Chaga mushroom by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

The Chaga mushroom is a parasitic fungus of the Birch tree and other trees. The sterile conk is irregularly formed and has the appearance of burnt charcoal.

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Chaga mushroom as medicine
As a medicinal mushroom, Chaga contains anti-tumor compounds. The clinical usefulness of chaga mushroom or a chaga mushroom extract in humans is not very clear at this time.

Chaga mushroom as antimutagenic
Chaga mushroom extract inhibits oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes as assessed by comet assay.
Biofactors. 2004;21(1-4):109-12. Department of Medical Nutrition, Kyunghee University, 1 Hoekidong, Dongdaemoonku, Seoul 130-701, South Korea.
The Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is claimed to have beneficial properties for human health, such as anti-bacterial, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The antioxidant effects of the mushroom may be partly explained by protection of cell components against free radicals. We evaluated the effect of aqueous Chaga mushroom extracts for their potential for protecting against oxidative damage to DNA in human lymphocytes. Cells were pretreated with various concentrations (10, 50, 100 and 500 microg/mL) of the extract for 1 h at 37 degrees C. Cells were then treated with 100 microM of H2O2 for 5 min as an oxidative stress. Evaluation of oxidative damage was performed using single-cell gel electrophoresis for DNA fragmentation (Comet assay). Using image analysis, the degree of DNA damage was evaluated as the DNA tail moment. Cells pretreated with Chaga extract showed over 40% reduction in DNA fragmentation compared with the positive control (100 micromol H2O2 treatment). Thus, Chaga mushroom treatment affords cellular protection against endogenous DNA damage produced by H2O2.

Treatment o psoriasis using "Chaga" fungus preparations
Vestn Dermatol Venerol. 1973 May;47(5):79-83. no abstract available

Chaga fungus questions
Q. I have currently been introduced to a fungus called Chaga. I am interested in the harvesting and sale of this entity.
To your knowledge, have there been any studies conducted on the effects of Canadian Chaga (New Brunswick Canada) in comparison to the Siberian Chaga? Are you aware of any markets for the wholesale of this product?
   A. We have not come across any studies comparing chaga grown in Canada to that grown in Siberia.

Chaga Fungus supplier
Thank you for showing your interest in our products such as, Labrador Tea, Chaga Fungus, Highbush Cranberry Bark, Poplar Buds, Sweetgrass and Mistik Salve. Here is a brief history about our program. The Northern Forest Diversification Centre (NFDC) is an organization which is part of and involved in northern communities in Northern Manitoba, Canada and teaches sustainable harvesting practices. As an after-care program we show the harvesters how to add value to their harvests. NFDC, operated by Manitoba Aboriginals (Indians), take these products to the market to help alleviate their economic burdens. At the present we have over 400 harvesters in 25 communities which are approximately 95% Aboriginal (Indian). This program helps the harvesters to remain in their communities so they do not have to leave family and friends upon which they depend. The benefits to the harvesters are; self-worth, revisiting their heritage, community spirit, family relations, aid in economic burdens, economic base raised in community, helping to alleviate the strain on social programs, and reduction of the high unemployment rate, to name a few. I would like to invite you to view our products on our webpage at www.nfdc.ca . We are continually growing and so is our webpage. Thank you for your patience. Please find attached our Sweetgrass Braid List, Wholesale List and Bulk Item price lists. For your convenience the prices are quoted in US dollars. I have also attached the Bulk Botanical price list (quoted in Canadian Funds). Shipping fees are all FOB The Pas, Manitoba, Canada. We have a broad spectrum of Botanicals available to us in the Boreal Forest. If you can not find the Botanical or product you are looking for on our list please contact us. If possible, we will work with your organization to meet your specifications.  I look forward to doing business with you in the near future. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Mia La Jambe, Finance/Office Manager
Interim Marketing & Sales, Northern Forest Diversification Centre
Box 509, The Pas, MB R9A 1K6, Ph#: 204-627-8622 - http://www.nfdc.ca/