Russian scientists state that Chaga mushrooms from Siberia can be effectively used for a new medicine against AIDS.

      According to scientists from the Vector scientific center in Novosibirsk the Chaga birch mushroom, or inonotus obliquus, shows great promises for further research.

      Scientists have studied three species of mushrooms and came to the conclusion that they can all be used in anti-retrovirus medicines.

      “Strains of these mushrooms show low toxicity and strong antiviral effect”, the scientific center points out.

      Scientists believe that these mushrooms can be extremely efficient in treatment of flu, smallpox and even HIV infection. The point is that the mushrooms contain betulinic acid, which is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, the researchers explain.

      Chaga has been used by Siberian folk healers for centuries. Some experts assume that these mushrooms have even anticarcinogenic properties.