Description
Source of fungal polysaccharides with immunomodulating properties. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a woody mushroom habitat-specific to several species of birch. It has the appearance of burnt charcoal, with the interior having a smoky orange hue. The mycelium penetrates the paper-like bark to feast on its rich source of nutrients including polysaccharides, which it assimilates and transforms into the matrix of the fruiting body.
The establishment and growth of chaga eventually shortens the lifespan of the birch tree, yet chaga can still thrive several years on its decaying host. Chaga thrives in the northern hemisphere and is wild-crafted throughout Canada, Scandinavia, Russia, and Japan. It has a centuries-old history of use by indigenous peoples worldwide, along with a therapeutic niche in traditional Chinese medicine. The primary active compounds in chaga are triterpenes, sterols, and polysaccharides, agents that are all known to strengthen immune function and cellular health. Triterpenes, which give chaga a bitter taste, exert a strong immune-strengthening influence by increasing the body’s resistance to disease.
New Roots Herbal’s chaga mushrooms are sustainably grown in climate-controlled greenhouses, free from heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides. They are hot-water–extracted to achieve a minimum potency-validated polysaccharide content of 40%, then encapsulated in vegan-compliant capsules.
