What Is Chaga Mushroom?

Chaga is a parasitic fungus that can be found growing wild in Poland, Siberia, and North America. Generally favouring birch trees, chaga enters through a ‘wound’ in the bark or branches of a tree. Initially growing under the bark, sometimes for as long as 80+ years, eventually the chaga will erupt into black charcoal like extensions on the exterior of the tree. At that point it will take another 5-7 years for the exterior chaga conks to reach full maturity and eventually fall to the forest floor.

How to Use Chaga Mushroom (Common Uses)

Taken internally as a tea, decoction, powder, capsules, or liquid extract. When made as a tea or decoction, chaga can be re-infused multiple times. The tea is dark coloured and mild tasting.

Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Chaga Mushroom

Chaga, often called “King of Mushrooms”, was first documented as having medicinal use as early as the first century B.C.E. It is traditionally used to address abnormal tissue growth, immune system complaints, intestinal issues, and as a source of antioxidants. Chaga has been and is still commonly used in folk medicine in Russia, Poland, China, and numerous Baltic countries. Chaga works well both on its own and when combined with other herbs and fungi, especially medicinal mushrooms such as reishi and turkey tail. 

Active Constituents in Chaga Mushroom

Antioxidants, polysaccharides, betulinic acid, beta-glucans, triterpenes.