Cha-Cha-Chaga! 3 Ways This Funky Fungus Powers Up Your Health

Many clients who I see in my practice are dealing with issues in at least one of these categories: cancer, inflammation, and/or immune system deficiencies.

Every body is different, and so every client deserves a tailor-made protocol, which we come up with together based on their bodies’ needs. However, there is one amazing medicinal mushroom that can help with all three of these areas – chaga!

What Is Chaga?

Chaga mushroom is a medicinal mushroom (different from psychoactive mushrooms) that grows on trees in the northern United States, Russia, and other parts of Europe. It looks like a large, bumpy black growth on the side of the tree, which can be gently removed and processed into chunks or a powder. Chaga has a modest protein and fiber content, but what makes this mushroom shine is its incredibly high amount of antioxidants. Chaga’s benefits have been used for hundreds of years and it is now making its way back into the limelight! Check a few of them out below.

Chaga Helps Fight Cancer.

Please note: A cancer journey needs a trusted medical team. I would not recommend chaga as the only way to fight cancer, but it can certainly be part of the treatments. Please consult with a trusted health practitioner before adding chaga to your regimen.

Chaga has the highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scores of any food! This means the antioxidant activity in chaga is through the roof. Several studies show chaga kills cancer cells and stops tumor growth, stops cancer cells from spreading, and protects against oxidative DNA damage. Chaga also has antimutagenic effects, which means it can help stop regular cells from mutating into cancerous cells. In my practice, I have found chaga to be a beautiful addition to many clients’ protocols while on a cancer journey. To see how I guide my clients during their cancer journeys, check out my online course The Cancer Warrior: Building Resiliency The Natural Way.

Chaga Reduces Inflammation.

Inflammation is often always present when the body is in dis-easement. It can be a symptom and/or a trigger for illness in the body. (Learn more about inflammation & how to reduce it here.) Chaga has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. In fact, this study showed that chaga helped inflammation so much that it reduced allergy symptoms. Added bonus – chaga helps with fatigue and improves physical endurance!

Chaga Strengthens Your Immune System.

I can’t talk about your fabulous immune system enough! Chaga has been shown to be promising in helping heal gut microbiota – and your gut health influences your immune system. The better your gut microbiome, the stronger your immune health! Chaga can also help support your spleen lymphocytes (which are the cells that can attack viruses, bacteria, and pathogens in your body). Did you know that chaga is antiviral against HIV and Hepatitis C? Just a little bit of this medicinal mushroom a day can help strengthen your health!

How To Use Chaga

You can easily add in chaga in a few different forms! It can come in a powder, tincture, or capsules. I love adding it to warm drinks, baking, and smoothies. Here’s one of my favorite recipes…

Smooth Chaga Latte

If you’re on a healing journey and wanting to decrease your coffee intake, but still craving a warm earthy morning drink – this is the recipe for you! Allow chaga into your morning routine with this easy-to-make latte and reap the benefits of high antioxidants, less inflammation, slower aging, stronger immunity, and much more.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups clean water
• 2 tsp chaga powder
• Plant-based milk to taste (I usually love sesame milk but have also used almond milk, coconut milk etc.)
• Pure maple syrup or raw honey to taste
• Dash of cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat up water. (The amount of water is up to you – my ratio is 1 cup water to 1 tsp chaga powder.) After the water heats up, add in the chaga powder.
2. Pour this into your mug about halfway to ¾ full, and fill the rest up with your plant-based milk. Give it a good stir.
3. Add in pure maple syrup or raw honey to taste and stir again. I love adding a dash of cinnamon on top (optional). Enjoy!

More ways to get in some chaga:

(These are my affiliate links that, if you click through and make a purchase, kick back a small commission to me at no cost to you.)

• Chaga tincture*
• Chaga capsules*
• Mushroom blend (tincture)*
• Mushroom blend (capsules)*
• Chaga extract powder

*Use code NATURE15 for a discount at checkout if you wish.

I hope chaga helps bring you strong, vibrant health! For another powerhouse medicinal mushroom, check out this post on reishi.

Ignite the Healer within,
Amber Bodily

P.S. I have a new online course launching soon! I’m so excited for you to see it: The All-Natural Medicine Cabinet: Your Guide To Powerful Remedies For Common Ailments. Make sure you are subscribed here to get the latest update on launch!

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Smooth Chaga Latte

If you’re on a healing journey and wanting to decrease your coffee intake, but still craving a warm earthy morning drink - this is the recipe for you! Allow chaga into your morning routine with this easy-to-make latte and reap the benefits of high antioxidants, less inflammation, slower aging, stronger immunity, and much more.

Ingredients

• 2 cups clean water
• 2 tsp chaga powder
• Plant-based milk to taste I usually love sesame milk but have also used almond milk, coconut milk etc.
• Pure maple syrup or raw honey to taste
• Dash of cinnamon optional

Instructions

1. Heat up water. (The amount of water is up to you - my ratio is 1 cup water to 1 tsp chaga powder.) After the water heats up, add in the chaga powder.
2. Pour this into your mug about halfway to ¾ full, and fill the rest up with your plant-based milk. Give it a good stir.
3. Add in pure maple syrup or raw honey to taste and stir again. I love adding a dash of cinnamon on top (optional). Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Click here to learn how I make my sesame milk.

I love this brand of chaga extract.