What is Chaga?

Chaga is a fungus that grows on birches and absorbs all its useful properties for 10-20 years. The most useful Chaga is collected in the birch forests of Siberia, away from the city and its man-made impact. 

Medicinal mushrooms have a long history of use in alternative therapy. Chaga extract has long been used in China, Korea, Japan, Russia, and the Baltic countries because of its beneficial effect on lipid metabolism and heart function, as well as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunostimulating agent.

Chaga contains more than 200 active components that have a positive effect on various body systems. One of the most important elements of Chaga is melanin. 

What is melanin?

The term "melanin" comes from melanos (Greek) - black.

Melanins are natural cellular pigments. The color of the skin, hair, eyes is provided by the presence of melanins.

There are three types of melanin: black, black-brown, and yellow-red.

Melanin in the human’s body

Our body produces melanin on its own, and also receives it from certain foods.

Melanocytes are cells that synthesize melanin. When exposed to ultraviolet radiation on the skin, the number of melanocytes increases. As a result of the stimulation of melanocytes with ultraviolet light, hyperpigmentation of the skin (tan) occurs.

Melanins of natural microbial, plant and animal origin enter the human body with various foods.

A lack of melanin in organs and tissues can lead to pathologies such as Parkinson's disease, vitiligo, albinism, etc.

Excessive sunlight exposure and ultraviolet rays lead to overstrain, and then the breakdown of the barrier properties of the skin, and as a result - premature aging of the skin and the occurrence of skin pathologies.

 Features of plant melanin

Plant melanin is one of the most powerful antioxidants.

Natural melanins are capable of easily adapting to transport systems across the cell membrane. Besides, when using plant components, the regulation of cellular metabolism is not disturbed.

Chaga mushroom is one of the richest natural sources of melanin.

Why is it useful?

The main function of melanin is to protect our skin, but also, it has many useful properties:

• scatters ultraviolet radiation;
• protects against skin oncology;
• protects from sunstroke, x-ray, and gamma radiation;
• prevents the penetration of radiation and damage to sensitive internal structures;
• protecting cells of the epidermis from the effect of ultraviolet rays, melanin indirectly protects it from the occurrence of tumors;
• neutralizes the free radicals;
• limits the activity of heavy metals and other toxic products;
• maintains the integrity of DNA;
• positively affects the processes of cellular metabolism;
• prevents heat dissipation in the body. (therefore, people with increased skin pigmentation suffer less from cold than albinos);
• is a neurotransmitter, that is, it provides general protection of the body from an aggressive external environment.

Problems of skin oncology and exposure to UV radiation

Currently, skin cancer is one of the most significant oncological problems.

Sunlight is the main natural risk factor for skin cancer, both melanoma, and non-melanoma types. The sun, as well as solarium equipment, emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Under the influence of UV rays, human skin becomes more prone to skin cancer.

Although the discovery of new treatments and the provision of adequate care for cancer patients is very important to reduce the burden of cancer, prevention is a more important aspect.

That’s why it is important to consume natural melanin-rich products.

Scientific studies of the effect of Chaga extract on tumor activity

Japanese scientists have shown that Chaga mushroom extract exhibits strong antitumor activity.

The experiment involved mice with tumors, which were regularly given Chaga extract. Within a few weeks, tumors were reduced by 60%, and the number of metastases was reduced by 25%.

The fact is that Chaga extract stimulates energy metabolism and thereby helps to suppress the development of cancer cells.

The same authors studied the effect of the water-soluble part of melanin on the central nervous system under prolonged stress exposure. As a result of experiments, it was found that prolonged administration of melanin prevents the development of excessive emotional-reactive manifestations in animals. At the same time, it was revealed that the drug prevents ulceration, reduces the number of hemorrhages in the gastric mucosa, and prevents the decrease in the total mass of animals under stress.

How to cook Chaga to get maximum melanin?

Chaga can and should be boiled.

There is an opinion that boiling makes Chaga useless. This is true for plants. But Chaga is a mushroom, and this does not apply to it. Scientific studies prove that melanin with prolonged boiling (about 2 hours) becomes more active and excretes in larger quantities. Therefore, it is recommended to brew Chaga, and then boil it again.

Chaga is so rich in useful substances that it is impossible to take everything from it at one time.

Our advice

To provide maximum protection to the skin and a beautiful tan, we recommend drinking Chaga drinks from «Chaga Laboratories»:

• during tanning along with a protective cream;
• during the hours of the most active sun;
• during tanning in a solarium.

Drink Chaga and enjoy your summer in full!