Wild Foraged Chaga Mushroom Tea
Uses | Inflammation, immunity, energy |
Maine is blessed to host one of the most esteemed medicinal mushrooms in the world: Inonotus obliquus, known more commonly as chaga. Considered one of the three "mushrooms of immortality," chaga naturally possesses a host of medicinal properties, which include essential b-complex vitamins, potassium, and beta glucans (to name a few).
Chaga is considered a super-food, packed with antioxidants that help boost immunity, stimulate the production of natural energy, and support overall health.‡ Among the numerous health benefits found in wild chaga, probably the most important medicinal compound is betulinic acid, which has been studied for its natural anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, and immune boosting effects.*
Servings:
- Large (2.4 oz) - 18 servings
- Small (1.2 oz) - 9 servings
Crafting our tea:
Our tea features wild chaga foraged from local forests in Maine that we air dry and hand grind. When the chaga has hardened and lost its moisture content, we prepare it using a turn-of-the-century food mill, then hand package it. All of our chaga is ethically wildcrafted so as not to deplete the ecosystem from which it was harvested.
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Simmer 1 tbsp in 4-6 cups of water for at least 20 minutes, or until the water is opaque and resembles back coffee. Strain the grounds out of the water and set aside. Grounds may be reused 2 or 3 times (make sure to simmer for extra time or follow the 'looks like black coffee' rule). Add cream and maple syrup to taste.
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[1] Wold, C. W., Gerwick, W. H., et al. (2020). Bioactive triterpenoids and water-soluble melanin from Inonotus obliquus (Chaga) with immunomodulatory activity. Journal of Functional Foods, 71, 104025.
[2] Peng, H., & Shahidi, F. (2020b). Bioactive Compounds and Bioactive Properties of Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) Mushroom: A Review. Journal of Food Bioactives, 12.
[3] Zhang, C. J., Guo, J. Y., Cheng, H., Li, L., Liu, Y., Shi, Y., Xu, J., & Yu, H. T.
(2020). Spatial structure and anti-fatigue of polysaccharide from Inonotus obliquus. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 151, 855–860. -
Do not consume if you are allergic to mushrooms.
While mushroom extracts are natural, it’s important that you consult a physician before taking any supplement if you have a health condition or are taking prescription medications. Chaga can potentially interact with medications prescribed to suppress the immune system, regulate blood clotting, and regulate blood sugar.
‡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.
*Related studies can be found on this page listed under "Research & references"