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A Walk In The Woods 

Is Chaga fungus the miracle natural medicine? 

Recently, while cutting several large dyeing white birch trees for a neighbour, I came across a special surprise.  Hiding behind low growing grass and shrubs was a large black growth known as chaga fungus. If you have not yet heard of chaga, let me first say that I am not a medical expert and that you may not believe what you are about to read.  

Chaga looks a lot like a burned scar on the bark of a birch tree.  However, it actually is a slowly growing fungus which grows in birch trees at a rate estimated to be one out of every few thousand mature trees.  This medicinal mushroom has been given many nicknames, such as “God’s Natural Medicine Gift”.  This name reflects the amazing medicinal benefits for humans.  These benefits have been known and enjoyed for centuries in Russia, China, Siberia and other areas of Asia.  It’s only been in recent years that chaga has been gaining popularity in North America for its health benefits and yummy taste in the form of chaga tea. 

The chaga mushroom is composed of the dense black mass of mycelia that varies in size but can easily grow up to 40cm in width.  This is caused by an infection in the birch tree with the non-toxic parasitic fungus Inonotus Obliquus.  The hard and cracked fungus exterior, which looks like burnt charcoal, is called the sclerotium.  The interior is softer and has a rusty yellow-brown colour that is obvious when it is removed from the birch tree and broken into chunks.

The following health benefits of chaga are according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre.  You are encouraged to research this topic further to learn about the benefits that have been validated through scientific research.

1. Stimulates and regulates immune system

Many of the benefits of Chaga come from the way the compounds that make up the mushroom interact with the complicated aspects of the human immune system.

One of the most important things Chaga does is boost the immune system when it needs boosting, and help keep it from otherwise being overactive. This means that Chaga can benefit people needing immune support and people with autoimmune disorders.

2. Nutritional support in fighting cancer

Cancer patients often require immunity support while and after receiving treatment.  Chemotherapy and radiation treatments negatively affects bone marrow, which lessens its capability to produce white blood cells.  The weakened immune system is then more susceptible to infections and diseases that may cause further harm.  Researchers have found that Chaga’s positive impact on the immune system could benefit cancer patients and that it has direct anti-tumor properties.

3. Reduces inflammation

Inflammation occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissue.  It is often the cause of many chronic ailments.  Studies indicate that Chaga inhibits the production of the cytokines that cause inflammation.

4. Protects the liver

It is well known that stressors such as smoking or too much sun can cause free radicals that damage human cells, especially the liver.   Chaga comes to the rescue in these situations because it contains numerous antioxidants. Antioxidants intercept free radicals, giving them something to react in a non-destructive manner. By increasing the number of antioxidants, the oxidative stress goes down.

5. Helps anti-aging and skin 

The skin is another organ that develops numerous problems as a result of free radicals in skin cells that are created by exposure to external factors, especially pollution and radiation from the sun.

As we get older, the speed at which our cells can repair oxidative damage slows down. Eventually, skin cancer can develop.  By providing cells with more antioxidants, Chaga not only slows the process of our skin aging but can protect against a form of cancer that affects nearly 100,000 North Americans annually.  Typically, a high-quality chaga extract will provide a very high level of antioxidants, turning Chaga into a powerful anti-aging tool and thus benefiting your skin.

6. Battling ulcers and gastritis 

Chaga mushroom may help ward off ulcers and gastritis and even provide relief for people suffering from them.  Chaga also fights harmful bacteria. The compounds in Chaga have been found to disrupt the way bacteria communicate and organize with each other. 

7. Improving cholesterol and blood pressure

Research determined that Chaga significantly reduced the “bad” LDL cholesterol as well as total cholesterol in both blood serum and organ tissue samples.  This is important because high cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and is a major problem in modern society, with over 25% of North Americans over age 40 using prescription drugs to lower cholesterol.

Though it has not been specifically studied, the polysaccharides in Chaga may also help control blood pressure. Some research indicates that oxidative stress caused by free radicals is one cause of hypertension, which Chaga’s antioxidant supplementation may reduce.

Although more research is required on this naturally occurring wonder drug, it appears that we may have a valuable health tool at our finger-tips.  If you are interested in using Chaga and have any health risk factors, you should clear it with your doctor before starting.  Chaga is available at most health food stores, such as SunSpun in Truro.  It is available in the forests of Nova Scotia, but it is important to remember that one needs permission from the property owner to take it from their trees.

 

-Don Cameron, RPF
July 11, 2021

A Walk In The Woods 

Mid Summer Check-up 

It is hard to believe but we have passed the mid summer mark so quickly.  It has been a comfortable summer for the most part with plenty of rain and heat.  This has created great growing conditions for lawns, gardens and most “wild” plants.  Great growing conditions leads to more lawn mowing and trimming.  You are reminded to be very careful when mowing or whipper snipping near young trees.  It only takes a brush up against the young bark to damage trees.  Once the scar is created, fungal growth often takes advantage, which often leads to premature death.  Also, inattentive or careless use of lawn mowers and whipper snippers too often causes the complete girdling of trees and shrubs, which leads to death soon after.

It is important that we all take great care when working with these machines near plants.  One method to protect trees and shrubs, and encourage good growth, is to use a 5 to 7.5cm thick bark mulch layer around the plants to be protected.  When there is no grass growing near the tree stems, it dramatically decreases the chance of accidental tree stem damage.

Despite the great grass growth, it is also important to not mow lawns too low.  If the conditions turn try, a short lawn is less resilient to lack of moisture and will be at higher risk of insect infestation or drying out completely.

This warm, moist summer has also created ideal conditions for various tree leaf fungal infestations across the province which generally creates ugly leaves but is not so serious for tree survival.  More information on this subject will appear in next week’s newspaper.

Similarly, as you hopefully are well aware, we are still in tick season.   In fact, one should sadly assume that it is possible to be bitten by a tick – either black legged or wood ticks, year-round.  Ticks can be found just about anywhere outdoors.  Recently, I have had two friends acquire the dreaded Lyme Disease.  Neither knew when they were bitten by the infected black legged ticks, but both think it was likely while golfing at a golf course.  So, instead of staying inside and being bored, keep enjoying the outdoors to the max while taking the proper tick precautions.  

Due to the large deer population in many urban areas like Truro, HRM, and New Glasgow area, the population or ticks has also increased.  Along with climate change, which has allowed the spread and flourishing of ticks, female ticks that become engorged on deer, eventually fall off into their urban neighbourhoods and soon after produce hundreds, if not thousands, of baby ticks which will soon be looking for a blood meal.  Recently more ticks have been found on backyard lawns for this reason.

It is recommended that you tuck your pants into your socks when walking in tall grass, shrubs or forest settings.  As well, it is essential to check yourself and those you love in your home to make sure you are safe.  Lyme disease can be life-changing and crippling, and when a tick bites you, the bite creates no sensation because of the anaesthetic chemical it uses at the beginning of the biting process.  These eight-legged blood sucking critters may range in size from as small as a pin’s head to as large as a pencil eraser.  Always be on the lookout.

Along the topic of deer, most urban dwellers have stories of close encounters or frustrations with the growing urban deer population.  As each generation of deer becomes more familiar and fearless of humans and our world, it is becoming more and more difficult to avoid their impacts, whether it be feeding on and destroying gardens and shrubs, spreading ticks, and creating unsafe conditions in some backyards and while driving on some streets where deer are commonly struck by vehicles.

Some solutions include tall fences, double or electric fences, and sometimes planting plants that deer do not seem to like – yet at least.  Some communities, such as Truro, are considering what actions might be taken to deal with the high urban deer population.

The key forest insects to keep an eye out for in the coming months and years include Emerald ash borer, Hemlock woolly adelgid, and the old familiar spruce budworm.  The first two exotic pests could sadly wipe out our ash and hemlock tree species, perhaps even worse than the impact of Dutch elm disease.

Most people realize the multiple benefits of planting trees, including softening the climate crisis impacts.  Can you get involved in planting trees?  Yes, you can.  You may choose to plant small trees you transplant from the forest, you can choose trees from nurseries to plant yourself, or you may hire a landscaping company to look after the planting for you.  The Town of Truro is known for its beautiful urban forest.  It is up to all of us, if we are able, to continue developing a healthy and diverse urban forest.  The Town of Truro offers a great deal for residents during the spring to fall period.  For the planting of approved tree species that are known to survive our climate, the Town will provide a 50% rebate.  It is a great deal for all involved.  Simply call Andrew at 902-893-6071.

Finally, be thankful we live in a beautiful little province that doesn’t have the wildfires, heat waves, droughts and flooding that has occurred in western Canada.  However, always be careful not to cause wildfires in our forests.  In August and September, it doesn’t take too many hot and dry days to suddenly create serious wildfire spreading conditions.

Despite the pandemic restrictions that we have been wisely living by, it has been a great spring and summer for outdoor recreation activities and sports such as tennis, golf, biking and hiking.  Good luck getting outdoors and staying active.

 

-Don Cameron, RPF
Aug. 15, 2021   

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