It has long been used to treat a variety of ailments fungus, parasitizing on birch trees - chaga. Its healing properties are recognized and applied also in traditional medicine. We will understand in the article what kind of mushroom it is, where it can be found and how to use it.
Mushroom Description
Chagoy is the sterile form of a tinder fungus that is mown. This mushroom is most often found on birch trees, therefore it is also called a birch mushroom. Botanical name in Latin - Inonotus obliquus, because of what it is also called "inonotus oblique." It is a parasitic fungus whose spores strike a birch trunk with damaged bark. The gradual growth of the rust-brown mycelium causes tree rot, and the fruit itself appears only 3-4 years after the spores enter the damaged area. 
It looks like a black outgrowth with a lot of cracks and white streaks. In the depths of the fruit body, the black color turns into dark brown, and at the trunk of the tree it turns into a rusty brown color of the mycelium. Chaga has a bitter taste and does not smell. After two or three decades of parasitizing on a birch, this fungus usually reaches 5–40 cm in diameter and 10–15 cm in thickness. Such a neighborhood always leads to the death of a tree: the fruiting mushroom body pierces through the trunk and hits it under the bark to a depth of one meter.
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The composition of the fungus
The chemical composition of this fungus is still insufficiently investigated. Now about the known composition of birch fungus includes the following substances:
- chromogenic polyphenolcarbonic complex, which causes dark pigmentation of the fungus. It is a powerful biostimulator;
- resins;
- pterine;
- lignin;
- flavonoids;
- fats;
- polysaccharides;
- organic acids;
- sterols;
- minerals. Most of it is manganese, potassium, calcium, silicon, zinc, iron, cobalt, silver, nickel, magnesium and others are also present.
Useful properties of the fungus
Chaga has a number of useful properties for the human body:
- antimicrobial;
- antifungal;
- antiviral;
- healing;
- firming;
- antitumor;
- immunomodulatory;
- tonic;
- antispasmodic;
- stimulating;
- diuretic;
- antioxidant;
- pain killer;
- improves blood formation;
- lowers blood sugar levels;
- normalizes pressure.
Healer beetle is actively practiced in cancer treatment.
Harvesting and storage
Chaga can grow on other trees: maple, alder, mountain ash, elm, beech. But for medical purposes it is collected only from birch. It is possible to collect this mushroom all year round, but it is best to choose the winter season, early spring or autumn, after leaf fall: during these periods, the foliage does not interfere with the chagous growths on the trunks. However, traditional healers collect this raw material in spring or autumn, because they believe that during these periods the fungus accumulates the most healing substances. Unlike some other polypants, it is not so easy to tear the chaga from the trunk. 
The birch mushroom is trimmed with an ax near the very trunk of the tree, then cleaned of the bark and loose light part. The painted part of the fungus, which is healing, is divided into pieces measuring 3-6 centimeters - they are dried in air, in an oven or electric dryer at a temperature of not more than 60 ° C. The drying room must be well ventilated. Be sure to bring chagovoe pieces to complete drying.
Important! With the already dead tree, the birch mushroom is not going, since it has already lost its healing properties. It is also unacceptable to take for use these growths from the bottom of the trunk, if the birch trees grow in damp terrain.Such preparation is stored for no more than two years in paper bags, fabric bags or tightly closed and dried clean glass jars. Storage should be dark and dry.
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Indications for use
Chagu is used to treat many diseases, and this remedy is used in the following sections of medicine:
- gastroenterology;
- gynecology;
- endocrinology;
- urology;
- dermatology;
- dentistry;
- ophthalmology;
- cardiology;
- neurology;
- rheumatology;
- infectology;
- otorhinolaryngology;
- oncology.
Gastroenterology
This fungus is effectively used for the treatment of the following gastrointestinal diseases:
- gastritis, especially with low acidity;
- stomach ulcer;
- duodenal ulcer;
- polyposis of the stomach and intestines;
- hypotension and intestinal atony;
- dysbacteriosis;
- spleen diseases;
- diseases of the liver and biliary tract;
- diabetes mellitus in complex therapy;
- colitis;
- constipation;
- enterralgia;
- inoperable cases of cancer (intestine, stomach, pancreas).
Did you know? Since the 50s of the last century, the officially recognized medical drug Befungin, which is used mainly for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, has been made from a birch fungus.
Gynecology
In gynecology, chagovy drugs are used to treat the following diseases:
- gynecological erosive processes;
- thrush and other inflammatory diseases;
- ovarian cysts;
- menstrual disorders;
- mastopathy;
- infertility;
- myoma;
- endometriosis.
Endocrinology
Chaga normalizes metabolic processes and the state of the hormonal system, so it is used in the treatment of such problems:
- diabetes;
- obesity;
- thyroiditis.
Urology
This tool helps with:
- cystitis;
- prostatitis;
- prostate adenoma.
Dermatology
This fungus is taken for treatment:
- psoriasis;
- eczema;
- dermatitis;
- wounds, burns, injuries;
- herpes and other viral skin lesions;
- insect bites;
- juvenile acne;
- various inflammations on the skin.
Dentistry
Infusions and tinctures of this tool are used in the following diseases of the oral cavity:
- periodontal disease;
- toothache;
- stomatitis.
Ophthalmology
Washing and lotions are done for such eye diseases:
- cataract;
- glaucoma;
- conjunctivitis;
- corneal opacity.
Cardiology
Preparations from chagi can help with the following cardiovascular diseases:
- high blood pressure;
- low pressure;
- arrhythmia;
- vascular dystonia;
- phlebeurysm;
- heart failure (strengthens the heart);
- atherosclerosis (strengthens blood vessels).
Neurology
Used for such diseases of the nervous system:
- headaches;
- insomnia;
- neuritis;
- nervous exhaustion and fatigue;
- osteochondrosis, radiculitis, herniation of intervertebral discs;
- neuralgia
Rheumatology
In rheumatology is used for:
- rheumatism;
- lupus erythematosus;
- gout;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- osteoporosis.
Infectology
Due to their anti-inflammatory properties and ability to suppress pathogenic flora, preparations from chagi are taken for various infections, most often in such cases:
- colds and flu;
- tuberculosis;
- bronchitis and pneumonia;
- intestinal infections;
- other infectious diseases;
- with weak immunity.
To improve the immunity is also used cornel, bee pollen, echinacea, Crimean iron, Beijing cabbage, pumpkin, viburnum, blackberry, yucca, safflower, hellebore, bay leaf, calendula, thrown amaranth, mokrita, hibiscus.
Otolaryngology
These ENT diseases are treated with Chagoy:
- tonsillitis, sore throats, pharyngitis;
- rhinitis;
- sinusitis.
Oncology
Medicine officially recognized the use of this tool in the treatment of certain oncological diseases. It is usually recommended for inoperable forms of cancer or in the postoperative period. It also helps the body recover from radiation and chemotherapy.
Important! Such treatment should be prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision.
Recipes of traditional medicine
Birch mushroom is popular in the recipes of traditional medicine and is usually used in the treatment of joints, male and female diseases, tumors, skin diseases and others. This is an excellent tool to strengthen the immune system, as well as the prevention of many ailments. When treating chagoy, dietary nutrition consisting of dairy and plant foods must be observed.
When oncology, take a cup and aloe.The menu includes lactic acid foods, cereals, fruits, vegetable dishes, eggs, pasta, juices, mineral water, and more. It should severely limit the consumption of meat products, smoked meats, canned goods, strong tea, coffee, garlic, onions, as well as avoid spicy, fatty and smoked food. This amazing mushroom is used in the form of decoctions, tinctures and alcohol tinctures, oil solution, ointments, tea, it is used as an additive for baths and inhalations.
Decoction chaga
In the form of decoction used to strengthen the immune system, the treatment of tumors of different etiology (including cancer), male and female diseases. 
For the treatment of various diseases, you can use the following recipes of alternative medicine decoction of birch fungus:
- Myoma. 250 grams of chaga, two liters of water, a glass of dried berries of viburnum, honey, aloe juice. In the tank with pieces of fungus pour clean water and keep them there until they are properly softened. Then the pieces are crushed on a large grater and placed in the same water, and then languish in a water bath for about an hour. They are allowed to cool and filter through a fine sieve. Viburnum berries are soaked in a liter of pure water at room temperature for about six hours, and then brought to a boil and kept for an hour in a water bath. The broth is cooled and shed through a sieve. Then these broths are poured into one container and add honey with aloe juice. Everything is thoroughly mixed, add boiled water to get 4 liters of the liquid mixture. Place in a cool dark place for six days. When chaga starts the fermentation process, this mass is stored in the refrigerating chamber. Acceptance of the resulting mixture - 30 minutes before meals three times a day, 2 tbsp. spoons. The course of reception is five to six months.
- To clean the body. 100 grams of dry birch fungus is crushed, poured with a liter of pure water, brought to a boil and kept at minimum heat for 20 minutes. Then the mixture is poured into a thermos, where the decoction is infused for another two hours. Drink as tea for at least 21 days.
- Prostate adenoma. One teaspoon of dried chaga and one tablespoon of hazel leaves are thrown in half a liter of pure water. Everything is brought to a boil and cooked for 5 minutes at minimum heat under a lid. The finished broth is cooled to room temperature and filtered through a sieve or cheesecloth. Reception is carried out on 2 teaspoons half an hour before meals three times a day.
Did you know? Research chaga in medical institutions are carried out in our time. On the basis of its beneficial properties, they are trying to create immunity enhancing, as well as anti-cancer and antiviral drugs.
Infusion chaga
In the case of many diseases it is often used infusion chaga. The most common method of making this infusion is:
- Well washed chaga is filled with clean water at room temperature so that it is completely covered with water, and allowed to stand for five to six hours.
- Then the softened raw materials are twisted in a meat grinder or a large grater is used for grinding. You can grind it with a blender.
- Chag is poured with water heated to 50 ° C, in which it was previously soaked. The proportions should be the following - to 1 part of the mushroom volume of about 5 parts of water.
- Then this mixture is placed in a cool place.
- After two days, the water is drained and the remaining residue is filtered through a sieve.
- To the mass obtained after straining add cool boiled water until the initial volume is obtained.
Such means is stored in the refrigerator no more than three days. In the case of the presence of tumors, an adult is shown to take at least three glasses throughout the day: the infusion is consumed in small doses. If there are tumors of the small pelvis, then you should use microclysters with this option before the bedtime, before it is heated. 
There are other recipes for the use of infusion of chagi:
- women's diseases (fibroids, cysts, erosive and inflammatory processes, infections, failures in the menstrual cycle). In such cases, the resulting healing infusion take 1 tbsp. spoon three times a day 30 minutes before meals. In addition, tampons soaked in this agent in the vagina are placed a day before bedtime. During the onset of menstruation, the tampons are stopped. Similar treatment is carried out by a course within two months. Before carrying out these procedures, you need to get advice from the attending gynecologist;
- duodenal ulcer or stomach ulcer, gastritis, as well as to improve the immune system, use chagary infusion six times a day, 65-85 ml 30 minutes before meals;
- bronchitis, dry cough. Infusion accept as follows: 1 tbsp. spoon three times a day, 40 minutes before meals, before recovery;
- with diabetes. The resulting tool take 1 tbsp. spoon three times a day 30 minutes before meals for a month. Then you should take a break and repeat again;
- disorders of cardiovascular activity. Take 2 teaspoons of chopped chaga and pour 200 ml of boiled warm water and allow to infuse for two days. Flow through a sieve and consume the product three times a day 30 minutes before a meal, according to one article. a spoon. The treatment is carried out for three months, then they take a break of 14 days and repeat it again;
- psoriasis. Half a cup of crushed dried chaga pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and hold for six hours in a thermos. Then filtered and used for lotions that are made twice a day for two weeks. If necessary, a similar course is repeated;
Without health risks, you can eat mushrooms such as: aspen, black mushrooms, boletus, russules, volushki, chanterelles, aspen, white podgruzdki, mushrooms, boletus fungus, white fungus and honey agaric.
- prostate adenoma. Chagovy infusion, made according to the main recipe, mixed with a decoction of burdock root. For broth one Art. a spoonful of dry chopped burdock root is boiled in 0.5 liters of water for three minutes, and then the resulting broth is infused for four hours. It is poured through a sieve and mixed with the finished chagovy infusion. Reception is carried out on 1-2 st. spoons three times a day, 30 minutes before a meal, a course of three weeks;
- arrhythmia. 100 ml of infusion of the fungus, 250 g of honey and 3 tbsp. spoon freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed until smooth. Take one article. spoon twice a day for 40 minutes before a meal ten days;
- periodontal disease and skin diseases. Take a teaspoon of dry crushed chaga and chamomile, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and allow to infuse for four hours. Flow through a sieve and apply to rinsing the mouth with gum disease and for lotions in the case of skin ailments;
- liver disease. Pour 2 teaspoons of calendula with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for an hour, and then pour it through a sieve. Two parts of calendula flowers infusion are added with one part of chagovogo infusion from the main recipe. This tool is taken one incomplete tablespoon three times a day, 30 minutes before a meal. In the acute stage of liver disease, such therapy is carried out for ten days. In cases of a chronic course of these diseases, treatment also lasts ten days, but then it is repeated again, taking a break of five days. The duration of such treatment is two months.
Tea from chaga
All usefulness keeps tea from birch fungus, which is easy to prepare. This is an excellent immunomodulatory agent, as well as excellent prevention of ailments associated with oncology and disorders of cardiovascular activity. For this, chaga will suit fresh, but you can also take dried. Dried mushrooms should be soaked in water at room temperature. Use this drink 30 minutes before meals.
Did you know? In Alexander Solzhenitsyn's novel “Cancer Corps” there is a mention of such a fact - the inhabitants of one village did not suffer from oncological diseases, because they brewed and drank chaga instead of tea.
Tea from this unique mushroom can be made in the following ways:
- On 1 part of pre-chopped chaga add 3 parts of hot water. Allow to infuse for two hours until ready. For a better taste in this tea make supplements in the form of honey and a piece of lemon.
- Birch fungus crushed and put in a thermos, pour boiling water in a ratio of 1 to 5, hold 7-10 hours. Honey is added to this tea.
- Take a tablespoon of fungus, Potentilla, kelp in dried form. Container with this collection pour warm water (approximately 45 ° C). Let stand for four hours. Strain through a fine sieve and add honey and mint. This tea is recommended to use about two months.
Oil solution
Chagu is used in the form of an oily solution for the treatment of diseases of the skin, joints, sinusitis, vascular strengthening. This solution has antitumor properties. To prepare the oil solution, you need to take 2.5 tbsp. spoons of olive oil and mix well with a teaspoon of infusion of chaga. Mix everything and let it brew for about 24 hours. 
This oil is well eliminate pain in muscles and joints, lubricates the protruding capillaries in the skin areas. The oil solution using birch fungus as an antitumor agent is used to treat cancers of the uterus, breast, skin, rectum, prostate gland.
Chaga ointment
Мазь с чагой так же, как и масляной раствор, используют наружно. For its production take chagovy infusion and fresh lard in the ratio of 1: 1. This mixture is placed on a small fire, constantly stirring until it comes to a boil. Then everything is tightly closed and wrapped for a day. The next day, the mixture is filtered and then stored in the refrigerator.
Propolis ointment is a miracle cure.
Chaga for baths
People suffering from skin ailments, you can swim in the baths, adding to them an infusion of birch fungus. 
Traditional medicine offers the following recipes for baths:
- for the treatment of psoriasis and skin diseases. Chagovy infusion in the amount of 1.5 liters poured into water and take a bath for about 15 minutes. The course of taking such procedures - 10-15 times a day;
- with pain in the legs. Add 2 tbsp. spoon bark of willow in half a liter of boiling water and boil on low heat for 15 minutes. Then put 2 tbsp. spoon dry chaga and continue to cook for another half an hour. Let it brew for 40 minutes and pour it into a bath with warm water. The reception of such a bath lasts 15-20 minutes, and then the legs are tightly rewound with elastic bandages.
Contraindications
Preparations from chaga are contraindicated in the following cases:
- individual intolerance;
- increased excitability of the nervous system;
- chronic colitis, dysentery;
- pregnant and lactating women.
Important! In the treatment of any diseases with the use of chagi, it is necessary to consult with your doctor.
Chaga is a natural healing tool that even official medicine has recognized. This tool can improve the health of many, even severe diseases, but in these cases, treatment should be under the supervision of a physician. Birch mushroom tea will serve as an excellent prevention of various diseases and will help strengthen the immune system.
