How to Make Chaga Tea, Chaga Benefits and Alternative Thinking
2014
Chaga mushrooms have some really incredible health benefits, and drinking Chaga tea is a great way to get them. Come shopping with me for my favorite superfoods and have a cup of Chaga tea with me. You’ll see below how easy it is to make Chaga tea and check out many of the incredible benefits to your health and why it is one of the top superfoods available now.
Last time I was in Toronto I had Chaga tea at Alternative Thinking, one of my favorite stores in Toronto. Today they are opening a little café in front of the store, which I have no doubt will be amazing. They grow sprouts and sell many amazing superfoods, as well as crystals, clothes, books, jewellery and so many amazing soul strengthening and expanding things!
I was there a couple nights ago sampling some treats and buying a few things. It was after hours so the store was quiet and I took a 360º video on my ipad of the interior, so you can virtually come shopping with me. It’s hard to see the whole store on the video, but check out the short video and you get the vibe. They have amazing clothes in back, and the shelves of superfoods, mushrooms and sprouts are in front.
Come shopping with me!
About and Where to find Chaga mushrooms
Chaga mushrooms are fungi known to grow on birch trees. They can be found on birches in Canada, northern America, Europe and are also found in Korea. I have looked in the woods where there are many birch trees but haven’t found any myself, although I know several people who have. I have heard that actually only one in every 15,000 trees will have a chaga mushroom growing on it, so they are not so easy to find. Chaga mushrooms are well known for their healing and restorative properties.
Some of the many Chaga Benefits
- Chaga has been shown in many studies to prevent many cancers and has been shown to be particularly effective warding off prostate cancer.
- The betulin and betulinic acid in chaga has been shown to reduce the size of tumors and kill off tumor cells and tissues.
- Its itsbeta glucans stimulates the production of antibodies, which boosts the immune system.
- Shown to enhance digestion and benefit the gastrointestinal system.
- It has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
- Is antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial.
- Increases the metabolic functions of cells and has been shown to stimulate metabolism in brain tissues.
- Helpful to balance hormones.
- Loaded with antioxidants.
- Nutrient rich, containing feel good B vitamins and lots of minerals, highest in copper, calcium and zinc.
- Enhances and boosts chi, aka life energy in the body.
- Many consider it the fountain of youth and it may be best known for its anti-aging and longevity- enhancing benefits.
How to make Chaga tea
Making chaga tea is actually very simple. If you have a large chaga mushroom, it’s best to break it up into small pieces; a centimeter in diameter or smaller is good. You can also buy chaga prepackaged in teabags.
To prepare chaga tea
Steep chaga tea bag or chunks of chaga in hot water for at least 10 minutes. Chaga tea becomes more bitter in taste the longer it is steeped. But it is usually drank more for the abundant health benefits it gives the body so to get the most of these, steep it well.
Chaga tea variations
Chaga tea tastes quite good on its own but to enhance the flavor you may prefer to add lemon, mint leaves, cinnamom or other favorite favorful herb or spice.
Try steeping it with goji berries also, and then you can eat the puffed steeped goji berries afterwards.
If desired add a sweetener. Maple syrup goes really well.
To your vibrant health and long life!
