When it comes to the great medicinal plants of the world, most people automatically think about things such as ginseng or cannabis. A growing number of folks are now realizing that the king of all medicinals has been in the woods near them this whole time.
If you find yourself in the foothills of the northeast along a cold creek and a gentle, mountain slope, keep an eye out for what is known as the Mighty Chaga Mushroom!
Chaga mushroom can be found primarily on birch trees in climates that are capable of reaching freezing temps during a portion of the year. It is a solid black mass, almost resembling a charred piece of wood, located on the side of the tree. It's black, protective shell covers the golden brown inner parts of this forest doctor.
The uniqueness of this mushroom is that it is actually a parasite that is slowly sucking the nutrients out of it's host tree. It is known to expedite the death process of the tree but, will take many years to accomplish. Instead, the mushroom takes in as much as it can from the tree and forms a massive cone shape.
When harvested, most people use such tools as a spike and hammer or a wedge. During the winter months, it is a lot harder to remove the mushroom from the tree, but during the warm times, the mushroom can usually be removed with a solid smack on top of it.
Once the Chaga is brought home, simply process it down to a powder or a course grain. You will quickly see that this task is easier said than done. A tip I use is a burlap sack and a sledge hammer. Once you get it to the consistency that you are looking for, you can now work it into a tea or tincture.
The tea is the easiest way to consume Chaga. A quick method is to steep
the mushroom in water for 10-15 minutes. The water will turn a dark amber, almost black color, and will have a strong earthy smell. Strain the remaining chunks of mushroom out of the water and add honey or lemon. Sit back and enjoy a cup.
Making a tincture takes a bit more time, but increases the medicinal value dramatically. Make the tea as I mentioned above. Fill a mason jar 3/4 full of the tea and then top it off with vodka. Ensure your jar is sealed and store it away in a cool spot. You will need to shake this mixture EVERY day for 1 month. After the month has gone by, the tincture will be ready to be ingested.
Chaga mushroom's medicinal values include but not limited to:
B-complex vitamins vitamin D
rubidium
cesium
amino acids
fiber
zinc
iron
manganese
Not to mention, the anti-aging properties are probably it's most popular attribute. The Siberians and Chinese have noted that someone who consumes Chaga mushroom as a routine drink will live longer than the average person.
I would however like to remind everyone to harvest responsibly! Chaga mushroom takes 3-5 years to regrow itself. Always only take what you need and never strip an area of all the Chaga.
May Chaga live forever and may it help you live longer!
Happy Foraging
Matt from The Hickory Grove
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