Birch tree mushroom tea can be an incredibly beneficial medicinal aid. Commonly referred to as birch polypore, razor strop fungus or conk mushrooms, they possess a firm yet sponge-like consistency when young and can even be applied like bandages for skin injuries.

Birch Tree Borer grows as a parasitic organism in dead or damaged birch trees (it may also spread to other species) and requires many years for full development.

Medicinal Benefits

Medicinal chaga is an amazing organism found growing on birch trees. As it’s a parasite, it takes in nutrients from these trees and concentrates them, enabling it to flourish into something quite large with many properties.

On this episode of From the Wild, we join a local mycologist and expert in medicinal mushrooms as they show us how to harvest chaga from birch trees and make tea out of it. Chaga tea was traditionally steeped for hours in hot water before drinking as healing tea; its bitter flavor makes it less than appealing but has long been used as medicine against various conditions.

Chaga is often used to treat cancer and other chronic inflammation-based diseases. It contains high levels of antioxidants – particularly betulinic acid which has proven its anticancer capabilities – as well as being shown to decrease production of cytokines that cause inflammation in the body.

Chaga can also provide important antifungal and antiviral benefits. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy against HIV by inhibiting replication. Furthermore, it’s been used successfully against flu, yellow fever and other viruses with potentially dangerous implications – plus antibacterial and antiseptic qualities as well.

Studies have revealed its powerful anti-inflammatory effects, as it inhibits specific enzymes involved in producing pro-inflammatory compounds. Furthermore, studies suggest it reduces levels of an estrogen hormone linked to numerous hormonal imbalances and tumors.

Birch tree mushroom tea has quickly become one of the go-to products for those seeking natural ways to enhance their health, and may help address autoimmune disorders, diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease and cancer among other issues. Furthermore, its extracts may support immunity and balance thyroid function.

Chaga should only be harvested when young and bright-colored for optimal harvesting results. Once it begins to age and turn blackish in hue, its days have passed and should no longer be consumed. Pieces of chaga were found preserved in ice in Italy’s Alpine mummy Otzi and found threaded onto his neck via leather strings threaded with pieces of Birch Polypore Fungus believed to have been used medicinally to combat Whipworm parasite.

Harvesting

As more and more people forgo traditional tea bags and opt to brew their own, more are opting to go the DIY route with their beverage needs. From herbal to fruity beverages, making the most out of natural ingredients found in nature is key here; particularly when it comes to tea made from birch tree mushrooms which boast anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits; harvesting these mushrooms properly ensures maximum benefit!

Birch tree mushroom tea is made from a large fungus known as Inonotus obliquus or “chaga,” which grows on paper birch and yellow birch trees, specifically paper and yellow birches. This parasitic organism, often referred to as “chaga,” attacks its host trees until eventually breaking them down causing irreparable damage. It has an eye-catching appearance resembling a black mass or conk that protrudes through their bark when compromised; occasionally appearing like this is how its host tree’s bark.

Finding these wild fungi should be straightforward, provided that you know exactly what to look for and harvest them properly. Fungus has long been used in medicine and brewing as it contains strong antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties; some believe this fungus could even aid with cancer and other illnesses by helping with immune functions or even helping to lower cholesterol.

Though fungus may not be edible, it does make for a refreshing tea. While its bitter woody taste might not appeal, with hot water and some sweetener added it can become quite tasty. In addition, many hunters and campers use the fungus as an effective fire starter as it will continue smoldering for quite some time.

Fungus should be harvested during winter when its nutritional benefits are at their greatest. Colder weather allows it to preserve these properties more effectively.

Jennifer and Alan explore the forest near their house for signs of chaga fungus growth on birch trees. “You must take great care not to damage the tree,” they note, before using a chisel to remove any signs.

When they harvest the fungus and bring it home to their house, they grind it up into small pieces before placing the powdered chaga in a jar and pouring boiling water over it to make a very dark, bitter and woody tea that they serve at breakfast time.

Preparation

If you have spent any time outdoors in the northern woods, chances are that you have seen birch trees. Their distinctive peeling bark, brilliant yellow autumn leaves and graceful winter branches have become one of the most iconic species found there – making this tree type one of the most recognized trees found anywhere.

People may not realize it, but birch tree mushrooms (Inonotus obliquus) can be an incredible medicinal plant used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries. Although commonly mistaken as tumors, birch tree mushrooms (Inonotus obliquus) grow on its slender and rugged trunks of forest giants and have been utilized as powerful medicinal plants ever since ancient times. It appears in an infected tree’s side as canker-like black conks similar to tumors but without reproductive parts like traditional mushrooms do (I don’t see reproductive parts anywhere).

Fungus feeds on nutrients provided by trees without returning anything in return, acting like a parasite to eventually kill it off. Birch trees seem particularly susceptible; as the fungus only ever appears when exposed for too long.

Although chaga fungus is generally durable, harvesting it without damaging trees can be challenging. When encountering its gnarled growth on local birches, one method for harvest is cutting away a desired portion from the surface of its spore growth with care to not harm or destroy any part of the tree itself. After cutting away an amount, cut more off from underneath so as to harvest for further use later. It can then be cut up further for use later by hammering, freezing, or drying for later use!

Once chaga has been prepared, its medicinal qualities can be reaping into a tea. It contains key ingredients like piptamine, nucleic acid and betulinic acid as well as various vitamins and phenolic compounds with antibacterial and antiviral properties. Decocting (or slowly simmering in water for an hour) gives more energy to the fungus while simultaneously dispensing its constituents more effectively.

Jennifer and Alan, foraging couples from the North Country, enjoy creating their own chaga tea using sweetener such as chamomile blossoms or simply boiling it plain in hot water for 15 minutes before switching off the stove and waiting 15 more. Some use grinding the fungus into powder first while others add directly into boiling water while leaving it steeping.

Storage

Foragers of Birch Tree Mushroom should know that this unique conk (not true fungus, but more like an innocuous tumor) should be harvested with care and stored for future use in teas, supplements and cooking if handled and treated appropriately.

Birch polypore (Fomitopsis betulina) is an easily identifiable bracket fungus found on birch trees, making it very easy to identify. When fresh, the subglobose shape and light-to-white hue make for easy identification; with age comes darker tones. Underneath its surface lies a corky rubbery texture which releases spores when mature; these land on exposed areas within its host tree and continue growing over time without harm.

Mycorrhizal fungi feed on bark and vascular tissues of their host trees to grow; their feeding can last for as long as 30 years before eventually toppling and killing it if left alone.

One of the many medicinal uses for this fungus is as an immune booster and cancer fighter, while its high concentrations of antioxidants help fight chronic inflammatory conditions, viral infections and tumours.

Chaga is widely recognized for its health benefits, particularly its ability to increase metabolism and energy levels, support digestion health and strengthen immunity. Chaga contains both fiber and B vitamins for added digestive support.

Be it harvested directly from the forest or purchased dried from a reliable supplier, following these tips can help ensure you make an unforgettable cup of chaga tea. First and foremost, select quality chaga, preferable older growths which contain higher concentrations of beneficial compounds. Next, remove it using either hammer or chisel without harming any trees, taking care not to harm birch trees themselves and leaving behind at least a third of what was harvested as this will regrow into new chaga over time.