Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) grows slowly on birch trees in cold country. People in Russia and Siberia have used it for centuries, brewed dark and drunk daily. It will not grow in Alabama, so this is one of the few things we sell that we did not harvest ourselves. We buy it wild-harvested and do the extraction here on our farm in Opp.

What is chaga traditionally used for?

Chaga is used as an everyday tonic rather than for any one purpose. In the folk traditions it came from, it was taken as a long-running daily drink, often brewed like coffee and shared through the winter. People use it the same way now, a dose in the morning as part of a routine. The flavor is earthy and mild.

Why is chaga double extracted?

Chaga holds two kinds of compounds and they do not come out in the same solvent. Beta-glucans pull into hot water. Betulinic acid and the other triterpenoids from the birch bark need alcohol. We run both, hot water first and then alcohol, and combine the two. A single extraction leaves half the mushroom in the jar.

How do I take chaga extract?

Shake well before use. Take 1 to 2 dropperfuls in water, up to three times a day. Chaga is traditionally taken steadily rather than now and then, so most people add it to a morning cup and leave it there. The earthy flavor sits well in coffee, which is how it gets used around here.

What is in it?

Wild-harvested chaga (Inonotus obliquus), double extracted in grain alcohol and hot water. Fruiting body and sclerotium. No fillers and no mycelium grown on grain.

Where does your chaga come from?

Chaga needs birch and cold winters, neither of which we have in south Alabama. We buy it wild-harvested from clean birch stands in the northern United States and Canada, from suppliers we have used for years. The double extraction happens in Opp, in small batches.

Is chaga safe to take every day?

It has a long history of daily use in traditional practice. One thing worth knowing before you make a habit of it: chaga is high in oxalates. Anyone who has had kidney stones should talk with their doctor before taking it daily.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We make no medical claims. Consult your healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.