Active Constituents in Chaga
Amongst other bioactive ingredients, the extract of the fruiting body of Chaga contains:
Inonotus obliquus
Chaga is a mycological species with a long tradition of use in Siberian medicine, in which it was used to treat intestinal, liver and heart problems. Since the 1960s, studies have been carried out on its effectiveness for oncological processes, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. This medicinal mushroom stands out for the quantity and variety of naturally occurring polysaccharides it contains. These are immunomodulatory substances of interest in immune system disorders.
Chaga stands out for its quantity and variety of polysaccharides; constituents proven to affect the immune system.
Inonotus obliquus, popularly known as Chaga or Tsyr, is a fungus that grows naturally in the northernmost forests of the European continent. Given its immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties, it is known as the “black pearl” or the “forest diamond”.
Chaga has been used for centuries in traditional Siberian medicine, consumed as an infusion made from concentrated powder and water (zavarka), which was recommended to treat intestinal ailments, and liver and heart problems.
In the 1960s, Finnish, American, and Russian scientists conducted various trials that demonstrated its usefulness in cancer processes, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.
Following these studies, and after the publication of the Cancer Ward by the Russian Nobel Prize winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in 1968, this mushroom gained popularity in the West.
Amongst other bioactive ingredients, the extract of the fruiting body of Chaga contains:
At Hifas da Terra, we are running a number of projects aimed at corroborating and certifying the medical qualities of different fungal strains. Our investigations into Inonotus obliquus have allowed us to confirm its usefulness, especially in formulas where a high concentration of immunomodulatory compounds is desirable. In addition, Chaga is considered a relevant source of polyphenols.
Given these qualities and the observed results of its effectiveness, we have incorporated Chaga into the Hifa da Terra Mico-library after the careful selection of strains and the optimisation of its production and extraction process.
At Hifas da Terra, one of our main areas of research is the continuous improvement of the cultivation of different mycological species. This is undertaken in specialised bioreactors using certified organic substrates. We ensure the standardisation and quality of raw materials and ingredients which guarantees the excellence of the final product that we create from each mushroom.
Using this innovative system, which we call Mico-Quality®, we identify mycological molecules and ingredients with therapeutic action, carefully select the fungal strains that contain them using our own specific analytical systems, and apply analysis protocols at different manufacturing stages to ensure quality and consistency.