Chaga is an ancient herbal remedy widely acclaimed as an effective cancer fighter, immune system booster, longevity enhancer and gastrointestinal tonic – as well as being known to support longevity and prevent genoprotective agents. Containing beta glucans, melanin and other compounds proven to reduce inflammation within the body.

This bizarre-looking fungus is commonly added to tea, providing an earthy woodiness to both rooibos and chai blends.

1. Prepare your chaga

Chaga mushrooms have long been utilized as medicinal mushrooms, used across many cultures around the globe as an anti-cancer remedy, cholesterol reducer, immunity booster and inflammation reducer, even aiding weight loss. With an abundance of antioxidants contained within each capsule, Chaga can aid in fighting cancer as well as providing immune support, strengthening the immune system and even contributing to weight loss.

To prepare your chaga for tea, it is essential that it is thoroughly washed and cleaned first. This step will remove any dirt, grit or parasites attached to its surface – this can be accomplished by wrapping the chaga in cloth and smashing it down using a hammer until all pieces have been broken into smaller pieces. Once cleaned and broken up into smaller pieces, let it dry in a dark cool location until completely dried out and brittle before cutting into various sizes for different tea brewing methods or grinding down into fine powder for direct inclusion into smoothies, soups or stews etc.

To ensure that the most potency chaga possible, it is preferable to forage for it yourself rather than purchase it from stores or online suppliers. But if this option is unavailable in your region, online purchases may also be an option; just be sure to select one that sources their product sustainably and ethically!

To prepare a Chaga mushroom tea, simply combine cold water with an fist sized chunk of Chaga mushroom. Bring to a boil before simmering for at least 20-30 minutes (up to 4 hours is even better!) Please be mindful not to overheat as boiling may damage active ingredients that help fight inflammation in the body.

2. Add water

Chaga contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in abundance, making it no surprise that this fungus has been used as a medicinal aid for millennia. Studies have demonstrated its range of therapeutic uses ranging from immune modulation and inflammation reduction to antioxidant support.

To get the most from Chaga, it is advised that its tea is regularly prepared. Chaga tea can be prepared in various ways but the most common approach involves adding chunks to a slow cooker and simmering them for around one hour, thereby extracting all its beneficial compounds.

Chaga chunks can also be ground into powder for use in smoothies and juices. Once stored in an airtight container, its shelf life should last approximately one year.

Dried chaga can also be soaked in alcohol for days or weeks at a time in order to extract its micronutrients and create tinctures or tonics from it. Unfortunately, this process can be laborious; therefore it would be more efficient if using an established brand of dried chaga that has already been pre-soaked.

Chaga mushrooms can be enjoyed both alone or mixed with various herbs and spices to produce various tea varieties. Chaga can be combined with lemon or ginger for a refreshing and soothing beverage, cinnamon or black pepper for warming spiced tea, or earthy and slightly bitter flavors to give a unique experience – similar to vanilla beans but without all their associated chemicals like vanillin! Chaga can also contain natural vanillin; use sugar, honey, milk or coconut oil to further enhance its taste!

3. Steep

Chaga mushrooms have gained widespread recognition within the health community as an exceptionally nutritious superfood and tea, easily creating an infusion that extracts their beneficial compounds and provides health-enhancing effects. Brewing some at home is easy! It delivers powerful health-promoting results.

Chaga fungus grows on birch trees in cold climates. Resembling burned charcoal in appearance, its full formation takes up to 40 years. Native Americans used chaga to treat various ailments for centuries – modern science supports many of their claims! Interestingly enough, modern research also confirms many benefits related to antioxidants, minerals, and phytonutrients present within chaga that contribute towards overall wellness.

Chaga can be consumed most commonly through infusing it into tea, providing an infusion rich with essential nutrients and providing a pleasant flavor profile. Sweeten the tea up with honey or other flavoring agents for an enhanced experience.

Ground or powdered chaga may provide a faster method, as whole chunks require hours to steep. Tea bags can also be used, although their flavor may not compare fully to that found in freshly brewed infusion.

Chaga decoctions are made by slowly simmering blocklike pieces of the fungus in water for several quarts, yielding an abundance of water-soluble polysaccharides that protect cells against free radical damage.

Chaga can also be consumed in capsules or powder form to reap its health-promoting properties, just as an infusion would. No matter which form it takes, proper storage will increase its longevity and maintain potency – the following are recommended ways of keeping chaga fresh:

4. Cool

In the past, chaga was often steeped for hours as a tea to unlock its medicinal properties. These same benefits can now be obtained quickly via powders or blends containing chaga such as Chai Mix.

Chaga has long been used in Siberian medicine to treat tuberculosis, diabetes, gastritis, intestinal worms and cancer. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties may even boost cognitive performance 2.

Many people turn to chaga tea as an energy tonic for its natural energy-boosting benefits, including relieving chronic fatigue and relieving pain, reducing fever and lowering cholesterol1. Furthermore, it has also been reported to stabilize blood sugar levels which in turn assist weight loss while protecting heart health against oxidative stress2. Chaga can be consumed both hot or cold; its most popular form is tea which can be made on its own or enhanced with other ingredients for flavoring purposes. You can find it at wellness cafes or buy it premade in bags or jars to make at home; its popularity on social media channels like TikTok has grown immensely as people have taken pleasure from sipping this earthy drink for centuries as healing remedy!

5. Store

Chaga mushroom tea, harvested for its medicinal properties and consumed as a popular beverage in Russia and Siberia for centuries as a tonic, can support immunity, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, fight cancer and more. Proper storage conditions must be observed to preserve its effectiveness.

Before using, chaga should be dried thoroughly – this can be achieved by baking at 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three hours or leaving it in a warm, dry location for several days; alternatively using a food dehydrator will do. Once dry, chaga should be stored in an airtight jar or bag in your refrigerator – up to five years can pass before it needs replacing! Make sure moldy pieces do not enter your tea, as they could contain bacteria growth that is harmful and must be avoided before drinking tea from it!

However, some studies indicate it could strengthen immune systems, reduce cholesterol and blood sugar, fight cancer and inflammation and even help fight heart disease. While clinical research on chaga is scarce, some evidence indicates its beneficial properties such as strengthening immunity or fighting cancer may exist; other compounds in it could interact with certain medications or cause side effects; therefore it’s wise to discuss including it into your health regimen with healthcare provider before beginning use of chaga.