I have been drinking wild chaga tea for the last two years. I credit this as one of the best decisions of my life. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a sterile, black conk. Often labeled as a “mushroom”, chaga shows a more complicated anatomy. It is considered a fungus and parasite — for one, it thrives best on the barks of birch trees. Its appearance is that of burned charcoal because of its high melanin content. On the inside, it is bronze in color, or something like that. This conk can be found thriving naturally in the wild and extremely cold weather, mainly in Northern Canada and Russia, with Northern Siberia possessing exceptional quality chaga. So if you are looking for the real, unadulterated deal, these are the places to scout out as the source of origin.
Shopping around for or obtaining chaga that grew on birch trees from Siberia may sound simple enough, yet seems to present more of a challenge to producers. I’ve personally discovered most chaga sold on the market are subpar quality, lacking in the description and benefits promised. To be chaga, it must consist of the hard sclerotium structure, yet most labels on chaga products state either the fruiting body or mycelium as the prime source of their ingredient. The ultimate way to tell whether or not your chaga product is authentic is if it lists sclerotium (plural: sclerotia), preferably from either Siberia/Russia/Canada; and an adequate amount of betulinic acid obtained from growing on white or yellow birch trees!
One reason why getting authentic chaga may seem like asking for blood is because finding and marketing chaga is as difficult as if asking for blood. With wild chaga only growing on one (1) in every ten thousand (10,000) birch trees and the fact that it takes two (2) to six (6) years to harvest chaga, it would be impossible to keep up with demand on a wholesale basis. So now we have producers instead of supplying wild harvested chaga are now providing “cultivated” inferior quality chaga grown on grains, like rice and oats, in speedy time.
True wild chaga from white or yellow birch trees is like a multivitamin, immune system strengthener, energizer and possible cancer/tumor fighter all wrapped into one supplement. Such contains over 215 phytonutrients which alkalizes an over acidic body. Such also contains, among other things:
1. B vitamins, especially riboflavin (B2) and niacin (B3). Such also contains pantothenic acid (B5), which is very good for the adrenal glands. Since the adrenal glands regulate the immune system, that system will also greatly benefit.
2. Vitamin D, which is actually a steroid hormone which helps boost and regulate the immune system, increasing your ability to fight colds and the flu.
3. Phenols/phenolic compounds, are plant micronutrients known for their protective effect on DNA and against oxidation. Chaga contains pigment-like phenols known as the chromogenic complex. This chromogenic complex is abundant and only known to exist in the chaga conk. Siberian chaga is particularly loaded with this.
Chaga also contains flavonoids, which are water-soluble poly-phenolic compounds.
4. Enzymes, such as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). Chaga is exceedingly high in SOD when compared to other nutritional supplements. SOD is an antioxidant enzyme which halts iron oxidation, especially from a free radical known as singlet oxygen. Superoxide dismutase turns the superoxide (free radicals) back into oxygen and water. Bottom line: SOD protects your cells’ mitochondria and DNA from damage.
5. Essential minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
6. Ionized trace minerals, such as copper, zinc, manganese and iron.
(Some health conscious people may be worried about the calcium and iron in chaga, which in synthetic form should always be avoided; but the calcium and iron in wild chaga is quite absorbable and healthy.)
7. Various other nutrients, such as:
a) Betulin: Betulinic acid/lupeol. Betulin is an abundant extract from the outer bark of white birch tree and provides metabolite compounds (Betulinic acid/lupeol) which are highly antimutagenic, highly antiviral and highly anti-tumor. It has been used successfully to shrink some types of cancerous tumors.
b) Polysaccharides. These compounds are long chain carbohydrate molecules that have the ability to stimulate the immune system. They also pinpoint and serve as a carrier of nutrients to the tissue regions of the body most needed.
- Beta-glucans. This is a most beneficial polysaccharide (glucose polymer) found within the cell wall of chaga, that strengthens the immune system, and that is associated with one of chaga’s prime medicinal properties.
c) Saponins. These are bitter-tasting sugars attached to another organic molecule. No one really seems to be quite sure what saponins do exactly, but in moderation, they appear to contain both anti-allergenic and anti cancer properties.
d) Phyto-sterols. Sometimes, the appearance of sterol in a product may be a good or bad thing. It’s unclear the benefits of sterols in chaga, but it may include improving one’s cholesterol efficiency and providing antiviral properties.
Chaga is also good for people with stomach issues. Inflammatory Bowel Disease such as Crohn’s and Ulcerative colitis may see improvement. So would those with stomach ulcers and diseases of the duodenum, liver and spleen.
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Word of caution:
Chaga is safest used in tea form or tincture (dual extract). It has the ability to lower platelets, thus thinning the blood. So people on blood thinners should be aware.
It has the ability to accumulate (soluble) oxalates, and thus kidney stones. So those with kidney issues should be aware.
It lowers blood glucose. So those on blood sugar medication should be aware.
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The chaga conk is very unique and versatile in many ways, being anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti -inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-diabetic, anti-viral, anti- bacterial, anti-fungal and even brain protecting. It is said to even contain a DNA structure that is 30 percent more human than plant. There is much more to learn and discover about this fascinating specimen of nature.
To receive the full potency and benefits of chaga you can obtain the dual extract version, that uses both hot water and alcohol to extract all of the valuable nutrients chaga is known for. If you are uncomfortable with even a small amount of alcohol, you may obtain the single hot water extract tea version. Where you will find the unadulterated, wild chaga, listed below:
- Birch Boys Chaga
- Crystal Black Chaga from New Mind
- Black Forest Mushrooms Chaga