The Right Chemistry: Chaga claims aren't backed by evidence

If you wanted to find some “Chaga,” you would tromp through a forest looking for a birch tree with an unusual growth on its trunk. Although it is classified as a mushroom, Chaga doesn’t look like one. Instead of having gills, this mushroom is permeated with numerous pores. Under pressure it crumbles readily, revealing a brownish inside with cream coloured veins. 
Why would anyone seek out such an ugly parasite that grows from a wound on the bark of a birch tree? Probably b