in hot, humid, climates, they were planted in many Caribbean countries. Limes were introduced in the United States during the 16^th century, when Spanish explorers brought lime to the Florida Keys. Spanish missionaries attempted to plant lime trees in California, but failed as the climate was not suitable to sustain lime cultivation.

Health Benefits of Lemons and Limes

Lemons are highly antioxidant. It is also considered as a bitter aromatic, anti-inflammatory, and has anti-infection properties. Lemon juice is high in antioxidant vitamin C, as well as vitamin A, with carotenoid and it also contains small amounts of vitamin B1, B2 and B3. It also contains high amounts of potassium, with good amounts of folate and calcium and trace amounts of zinc, copper and iron.

Because it is rich vitamin C content, lemon juice is an excellent tonic for the gastrointestinal tract and digestion, liver disorders and infections. It is also good in boosting the immune system. Lemon juice is widely known as a diuretic, antiscorbutic, astringent and febrifuge. Its cintro-flavanoids are used internally in vascular disorders. It helps with hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It is also good for sore throats and minor fevers.

Limes, on the other hand, are antiscorbutic and highly antioxidant. Limes are excellent sources of vitamins C, A and folate. It is also high in potassium and is calcium-rich. It also contains phosphorus, magnesium, iron and trace amounts of selenium, zinc, manganese and copper. Concentrated amounts of lime also shows potential in fighting against the proliferation of human breast and lymph cancers.

Cautions:

Lemon may reduce the effects of malaria chloroquine plasma concentrations. Excessive use of lime peel can interfere with anticoagulant medication. Juice from both fruits may worsen gastroesophageal reflux. Both fruits are also likely to have pesticide residues on their skin. It is wise to wash them thoroughly before use.

Pau D’ Arco Benefits

Pau d’ arco is a broad-leafed evergreen tree that grows to a height of 125 ft. The tree is native to the rainforest of Amazonia and other parts of South and Latin America. Pau d’ arco is also indigenous to the West Indian islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The tree has flamboyant magenta flowers and capsules that contain numerous seeds.

History:

Pau d’ arco has a long history in herbal medicine around the world. Its use was particularly well documented by tribes that lived in the rainforests of South America. The Guarani and Tupi Indians called pau d’ arco as tajy which means “to have strength and vigor”. It was usually ingested as a  decoction to treat a variety of conditions including malaria, STDs, cancer, dysentery, boils and ulcers. During the 1960s, Pau d’ Arco gained considerable attention in Brazil and Argentina where it was dubbed as a “wonder drug”.  During the 1980s, pau d’ arco gained reputation because of its ability to improve the quality of life for cancer and immune-depressed patients. Today, pau d’ arco is used by herbalists as a tonic and adaptogen, either as a tea, tincture or in pills.

Pau d’ Arco Health Benefits

Pau d’ arco is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, fungicidal, insecticidal, parasiticidal and virucidal. It also has anticarcinogenic and immuno-stimulatory properties. Pau d’ arco has been used traditionally as an anti-allergy, anticoagulant, antisenteric, antioxidant, antirheumatic, anti-ulcerous, antivenin, astringent, cardiotonic, diuretic, hepatotonic and laxative.

Scientists have found two active chemicals in pau d’ arco, namely: lapachol and beta-lapachone which   called naphthoquinones. These chemicals kill some bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites and also have anti-inflammatory properties.

Pau d’ arco has been used to treat Candidiasis, Herpes simplex virus, influenza, parasitic diseases, bacterial infection and cancer. Topically, it was used for skin complaints, including dermatitis and psoriasis. The herb’s compounds also purify and encourage the production of red blood cells to increase the oxygenation of the blood which assists the healing process. In Taiwan, South Korea and Brazil, recent research shows that pau d’ arco’s beta-lapachone content can assist wound-healing and block tumor growth.

Cautions:

Pau d’ arco is considered to be safe, but if used excessively in high doses, it may cause gastrointestinal upset and nausea. Pregnant, lactating women and young children should also avoid using pau d’ arco as its safety when used by these groups are still unknown. Lastly, pau d’ arco should only be used under your health care practitioner’s supervision.

Evening Primrose Benefits

Oenothera is a Genus of around 125 species of annual, biennial and perennial herbaceous flowering plants. It is native to North and South America. It is the type genus of the family Onagraceae, the Evening Primrose Family. As its name suggests, the pale to bright-yellow flowers open in the evening and close the following day. The plant also bears fruits which are hairy capsules containing numerous seeds. These seeds are released when the capsule splits into four sections when it reaches maturity.

History:

Evening primrose was a staple food for many Native American tribes. These include the Blackfoot, Gosiute, Isleta, Navajo, Keyenta and Hopi. They ate the boiled, nutty-flavoured root, and used leaf poultices (wet or dry) for sores, swellings, inflamed wounds, hemorrhoids, as a toothache medicine and to speed healing. The first evening primrose plants to arrive in European soil reached Padua in Italy from Virginia in 1614. It was then described by English botanist John Goodyear in 1621. In 1754, it was included in P. Miller’s Gardeners Dictionary. In the 17^th century, the herb was called the “King’s cure-all” by herbalists and was considered a panacea for treating most ailments.

Health Benefits of Evening Primrose:

Evening primrose has edible flowers, leaves, root, seedpod and oil. These parts are considered to be anticholesterolemic, astringent, hypotensive and sedative. It has been used to heal asthmatic and whooping coughs, gastrointestinal disorders, and to treat sores, swellings, inflamed wounds and toothaches.

The oil extracted from the seeds (evening primrose oil) contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which is an essential fatty acid required by the body for growth and development. It also contains Lenoleic acid. Since the 1930s, evening primrose oil was used to treat eczema. Until recently, evening primrose oil is now being used orally to treat a wide variety of ailments including inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, and female conditions such as PMS, menstrual cycle breast pain, and menopausal symptoms. The GLA and LA content of evening primrose oil is also said to have an effect in lowering blood pressure and it also prevents the clumping of platelets. Herbalists today recommend evening primrose oil in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver, premenstrual problems including tension and bloating, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. Some medical practitioners also believe that evening primrose oil may be good for people with multiple sclerosis.

Cautions:

Evening primrose oil should not be use by people who have epilepsy. It is also best not to take it together with drugs for schizophrenia. It can also cause headaches, nausea or skin eruptions if you take it straight-up. It is recommended that you take evening primrose together with food.

Devil’s Claw Health Benefits

Devil’s claw, also known as grapple plant, wood spider, is a plant of the sesame family and is native to South Africa. It is a prostrate, sprawling perennial vine with trumpet shaped flowers and spiky seedpods. The plant’s large tuberous roots are used medicinally to reduce pain and fever, and to stimulate digestion.

History:

G. H. Menhert, a German colonial soldier first learned about the devil’s claw in Namibia from healers of the San and Nama tribes people. He then became a farmer and let the public know about the benefits of the plant in 1904. In 1953, devil’s claw was first exported to Germany, and then was introduced into the European continent. During the 1970s, scientists demonstrated the plant’s efficacy as a treatment for arthritis.

Health Benefits of Devil’s Claw

The key components of devil’s claw are iridoid glycosisdes which are responsible for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is also considered as an analgesic, anti-arrhythmic, antibacterial, antirheumatic, bitter tonic, cholagogue, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, laxative, sedative and utero-contractant.

Aborigines used devil’s claw for fevers, blood diseases, blood purification, bleeding gums, coughs, diabetes, diarrhea, gonorrhea, gout, lower back pain, lumbago and syphilis. It is also used to stimulate appetite, helps with conditions of the digestive system including heartburn, peptic ulcers and constipation, and helps with hypertension and high cholesterol. Devil’s claw is also used to treat diseases of the gall bladder, kidneys, liver, pancreas, small joints and tuberculosis. Used externally, devil’s claw can heal ulcers, boils, sores and wounds.

In the West, devil’s claw is used primarily to alleviate joint pain including arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. It is also used to reduce menopausal symptoms. A clinical study shows that devil’s claw may reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis as effectively as other over-the counter or prescription drugs. The said study, a randomized, double-blind, parallel group study conducted in France, half of the patients received capsules containing the devil’s claw and the other half, a pharmaceutical drug. Pain measurements of all patients indicated that those taking the herb and the drug experienced similar benefits. However, the study also showed that patients taking the herb experienced significantly fewer adverse side effects than those taking the drug.

Cautions:

The safety of devil’s claw in the treatment of young children, pregnant and lactating women and those who are suffering from severe liver or kidney conditions are not yet known and it is best to avoid it completely. People with stomach ulcers or gastritis should also refrain from using the herb. People with gallstones should consult a medical practitioner before taking it. Devil’s claw can also react with existing drugs such as anticoagulants. Devil’s claw may also cause allergic reactions, diarrhea, nausea, headaches and ringing in the ears.

Ginkgo Biloba Benefits

Ginkgo biloba, or simply Ginkgo, is a unique species of tree with no close living relatives. The tree is widely cultivated and introduced, since an early period in human history, and has been used as a food and as medicine. The tree can reach a height of about 130 ft and live for thousands of years. Ginkgo Biloba is native to China, Japan and Korea, and are now being cultivated in France, South Carolina in the US, and in Iran. The tree has an angular crown and long, erratic branches, and is deep rooted and resistant to wind and snow damage.  During autumn, the leaves of ginkgo biloba turn bright yellow. The leaves of ginkgo are quite unique, fan-shaped, leathery and smooth, with radiating veins.

History:

Ginkgo has long been cultivated in China; some planted trees at temples are believed to be over 1,500 years old. But the first recorded use as an external medicine was in Lan Mao’s Dian Nan Ben Cao in 1436. On the other hand, internal use of the leaves was first recorded in Liu Wen-Tai’s imperial commissioned work, Ben Cao Pin Hui Jing Yao, in 1505. The first record of Europeans encountering ginkgo was in 1690 in Japanese temple gardens where it was seen by German botanist Engelbert Kaempfer.

Ginkgo Biloba Benefits

Ginkgo leaves are anti-allergenic, anti-asthmatic, antioxidant, antivertigo, circulatory, ophthalmic and a brain tonic. Ginkgo fruits, on the other hand, are anticarcinogenic, astringent, bactericidal, fungicide, digestive, expectorant, sedative and a vermifuge. The pulp of the fruit is used in treating pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma and bronchitis.

The seeds of ginkgo biloba, when cooked, are considered to be antitussive, astringent and sedative and are used in the treatment of asthma, coughs with phlegm, urinary incontinence and it also stabilizes the cellular process in the formation of sperm. The raw seeds of gingko are considered to be toxic which can cause seizures, but anticarcinogenic activity is now being studied.

Ginkgo biloba is an ancient remedy; its use, having been traced back to more than 5,000 years ago by the Chinese. It has been used to improve the circulation of the blood to the brain. It is said to expand blood vessels, improves peripheral arterial circulation, and it also inhibits blood clots from forming. It is also rich in flavonoids, including quercitin, which are very good in scavenging free radicals in the body. Ginkgo is also useful to the brain because of its oxygenating tonic effect which increases energy and alleviates anxiety, difficulty in concentrating, absent-mindedness, confusion, lassitude and depression. Ginkgo is also used for varicose veins to decrease claudication and to treat tinnitus and dizziness.

A study conducted in 2003 by the Department of Dermatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India concluded that Ginkgo is an effective treatment for arresting the development of virtiligo. The study reported that 40 mg of Ginkgo biloba three times per day for 6 months arrested the spread of vitiligo in 20 out of 25 participants in the active group, and induced marked (75% or greater) repigmentation in 10 of these participants.

Cautions:

Ginkgo is ideal for long-term use since it produces side-effects if used as prescribed. However, large doses can cause side-effects such as diarrhea, irritability, restlessness, nausea, vomiting and stomach upsets. Ginkgo may interact with existing prescription drugs. It should not be used by pregnant or lactating women since its safety is still arguable because of lack of research.

Benefits of Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria, commonly known as Meadowsweet, is a perennial herb in the family Rosaceae that grows in damp meadows, marshes and ditches, at the margins of ponds and river banks and in open woodlands. It is native throughout most of Europe and Western Asia. Meadowsweet has fragrant, small, whitish-green to creamy yellowish-white flowers.

Meadowsweet has also been referred to as Queen of the Meadow, Pride of the Meadow, Meadow-Wort, Meadow Queen, Leady of the Meadow, Dollof, Meadsweet, and Bridewort.

History:

Meadowsweet has a long history of herbal use. The first evidence of White-flowered meadowsweet has been found in the cremated remains of three people and at least one animal in a Bronze Age cairn at Fan Foel, Carmarthenshire in Wales. There were also similar finds found inside a Beaker from Ashgrove, Fife and a vessel from Notrh Mains, Strathallan. Although how it was used is still arguable.

Meadowsweet was first noted for its medicinal properties by the 17^th century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper. In 1883, Rafaele Piria succeeded in extracting salicylic acid in its pure state from meadowsweet.  In 1897, Felix Hoffman created a synthetically altered version of salicin which was derived from meadowsweet which caused less digestive upset than pure salicylic acid. The new drug (acetylsalicylic acid) was named aspirin by the drug company Bayer in 1899. It was named after the old botanical name for meadowsweet, Spirea ulmaria.

Health Benefits of Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet contains minerals including calcium, magnesium, sodium, and sulfur, as well as salicylic acid, flavones glycosides, essential oils, tannins and other unnamed compounds.

Meadowsweet is considered as an alterative, analgesic, anticarcinogenic, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge, relaxant, sedative, tomachic and a tonic.

As an astringent, meadowsweet together with its nutritional constituents is mild, effective and safe for children who are suffering from diarrhea. It can also be used as a digestive and cold remedy. Meadowsweet’s salicylic acid content also makes it useful in treating flu, respiratory tract infections, arthritis, rheumatism and fever.  Meadowsweet is also renowned for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Used as an oil or lotion in massage, it can provide relief to aching muscles and joints.

A Russian research conducted in 1990 also found out that meadowsweet flowers contain a Heparin-like coagulant and antioxidant properties that can be used in the treatment of free-radical pathological conditions. Meadowsweets compounds have also been studied for cancers and dysplasia. In 2007, French researchers found out that meadowsweet extract can improve the skin quality of those who are prone to acne.

Cautions:

Meadowsweet should not be used by people who are sensitive to sulphite or salicylates. It should also be used with caution by people who are suffering from asthma. Meadowsweet should also be avoided by pregnant and lactating women.

Since Bisphenol A was first synthesized in 1891 and plastics were created, it has become part of our daily lives. Depending on your age, you may have been exposed to BPA for as long as you can remember…

What is BPA?

Bisphenol A, better known as BPA, is a widely produced chemical used to produce polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is also used in canned food linings to prevent the meat from coming into contact with the can. It can also be found in infant bottles, toddler sipping cups, tableware, and food containers.

It is said that more than 6 billion pounds of BPA are produced and used each year. The use of the chemical is so widespread that it was detected in the urine in 93% of the population over 6 years of age.

BPA is an organic compound that acts similarly to estrogen once it is ingested into the body. Dozens of scientific studies have linked BPA to a variety of health issues. This has made a growing number of health experts and consumers a bit concerned of the health impacts that can be caused from long-term exposure to Bisphenol A.

BPA Dangers:

The health risks associated with BPA have been receiving considerable attention these past couple of years. Studies done on lab animals showed that the chemical can cause genetic damage. They also show that high doses of BPA during pregnancy and lactation can reduce the survival, birth weight, and growth of lab rodents. Studies also show that BPA can cause cancer, diabetes, and obesity in animals. Although the doses were significantly higher than what humans consume, it is still not known whether long term
exposure to the chemical can produce the same effects.

BPA and Heart Disease

Researchers from England reviewed data from the National Nutrition Examination surveys recently. They found out that men with the highest levels of BPA exposure were 10% more likely to develop heart disease. It is speculated that BPA suppresses a hormone that protects people from having heart attacks.

BPA and Intestinal Damage

French researchers recently published data that links BPA with the functioning ability of the intestines. The study shows that the mucosal lining of the intestinal wall of laboratory animals failed after being exposed to BPA. This caused a condition called “leaky gut syndrome” which causes toxins and bacteria in the intestine to enter the body freely and cause damage to tissues and organs.

BPA and Erectile Dysfunction

Research published in the journal Human Reproduction shows that men who were exposed to BPA 50 times the level that the average American would be exposed to were four times more likely to have erectile dysfunction and seven times more likely to have ejaculation problems.

BPA, Diabetes and Obesity

Studies conducted on animals subjects suggest that BPA causes an increase in insulin output from the beta cells of the pancreas. High levels of circulating insulin can cause a reduction in the body’s ability to break down fat, which leads to a greater risk of obesity.

How to Avoid BPA

Since plastics are everywhere in this day and age, totally eliminating BPA exposure may not be possible. But there are steps that you can take to reduce you and your family’s exposure to this harmful chemical.

1. Sensitive groups such as children and pregnant women should limit consumption of canned foods. Beverages are said to contain less BPA residues, while canned pasta and soups contain the highest levels of BPA. If you frequently use canned fruit or vegetables, wash them first before heating and serving.

2. A certain type of plastic called polycarbonates emits low levels of BPA. They are used to make sippy cups, baby bottles, food storage containers, and water bottles. Polycarbonate plastic food containers are often marked with the letters “PC” recycling label #7 at the bottom. If you see these, it is best to avoid #7 plastics, especially if it’s going to be used for children’s food or be used to heat liquids.

3. Plastics with recycling labels #1, #2, and #4 on the bottom are safer and do not contain BPA.

4. If you’re looking for baby bottles, try to find the glass versions or those made from polyamine, polypropylene and polyethylene.

5. Some metal water bottles are also lined with plastic coating. It’s best to look for those without a plastic liner.

6. Do not reuse plastic water bottles and use plastics as instructed. Also, avoid using old and scratched plastic bottles and containers.

7. Lastly, BPA leaches more when heated. It’s best to avoid using plastic containers and simply use ceramic, glass, and other microwaveable dishware.

Stinging Nettle Benefits

Stinging Nettle or simply common nettle is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa and North America. The plant has hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on its leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles that inject histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation on the skin.

History:

Since ancient times, stinging nettle has been known as a source of food, fiber and medicine. Burial shrouds made from nettle dating as far back as 2,000 BC have been discovered in Denmark.  Records of nettle infusion for the relief of arthritis have also been discovered in Egypt. Stinging nettle was also part of the Anglo-Saxon “Nine Herbs Charm” and was recorded in the 10^th-century Lacnunga manuscript. The Nine Herbs were crushed into a powder and mixed with soap and apple to make a salve and was used to treat poison and infection.

Roman soldiers also carried stinging nettle to treat their tired legs. This was also the case with Canadian and Native American Indian tribes. Russians also used stinging nettles for restorative purposes. It was also used to stimulate circulation and detoxifier by people who suffer from arthritis.

Stinging Nettle Benefits

As a food source, stinging nettle is said to benefits the body because of its Vitamin content which includes Vitamins A, C, D and K. It also contains more chlorophyll than any other herb. It also contains rich amounts of iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and sulphur.

Stinging nettle has been used to strengthen and support the whole body and the immune system. Stinging nettle is considered to be anti-asthmatic, anti-dandruff, astringent, diuretic, galactogogue, hemostatic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, pectoral, styptic, rubefacient and a tonic.

As a diuretic and laxative, stinging nettle extract have shown to be effective in treating diarrhea and urinary disorders. Used directly on the hair, stinging nettle is said to make hair shinier while preventing oiliness and dandruff. It is also used as an effective treatment for baldness and head lice. The plant is also said to reduce sneezing and itching associated with hay fever. This is attributed to nettles ability to reduce the body’s production of histamines related to allergens.

Stinging nettle as a medicinal herb is used to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and allergies. It is considered as an effective histamine blocker which can be used to treat rhinitis without the common side-effects of OTC drugs.

Freshly pressed, the juice from stinging nettle is said to be good for nervous and physical exhaustion. It is also used to treat gout because of its ability to make the kidneys excrete more uric acid.

Cautions:

Stinging nettle should not be used by people who are suffering from water retention caused by impaired cardiac or renal function. Excessive use of the herb should also be avoided by people who are on medications for diabetes and blood pressure as it may interact with the said drugs. Although dried nettle has been used as a nourishing tonic by pregnant women, using fresh nettle should not be used during pregnancy because of its uterine-stimulant properties.

Red Clover Benefits

Red clover or Trifolium pretense is a species of clover native to Europe, Western Asia and northwest Africa, but are now planted and naturalized in other regions worldwide. Red clover is a herbaceous, short-lived perennial that grows to a height of 20-80 cm tall, with alternating leaves and dark pink, fragrant, pom-pom like, flowers.

History:

Trifolium means “trefoil”, or three-leaved, while pretense is a Latin word that means “found in meadows”. The plant was named by Carolus Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist who is considered as the father of modern taxonomy, in 1753. Red clover was one of the world’s first agricultural crops and was used to treat scrofula, a condition known then as the “King’s Evil”. In the 1800s, red clover has been used as a treatment for cancer because of its high concentration of phyto-oestrogens. It is also used as a herbal remedy in Russia and China to accelerate wound healing and cure water retention. In Turkey, red clover is used as an analgesic, antiseptic and expectorant.

Red Clover Benefits

Red clover is a source of many nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine and Vitamin C. It is also rich in isoflavones which are chemicals that act like estrogen and are found in many plants. Red clover is considered as a alterative, antiscrophulatic, antispasmodic, aparient, detergent, diuretic, expectorant, sedative and tonic. It is available in a variety of preparations including teas, tinctures, tablets, capsules and liquid extract. It can also be prepared as an ointment for skin application to treat skin inflammation, eczema and psoriasis.

Red clover is recommended by Russians in the treatment of respiratory infections and congestion including bronchial asthma. The Chinese prepared red clover tea and used it as an expectorant and to treat coughs. In the West, it was traditionally used to treat inflammation and infection, including STDs and tuberculosis.

Recent scientific studies have shown that red clover contains isoflavones which are plant based chemicals that produce estrogen like effects in the body. Isoflavones have shown potential in the treatment of conditions which are associated with menopause. These include hot flashes, cardiovascular health and osteoporosis. Another study indicates that red clover may be promising for male prostate conditions.

Cautions:

Red clover is considered as safe when used for short periods of time. Although considered as safe, its effects on pregnant or lactating women or to those with breast or hormone-sensitive conditions are still unknown. Red clover may also interfere with estrogen treatments, coagulants and anti-platelet inhibitors.

Health Benefits of Chaga Mushrooms

Inonotus obliquus, better known as clinker or Chaga Mushroom, is a fungus in Hymenochaetaceae family. It is a parasitic tree fungus with the appearance of burnt charcoal or a chunk of clinker. The big black mass is not the fruit body of the fungus, but rather a mycelium with massive amounts of melanin. Chaga mushrooms grow in the birch forests of Russia, Korea, Eastern and Northern Europe, Northern United States, and in Canada.

History:

Chaga has been used and revered for its health benefits for hundreds of years. The earliest evidence of its use came from the 5,300-year-old “Ice Man” mummy discovered in 1991. It wore two walnut-sized pieces of birch chaga drilled through the middle and tied to his wrist by strands of fur. The herb was also documented by Chinese monk Shen Nong in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. In the 16^th century, chaga mushrooms were already being used in folk medicine of Eastern European countries as a remedy for cancer, gastritis, ulcers, and tuberculosis of the bones. In 1968, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn caught people’s attention with his publication the Cancer War. It was noted there that a country doctor named Sergei Maslennikov rarely had patients who contracted cancer because they drank chaga tea regularly.

Health Benefits of Chaga Mushrooms

The health benefits of chaga are diverse. These health benefits include supporting the immune system, supporting the body’s ability to eliminate toxins, stimulate the nervous system, maintain skin color and elasticity and promote youthful looks. Chaga mushrooms are mainly used for gastric disorders, as an anti-emetic, aperients, cathartic, tonic, antioxidant and immune booster. It is called “the king of herbs” and is highly prized in Siberia for its antibacterial and disinfecting properties in the treatment of gastritis and other gastrointestinal conditions. It is also used as a remedy for tumors.

In 1958 Finnish and Russian studies of chaga, it was found out that the herb has significant effects against breast cancer, liver cancer, uterine cancer, gastric cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. In 2005, it was found out that chaga produces anticarcinogenic effects via immune-stimulation. In 2008, researchers found out that chaga may provide a new approach in treating liver cancer.

Chaga is said to contain health-promoting phytonutrient compounds and antioxidants. It is also said that it contains more antioxidants that other mushrooms, herbs and fruits. It is rich in beta glucans, saponins, amino acids, belulinic acid, and natural minerals.

Cautions:

Chaga infusions are not considered toxic but may produce allergic reactions to sensitive people. Increased irritability of the nervous system may also occur if chaga is used for long periods of time or in high dozes. Chaga is also contraindicated for patients who are using penicillin or glucose given intravenously.