If you’ve ever had persistent acne before, natural anti-inflammatories are your BFFs. I love trying out different supplements. The chaga mushroom has been used as a herb for centuries in Siberia and in regions of China to boost immunity and reduce inflammation. It’s been dubbed by the Siberians as “A Gift from God” and also “The Mushroom of Immortality”. Chaga is a wild mushroom that grows on the bark of birch trees. As I’ve learned more about this mushroom, I’ve found 5 ways the chaga mushroom can benefit the skin:

1. Helps prevent skin cancer

Chaga is very rich in phyto-nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and some research has shown that chaga can kill cancer cells. Laboratory and animal studies have shown that the compounds in chaga mushrooms stimulate the immune system and has anti-tumor effects.

Drinking chaga can even protect you from carcinogens, which ultimately have the capacity to cause skin cancer. If you’re eying a mole or sun-spot that’s causing concern, you may reap some skin-protective benefits by drinking chaga tea or consuming a chaga supplement, and applying a cream with concentrated chaga extract to that area — in addition to seeing your dermatologist for a check-up of course!

Additional clinical research of this mushroom is still ongoing, and the health benefits are promising!

2. Delays signs of aging

According to the National Cancer Institute, the chaga mushroom is 46 times more powerful in antioxidant content than in comparison to blueberries.

According to Tero Isokauppila, author of the book Healing Mushrooms: A Practical and Culinary Guide to Using Mushrooms for Whole Body Health, one dose of dual-extracted chaga (the typical amount found in a cup of chaga tea) has the same antioxidant content as 30 pounds of carrots.

Do you know what else is impressive about this mushroom?

Chaga has high levels of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), which is an enzyme that helps break down harmful molecules in cells. SOD is one of the body’s foremost antioxidant defenses, which reduces free radical damage.

Free radical damage is what sets the stage for wrinkles, lines, and hyperpigmentation spots to form. If we can reduce free radical damage by consuming nutrient-dense foods like the chaga mushroom, we also can prevent signs of premature aging of the skin. The chaga mushroom is clearly more than powerful enough to serve in this capacity.

3. Helps fight acne

Fighting persistent acne is usually an inside job, and oxidative stress is a common trigger that leads to inflammation. With this mushroom’s anti-inflammatory properties and its high levels of SOD, you’ll help reduce the effects of oxidative stress inside your body and thereby help reduce your breakouts.

Chaga mushrooms also are rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can help strengthen the skin. Since I have acne-prone skin, sometimes I’ll pop in nutrient-rich supplements like chaga mushroom, as a preventative measure to make sure my skin gets the nutrients it needs to reduce inflammation.

4. Offers sun protection

Did you know that two of the world’s most renowned snowboarders, Terje Håkonsen and Nicolas Müller, consume chaga to protect their facial skin from sun damage? Snowboarders are exposed to the sun on high mountains with little to no shade; hence these snowboarders are basically consuming chaga as an extra, internal layer of protection from the sun.

Chaga has the capacity to offer internal sun protection because it has incredibly high antioxidant properties that ward off free radical damage from UV rays.

5. Helps support skin elasticity  

Due to the presence of a unique form of betulonic acid, the chaga mushroom has ability to restore elasticity to the skin while also stimulating collagen production. Because this acid inhibits the enzyme elastase (which breaks down elastin in the skin), it effectively protects the skin against the loss of elasticity. Elastin helps the skin return to its original position when poked or pinched, and is what we need to protect to keep wrinkles away.

How to consume chaga

Traditionally, chaga is chopped and boiled into a medicinal tea. However, if you’re not sure you can handle the taste of chaga tea, you can try chaga mushroom capsules instead.

Though side effects are rare, always pay attention to your body when trying natural supplements and consult a doctor if needed – especially if you’re taking other medications or have a unique medical history. It’s usually advised to avoid such supplements during pregnancy.

Photo by Ellasandra.co