The Chaga is birch

Pilat. f. sterillis) from this. gimenokhetovy (trutovikovy) (Hymenochaetaceae), parasitizing mainly on trunks of adult birches, is more rare on alder, mountain ash, beech and other deciduous breeds. Usually meets in the woods northern and midland of moderate belt. Breeds inonotus the disputes burgeoning on affected areas of bark. Old trees are more subject to infection with mushrooms as with age at tree ability to form the wound kernel interfering penetration dispute in wood decreases. Growth conditions also play role, for example, the trees growing in mountains are surprised less often tinder funguses as their wood has more dense structure. Mushroom threads get into wood, gradually destroying it (the illness of tree is called white core decay). In the lower and middle part of trunks (in the place of initial penetration dispute) the shapeless outgrowth acting from under the breaking - off bark develops. With age outgrowths take form of semi - spherical rollers and for 10 - 15 reach the weight of 4 - 5 kg. Mushroom surface black, jointed, fabric brown, ligneous, with light streaks.
As medicinal raw materials serves only the chaga growing on birches. Collect mushroom all the year round, but the best time for preparation the fall and spring is considered. Fresh outgrowths cut 3 - 6 cm on pieces at once and dry on attic in the aired room or the furnace at temperature of 60 °C. Store in densely closed glass container no more than 2 years.
Structure: The fruit body of mushroom contains polyphenols, triterpenoida, pitches, agartsinovy acid, flavonoid inotodion, alkaloids, polysaccharides, sterols, lignin, there is a lot of manganese, and also iron, silicon, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc.

Action: Preparations of chaga possess spazmolitichesky, diuretic, soothing, antimicrobic, reparative, laxative action; slow down growth of tumors of different origin and normalize activity of digestive tract. Infusion is used for treatment of malignant tumors of different localization.