Knowing how to make Chaga tea is important as this special mushroom has several methods to brew. Chaga is a remarkable medicinal mushroom that grows in living trees. It grows most abundantly in nearly all species of birch found in the circumpolar temperate forests of Earth’s northern hemisphere¹. Chaga tea is a safe and important health-food product for all ages.
Chaga tea is the healthiest beverage on the planet. Chaga tea purifies the blood and regenerates organs and glands. It is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. Chaga is widely used in Poland and Russia as a folk remedy against cancer.² It has been harvested for centuries as traditional medicine. Its benefits include improved brain function, fat loss, a lower risk of cancer and many other impressive benefits.
How to Make Chaga Tea
There are several ways to make Chaga Tea, the main methods used are:
- Powdered mix
- Stove Top
- Slow Cooker
The method you use will vary based on resources, desired taste, and potency. Check out the instructions and videos below to learn how to make Chaga tea.
How much Chaga for a Cup of Tea
- For 1 serving: 1/2 to 1 tsp
- For 3 to 4 servings: 1 to 4 tbsp or 3 to 5 Chaga mushroom chunks
How to Make Chaga Tea – Loose/Powdered
This method is the fastest and most convenient way to make Chaga tea.
- Add 1/2 to 1 tsp of Chaga Mushroom Powder per 6oz cup of boiled hot water and steep 10-20 min or to taste
- Loose Chaga Mushroom Tea can be kept inside a fine mesh tea ball or muslin bag for re-use & convenience
- Re-use Chaga tea by adding more hot water for a second cup or until Chaga is exhausted (water runs clear)
How to Make Chaga Tea – Stove Top Method
This method is useful for brewing Chaga tea when you want a potent tea and a large amount.
- Add 1 to 4 tablespoons of Chaga mushroom powder or 3 to 5 Chaga mushroom chunks per liter of water and simmer on med to med/low heat for 3 to 5 hours to make a tonic.
- Chaga can be kept inside a tea ball or muslin bag for convenience and re-use.
- The temperature should be kept around 175°F; never a rolling boil
- Serve hot or let cool to room temperature then refrigerate for up to 14 days.
- You can store used Chaga Mushroom tea granules in the freezer and reuse 3 to 5 times until exhausted or water runs clear.
- This method can be enjoyed cold or reheated on the stovetop.
How to Make Chaga Tea in Slow Cooker
This is the longest method that brings out the flavor in Chaga and preserves the nutrients.
- Add to taste, 1 to 4 tablespoons of Chaga Mushroom powder or 3 to 5 Chaga Mushroom chunks per liter of water into a slow cooker and set on low or warm for 6 to 12 hours.
- Store brewed tea in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Enjoy cold or reheat the brewed tea on the stovetop.
- Optionally, the slow cooker may be left on for longer periods allowing the tea to continue to brew, adding more freshwater as necessary.
- Avoid Chaga mushroom tea from reaching a heavy boil, remove or adjust the lid on the slow cooker so that higher temperatures above 175°F are avoided.
Chaga Mushroom Tea Recipe:
To sum up how to brew Chaga tea: all you need are a stove, a pot, a strainer, a teabag of any flavor and some dried Chaga mushrooms. The amount of Chaga you’ll need depends on your preference. A good rule of thumb is every gram of dried Chaga mushroom is enough to make one cup of tea. It’s also worth remembering boiling mushrooms break down the active substances. It’s important not to expose them to too much heat.
Boling Chaga can ruin it, the traditional wisdom of brewing Chaga for cancer is to think of it as yeast: water too hot will kill the living fungus.
How Long to Steep Chaga Tea
The time to brew Chaga tea will depend greatly on which method chosen and desired potency. Typical times are
- Hot Water: 10 – 20 mins
- Stove Top: 2 – 5 hours
- Slow cooker: 6-12 hours
Where to Buy Chaga Tea
Finding the best retailer to buy Chaga tea is important. While you can try your local health food store, there are several reputable online retailers who sell Chaga tea from Sayan Health, BuddhaTeas, and Four Sigma Foods.
Chaga Tea Side Effects
Chaga is considered safe for most people. If you are allergic to certain types of mushrooms, consult your doctor before consuming it.
Chaga Benefits
Chaga mushrooms are one of the most health-promoting foods on the planet. They contain varying degrees of protein and fiber. Chaga mushrooms are a good source of antioxidants and vitamins, and they are low in calories. They also contain B vitamins as well as a powerful antioxidant called selenium, which helps to support the immune system and prevent damage to cells and tissues. Cultures around the world have eaten or used Chaga mushrooms medicinally for centuries.
Fights Cancer
Laboratory and animal studies suggest Chaga may inhibit the progression of some cancers. When the body is unable to produce enough antioxidants to prevent this damage, oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress can cause cancer and a host of other health problems. It’s thought that the anticancer effect of Chaga is partly due to its high content of antioxidants, which protect cells from damage by free radicals.³
Improves Digestion
Chaga mushroom has antimicrobial properties similar to ashitaba tea, which have traditionally been used as an internal cleanser with alcohol extract for the treatment of stomach and intestinal disorders. Chaga can speed up emptying of the stomach, which can be beneficial for people with indigestion and related stomach discomfort. Chaga also appears to have beneficial effects on the enzymes trypsin and pancreatic lipase, which are important for digestion.
Psoriasis
Several reports show benefits from Chaga for psoriasis. Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition that causes red, scaly patches of skin to develop, often on the elbows, knees, or scalp. The Chaga mushroom contains berberine, which may help to suppress some of the inflammation that psoriasis causes. A Russian study on 50 psoriasis patients, which reported a 76% cure rate, with improvement in a further 16% of cases. The same study reported that it typically took 9-12 weeks for improvement to become apparent.
Anti-viral
Chaga mushrooms have also been used to treat several viral conditions and to prevent the Herpes simplex virus. It has also been shown to disrupt the growth of the HIV-1 virus and viral fusion to the cell membrane. Chaga reduces the replication of viruses and halts their ability to penetrate replicate inside healthy cells. It also binds to the tiny spikes on a virus protein that are used to pierce and invade healthy cells and destroys them so that the virus is ineffective.
Boosts Immune System
A healthy immune system reduces your chance of viral infection and flu. With these natural ways to boost the immune system, you can achieve a healthy immune system. Chaga is unique in providing both antioxidant and immune support. Chaga mushroom is nature’s way of breaking down the organic matters to convert it into fertile soil. One of the healthiest food on the planet, mushrooms are rich in essential nutrients and minerals.
Powerhouse of Antioxidants
Similar to mamaki tea, Chaga tea is packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that help in preventing certain types of cell damage. The body uses antioxidants to fight free radical damage, which is very dangerous for the body’s tissues and is connected to cancer and premature aging.
