Despite the fact that over the past 150 years, medications obtained through chemical synthesis have been used as therapeutic agents, and in recent years, biotechnologies and genetic engineering, interest in phytotherapy not only does not wane but is even increasing.
A bright representative of folk medicine, historically used by our ancestors to treat many diseases, is the chaga mushroom. Modern studies of this popular product, along with personal experience, are rediscovering its powerful and versatile therapeutic effect.
"Forest Diamond"
The famous Persian physician and philosopher Avicenna mentioned chaga in his treatises. It is known that it was highly valued by the Kyiv prince Vladimir Monomakh, who, according to legend, rid himself of lip cancer with its help. Information about treating with chaga can be found in many reference books and folk healing manuals from the 19th century and earlier sources. Due to its powerful therapeutic qualities, it has received many flattering nicknames: "God's gift," "mushroom of immortality," "king of plants," and even "forest diamond."
With the help of chaga, I managed to cleanse my liver to the state described by the doctor who conducted the ultrasound: "It’s like that of a baby!" Achieving such an effect with the rather questionable quality of products is quite difficult.
Therefore, while wandering through the forests, I seek not only plots for my newspaper publications but also seize the opportunity to find chaga. Occasionally, I treat my acquaintances to a drink made from this mushroom, and some have even become "addicted" to chaga. A vivid example: a doctor friend of mine asked me for a few pieces of chaga to try, and now he has developed a taste for it. Every time we meet, he laughs: "I used to treat you, but now you’re treating me!"
The Son-in-Law's Experience Came in Handy
Chaga grows not only on birch trees but also on other trees. However, only birch chaga is medicinal! It looks strange: brown, sometimes black, irregularly shaped, and from the outside resembles a charred log. Inside, it is a light brown mass with mycelium streaks.
Sizes vary. More often than not, it is about the size of a fist or slightly larger. But the other day, I saw a huge lump – as big as two of my heads! It would have been an unforgivable mistake to miss such a find, knowing its value. But there was one circumstance that prevented me from taking this chaga right away – it was located at such a height that it was impossible to reach. At home, I told my son-in-law about the find and lamented my inability to climb trees. My son-in-law works in Europe and services huge wind turbines that are over a hundred meters tall. To be honest, while talking about the huge chaga, I secretly hoped that Alexey would somehow help me retrieve it.
In Two Strikes
And so it happened: he volunteered to go to the forest with me, bringing a ladder that he agreed to climb. However, when we leaned the ladder against the birch, it turned out that its length was only enough for half the height. Even a second ladder tied to the first didn’t help.
Alexey is ready for battle! Photo by the author.
There was nothing to be done: we returned home without chaga. But Alexey was already fired up with the idea, especially since there was another chaga growing on the other side of the birch, half the size of the one that had beckoned us. Calling his friend, Alexey borrowed a 12-meter extendable ladder. However, it didn’t fit in the car. Rather, it fit only partially, with part sticking out of the trunk door, which couldn’t be closed. Because of this, we inhaled exhaust fumes so much that we had to breathe clean forest air for a long time to recover.
When we arrived at the site and extended the ladder, Alexey climbed to the top and knocked down the large chaga in two strikes with an axe. Then we moved the ladder, and Alexey obtained the second trophy.
This is what chaga looks like. Photo by the author.
We drove back with the same "comfort." But we were not disheartened. The thought that we were returning with such a catch that could not be described in words was uplifting. However, ahead awaited no less challenging work: to chop these two huge growths into pieces to dry them to a stone-like state. Only in this form can chaga be stored for a long time.
Provides Strength, Adds Energy
Well, then it can be put to use: brewed and consumed as a decoction. The area of chaga's healing effects is very broad. It has been scientifically established that taking chaga enhances the body's defensive reactions, activates metabolic processes in brain tissue, improves the activity of the cerebral cortex, normalizes arterial and venous pressure, lowers harmful cholesterol and blood sugar levels, cleanses the liver, improves bile flow and the functioning of the excretory system, aids in detoxifying harmful substances, slows the growth rate and reduces the aggressiveness of neoplasms, eliminates inflammatory processes in the body, provides strength, and adds energy. It helps in the treatment of joint diseases such as arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Teas, decoctions, and infusions of the mushroom are recommended for gastrointestinal diseases, to eliminate dyspeptic phenomena, from gastritis and constipation. Chaga has long been used as a remedy for tumors of various localizations. It has been experimentally proven that it inhibits the growth of malignant formations. Chaga infusion reduces the side effects of chemotherapy and cleanses the body of radioactive materials. It is the simplest and yet most effective means of cancer prevention.
While chopping chaga, another pleasant area of application for this forest doctor was discovered: by sprinkling powder from this mushroom on cuts on my hands, I saw that the next day the cuts had healed.
It is important to note that chaga is non-toxic and does not produce side effects, so it has no restrictions, except for very rare individual intolerance.
