What is Chaga?

Chaga (scientific name: Inonotus obliquus) is an amazing herb that only grows in cold climates, and is most potent when exposed to temperatures under -40°F Siberian Chaga is the most powerful antioxidant in its class, and has the highest antioxidant concentration of any known natural food. Chaga grows in Siberia, Korea, Canada, the Northern US and parts of the Carolina mountains. But, because of the extremely cold temperatures encountered in the Siberian forest, Siberian Chaga is the most potent variety worldwide.

Chaga takes 5 to 7 years to grow, and is very rare.  Chaga cannot be farmed, so Sayan uses wild-harvested Chaga that is hand-picked in the depth of the Siberian taiga, where the temperatures are below -40°F at least five months a year! Our unique harvesting process preserves the life of all living things in the taigas (especially the birch trees that Chaga likes to grow on), minimizing environmental impact.

Although chaga has only recently been introduced to the United States, it has been well-known in Asia and Siberia for centuries.  It is said to have been identified 4600 years ago by the Shen Nong, the legendary father of Chinese medicine, and it was documented in the primary Chinese pharmacoepia some 2200 years ago.raditionally, chaga has been used to:

  • boost energy
  • support the immune system
  • increase the body’s resistance to stress (external or internal)
  • improve digestion
  • enhance the appearance of skin and hair
  • detoxify the body
  • normalize bodily functions such as blood pressure
  • slow the aging process
  • treat numerous ailments
  • treat various diseases such as ulcers, cancer, and diabetes, gastritis, respiratory disorders and various inflammatory diseases such as shingles

In the last 40 years, many of these claims have been backed up by over 1400 clinical and scientific research publications.  Some of these studies have concluded that Siberian chaga has anti-cancer, anti-HIV and anti-viral properties.Chaga's legendary health-giving reputation is partly derived from its extraordinarily high antioxidant concentration. Antioxidants fight free radicals, unstable molecules that damage cells and cause premature aging and disease. (see Antioxidants) Chaga is also an adaptogen, a class of natural substances that enhance the body's ability to adapt to stress and physical challenges. (See Adaptogens.) Among Chaga's many components are:

  • 215 Phytonutrients (also known as phytochemicals), compounds contained in edible plants that have strong, well-documented anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties
  • Melanin, which nourishes hair, skin and nails, and restores a youthful appearance
  • Vitamin B1, B2,and B3
  • Ergosterol (Vitamin D2)
  • Complex immune activating compounds such as Beta Glucans (which help boost the immune system)
  • 29 Beta functions (e.g., Saponins and Sterol (which help control cholesterol, Triterpenes (anti-inflammatory), Betulinic acid (anti-inflammatory and potentially anti-cancer), SOD, or super oxide dismutase (free radical defense
  • very high antioxidant value, demonstrated in laboratory testing, meaning that chaga wipes out free radicals with unequaled power

Siberian chaga is non-toxic and has no side effects.  Now, reaping the benefits of Siberian chaga is as easy as sipping a bottle of delicious Sayan™ Chaga beverage.