Various elements contribute to the potency of the mushroom in terms of bolstering the immune system, providing antioxidant benefits, and supplying a variety of vitamins and phytonutrients.

The fungus should be at least 3 to 5 years before it is harvested. Younger specimens do not contain enough medicinal value to benefit us. The inner growth within the host tree has little or no medicinal value whatsoever.

The mushroom grows on different species of trees but only the Birch contain the plant based sterols, betulinic acid and other constituents that can help with serious disease like cancer.

When harvesting sustainably, between one and three inches of growth should remain. This allows for re-growth and the host tree to survive ensuring the symbiotic relationship remains intact. Three to five harvests are possible if one respects the natural cycles that exist.

Not long after the host tree dies the chaga may become toxic from mold, other fungus or mycotoxins and should not harvested.

The Mushroom obtains further medicinal power due to the harshness of the environment in which it grows. For example, mushrooms found in the far Northern Boreal forests would contain more medicinal value than ones growing at lower latitudes.

Mushrooms harvested from higher up in the host tree will also have more vitamin D1 and D2 and melanin due to more exposure to direct sunlight.

Another species of polypore fungus ‘Piptoporus Betulinus ‘ also known as the ‘Birch Polypore’ are often mistaken for Chaga simple because it too happens to be found on the Birch tree and is usually present in abundance on old decaying trees.

Confusion with species identification doesn’t end with the chaga mushroom, the Birch tree can also be mistaken for other white barked species like the Aspen and Poplar which flourish in the forest.

From Forest to your family, Annanda Chaga remains your most trusted source of premium quality mushrooms harvested with integrity since 2012.

Canadian Wild Chaga is Best