Chi Chaga's Products

What is Chaga, and where does it come from?

Chaga is a type of mushroom, specifically a parasitic fungus, that primarily grows on birch trees in cold climates, such as Siberia, Canada. It has a rough, charcoal-like appearance on the outside, while the inside is a vibrant orange color. Chaga has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its potential health benefits, including immune support, antioxidant properties, and overall wellness.

 

Our Chaga is 100% wild-harvested and never cultivated, ensuring that you get the purest form of this incredible mushroom. We source our Chaga exclusively from the pristine forests of Canada, using sustainable harvesting methods that respect the natural environment. This careful approach guarantees that you receive only the highest quality Chaga in every product.

Is Chaga safe for everyone?

While Chaga is generally considered safe for most people and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine or simply as a daily tea, it’s important to note that, like anything consumed, it may not be suitable for everyone. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or are taking medications—especially those that affect blood sugar—it’s recommended that you consult with your healthcare provider before adding Chaga to your routine.

Can I contact you for medical or health advice?

No, we are not medical practitioners or naturopaths. While we’re passionate about the benefits of Chaga and other mushroom-based products, we are strictly manufacturers and distributors of teas and supplements. For personalized medical or health advice, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. Please note that we do not respond to requests for medical or health advice.

Are your Chaga products Health Canada approved?

Some of our Chaga products, particularly those in the supplement category such as tinctures and capsules, have been approved by Health Canada as natural products. These products are assigned an NPN (Natural Product Number) and include recommended dosage information on the labeling. You can verify the approval of these products through the Health Canada NPN database. Additionally, Chi Chaga operates as an FDA-registered facility, ensuring our products meet high standards for quality and safety.

Do you use parabens, sulfates, phthalates or preservatives?

We are committed to providing high-quality  products and prioritize your health and well-being. Our formulations do not include parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or any artificial preservatives. We only use natural ingredients and sustainable practices to ensure that our products are 100% pure and effective.

What does Chaga Tastes like?

Chaga has a unique and earthy flavor profile. When brewed as a tea, it often has a mild, slightly woody taste with hints of vanilla or cocoa. Some people describe it as having a slightly bitter or nutty undertone. The flavor is generally smooth and not overpowering, making it a pleasant addition to your daily routine.

Is Chaga high in antioxidants?

Yes, Chaga is known for its high antioxidant content. It contains a range of powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and various other compounds that help neutralize free radicals in the body. These antioxidants contribute to Chaga’s reputation for supporting immune health, reducing inflammation, and protecting cells from oxidative stress.

Does Chaga, Lion’s Mane, or Turkey Tail mushrooms contain caffeine?

No, Chaga, Lion’s Mane, and Turkey Tail mushrooms do not contain caffeine. These mushrooms are valued for their potential health benefits and unique properties but are naturally caffeine-free. They can be a great choice if you’re looking for a caffeine-free option to support your wellness routine. However, please note that some of our mushroom mix selections, such as those combined with black tea, might contain caffeine.

Does Chaga contain a fruiting body?

No, Chaga does not contain a traditional fruiting body like many other mushrooms. Instead, Chaga is known for its conk or sclerotium, which is a dense, woody mass that forms on the outside of birch trees. This sclerotium is the part of the mushroom that is harvested and used for its potential health benefits. Unlike fruiting bodies, which produce spores, the Chaga sclerotium acts as a storage organ for nutrients and is where the beneficial compounds are concentrated.

Does Lion’s Mane contain a fruiting body?

Yes, Lion’s Mane mushrooms do contain a fruiting body. The fruiting body is the part of the mushroom that produces spores and is typically what you see when the mushroom is fully mature. Lion’s Mane is recognized for its unique appearance, which resembles a lion’s mane, and its fruiting body is used in our supplements and tea applications.

Does Turkey Tail contain a fruiting body?

Yes, Turkey Tail mushrooms do contain a fruiting body. The fruiting body is the part of the mushroom that produces spores and is typically what you see when the mushroom is mature. Turkey Tail is known for its distinctive, colorful, fan-like appearance, and its fruiting body is used in our supplements and tea applications.

Is it okay to drink Chaga at night?

Yes, it is generally okay to drink Chaga at night. However, some people who consume Chaga for the first time might experience a surge of energy. If you find that Chaga affects your sleep, you might consider enjoying it earlier in the day. As with any supplement, it's important to listen to your body and adjust your consumption based on how it affects you personally.

How do I prepare Chaga mushroom powder?

Chaga mushroom powder can be consumed in various ways, including as tea, added to smoothies, or incorporated into your favorite food recipes.

 

How to Prepare Chaga Mushroom to Drink as Tea:

1.Boil the desired amount of water in a teapot or kettle.

2.Add one teaspoon of Chaga powder per cup of water using a tea infuser, tea ball, or tea bag.

3.Place the infuser, tea ball, or tea bag into the boiling water and let it steep for 2 to 3 minutes, or longer if you prefer a stronger flavor.

4.Remove the infuser, tea ball, or tea bag.

5.Enjoy your Chaga tea!

How do I prepare Chaga mushroom chunks?

1.Bring a small handful of Chaga chunks to a boil in 4 cups of water.

2.Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

3.Strain out the Chaga chunks.

 

You can save the Chaga chunks in the refrigerator and re-infuse them up to 3 times. We encourage this practice since wild Chaga is rare and contains a vast amount of nutrients that can be extracted through multiple infusions.

The Authentic Chaga vs. the Imitation

As the popularity of Chaga has surged, so has the market for Chaga products. Unfortunately, some sellers resort to unscrupulous practices, offering myceliated grain products or misleading “extracts” that are nothing more than corn starch and food coloring. Additionally, some products are inoculated on trees for only short periods, creating a final product that may visually resemble Chaga but lacks its true properties.

To distinguish authentic Chaga from imitations, consumers should be vigilant:

 

Authentic Chaga: Features a black, woody exterior with a vibrant orange interior, reflecting its unique composition and high quality. Our Chaga Mushroom is 100% wild harvested deep in the Canadian forests, picked from live birch trees and NEVER cultivated. We carefully harvest from the trees without damaging them, allowing them to re-grow over time. This ensures the Chaga maintains its full spectrum of nutrients developed from growing on birch trees under specific weather conditions for decades.

 

Imitation Products: Myceliated grain products may lack the same physical characteristics and medicinal benefits. Additionally, some Chaga imitations are produced through brief cultivation / inoculation periods, resulting in a product that may look like Chaga but does not contain the complex nutrients developed over long periods and specific environmental conditions. Many fake products marketed as extracts may contain corn starch and food coloring instead of real Chaga.

 

Always verify the source and quality of Chaga products to ensure you are getting the genuine article with the full spectrum of benefits.

What are the benefits of Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s Mane mushroom is often valued for its potential support of cognitive and nerve health. It contains various bioactive compounds that may contribute to brain function and nerve health. Additionally, it is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Lion’s Mane mushroom is celebrated for its potential health benefits, including:

 

1. Cognitive Support

2. Nerve Health

3. Mood and Mental Health

4. Immune System Support

5. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

6. Digestive Health

I’ve read that Chaga must be simmered for 6 and even 24 hours. Is it true?

The idea that Chaga must be simmered for such long periods is a misconception that has grown over time. This theory originates from older practices where large pieces of Chaga, weighing 30+ pounds, were boiled for extended periods to make large extractions. In those cases, longer simmering times were necessary to fully extract the beneficial compounds from the substantial amounts of Chaga used.

However, for small chunks of Chaga, simmering for a few minutes is generally sufficient to make a flavorful and nutritious tea. Longer simmering times are not required for small amounts, and shorter times are often adequate for extracting the nutrients you need.

What are the benefits of Turkey Tail?

Turkey Tail mushroom is recognized for its potential support of immune health. It contains various bioactive compounds, including polysaccharopeptides (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK), which are thought to contribute to immune system function. Additionally, it is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Turkey Tail mushroom is celebrated for its potential health benefits, including:

 

1. Immune Support

2. Antioxidant Properties

3. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

4. Digestive Health

Are your tea bags 100% biodegradable and compostable?

Yes, our tea bags from Chi Chaga are 100% plastic-free and compostable. They are made from plant-based materials, specifically the stalks of renewable and non-GMO sugar cane, which are repurposed after sugar extraction rather than being burned. Certified USDA Biobased, our tea bags are naturally white without bleaching, and they undergo a dry process that avoids pollution, water waste, and chemical usage.

Chi Chaga’s tea bags can be composted in your backyard or disposed of in city green bins. The pyramid shape of the tea bags allows for enhanced tea movement and optimal flavor release, much like a teapot or infuser.

Are your capsules vegetarian?

Yes, our supplement products delivered in capsules are 100% vegetarian. Our capsules are made from plant-based materials, specifically hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), which is derived from cellulose. This ensures that the capsules contain no animal-derived ingredients or byproducts, making them suitable for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Additionally, our vegetarian capsules are designed to be easily digestible and are free from common allergens, offering a clean and ethical choice for supplementation.

Orders

How do I place and pay for an order?

Except for resellers, distributors, and bulk purchases, all orders must be placed through our website. We offer a secure checkout process and partner with trusted credit card processors to ensure your payment information is protected. Please note that we do not accept payment information by phone or email.

Is your site secure?

Yes, our website is fully secure. We use advanced encryption technologies to protect your personal and payment information during the checkout process. Our website is SSL certified, ensuring that all data transmitted between your browser and our server is encrypted and secure. Additionally, we partner with trusted credit card processing companies to further safeguard your payment details. Your privacy and security are our top priorities.

How can I check the status of my order?

You can check the status of your order by logging into your account on our website and navigating to the "Order History" or "My Orders" section. There, you’ll find detailed information about your order status, including tracking information once your order has shipped. Additionally, you will receive email notifications with updates on your order’s progress. If you haven’t received these notifications, please check your spam or junk folder. You can also use our order tracking tool on the website for real-time updates on your shipment. If you need further assistance, our customer service team is available to help.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards and debit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay™ through our merchant banking partner, PayPal. Please note that PayPal is a highly secure credit card processor, and you do not need a PayPal account to make payments. You can complete your transaction using your preferred payment method without signing up for PayPal.

Can I cancel or modify my order?

Our system is designed to fulfill orders quickly to ensure you receive them as soon as possible. As a result, once an order is placed, we cannot cancel it, modify any of the items purchased, or change the shipping or billing address. We recommend reviewing your order details carefully before completing your purchase. If you need assistance, our customer service team is here to help with any concerns.

What does it mean if my order was partially shipped?

If your order was partially shipped, it means that some of the items in your order are being sent from different warehouses. As a result, you may receive your items in separate packages, each with its own tracking number. You will receive notifications and tracking details for each shipment to keep you updated on the status of your order.

What currency do I pay with?

You can pay with your local currency by selecting the appropriate option on your product page or using the tab on the right side of the screen, where you can switch between CAD and USD. If the site hasn’t automatically displayed the currency in your local preference, you can manually adjust it using this tab to ensure your payment is processed in the correct currency.

Shipping

Is there a shipping fee?

Yes, all orders have a basic reduced flat shipping fee of $8.95, regardless of the number of items purchased. We always cover any surplus shipping fees.

When will my order ship?

We generally start processing and preparing your order within minutes after it is placed. On average, your package is on its way within 48 hours. Delivery times depend on your location. As soon as your order is in the hands of our shipping carriers, we will update you with a tracking number. In the event of any delays or backorders before handing over your package to the shipping company, we will reach out to you and provide updates.

Do you ship internationally?

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we do ship internationally (outside of Canada and the United States). Extra shipping fees might apply to orders outside of these countries. Please note that we do not ship to certain territories due to local customs regulations. If your country does not appear as an option at checkout, please reach out to us directly, and we will do our best to find a shipping solution for your specific location.

What shipping methods do you provide?

We offer several shipping methods through a range of partners across Canada and the U.S. to ensure effective delivery. Our shipping partners include, but are not limited to, FedEx, UPS, Canada Post, USPS, and Amazon Shipping Services.

Do you refund if my package was stolen?

No, we do not provide refunds for packages stolen from your doorstep, building, or mailbox. Our packages are insured and eligible for a refund or replacement for any issues that occur from our warehouse up until they are delivered and registered with the tracking system. Once the package is marked as delivered, responsibility for the package transfers to the recipient.

Returns & Exchanges

Do you accept returns?

If you’re not pleased with a purchase, we will accept returns on unopened products within 14 days of delivery. Please note that shipping fees, duties, and return shipping costs are nonrefundable. Refunds are not applicable on opened or altered items.

How do I return?

If you wish to return an unopened or unaltered item, please contact us by email with your order number. We will create a ticket and provide you with a return number and return address. Once the package is returned to us in accordance with our return policies, we will credit your original form of payment.