For the surface of the formed growths is characterized by black staining and the presence of characteristic numerous cracks. The inner part of the dark brown color with a smooth transition to a reddish-brown color. White streaks penetrate the entire mass of growth.

The mushroom grows for several years, and the result of its vital activity is the death of the host plant. In this case, the own fruiting body of the fungus is formed on the opposite side of the stem. The size and shape of the growths that are formed mostly depend on the type of damage to the tree before the infection with the fungus.

Chaga birch is growing quite intensively. Collect the mushroom should be best in the winter. It is not recommended to collect the mushroom from fallen or dried wood. In the process of collecting birch tea should be cut with an ax near the trunk of the tree.

When processing the fungus, the friable light-colored part that is not suitable for use is first cleaned. It is also necessary to remove wood residues and plant debris. Chaga prepared in this way is required to be divided into several parts and dried, observing the temperature regime at the level of 50-60 ° C.   The standard shelf life of the dried mushroom does not exceed a couple of years.

Chaga is widely used in modern phytotherapy. It is important to remember that the fungus that grows at the base of the tree has practically no healing and medicinal power, therefore, the collection should be carried out from the highest plants. Properly dried product should have no more than 10-12% moisture and about 20% extractive elements.

Chaga mushroom: description (video)

Beneficial features

The chemical composition of the fungus is as follows:

• biologically active flavonoids with diuretic, antispasmodic, choleretic and anti-inflammatory effects;
• alkaloids, beneficial effects on the muscle of the myocardium;
• organic acids, contributing to the normalization of the acid-base state;
• tannins, characterized as hemostatic and anti-inflammatory;
• phytoncides that destroy pathogens;
• melanin, which stimulates the main metabolic processes;
• magnesium;

• potassium;
• iron;
• manganese;
• cobalt;
• copper;
• zinc;
• nickel;
• aluminum;
• silver.

The therapeutic effect of birch chaga is due to the impact on the body of active biogenic stimulants. The fungus is characterized by a tonic, tonic, immunomodulatory, as well as antitumor effect. He will not cure oncology, but it can significantly slow down the growth of malignant cells.  In addition, when using chaga, there is a decrease in arrhythmias and an improvement in brain metabolism. It also helps lower blood sugar levels, stabilize blood pressure and balance the digestive tract.

Contraindications

Although chaga fungus is useful, there are some contraindications for use:

• use of some broad-spectrum antibiotics;
• exacerbations of gastrointestinal diseases;
• chronic colitis;
• diseases and conditions that are accompanied by fluid retention in the body and the presence of pronounced edema;
• chronic dysentery;
• severe allergic reactions and individual intolerance.

It should be remembered that taking drugs and drugs based on chagi requires mandatory adherence to the diet. Products of animal origin, with the exception of milk, should be limited or eliminated.  Do not use chaga with alcoholic beverages, spicy and smoked products. Before using birch chaga, it is advisable to get medical advice, and the use of this fungus should not replace or exclude the main treatment prescribed by the doctor.

Experts recommend completely stop smoking for the period of treatment or prevention of diseases with the help of chagi. It is not recommended to use this fungus during pregnancy and lactation. Also, there are no confirmed data on the safety of receiving chaga in children of preschool and primary school age. With too long use of funds based on birch fungus, anxiety may be noted, in this case, it is necessary to reduce the dosage or completely stop taking it.

Therapeutic use

The use of chaga as a medicine, along with other drugs is allowed for the following diseases:

• gastritis of various forms and severity;
• ulcerative changes in the walls of the stomach and intestines;
• malignant tumors of the digestive tract;
• pathological changes of the respiratory system;
• pathologies of the circulatory and hematopoietic organs;
• genital diseases (in both men and women);
• skin diseases.

Among the most well-known remedies on the basis of birch chaga is the analgesic and tonic medicine Befungin, which has proven itself in the treatment of chronic gastritis, biliary dyskinesia and gastric ulcer. The infusion of chaga (Tinctura Fungibetulini), which is used to improve the general condition of cancer patients and as an immunostimulant, is equally popular. The use of the popular sublimated birch mushroom extract called Bio-Chaga is practiced in the treatment of diabetes, gastritis and peptic ulcer.

Chaga: harm and benefit (video)

Chaga birch does not belong to edible mushrooms, but is the most famous mushroom with healing properties in our country. Her healing qualities have long been recognized not only by folk, but also by official medicine.

Gallery: chaga mushroom (25 photos)

STORY.
Chagu was used in the Middle Ages by the famous doctor Avicenna in the treatment of patients. And Vladimir Monomakh decoction of birch fungus was cured of such a disease as lip cancer. From the 19th century to the present, many healers, doctors, and scientists have shown in their experiments that chaga has beneficial and healing effects on the body. Because of what is used in folk and traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases. Inhabitants of the Far East instead of ordinary tea drink infusions or decoctions of birch fungus, and therefore they suffer less cancer. Especially because birch mushroom  It is recommended to use in cases where surgery, chemo and radiation therapy are contraindicated.

THAN THE RICH.
  Chaga contains biologically active substances that, in combination, determine its unique therapeutic properties. The organic acids that make up the fungus cause its ability to regulate and normalize the acid-base balance in the human body. And tannins contained in chag, are able to partially clot the protein. Thus, they form a protective film on the mucous membranes and skin, which causes the anti-inflammatory and hemostatic properties of the fungus.

In addition, chaga has antimicrobial, antispasmodic, diuretic and choleretic actions. It is rich in potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese. Chaga has a tonic and tonic effect on the central nervous system, relieves aggravations and normalizes the functions of the stomach and duodenum.

It has a positive effect on patients with gastrointestinal diseases. Due to many therapeutic properties, chaga is added to a variety of drugs that enhance immunity, improve metabolism in brain tissue, reduce blood sugar, stabilize blood pressure, normalize heart rate, regulate the activity of the gastrointestinal tract in many pathologies. As well as in digestive disorders.

WHAT HELPS.
  Chaga improves the well-being of patients with malignant diseases of any localization. It has been established that in the initial stage of cancer development, chaga drugs can delay tumor growth, reduce pain, and improve overall well-being. But - an important point - are not a radical means of treatment of malignant tumors. All preparations made on the basis of birch fungus are used for the treatment of malignant tumors as an adjunct along with other methods of treatment and only under the supervision of a physician.

WHEN TO STORE
   BEREZE MUSHROOM "CHAGU".
  Chaga can be found on the birches in all regions of Russia, but most often it is found in the northern regions. Chagu must be sought on old birch trees, since it does not develop on young ones. On dry ground and deadwood chaga is destroyed, replaced by other mushrooms (non-medicinal). At the base of old birch trees you can find crumbling growths of chagi. They are painted throughout the thickness of black and easily crumble. Such growths should not be harvested - they are unsuitable for medicinal purposes.



   Good growths of chagi are dense, when sawing, three layers can be distinguished in them: the outer one is black, hilly and cracking, the middle one is brown, very dense, granular on the break (this is the main mass of the chaga to the trunk) and the inner one is loose, extending deep into the trunk.

   Chaga can be harvested throughout the year. However, it is better and more convenient to do this in late autumn, in winter and in early spring, when trees do not have leaves and are easily visible. In addition, at this time the content in the mushroom of biologically active substances reaches a maximum. The ravines on living trees that have not yet fallen are hewn down with an ax near the birch trunk itself, then they clean off the internal loose part (it is thrown away) and remove the pieces of bark and wood that are attached to them.

Collected chaga is cut into pieces of 3-6 cm, dried in well-ventilated areas, under a shed or in dryers at a temperature not exceeding 50 ° C. Store in a dry place, as the harvested raw materials easily dampen and moldy. Period of storage no more than 3-4 months.

IMPORTANT.
   Do not collect chaga from mountain ash, elm, ash, alder. The growths at the base of old birch trees are also unsuitable.

It is necessary to distinguish birch chaga from tinder, since when using them instead of chaga, poisoning can be observed.
  CHAPTER BEREZOVAYA.



   Chaga birch oval or rounded, imbued with many cracks, black on the outside, brown or dark brown on the inside, at the base there are yellowish streaks. It settles on the trunks of live birch, less often on alder, mountain ash, beech. Reaches 0.5 m in diameter and up to 2 kg of weight. If the spores of chaga are artificially grafted onto a birch trunk, then a fungus begins to develop inside, and after 4 years, a growth appears on the bark. The growth of chaga under favorable conditions can last 10-15 years or more.
  REAL TUTOVIK.



   A real tinder is a hoof-shaped semicircle, with a wide base, flat on its underside. The surface is covered with a hard brownish or grayish crust, smooth. From the tree is removed easily.
  FALSE TUTOVIK.



   False tinder - hoof-shaped, convex at the top, the lower part is flat. The crust is solid black-brown or grayish, the surface is velvety.

Mushroom cut down with an ax, cut into small pieces (3-6 cm long) and dried in special dryers at temperatures up to 50 degrees.



  RECIPES OF PREPARATION CHAGI.

For cancer prevention.

For the prevention of malignant diseases, you can use the infusion of chaga, which is prepared at home as follows. Chaga is poured with boiled water (temperature not higher than 50 ° С) and insisted for 4 hours. Then soaked chagi pieces are passed through a meat grinder or grated tinder. For each part of chopped chagi, 5 parts of boiled water are added and infused for 48 hours at room temperature. Then the liquid is drained. And the residue is squeezed out through several layers of gauze and water is added to the resulting liquid, in which chaga infused at the beginning. Prepared infusion can be stored for 4 days, considering what it should be prepared. Take at least three glasses a day before meals daily. They drink it not only for cancer of the stomach, but also for almost all types of malignant tumors.

Tumor in the pelvis.

If the tumor is located in the pelvis (prostate cancer, rectum), then in addition make warm microclysters with 50-100 ml of infusion from chaga overnight and early in the morning. In cancer of the stomach and intestines with bleeding, it is preferable to use a mixture of chagi and serpentine, which is more correctly called "highlander snake". So he was called because of the form and appearance  rhizomes. To do this, 3 tablespoons of chopped root coil and 3 tablespoons of chopped chaga need to pour 0.5 liters of vodka and leave for two weeks in a dark warm place, periodically shaking the contents, then strain, squeeze out the residue. Take 1 tablespoon from three to six times a day before meals. Who does not tolerate alcohol, can make water infusion. 1 teaspoon finely chopped rhizomes of the coil and chaga pour 1 cup boiling water, insist in a hot oven or thermos overnight, strain. Take 1/3 cup 3 - 4 times a day for 15 - 20 minutes before meals.

The basic recipe for this chaga.

Chugs need to be washed, pour boiled water at room temperature and let stand for 6-7 hours until completely softened. It is best to use glass or ceramic dishes.

Soaked chaga need to get and squeeze. Then mince or grate. The water in which the chaga has been soaked has to be heated to 40-50 ° C and pour the wiped chaga at the rate of 5 parts of water for 1 part of the chaga. In no case does water need to be overheated so that the fungus retains as much of its healing properties as possible. Infuse the mushroom for two days in a cool place.

Prepared infusion must be well filtered and stored in a closed container in a cool dark place. Infusion can be taken for four days.



An accelerated recipe for chagi.

This recipe has a fairly high therapeutic effect, despite the fact that higher temperatures are used than in the basic recipe, and the infusion lasts only a few hours. The amount of nutrients in the drink, of course, decreases, but only slightly.
   chagu wash, chop into small pieces and put in a jar;
   pour boiled water over the cooked tea to 1 liter per 200-250 grams;
   insist 5-7 hours to get a richer infusion and more;
   The infusion is filtered and can be consumed over the next three days.

Cooking tea from chagi.

If you decide to reinforce your strength, wandering around the forest, or you simply don’t want to devote a lot of time to making an infusion, you can make tea from chaga. Of course, the healing properties of such a drink will be somewhat weaker than the first two, but as a preventive and tonic amiss.
   bring the water in the pot or pan to a boil;
   dip chopped chaga into the boiling water at the rate of 200-250 grams. on 1 liter of water;
   boil for 10-15 minutes on low heat;
   give the tea a little cool and everything - you can drink.



Traditional methods of cooking chaga fungus ..

1. Infusion:
  1 tablespoon dried mushroom pour 1 cup boiling water, insist in a thermos for 1 hour. Take 0.5 cups 3 times a day before meals.

2. Infusion:
  Pour 1 cup of raw material with 5 cups of boiled water cooled to 50 ° C. Insist in a dark cool place for 48 hours. Squeeze and strain. Take 3 cups a day in small portions.

3. Broth:
  1/2 tablespoon chopped plant materials pour 1 cup boiling water, cover, let it brew for 15 minutes, drain. Take 1/3 cup for adults 3 times a day with meals.

Another version of the infusion of "Chaga".
  To prepare the infusion of chaga, one such piece is washed and soaked in boiled water, completely submerging it in water. Insist on the night.

When the mushroom becomes soft, it is crushed and poured with the water in which it insisted, in a ratio of 1: 5, preheating it. Insist again for two days.

Then the infusion is poured into a separate dish, the residue is carefully squeezed. To the resulting infusion add boiled water, increasing its volume to the original. Chaga infusion is a good medicine for anacid (acid-free) gastritis.

Chaga infusion helps with tumor processes: it is drunk 2 glasses a day, but fractionally, throughout the day. It is only necessary to warn that the treatment of infusion chaga need under the supervision of a physician.

If you do not have the opportunity to prepare the fungus "Chaga".
You can search for it in pharmacies of the city where you live. In Moscow, a box with a powder of this mushroom costs from 35 rubles.
  PHARMACOLOGY
Means from a phytopathogenic fungus of the inonotus oblique (tinder, tubular, oblique tinder), developing in the form of growths on birch trunks. The main active ingredients are pigments, which form a chromogenic polyphenol carbon complex (20%) in combination with polysaccharides (6-8%), agaricin and humic-like chagic acids. The tonic effect on the central nervous system and immunomodulating properties provide an increase in the body's resistance to hypoxia and other adverse effects. The presence of copper, manganese, cobalt provides a stimulating effect on blood formation, especially on leukopoiesis. Preparations of birch fungus have a gastroprotective effect, normalize the function of the digestive glands. An increase in the functional activity of the immune system, especially the function of natural killer cells, apparently determines the antitumor properties of the birch fungus.

IMPORTANT DETAILS.
   Chaga preparations are non-toxic. Treatment with birch fungus and products made on its basis is carried out in courses of 4–5 months with intervals of 7–10 days.
  However, chaga is not used for chronic colitis, dysentery. Also, you can not assign chaga pregnant and lactating women. With long-term use of chagi, digestive upset may occur.

It should be remembered that in the treatment of chagoy in the diet of the patient is injected mainly dairy products. Meat, smoked products, canned food and spicy seasonings are not recommended. Also in the treatment of chaga, penicillin and intravenous glucose are contraindicated. When taking chaga for medical purposes, you must be very careful of persons prone to allergies. Like any plant, birch fungus is able to cause an attack of allergy in humans.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.

When treating with birch fungus, a milk-vegetable diet is shown with the exception of canned food, hot spices, and animal fats. Penicillin, in / in the introduction of glucose is contraindicated.