How to Prepare and Drink Chaga
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What Is Chaga?
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) grows mostly on birch trees. The fungus enters the tree through damaged bark and over several years forms a black, cracked growth that looks like a lump of charcoal. Inside it is brownish-yellow and dense. Chaga grows slowly: it takes 10–15 years to reach 10 cm across.
In Northern Europe, Siberia and Canada, people have long brewed chaga as a tea. The growth is removed from the tree, dried and broken up. The finer it is ground, the faster it steeps.
What's in Chaga
These are the compounds in chaga that researchers study most:
- polysaccharides, including beta-glucans;
- polyphenols and melanin, which give the tea its dark colour;
- triterpenes, including inotodiol and betulin, which the fungus takes up from birch;
- sterols, including ergosterol;
- minerals.
Most chaga research so far has been done in the lab and on animals. Good studies in humans are scarce (link to a review at the end of this article).
How to Take Chaga?
Put 2 tablespoons of ground chaga in a thermos, pour in 500 ml of hot water and leave it for 6–12 hours. You can reuse the same chaga for two more brews. Drink the tea in small portions throughout the day, no more than 3 days a week. Keep it in the fridge and finish it within 2–3 days.
A course lasts up to 3 months, followed by a break. Another option is to take chaga for six months in alternating months: one month on, one month off.
The tea is light brown with a slight woody taste. Add a little honey if you like.
You can combine chaga with other functional mushrooms, such as chanterelles or Lion's Mane.
Contraindications
Chaga is high in oxalates, so taking large amounts for a long time can put strain on the kidneys. The medical literature describes cases of kidney damage in people who drank concentrated chaga tea for months (link at the end of this article). Stick to the recommended amount and take breaks.
Do not take chaga if you have:
- pregnancy or breastfeeding;
- chronic kidney disease or a tendency to form kidney stones;
- a bleeding disorder, or you take blood thinners;
- a birch or mushroom allergy, or intolerance to any of the ingredients.
Take care if you have low blood sugar or take medication to lower it. The same applies to chronic colitis and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or lupus. Talk to your doctor before starting a course.
DIETARY SUPPLEMENT. NOT A MEDICINE!
Where to Buy Chaga?
Muhomornya offers Chaga powder, ready to brew.
Sources
Therapeutic properties of Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom): A review. Mycology, 2024: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11132974/
Development of End Stage Renal Disease after Long-Term Ingestion of Chaga Mushroom: Case Report and Review of Literature: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32419395/
Chaga on Wikipedia: Chaga mushroom
