Western Bulk Herbs – Chaga Mushroom

Chaga is a parasitic mushroom that primarily grows out of birch trees. It has a burnt appearance, with its black, woody conk that grows from wounds in the birch. These are removed and broken down into chunks and slivers for making into various teas and decoctions. This odd mushroom is useful for clearing and preventing various cancers as well as stomachache, turberculosis, stomach disease, liver and heart disease, and worms. The mushroom has even been made into a soap for ritual washing and as a replacement for more traditional soap.

Latin Name:
Inonotus obliquus

Common Name:
Black birch touchwood, birch mushroom, clinker polypore, tschagapilz, crooked Schiller-porling, kofukisaruno-koshikake

Parts Used:
The external polypore conks

Properties:

anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory

Traditional Uses:
Russians have traditionally used Chaga as a folk remedy for treating cancers, ulcers, gastritis, and to regenerate glands and organs.

Internal Applications:
Sometimes used to treat the lower bowel by using a decoction

Topical Uses / Applications:
Can be made into a soap by burning the chaga and dissolving the remainder in water.

Culinary Uses:

Chemical Properties:
inooidiol, oxygenated triterpenes, trametenolic acid, tannins, steroids, alkaloid-oramin-like compounds, obliquol

Folk Lore:

Cautions:

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:

Medicinal Mushrooms; An exploration of Tradition, Healing, and Culture. Christopher Hobbs, 1995. Botanica Press, Santa Cruz.