chaga mystery

白樺茸學名：Inonotus obliquus，又名白樺蕈（英語：Chaga mushroom）、樺樹菇、樺褐孔菌、西伯利亞靈芝、樺孔茸和樹蘑菇，是一種屬於刺革菌目的真菌，主要分布於溫帶地區。該真菌為藥用真菌，在俄國和東歐民間用作藥物。
白桦茸，别名桦褐孔菌，是一种生长于白桦树上的药用真菌。主要生长在北半球北纬40°~50°的地区，即俄罗斯西伯利亚、远东地区、北欧、日本北海道、朝鲜、中国北部的黑龙江、吉林长白山等处。 自十六世紀以來，已有白樺茸用作為民間醫藥和草藥的例子。那時的東歐國家把白樺茸當作藥物，以治療癌症、胃炎、潰瘍及骨結核等疾病。该真菌活性极强，会不断吸取桦树养分，大约10~15年之后会把桦树的精髓吸收殆尽，使白桦树枯死。
2010年有評論指出：早在十六世紀，白樺茸就在俄羅斯和北歐被用來作為一種有效的民間醫藥，在沒有人類所不能承受的副作用下，用於醫治許多惡性腫瘤及其他疾病。」在同一份評論中，亦提到白樺茸中含有豐富的次生代謝物，包括酚類化合物、黑色素等。其中的部分成分具有抗氧化，抗腫瘤，降低病毒活性和提高人體免疫力，預防感染的作用。不過，因其僅分布於寒帶且生長緩慢，所以白樺茸並不多見。1958年，芬蘭和俄國的科學家還發現白樺茸具有預防乳腺癌、肝癌、子宮癌、胃癌、糖尿病及高血壓的效果。
白桦茸化学成分有多糖、桦褐孔菌素、桦褐孔菌醇、多种氧化三萜类化合物、栓菌酸、多种羊毛甾醇型三萜类化合物、叶酸衍生物、芳香族的香草酸、丁香酸及γ羟基苯甲酸,还有报道称已分离出单宁化合物、类固醇、生物碱类化合物、黑色素类、低分子多酚类及木质素类化合物。这些化学成分使白桦茸有丰富的药用功效，其中功效如下：

1. 抗癌作用，桦褐孔菌含有大量的抗癌、降血压、降血糖、复活免疫作用的植物纤维类多糖体。可以提高免疫细胞的活力，抑制癌细胞扩散和复发，在胃肠内防止致癌物质等有害物质的吸收，并促进排泄。 
2. 治疗糖尿病，人们已从菌核和菌丝中提取到一种糖蛋白（FIS-1）和一种水溶性多糖（F1），发现均有明显的降血糖作用。
3. 防止高血压，白桦茸又称血液血管的清洁剂，对高血压的防治效果显著。相关文献载：俄罗斯堪索莫乐斯基制药公司生产的桦褐孔菌精粉对高血压的有效率达93%
4. 抗衰老，清除体内的自由基，保护细胞，延长传代细胞的分裂代数，增进细胞寿命，促进代谢，因而能有效地延缓衰老，长期服用可延年益寿。
5. 有效抑制传染性病毒，可预防感冒。
6. 改善并预防过敏性皮质, 如牛皮藓
7. 对肝炎、胃炎、十二指肠溃疡、肾炎有明显的治疗作用。并对呕吐、腹泻、胃肠功能紊乱有治疗作用。

抗菌，抗炎作用

• 用于治疗肌肉骨骼系统，胃肠道，皮肤病变。来自桦树茸的汤剂用于内部，软膏用于受影响的关节或伤口表面。桦树茸的镇痛作用
• 被用于内脏疾病作为一种极好的对症疗法 - 患者改善他们的健康，并且身体的抵抗力增加。桦树茸的利尿作用
• 桦树茸可以作用于肾脏和肝脏，白桦茸的汤剂可用在受严重伤害和传染病后的康复期使用:由于利尿作用，病原体的毒素可从体内迅速排出。白桦树中含有活性物质，可以使血压正常化，降低血糖，对心脏和呼吸系统有益，并用于治疗糖尿病。缓解中枢神经系统疾病的效果
• 对骨髓产生积极影响(刺激血液形成)，增强免疫力。

桦树茸对男性疾病的作用

• 它可治疗前列腺腺瘤，提高男性体力，刺激睾丸激素的产生 - 男性性激素。
• 白桦茸(桦树茸)可以让支气管炎得到有效治疗
• 白桦茸还有助于治疗严重的皮肤病(湿疹，牛皮癣)，消除炎症，肿胀和瘙痒，并改善关节和脊柱疾病的状况。外用白桦茸有助于皮肤细胞再生
• 白桦茸可用于化妆品中对抗皮肤缺陷和护理老化皮肤。白桦茸(桦树茸)汤剂或茶是一种安全的减肥产品

在其影响下，新陈代谢率增加，脂肪被更有效地分解，毒素会被排除。降血糖 ，因桦树茸中含有多糖成份，而水溶性多糖已经被证实是目前最好的 降血糖 的天然特质，俄罗斯Komsomlshi制药公司证实 桦褐孔菌 对糖尿病的治愈率为93%。防治高血压

• 桦树茸中的三萜类化合物能有效地抑制血管紧张素转换酶，调节血脂提高血液供氧能力。增强脑细胞的活性，改善记忆、防止血栓，防止血管硬化和中风。抗衰老 ，清除体内的自由基，保护细胞，延长传代细胞的分裂代数，增进细胞寿命，促进代谢，因而能有效地延缓衰老，长期服用可延年益寿。

抗癌
抗肿瘤 ，白桦茸含有大量的复活免疫作用的植物纤维类多糖体。可以提高免疫细胞的活力，抑制癌细胞扩散和复发，在胃肠内防止致癌物质等有害物质的吸收，并促进排泄。对多种肿瘤细胞，如乳房癌、唇癌、胃癌、耳下腺癌、肺癌、皮肤癌、直肠癌、霍金斯淋巴癌有明显的抑制作用;防止癌细胞转移和复发;并能配合恶性肿瘤者的放疗、化疗、增强病人的耐受性，减轻毒副作用，并缓解癌症患者的特有疼痛。提高人体免疫力
，桦树茸中含有的多糖类、三萜类物质等能有效活化免疫系统，抑制病毒的增殖。抑制了其繁殖与复制，因而对流行性感冒有良好的预防作用。

白桦茸被世界关注并研究的原因是在1970年，前苏联诺贝尔文学奖获得者亚历山大·索尔仁尼琴的作品《癌症楼》中的记载：在俄罗斯一村庄，多年来熬制一种气味和色泽类似咖啡的神秘物体，结果村庄里无一人得肠胃病及癌症。人们长期服用的这种神秘物体就是——桦树茸。亚历山大在文中提到白桦茸确实具有使肿瘤逆转的力量。据此，桦树茸开始被广泛关注。
1972年，美国把白桦茸列入“特殊的天然物质”，作为宇宙人的未来饮品。美国FDA将桦树茸认证为The King Of Herbs（草药之王）。
1978年，日本把白桦茸作为治疗肿瘤的治疗剂，并申请多项有关白桦茸的专利。
1979年，日本卫生福利部及韩国卫生部均认可使用桦树茸。
1981年，日本研究机构通过对比几种菌类的β--葡聚糖含量和SOD活性发现：桦树茸中β--葡聚糖含量是桑黄的3倍；桦树茸中所含的SOD是灵芝的55倍，巴西蘑菇的23倍，舞茸的31倍。
白桦茸亦是被认可的无毒食用菌（世界贸易组织关税编码（WTO Tariff Code）HSK0712.39-1090分类为无毒的食用菌）。
白桦茸就是整个白桦树的精华，十分稀有珍贵。它全无毒性，且营养丰富，有白桦茸素、白桦茸醇、多种氧化三萜类化合物、栓菌算、多种羊毛甾醇型三萜类化合物、叶酸衍生物、芳香族的香草酸、丁香酸、多糖素、白桦茸醇、SOD、多种氧化三萜类化合物等超过215种成份。所含的SOD（超氧化物歧化酶）是灵芝的55倍，巴西蘑菇的23倍，猴头菇的25倍，且水溶性多糖类如1,3-1,6β--葡聚糖高达55.6mg/g。亦含有大量的抗癌、降血压、降血糖、复活免疫作用的植物纤维类多糖体。可以提高免疫细胞的活力，抑制癌细胞扩散和复发，在胃肠内防止致癌物质等有害物质的吸收，并促进排泄。
研究表明，白桦茸对糖尿病治愈率高达93%，被称为“天然胰岛素”。
有效治愈糖尿病的最有效的成分是白桦茸中的多糖，不论是水溶性多糖或非水溶性多糖均被证实为目前降血糖作用最好的天然物质，同时其中富含的天然纤维也是降低血糖的主要力量。白桦茸的抗病毒作用也为降低胰岛毒性，促进胰岛素分泌起到积极作用。白桦茸中的β-D-葡聚糖拥有极高的SOD活性，不仅能够有效地提升人体清除多种反应性氧自由基的能力，而且还能还原人体内的抗氧化系统，增强机体抗氧化能力。
氧化应激不仅是健康机体走向衰老，而且是许多疾病过程中的致病环节，特别是反应氧自由基将随血糖的增高而呈正比增高。因此白桦茸在抗氧化、糖代谢、糖尿病及糖尿病并发症具有治愈作用。临床观察亦已肯定了白桦茸降低血糖的作用，已有学者研究发现白桦茸可通过降低餐后血糖以减少糖尿病引起的远期心血管并发症的发生。
它可以修复受损胰腺组织、防治糖尿病多系统器官并发症的发生白桦茸乙醇提取物可显著增强过氧化氢酶，超氧化物歧化酶( SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶的活性。这些酶可降低糖尿病患者的丙二酸水平，同时修复已损伤的胰腺组织。
还可增强免疫力、改善血管内皮功能、增强抗氧化活性、预防脂质过氧化，抗氧自由基损伤、调节胃肠功能、抑制血小板聚集，对肝、肾组织的损伤病变具有保护和修复作用。这种药理作用的多效性，特别有利于防治糖尿病由于糖代谢紊乱引起的多系统器官并发症的发生。
不仅如此，它还具有强大的抗癌功能。
缓解癌症患者特有的疼痛，白桦茸拥有极高的SOD活性，对多种肿瘤细胞，如乳房癌、唇癌、胃癌、耳下腺癌、肺癌、皮肤癌、直肠癌、霍金斯淋巴癌有明显的抑制作用，防止癌细胞转移和复发；并能配合恶性肿瘤者的放疗、化疗、增强病人的耐受性，减轻毒副作用，并缓解癌症患者的特有疼痛。
许多研究都证实：白桦茸与西药有相辅相成的效果，可以较少的西药剂量，从而达到最好的疗效，同时减少副作用的产生，缓解肝脏的负荷，保护体内正常细胞不受西药的损害，以及缩短治疗的时间，提高寿命。
其整体效果均远比单吃白桦茸要来得好。例如：糖尿病、高血压、恶性肿瘤等重大疾病。当然，对于一般疾病，像感冒、过敏等，白桦茸配合着西药吃，也都有加倍效果。总之白桦茸和其它食品、药品一起服用基本上没禁忌。
服用白桦茸在保持一般坚持服用一段时间，就能感受到白桦茸带来的身体改善，但切勿在症状缓解后就放弃服用，而是因持之以恒防止复发。另外当病情已经较为严重时，首要的是防止情况恶化，此时普通白桦茸就显得远水求近火，可在接受正规系统治疗的同时，配合用些白桦茸。

What Are Chaga Mushrooms?
Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a type of fungus that grows mainly on the bark of birch trees in cold climates, such as Northern Europe, Siberia, Russia, Korea, Northern Canada and Alaska.
Chaga is also known by other names, such as black mass, clinker polypore, birch canker polypore, cinder conk and the sterile conk trunk rot (of birch).
Chaga produces a woody growth, or conk, which looks similar to a clump of burnt charcoal — roughly 10–15 inches (25–38 centimeters) in size. However, the inside reveals a soft core with an orange color.
For centuries, chaga has been used as a traditional medicine in Russia and other Northern European countries, mainly to boost immunity and overall health.
It has also been used to treat diabetes, certain cancers and heart disease
Potential Health Benefits
Though research is ongoing, some scientific studies indicate that chaga extract may provide certain health benefits.
Boosts Your Immune System and Fights Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural response of your immune system that can protect against disease. However, long-term inflammation is linked to conditions like heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis (4Trusted Source).
Animal and test-tube studies suggest that chaga extract can positively impact immunity by reducing long-term inflammation and fighting harmful bacteria and viruses.
By promoting the formation of beneficial cytokines — specialized proteins that regulate the immune system — chaga stimulates white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off harmful bacteria or viruses (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).
As a result, this mushroom could help fight infections — from minor colds to serious illnesses.
Additionally, other animal and test-tube studies demonstrate that chaga can prevent the production of harmful cytokines, which trigger inflammation and are associated with disease (5Trusted Source, 7).
For example, in a study in mice, chaga extract reduced inflammation and gut damage by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines (8Trusted Source).
Prevents and Fights Cancer
Several animal and test-tube studies show that chaga can prevent and slow cancer growth (9Trusted Source).
In a study in mice with cancer, chaga supplements resulted in a 60% reduction in tumor size (10Trusted Source).
In a test-tube study, chaga extract prevented the growth of cancer in human liver cells. Similar results were observed with cancer cells of the lung, breast, prostate and colon (11Trusted Source, 12, 13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).
It’s thought that the anticancer effect of chaga is partly due to its high content of antioxidants, which protect cells from damage by free radicals (15Trusted Source).
In particular, chaga contains the antioxidant triterpene. Test-tube studies reveal that very concentrated triterpene extract can help kill cancer cells (15Trusted Source).
Keep in mind that human studies are needed in order to make strong conclusions about chaga’s anticancer potential.
Lowers Blood Sugar
Several animal studies link chaga to lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, it may help manage diabetes (16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).
A recent study in obese, diabetic mice observed that chaga extract reduced blood sugar levels and insulin resistance compared to diabetic mice who did not receive the supplement (18Trusted Source).
In another study in diabetic mice, chaga supplements led to a 31% decrease in blood sugar levels over three weeks (17Trusted Source).
Similar results have been seen in other studies (19, 20Trusted Source).
However, as human research is unavailable, it’s unclear whether chaga can help manage diabetes in humans.
Lowers Cholesterol
Chaga extract may also benefit cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of heart disease.
In an eight-week study in rats with high cholesterol, chaga extract reduced “bad” LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing antioxidant levels (21).
Similar studies gave the same results and observed that — in addition to reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol — chaga increases “good” HDL cholesterol (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source).
Researchers believe that the antioxidants present in chaga are responsible for its effects on cholesterol.
Again, more research in humans is needed to clearly understand chaga’s cholesterol impact.
SUMMARYAnimal and test-tube studies found that chaga extract may boost immunity, prevent chronic inflammation, fight cancer, lower blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol. However, more human studies are needed.
Benefit of Chaga
Chaga mushrooms are rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including:

• B-complex vitamins
• vitamin D
• potassium
• rubidium
• cesium
• amino acids
• fiber
• copper
• selenium
• zinc
• iron
• manganese
• magnesium
• calcium

2. Slowing the aging process
Oxidative stress causes physical signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and gray hair. Exposure to sun, pollution, and other sources of damage create too many free radicals for the body to neutralize, which accelerates the aging process of the skin.
In theory, supplying the body with more antioxidants could slow the aging process, or even reverse visible signs of aging.
Although no research has conclusively linked chaga to anti-aging benefits, its effectiveness in fighting other forms of oxidative stress suggests that it could also fight aging.
3. Lowering cholesterol
Chaga mushrooms contain many antioxidants that may reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called “bad” cholesterol.
High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for heart disease, so chaga mushrooms could be useful in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
4. Preventing and fighting cancer
Increasingly, researchers are taking seriously the possibility that chaga mushrooms may be able to prevent cancer and slow its growth.
Chaga is rich in antioxidants, which are chemicals that help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals or oxidants. When the body is unable to produce enough antioxidants to prevent this damage, oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress can cause cancer and a host of other health problems.
A 2010 study found that chaga could slow the growth of lung, breast, and cervical cancer cells in a petri dish. The same study also found that chaga could slow the growth of tumors in mice.
A 2009 study found that triterpenes, the compounds found in chaga and some other mushrooms, cause tumor cells to self-destruct. Unlike other cancer treatments, however, chaga does not appear to harm healthy cells.
Although other studies have found similarly promising results, they have all been carried out on animals or in a laboratory. To prove the anti-cancer benefits of chaga conclusively, researchers will need to conduct extensive studies on humans.
5. Lowering blood pressure
Research suggests that oxidative stress is a contributing factor for high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more prone to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular health issues.
Chaga’s antioxidants could have a potential role in lowering blood pressure and preventing poor cardiovascular health.
6. Supporting the immune system
Cytokines are the immune system’s chemical messengers. They are proteins that play a vital role in stimulating white blood cells, which are the immune system’s first line of defense against a range of illnesses.
Some research on mice suggests that chaga may help regulate the production of cytokines, supporting the immune system by helping cells communicate with one another. This could help fight infections, from minor colds to life-threatening illnesses.
7. Fighting inflammation
When the body is fighting an illness, inflammation supports the fight. But sometimes, inflammation transitions from a short-term attack to a chronic health problem.
Some illnesses, particularly chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to inflammation. Recent research suggests that some conditions that are not considered inflammatory, including depression, may be partly due to chronic inflammation.
Chaga’s role in regulating cytokine production may also help control inflammation. This points to a role for chaga in fighting autoimmune conditions and possibly some other diseases.
8. Lowering blood sugar
Chaga might also have a role in the fight against diabetes.
A 2006 study found that chaga mushrooms could lower blood sugar in rats. The rodents were genetically modified to have diabetes and to be obese. After eating chaga mushrooms for 8 weeks, their blood sugar levels were lower.
Though no research has been done on humans yet, this suggests that chaga might contribute to an alternative treatment for diabetes in the future.
9. Preventing drug side effects
Research is still in its infancy, but if chaga proves effective at fighting illnesses such as cancer and arthritis, it could be an alternative to traditional treatments.
Treating people with chaga mushrooms could prevent them from experiencing the side effects of other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and various medications prescribed for chronic illnesses.


Safety and Side Effects
Chaga is generally well-tolerated. However, no human studies have been conducted to determine its safety or appropriate dosage.
In fact, chaga can interact with some common medications, causing potentially harmful effects.
For example, chaga could pose risks for people on insulin or those with diabetes due to its impact on blood sugar.

Chaga also contains a protein that can prevent blood clotting. Therefore, if you are on blood-thinning medications, have a bleeding disorder or are preparing for surgery, consult with your doctor before taking chaga (22Trusted Source).
Though some research shows that chaga may help reduce inflammation, it may also cause your immune system to become more active. Thus, people with autoimmune diseases should seek medical advice before taking chaga.
There is no research on the safety of chaga for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Therefore, the safest option is to avoid use.
Finally, remember to buy supplements from reputable sources, as chaga is not monitored by the FDA.

SUMMARY
No studies have analyzed the safety or appropriate dosage of chaga. Unwanted side effects could occur if you have a bleeding disorder or autoimmune disease, take blood thinners or are pregnant or breastfeeding.