Chaga, A Powerful Little Mushroom
Of all the healing foods that we commonly hear, there is one that is not highly advertised. That is the Chaga mushroom. The Chaga mushroom is a very powerful food and is one of many that God created for us to stay healthy. According to Wikipedia, The name chaga (/ˈtʃɑːɡə/ ) comes from the Russian name of the fungus (transliterated from чага), which in turn is purportedly derived from the word for the fungus in Komi-Permyak, the language of the indigenous peoples in the Kama River Basin, west of the Ural Mountains. The mushroom family is pretty wide, but knowing which ones are healthy and which ones to avoid is important to avoid health risks.
Benefits
The healthful benefits of chaga mushrooms include: a strong immune system, helps with inflammation (arthritus, heart disease, or autoimmune), lower blood sugard levels, lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart problems, prevention of cancer, and improves overall immune health. All from a little mushroom. It is amazing to learn that something so small can have a significant impact on one's health. Green Unicorn Farms stated, "One 2009 study proved that chaga reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in rats with high cholesterol. The rats also showed increased antioxidant levels. There have also been other studies that yielded similar results, as well as resulting in an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol levels." Many of the fruits, herbs, and vegetables we eat have been around for centuries and used in ancient cultures. The Bible provides us with many to keep us safe and healthy. Read the book of Daniel, his diet of fruits and vegetables kept him strong and healthy compared to those around him eating other foods.
Cancer is on the rise in our country, our diet can have a significant impact on prevention. We need to be encouraged and mindful of what we eat to ensure we stay healthy and balanced. According to webmd.com, "Researchers are beginning to explore the possibility that chaga mushrooms can prevent cancer or slow its growth." Just imagine, using food as our form of medicine instead of pharmaceutical meds can have a major impact on our quality of life and our savings accounts.
Health Risks
One thing to consider as we make changes in our diet, always check with your doctor. Sometimes those changes can interefere if one is taking medications. Webmd states, For example, it may interact poorly with blood-thinning medications and diabetes medications. Chaga mushrooms are high in oxalates, which can increase the risk of kidney stones. Those who have kidney disease, a prior history of kidney stones, or who are at risk of kidney stones should not take chaga. To avoid complications, speak to your doctor before using an herbal supplement.
Mushrooms in particular have been around for thousands of years and now taking an interest in modern science of the powerful healing benefits they provide. Chaga mushroom comes in many forms, extracts, powders, and teas. I drink chaga tea a couple of times a week to make sure I get the antioxidants, and ctyokines which help stimulate blood cells while strengthening the immune system. I will admit the taste is not the best, but I know my body is getting what it needs. Next time you are at a health food store, ask about Chaga mushroom.
Happy Living and Blessings!
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