Chaga

the thread on the trapper talk got me wondering if anyone buys this as I know of any number of places where its a common thing, and if so how its harvested and processed.

Thanks for any information

It's an ugly, conk type of fungus that grows on birch trees. My Russian friends grind it up and make a tea out of it.
There is a mushroom book titled "All that the rain promises and more" it primarily deals with Pacific Northwest and Alaska mushrooms, this book has a good description of the conk and it's use.

Check on ebay. It is always for sale on there.

Doesn't seem to be worth very much on ebay, about $10/lb. At that price I'd just as soon keep it for myself.

I can't find the topic off Trapper Talk but I imagine its cancer curing/preventing properties were discussed. It also tops the chart in antioxidants, and it can be burnt as an incense to relieve headaches as well.

As a tea, I find it has a very mild flavor. I've known some people who mix it with their coffee or add birch syrup to it (which I'm sure has a host of other health benefits as well, as most parts of the birch tree do). I am probably going to try to mix it with either blackberry leaf tea or dried blackberries, which are similarly both high in antioxidants and can relieve pain.

try this link for prices and drying info

sites.google.com/site/highpricespaidforginseng

pick65

I didn't see Chaga on that site, maybe I was looking in the wrong place but didn't seem to have a section on chaga.

What is the best way to grind it?

I cut it into smaller chunks with a hatchet or large knife, then grind it in a blender. You can screw a mason jar onto the grinder base and then store it in the jar.

I use my surfoam (sp?) rasp on it. Works like a charm and doesn't beat the daylights out of my old sunbeam blender!

I just use a wood rasp and get the outer black layer off and then cut it in chunks. Then steep it in a pot until you have a dark liquied thats your tea. Take out the chunks let them dry and you can use over again. I used the same chunks 10-15 times