Organic Wild Chaga Mushroom Powder (Chaga Tea, Grown on Birch Trees)

• Certified Organic by Organic Food Federation

• Grown on Birch Trees

• Perfect for Hot Chaga Tea

About Chaga Mushroom

Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) are a distinct type of fungi that grows predominantly on birch trees in very cold conditions in the northern hemisphere. This species of mushrooms is harvested and processed to give rise to chaga mushroom powder. Chaga mushroom powder is made by finely grinding chunks of chaga mushrooms that have been harvested and air-dried under the sun. The word Chaga originates from the Russian word “tschaga” which was in turn borrowed from Komi-Permyak’s name for fungus. This was an ancient dialect of the people in the Kama River Basin, situated northwest of the Ural Mountains in Russia. The widely used names used to refer to these mushrooms are cinder conk, cancer polypore, clinker polypore due to its close resemblance to burnt coal remains. It is also referred to under the terms birch Mushroom, chaga conk, siberian chaga and tchaga. In Canada and England, the renowned term used to refer to the mushrooms is sterile conk trunk rot of the birch tree, Chaga mushrooms belong to the family Hymenochaeteceae. Chaga thrives in an environment with very cold temperatures and many healthy trees.

Chaga mushrooms looks like an irregularly formed charcoal mass that grows on the tree. Their color ranges from dark brown to black. The sterile conk grows on the wounds of the tree sustained after heavy storms or other forms of accidents. This conk protects the tree from harmful microorganisms. It has a mass of mycelium with huge quantities of melanin explaining its black colour. This mass which forms the exterior is referred to as sclerotia. The interior, which also forms the fruiting mass is golden brown and looks like a cork. Chaga mushrooms are a parasite that has a symbiotic relationship with the host tree. The mushroom decomposes wood by utilizing the nutrients and minerals in the tree. It usually matures fully after 6 -7 years and drops to the ground. This ends up killing the host tree especially if it managed to occupy the inner parts of the tree. It is harvested by cutting it off from the tree. Harvesting of the chaga mushrooms can only take place a maximum of three times during its lifetime. Only a portion of it is cut, leaving the rest on the tree.

From exisiting records, use of chaga mushrooms can be traced back to the 13th century when the Khanty people, native to Russia and western Siberia, widely used chaga for various purposes. They took the powder before embarking on journeys where there was limited oxygen supply e.g. hiking mountains. Shamans also regarded it highly and incorporated it into their rituals for any cleansing ceremony they held. In the 14th century, the ancient Russian ruler Vladimir Monomakh became fond of chaga mushrooms after he developed lip conditions. The Ojibway, the Cree and the Denesuline tribe of Northern Saskatchewan, Canada, used it on many occasions as well. One myth that has been passed down among the Cree people, is that Wisakecak, an ancient superior being, accidentally threw a scab against a birch tree after mistaking it for a chunk of dried meat. This is how the first chaga mushroom arose. The Denesuline used it to predict their future. Two rows of chaga powder were lit from opposite sides. The side that burnt out first would decide what the outcome was. It was later on in the 16th century that the use of chaga in the human health context was documented in Ancient Russian and North American texts.

• Please note it is against MHRA guidelines for us to talk about any potential health benefits for this supplement however a quick google search on the potential benefits and you may be surprised.

How To Use 

We suggest taking 1/4 to 1 teaspoon a day mixed with water (hot water if want tea), juice or smoothies or take as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Please check out our interesting article on the power of medicinal mushrooms which features Chaga! 

Also check out our Chaga muffin recipe for a delicious treat!