Review of Medicinal Uses of Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

INTRODUCTION Chaga (Inonotus obliquus; Family Hymenochaetaceae) is a parasitic fungus that frequently occurs on members of the birch family (Betulaceae). It is currently known by the scientific name Inonotus obliquus, but has also been called Polyporus obliquus and Poria obliqua (these latter two names are referred to as synonyms). The genus name (Inonotus) translates as “black fiber” and the specific epithet (obliquus) refers to the fact the pores of the reproductive body are at an angle to the horizon. Chaga has many common names. The name Chaga originated in Siberia (it is the Anglicized version of Czaga). Specifically, it is derived from the name for mushroom in the Komi-Permyak language, which is spoken by natives of the Kama River Basin in the West Uralian region. It is also called true tinder fungus, clinker polypore, sterile conk, cinder conk, cancer polypore, and kabanoanatake (Japan).