Chaga Salve Recipe

While the cosmetics industry is constantly growing and delivering new skincare products, nothing can top nature when it comes to healing. If you're still searching for a chemical product that properly treats various skin conditions, you may be surprised to hear that medicinal mushrooms have the potential to help. Chaga mushrooms in particular have become increasingly popular for their skincare benefits. 

What is it that makes this fungus so amazing? Find out by following our chaga salve recipe.

Key Takeaways

• Chaga mushrooms have gained popularity in skincare products due to their beneficial properties. They contain antioxidants, melanin, and SOD, which moisturize the skin, protect it from stressors like toxins and UV light, and support the function of skin cells.
• Chaga mushrooms have anti-aging effects. They are rich in antioxidants, particularly SOD, which helps eliminate oxidative stress and prevent the onset of wrinkles. Chaga's high ORAC value makes it a valuable addition to a skincare routine.

What is a Chaga Salve 

A salve is an ointment, cream, or balm with therapeutic properties that protect and promote skin healing. These creams usually include moisturizing oils like olive oil or coconut oil. In addition, salves contain wax or butter, which bind all components into a semi-solid, smooth balm. You can also use shea butter or Carnauba wax if you want a vegan alternative.

The most common salves contain medicinal herbs, but mushrooms can also be an ideal ingredient and this chaga salve will bless your skin with a healthy glow.

Chaga Benefits for Skin 

The reason why chaga mushrooms have become so popular for skincare products is that they contain antioxidants, melanin, and SOD (superoxide dismutase). These compounds moisturize the skin, nurture it, and protect it from stressors like toxins, UV light, dehydration, and a poor diet. 

While adding chaga powder to your foods is a great way to boost your skin’s health, using a chaga salve will focus more closely on specific areas of the body, ensuring you are getting the right complementary treatment for conditions such as acne, aging, lack of elasticity, sunspots, psoriasis, and more.

While research is still limited regarding chaga benefits for skin, some studies have found interesting results that prove this mushroom’s power is greater than we thought.

Chaga Mushroom Anti-aging

Free radicals damage our skin cells, generating premature aging. Fortunately, chaga has plenty of antioxidants that eliminate oxidative stress, prevent the onset of wrinkles, and support the function of our skin cells.

The most notable antioxidant in chaga mushrooms is SOD, an enzyme that creates a defense against oxidative stress. 

While our body produces this antioxidant, its levels start to decline as we age, leaving our cells unprotected against free radicals.

Chaga’s ORAC value (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) is one of the highest among natural foods, with over 10,000 points marking the antioxidant content in food. Next time you are looking for the right addition to your skincare routine, you might want to take chaga with you.

Besides preventing the effects of aging triggered by free radicals, chaga benefits for the skin also extend to sun protection. UV lights put our skin in danger when unprotected, potentially generating skin problems and dark sunspots. Thanks to their melanin content and high pigment, chaga mushrooms potentially help to provide protection against the harmful effects of UV rays.

Chaga Mushroom Eczema

While we still need more research to fully understand how chaga may help eczema, we do know that this mushroom’s moisturizing properties combined with proper oils may provide some relief for people who have this skin condition.

Eczema can become worse when in dry environments. The skin becomes chapped, red, and itchy, which is something that a good chaga salve recipe may help soothe for those winter days where your eczema flares.

However, the best way to target your eczema while using chaga mushrooms is to talk to your dermatologist. Never start to treat a delicate condition like eczema on your own without the right medical advice.

How to Make Chaga Salve

Now that you know all about chaga mushroom for the skin, follow this simple yet effective Chaga salve recipe to get your hands on its magical benefits.

Equipment Needed

• Double boiler or melting pot
• Salve tins for storage

Ingredients

• 9 Tbsp of shea butter
• 3 Tbsp of cacao butter
• 6 Tbsp of coconut oil
• 10 drops of essential oil (we recommend tea tree oil)
• 2-3 Tbsp of chaga powder (Check out Microingredients’ Organic Chaga powder or this Mushroom extract powder blend)

Step by Step

1. Melt your cacao butter, shea butter, and coconut oil in the melting pot until everything mixes together.
2. Add the chaga mushroom powder and essential oil.
3. Store in your salve tins and take to the refrigerator for 4 hours.
4. Once it solidifies, store at room temperature.

That’s it! Now you have a natural, organic, and reliable chaga salve recipe to follow over the years. Apply on the affected areas consistently for proper coverage and see how your skin glows and heals thanks to the power of nature.