I like taking rabbits. The primary objective of my winter hunts is to deliver house contemporary meat for the desk. Discovering what grandma referred to as “Indian medication mushrooms,” or chaga, on the identical time, is a bonus.
At this time, I do know these irregular-shaped fungi that thrive on birch timber, by their rightful title, chaga (Inonotus obliquus). Grandma stated it was good for something that ails you, from arthritis to gout. Lately, it has gained recognition as a robust antioxidant and anti inflammatory, backing her claims that chaga tea did the physique a world of excellent.
Chaga resembles a lump of coal on the skin and golden sponge toffee on the within. Additionally it is thought of another treatment for hypertension, decreasing blood sugar, boosting the immune system and serving to to sluggish the expansion of most cancers cells.
Use chaga from birch
Indigenous individuals have varied makes use of for chaga, together with burning it as a “moxibustion” (a particular sort of non secular remedy) and utilizing the smoke as insect repellent. Dubbed “tinder fungus,” dried chaga could be very flammable, one thing to recollect in a time of want.
Even this fungus can develop on oak, poplar, and different host timber, solely that which thrives on birch is accredited by Well being Canada to be used as a pure well being product. So, in the event you’re chaga searching within the birch woods and haven’t any luck, the following smartest thing is to purchase some at a well being meals retailer.
Whereas it might will be harvested year-round, I discover winter, after the leaves have dropped, is one of the best time as a result of it’s simpler to identify the black bumps in opposition to the white backdrop of the bark and snow.
The pursuit additionally pairs completely with rabbit searching.
To sever chaga, I exploit a folding noticed knife which will be taped or wired to a protracted pole if the mushroom is rising too excessive up and out of attain, an previous trick I discovered from grandpa.
Drying chaga
Rinse freshly harvested chaga underneath cold-running water to take away filth. Utilizing a mallet, break the mushroom up into little chunks which is able to pace drying. Unfold the items on a board and set in a heat place to dry for 3 to 4 weeks, or till all moisture is gone.
Grind as you’ll espresso beans. Retailer it in a tea tin and it’ll preserve indefinitely.
Grandma’s tea
Put two to a few teaspoons of the dried, floor chaga right into a paper tea bag or ball and place in a cup. Cowl with boiling water. Steep 10 to fifteen minutes. Take away the bag, sweeten with honey, if desired, and sip this health-giving tea everytime you want a pick-me-up.
It’s also possible to add chaga powder to smoothies or grind chaga with espresso beans for a robust increase.
A phrase of warning: seek the advice of your physician you probably have a medical situation and, as with all natural complement, seek the advice of your caregiver earlier than utilizing chaga as it could work together with sure drugs.
Initially revealed within the Jan.-Feb. 2024 challenge of Ontario OUT of DOORS
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