Health & Wellness

Item Description

2 fluid ounces of Chaga Mushroom Tincture 

Chaga is a fungus that grows primarily as a canker on birch trees. It has a hard woody texture and looks black from the outside. Even though its woody appearance is different from other traditional fungi, the canker has been recognized for its medicinal properties in many parts of the world. The chaga used for our tinctures is found among the fresh air and pure water of the Catskill Mountains. Harvesting chaga often requires the use of a hatchet, hand saw, or chainsaw because of how woody it is. Ladders and climbing gear can be necessary if it is not growing close to the ground. Cutting chaga from the tree does not directly damage the tree or fungus, however responsible harvesting is important to us, as the conk may become more scarce with its growing popularity. This is why we always are sure to leave some chaga unharvested.

Catskill Fungi harvests Chaga growing on live birch trees in the heart of the Catskill mountains for our tinctures.  We use a triple extraction method (ethanol, hot water, and cold water) to ensure that all medicinal compounds are present in the tincture in the way that is most bioavailable. The list of bioactive compounds is extensive and the list of ailments that can be treated with chaga is even longer. 

Chaga that grows on white or yellow birches concentrates betulin from the birch bark. The betulinic acid that results from the ethanol extraction that we use in our tinctures, along with the beta-D-Glucans, are known as immune system modulators. They trigger the immune system to become active and produce cells that help to identify and fight bacteria, viruses, inflammation, and other agents that have the potential to harm the body. Chaga, like shiitake and other mushrooms containing ergosterols, has been shown to reduce the size of tumors. When exposed to sunlight, ergosterol-containing mushrooms produce high amounts of Vitamin D2. D2 has anti-viral properties, which have been observed with influenza and HIV (Kahlos & Mizuno), as well as properties that help promote bone health. In Russia, a traditionally prepared extract of Chaga called "Befungin" has been used to treat stomach, lung, cervical, and breast cancers (Hobbs).

Catskill Fungi is the permaculture-based venture of John Michelotti. We produce high quality triple-extracted mushroom health tinctures from mushrooms that have been wild-crafted or grown organically on our family farm. Our consulting branch incorporates edible and medicinal mushroom cultivation into residential landscape design. We enjoy sharing our love of mushrooms with the public on our guided mushroom walks, through cultivation workshops, and through our myco-art.

Catskill Fungi has its foundation in permaculture and keeps the principles and ethics of permaculture close to heart. We work to increase the public's knowledge of edible mushroom cultivation and to engage with our local community in a way that increases local food security and economic resilience.

http://catskillfungi.com