Chaga: King of the Medicinal Mushrooms

David Wolfe's book Chaga, King of the Medicinal Mushrooms is so comprehensive, and yet easy to read and understand. The paperback itself is 5" by 8" with thick semi-glossy pages, lots of wonderful, clear pictures, and bound really well. The reason I'm saying this, is because this is a book that I'm going be referring to for both the recipes, and the instructions as to harvesting the Chaga mushroom.The pictures of the mushroom show clearly what exactly this medicinal mushroom looks like, because you certainly don't want to harvest, and eat the wrong kind of mushroom. And of course the pictures of David show a charming, kind, and vital man, which helps to sell his idea of herbal medicine. His face practically glows with good health, something you can't photoshop in when needed.David first introduces us to Chaga in the wild, showing us how it grows mostly on Birch trees and how it prefers a colder climate. How it was used by Siberian Shamans for healing. David gives us a list of the remarkable things that Chaga can do for our bodies such as being a 'premier herbal adaptogen(a metabolic regulator that increases an organism's ability to adapt to environmental factors and resist stress), cancer fighter, immune-system modulator, antitumor agent, gastrointestinal(digestive) tonifier, longevity tonic, and a genoprotective(DNA-shielding) agent." page 1David made his case so well, that I went to his website, [...], and ordered some Chaga for myself. There were different forms of the Chaga, and David explains them all in this book, plus he tells you how to make your own, but that's not going to happen for me, so I too the easy route and pulled out my credit card.Combining the history of Chaga and its ancient uses, along with modern science, David gives you all the information you'll need to make an intelligent decision about your own health. He also includes other superfoods and herbs, along with the what they do, and scientifically, why they work. I'm even going to continue with the Horsetail that I was eating to build up my hair(a real motivating factor for me) happy that I've learned that it also is an anti-fungal, and bone-strengthening agent. I've also read that cancer might start out as a fungus, whether it's true or not, it certainly can't hurt.With so many pharmaceuticals being prescribed now days, it's good to find herbs that can help with some of the same problems, but without the long-never-ending list of side effect that take up half the commercial time for these drugs.David Wolfe's book is an excellent guide to anyone's search for better health through nature.

Chaga King Of The Medicinal Mushrooms by David Wolfe is a book I have been waiting for in anticipation and it does not disappointI am a avid user of Chaga Extracts with excellent results!PART 1 of the book deals with the facts and history of Chaga and the Birch Tree from which Chaga grows on!PART 2 of the book deals with preparing and enjoying Chaga with a good variety of Recipes, this includes preparing Teas which was interesting as David states not to boil the Chaga in Boiled Water but to simmer over a period of time so as to not destroy the natural Acids and beta-glucan polysaccharides etc.PART 3 deals with the science of Chaga which I found the most interesting as this to me is the nuts and bolts of the Book.David has presented a comprehensive view of the individual constituents of Chaga These being Beta-glucans, Betulin,Betulinic Acid and Melanins.Overall I was very happy with the book it wasnt a long book and was straight to the point with each particular topic presented within its pages with citations, I also enjoyed the photos spread out within the book photos of Chaga on a Birch Tree is something to admire!I have a close Family member recently diagnosed Cancer and have started him on Chaga Extract with Turkey Tail in preparation for the onslaught of Chemotherapy and Surgery to boost his immune system.The only downside to the book was no discussion on Powdered Extracts which would of been of interest to me as I have been using a fantastic Chaga Product from ORIVEDA!!In my Oppinion the Book is excellent for anyone wanting to know the A to Z of chaga,once familiar with this wonderful mushroom start researching the Peer Reviewed Research Papers In depth pertaining to the benefits of taking this Mushroom!

I ordered this book during a bout of the flu. Unfortunately, I didn't get to place an order for the chaga until the flu was just about over, so I can't say that it had any effect as an antiviral agent or that it helped me get better. But, I was impressed enough with the information to go ahead and order the product. I've been dabbling in natural products for years, and have used many of the known "adoptagens" for general health and well-being - especially ginseng and some Chinese medicinal mushrooms. I've used cordyseps for energy and reishi for a wellness tonic, so I was glad to hear that chaga was the "king" of mushrooms (a claim that I'm not sure can be scientifically supported, but good enough to know even on the opinion level. The author does try to include some scientific data, but in all honesty, these products have not really been studied properly. All in all, this is a good review of this particular mushroom, and I would recommend it for anyone looking for basic information. The only criticism I have is that I wish the author would have reviewed more of the retail options the reader has (I had to go onto Amazom.com to look up information on ordering the product), instead of putting so much emphasis on looking for it out in the woods (although it seems like that's part of his hobby).

As a craftsman of Dual Extract Chaga, I already knew what was in the book but bought it as a conversion tool for the overly skeptical. David Wolfe summarizes Chaga's wonderful story in a quick, easy to read and understand fashion. I recommend it for the inquisitive considering entering the AMAZING world of Chaga. I have personally introduced Chaga to over 80 people. It is doing some incredible things for people. Embrace the Chaga. Do not fear it. Get the book.I will be ordering this book in quantity and giving it to my best customers as a token of my appreciation and as a tool to spread the word of Chaga. Maybe someday there will be a ChagaNation!!!

This book is very superficial. I could have learnt all I needed to know about chaga by looking at youtube videos.If this book was offered for sale at £2.99 then it might be considered value for money.I would have expected David Wolfe to have done a much better job - resting on one's laurels come to mind.

Nothing that you already don't know if you have been researching on the internet for 1 hour

Excellent reading will be investing in some chaga mushrooms soon. C.S

Very good book. Top seller. A+++. Thanks Pi

Great book learnt a lot from it