Chaga mushroom grows on birch trees in harsh climates. It’s known to strengthen immunity, boost energy and aid digestion.

Chaga mushrooms contain melanin, a pigment that helps protect against radiation and UV damage to the skin. (35).

You can make chaga tinctures at home, but the medicinal potency will be lower than when using an extract powder.

Benefits

Chaga mushroom benefits include anti-aging, cardiovascular and immune system support. It is rich in antioxidants, beta-D-glucans, and polysaccharides that help the body fight free radical damage. Chaga is also a stress adaptogen, supporting the body’s ability to deal with environmental stresses and increasing resistance to physical fatigue. It provides a wide range of nutrients, including Vitamins A, B complex, C, D and E as well as manganese, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium and potassium.

It has been revered in folk medicine for centuries as a natural gastrointestinal protector and digestive comfort enhancer. Studies suggest that chaga may promote healthy inflammatory response in the colon, as well as help maintain normal levels of blood sugar and cholesterol. It also supports the health of the pancreatic tissue and has been shown to regulate the composition and activity of the gut microbiota in some animal studies.

A tea made from raw chaga is an excellent way to enjoy these natural benefits. Tea can be brewed by pouring hot water over 4-5 teaspoons of chaga and steeping for 40-50 minutes. It can be sweetened with honey, stevia or maple syrup if desired. This non-caffeinated beverage is the perfect way to start your day or relax in the evening.

The chaga mushroom grows and matures in harsh, wild climates of the Northern Hemisphere. It takes 20 years for chaga to reach maturity and be ready for harvesting. To make the most of this potent superfood, the chaga is harvested while young and still soft. It is then processed using a proprietary technique to remove only the chitinous exterior and retain all the important and beneficial soluble and insoluble nutrients inside. It is then dried in a special oven and prepared for distribution.

While there is a lot of excitement about the potential of this powerful mushroom, research on humans is limited. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider before incorporating chaga mushrooms into your diet. Chaga can interact with certain medications, especially those used to treat clotting disorders or high blood pressure.

Dragon Herbs Siberian Chaga Mushroom is an all-natural, whole-food supplement that contains the finest quality chaga available on the market. This organic chaga extract is made by state-of-the-art, moderate temperature full spectrum extraction with both water and ethanol (alcohol). This process ensures that all of the bioactive compounds are present in the final product.

Origins

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is an esteemed medicinal fungus that parasitizes birch trees in northern forests around the world. This slow growing, rock hard fungus is also known for making a delicious tea that has recently been enjoying increased popularity in the west. Its unique properties have long been revered in many cultures for their health-boosting benefits.

The oldest records of chaga use are from the Khanty people living in western Siberia for over a thousand years. They recorded that chaga was used as a tea to help digestion and smoked for better lung health. It was regarded as a gift from nature, and was considered to have the ability to protect against viral infections, tumors, bacterial infections and even cancer [1].

This is likely due to its high content of betulinic acid and other active compounds that act as strong antioxidants. Chaga contains numerous nutrients such as b-d-glucans, magnesium, iron, potassium and manganese. It has also been reported that it helps fight free radicals that can contribute to oxidative damage in the body [2].

A hot water extraction is a common preparation for chaga. This process is achieved by simmering chunks of chaga in multiple quarts of water for several hours. The liquid that is left contains a concentrated amount of the fungus’s water-soluble compounds. Alternatively, alcohol based extractions can be made using the same technique. The final extract is a much more potent form of the herb, and can be used to make tea or to be consumed orally as a supplement.

In the 1950s, the Moscow Medical Institute began conducting clinical trials on chaga and found that it significantly increased immune function in patients [3]. It became widely used in Russia for cancer treatment. Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote about the fungus in his novel, Cancer Ward. The character Oleg Kostoglotov tells his fellow inmates that he wishes he could have been given the simple peasant’s cure of chaga instead of the expensive radiation therapy they were receiving [4].

Chaga is now well-known in many parts of the world and is increasingly being utilized as an alternative medicine. Its benefits have been attributed to a number of conditions, including viral infections, cancer, tumors, bacterial infections and tuberculosis.

Methods

The rock-hard fungus that parasitizes birch trees in the cold climates of Siberia and Northern Europe is having its moment in the sun, rising as an esteemed medicinal mushroom and a popular drink in modern health circles. In tincture and tea form, chaga is used to boost immunity, stimulate natural energy, and support overall well-being.

A little known gem among fungi, the chaga mushroom is one of nature’s most powerful super foods and should be harvested with care so that this important wild medicine continues to thrive for generations to come. Chaga is rich in essential b-complex vitamins, potassium, and beta glucans, as well as other antioxidants that help fight the effects of aging and chronic illness.

The best way to harvest chaga is when it is still young and fresh. It has a very dense and woody texture, and when handled it feels almost like a tree branch. For this reason, it is important to use a sturdy, sharp tool to cut it off the tree. Ideally, you should practice sustainable harvesting and only take what you need from the forest.

Once you have your chaga, it is best to process it on the same day that you collect it. This will make it much easier to break down into smaller, palm-sized pieces for brewing tea and tinctures. For this purpose, a hammer, axe or even a small meat grinder will work great. If you have a foraging friend, they may be able to help you process the chaga with their tool of choice.

To make a chaga tincture, place the chopped up chaga in a glass jar and cover it with alcohol, leaving a few inches of headspace. Allow it to soak for 4-6 weeks in a cool, dark place. After this time, the tincture is ready to be strained and taken as needed. You can also brew it for 30 minutes to an hour or more to make a hot herbal tea. However, if you steep it for too long, the medicinal potency will decrease, and you may not be able to reuse the chaga bits for future tea brewing sessions.

Ingredients

The mushroom chaga is harvested from the bark of birch trees in Siberia and used as a tea for centuries. It has been shown to help stimulate immune function, reduce oxidative stress and have antioxidant properties. Several studies have also found that chaga may help treat cancer and other chronic diseases.

Chaga contains polysaccharides and sterols, among other beneficial substances. Betulinic acid, a compound with antiviral and antifungal properties, is also present in chaga.

It is rich in antioxidants, notably superoxide dismutase and beta-D-glucans, as well as vitamins and minerals such as potassium, chromium, rubidium, selenium, amino acids and zinc. In addition, chaga is classified as an adaptogen, which helps the body to adapt to stress and balance its functions.

In addition to being packed with antioxidants, chaga is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Its extracts are also used to fight infections, boost immunity and treat heart disease.

The extracts of chaga can be taken orally, but the best way to take it is as a tea. It is available in a range of forms, from premade tea bags you can brew in hot water to supplements in capsule and tincture form. It can also be added to foods, like soups and sauces.

Some people even use it in their skincare. Chaga has been shown to have antioxidant activity, which can protect the skin against sun damage and promote cellular health. It can also help reduce the signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines.

The extracts of chaga can be purchased from a number of retailers online. It is important to look for products that are sustainably sourced and have been certified organic. Many of these products will be advertised as having medicinal properties, but be wary of claims that they cure or prevent certain illnesses. Most of these claims are based on scientific research that has not been properly verified or validated. It is therefore important to speak with a medical professional before using chaga or any other herbal supplement. However, if you are happy with your doctor’s advice and feel comfortable taking a natural health product, then go ahead!