Enhance and stimulate the immune system, optimizes resistance against disease and infections.
A unique property of all medicinal mushrooms is immune modulation. These extracts will boosts and stimulate our resistance against disease, but only when needed (during fatigue and stress both physical and mental, at the change of seasons, when recovering from unusual physical activities and so on) and only as much as is necessary.
They will also neutralize over-stimulation (a potential side effect of some powerful pharmaceuticals) and exhaustion and decline of our immune system. These things can happen when you experience prolonged mental and physical stress (and no time to recover) and when aging (many old age) related disease can be contributed to the steady decline of the immune system, after 50. In short, medicinal mushroom support and balance our immune system and turn our bodies in a hostile environment for all pathogens, protecting it from infections, viruses and inflammations, triggering the immune system to operate at the top of its potential at all time.
Two terms are applicable here: Adaptogenic (helping us to adapt to the never-ending assaults on our health) and BRM (a natural Biological Response Modifier - stimulating the body's natural defense mechanisms without any side effects). Medicinal mushroom do not heal, they help the body to heal itself.
Some people have the idea one should avoid mushroom in case of fungal infections like Candida. This is not true, in fact it's the opposite. Have a look at this blog where someone suffering from Candida infection used Chaga to finally cure herself.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-viral
These properties are directly linked to the immune supporting properties. Responsible for these immune supporting properties are mainly the polysaccharides present in Chaga. Harmful micro-organism, bacteria and viruses will be neutralized by the immune system before they can cause infections and inflammations. Existing infections etc. will last considerably shorter due to the immune system functioning at its peak level. Apart from that, betulinic acid (an important component of Chaga) is currently being researched for its anti-HIV properties. Oriveda Chaga contains over 50% of polysaccharides (39% of which are b-d-glucans) and over 1.5% of betulinic acid.
Anti-cancer adjuvant -
decreases the side effects of chemo-therapy and other aggressive medication
Chaga has proven to be very effective in supporting standard cancer treatments such as chemo-therapy and radiation. It can compensate the devastating effect these treatments can have on the immune system (causing side effects like nausea, insomnia, poor appetite, fatigue etc - these side effects are often the result of a compromized immune function), it helps preventing metastasis (cancer cells traveling through the bloodstream should be neutralized by the immune system before they can cause harm). Chaga can significantly contribute to the quality of life during and after treatment this way.
Furthermore, research indicates that Chaga itself also has anti-cancer potential. The betulinic acid and some of the phytosterols present showed the ability to kill cancer cells directly. How this works exactly is the subject of several theories. So Chaga has both an indirect (by stimulating the immune system to battle cancer cells) and direct (by causing apoptosis = programmed cell death) effect during cancer treatments.
Anti-oxidant properties, revitalizing and anti-aging
Our Oriveda extract includes the sclerotium (the black outside layer) of the Chaga. This is important because this sclerotium contains a massive amount of a specific fungi-melanin giving our extract a very high level of antioxidants and turning it into a powerful anti-aging tool. Research showed DNA-regenerating and revitalizing properties. The whole body will benefit from this; you will look better (skin and hair) and your organs will function better. Some of our customers reported an anti-balding effect.
Antioxidant power is often expressed in an ORAC-value (Oxigen Radical Absorbance Capacity). The ORAC-value Certificate of Analysis (COA) issued by Brunswick Labs indicate 146,700 µmole TE p/100 grams, putting our Chaga extract in the top 10 of antioxidants right away. As far as we know it is also the highest level ever found in a Chaga product. The COA is available on request. Check the graph below for a comparison with other 'super-food'.
The ORIVeDA Chaga extract has the following specs:
- vegetarian capsules @ 300 mg
- wild-harvested Siberian Chaga, dual extracted
- 100% bio-availability
- ≥ 50% polysaccharides (≥ 39% (1>3)(1>6)Beta-D-Glucans)
- ≥ 1.5% betulinic acid (1.5% = 15000 ppm)
- zinc level 68 μg/gram*
- selenium level 0.055 μg/gram*
- S-ORAC value 719,500 μmole TE/100 grams*
- ORAC value 119,600 μmole TE/100 grams*
- Total phenolics 102.04 mg GAE/gram*
*These are the results of a recent analysis (December 2012)
– COA’s available on request.
Normalizes cholesterol levels, beneficial for the cardiovascular system, support a normal bloodstream
Research showed betulinic acid (a compound unique to Chaga) to be able to break down bad cholesterol (LDL) in the bloodstream (6-8 caps per day already effective after 10 days - reported to us by one of our customers). Beside that the B-glucans part of the polysaccharides in Chaga also have a positive effect on cholesterol levels. By normalizing those levels Chaga also contributes to lowering high blood pressure and promotes a healthy cardiovascular system, less plaque and stronger arteries. Oriveda Chaga extract contains 1.5% - 2% of betulinic acid.
Effective against psoriasis
Psoriasis is basically an auto-immune disease. In the early 70s a case study was performed in the USSR, investigating the effect of a traditional Chaga preparation (Befungin) on psoriasis. The outcome was excellent. Befungin is a Russian preparation based on Chaga originating from the 50s. Modern Chaga extract are much more powerful and more easy to administer. Three times two capsules of the Oriveda extract per day will do. After the first result are obvious, one can experiment with the dosage and find the perfect balance. After all, every person is different. The full article describing this case study is available for download in our - resources - section.
One of our clients started a blog with day-to-day pictures of his battle against psoriasis, using a combination of healthy food and Oriveda Chaga. After three months of daily use his skin was free of psoriasis symptoms. His blog can be found here.
No side effects and some contra indications
Chaga extract have no side effects at all. The lack of side effects is due to the fact that Chaga extracts work for 95% in an indirect way: as a natural BRM (a Biological Response Modifier - stimulating the body's natural defense mechanisms). Chaga is stimulating the body to heal itself. So there is no potential disturbance of the body's chemical and hormonal balance. This makes medicinal mushrooms extracts like Chaga the ideal preventive medicine for everybody.
The only contra-indications are immune suppressing medicines (e.g. after a transplant). Never use medicinal mushroom extracts together with this type of medication - the immune modulating effect might neutralize its workings. There are also reports that Chaga extracts might increase the risk of hypoglycemia (blood sugar levels that fall too low) in people that are sensitive for that, such as those taking diabetes medicines like insulin. In case you want to take Chaga no matter what, it's best to start with low dose and slowly increase that while monitoring potential unwanted effects.
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