What does it look like and where does it come from?
What we know as "Chaga" is actually the dense black mass of mycelia (roughly 10" to 15" in size) that appears on the outside of birch trees infected with the non-toxic parasitic fungus Inonotus Obliquus.
The hard & cracked black exterior, which looks like burnt charcoal, is called the sclerotium (Fig 1).
The interior is softer and has a rusty yellow-brown color that can be seen when it's removed from the birch tree and broken into chunks (Fig 2).
Chaga Mushroom
Fig 1. The hard & cracked black exterior (sclerotium)
Chaga Chunks
Fig 2. The softer and rusty yellow-brown colored interior
In general, Chaga Mushrooms are mostly found in very cold habitats and grow predominantly on birches.
More specifically, Chaga grows wild in the birch forests of Russia, Korea, Eastern and Northern Europe, Northern areas of the United States and in Canada.
What are the Health Benefits?
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please consult with your doctor and read the latest information provided by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center before taking Chaga for any health condition.
Although research is ongoing, credible studies have shown that the Chaga Mushroom may provide several health benefits, including:
Stimulates and regulates the Immune System
Nutritional support in the fight against cancer
Reduce Inflammation
Anti-aging & Skin
Ulcers and Gastritis
Supports normal Cholesterol levels & Blood Pressure
Please read our Health Benefits post for more information about its medicinal potential.
How do you Consume it?
Chaga Tea and Chunks
Chaga has a naturally occurring vanillin, the same as found in the vanilla bean. Therefore, it takes on a slight hint of vanilla flavor when consumed as a tea and doesn't taste anything like a regular mushroom.
There are several ways to consume Chaga, but hot water extraction (e.g. Chaga Tea) is the most common and simplest way to enjoy it.