We have now come to the last post of this compelling series that gave some more insight into chaga mushrooms (here the link to the post that explains what is chaga, where and how to find it and here the second post about how to store it). What we still have to discover is how to use it!
Tea
Surely this is the most traditional way to use chaga mushroom. It’s perfect especially in winter time after a cold day spent outside. Also, if you’re feeling like you’re getting flu, that’s the moment to prepare chaga tea! You’ll need 2 tablespoon of chaga every half a liter of water for a strong one. Pour water in a pot, add chaga (in small pieces or powder) and let it boil for 20-30 min. The bigger the pieces, the longer it will take for it to get ready (if the pieces are really big, 30 min won’t be enough). Chaga is quite bitter in taste, so that’s why we’d suggest to add 1 teaspoon of licorice root every liter of water 10 min before the tea is ready. Fell free to unleash your imagination by adding fresh ginger, honey, cardamom, cinnamon or what you like. Filter and drink 🙂
Alcoholic infusion
This method is very practical since alcohol allows the good stuff inside the chaga to come out and it preserves them.
You will need:
- 1 liter of vodka or grappa
- 100 g of chaga
- Anise
- Chives
- Licorice root
- Half of a vanilla stick
(You can decide how much spices to put, depending on your taste)
Simply put all the ingredients together in a glass bottle, seal it and leave it in dark for one month, shaking it every once in a while. Once ready, the infuse will be almost black.
One tablespoon of chaga liquor every morning will help your immune system to stay strong.
It’s also possible to make a hot beverage out of this liquor by adding one tablespoon of it to a cup of hot water. If you want, add some raw honey.
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Smoothies
Do not forget to add a teaspoon of chaga powder to your morning smoothie! The taste will be unchanged, but will give you a boost 😉
Cosmetics
You read well! Chaga is so versatile to be even used in cosmetics and skin care!
Finnish holistic beauty brand Supermood uses it to create a facelift serum that will give to your skin an instant lift and tightening effect (and not only! Go to check their website to discover in what other ways they use chaga).
You didn’t sleep well during the night? You feel tired, but you have to go to an important event or meeting? This serum will save your day! You’ll just have to apply two or three drops evenly on your face using steady upward strokes and the result will be a silky skin, with less visible pores. In winter time I (Thais) have a quite dry skin so I noticed that the serum works best if I first apply a moisturizing cream. After that, just make up as usual.
We hope that these posts were useful to you! Let us know if you are able to find chaga in your area and if you will use it in one of the ways we suggested or even in others commenting here below!
