Wood-decay fungi with medicinal properties are among the most fascinating inhabitants of Czech forests – they grow right on the trunks of beeches, oaks and birches and have served as natural remedies for thousands of years. Reishi, chaga, turkey tail and the tinder fungus are medicinal wood-decay fungi that science is studying for their content of beta-glucans, triterpenes and antioxidants, which are thought to support immunity and overall vitality. Test your knowledge in our interactive identification quiz and then read our detailed guide to the most important species.
🍄 Identification quiz: Medicinal wood-decay fungi
Test how well you know medicinal bracket fungi. Three difficulty levels, 36 questions from the nature of Czech forests.
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Visit AMADEAA guide to the medicinal wood-decay fungi of Czech forests
Wood-decay fungi are not just destroyers of trees – they are chemical factories that have fascinated herbalists, shamans and modern scientists for centuries. The four species described below are among the most thoroughly researched medicinal mushrooms in the world, and all of them can be found, at least occasionally, in the Czech Republic.
Reishi (lingzhi) – Ganoderma lucidum
Ganoderma lucidum, known in Japanese as reishi, is a wood-decay fungus of the Ganodermataceae family that grows on weakened or dying trunks of broadleaf trees – in the Czech Republic most often on oaks, beeches and walnuts in the warmer parts of South Moravia and Bohemia. It is typically recognised by its glossy, almost varnished cap in colours from rusty brown to dark chestnut, 3–25 cm across.
In traditional Chinese medicine, reishi has been documented for around 2,000 years as the “mushroom of immortality”, originally reserved for emperors. Modern science has isolated dozens of triterpenoids with anti-inflammatory effects from reishi, as well as immune-supporting beta-glucans, a full range of essential amino acids and antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative stress. The mushroom is hard and very bitter – so it is not eaten directly, but taken as a decoction, tincture, powder or capsules. AMADEA's wooden kitchen utensils are ideal for preparing decoctions as part of a comfortable daily ritual.
Chaga – Inonotus obliquus
Chaga is a parasitic fungus that attacks birches and causes white heart rot. On the trunk it forms irregular, charcoal-black sterile growths (sclerotia) 10–50 cm across, while the true fruiting bodies form under the bark and are almost invisible. In the Czech Republic it is rare – found mainly in north-eastern Moravia and the foothills of the Šumava; it is more common in the boreal forests of Siberia, where local peoples have used it as a remedy since at least the 16th century.
Chaga has an exceptionally high content of melanin, betulinic acid (derived from birch bark) and beta-glucans. In 1955 the Soviet Union approved a chaga preparation called Befungin for digestive complaints. Modern research suggests antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. Important note: chaga contains extremely high levels of oxalates, so excessive use can be dangerous for people with kidney disease.
Turkey tail – Trametes versicolor
Turkey tail is probably the most common medicinal wood-decay fungus in the whole of the Czech Republic. You will find it on stumps and dead wood of broadleaf trees – most often beech, oak, birch and hornbeam – from the Elbe lowlands up to the foothill forests of the Krkonoše (up to around 800 m). It is one of the few medicinal mushrooms whose extract has been approved for medical use in Japan.
The key substances in turkey tail are the polysaccharides PSK and PSP, which stimulate the production of cytokines and activate NK (natural killer) cells. In Japan, PSK has been part of supportive cancer treatment since the 1970s. The natural wood on which turkey tail grows – beech, oak, hornbeam – is also the material that gives AMADEA's chopping boards their natural character and durability.
Tinder fungus (hoof fungus) – Fomes fomentarius
The tinder fungus is one of the most common and historically most important wood-decay fungi of Czech forests. It grows on beeches, poplars, limes, oaks and birches throughout the country, and its fruiting body can stay on a trunk for up to 30 years. It is shaped like a horse's hoof, has a hard grey-brown crust and reaches 10–40 cm across. Its exceptional historical role is shown by the famous glacier mummy Ötzi (more than 5,000 years old), who carried tinder fungus as a supply of tinder for lighting fires – hence the Latin name fomentarius (from the word for tinder).
Modern analyses have found beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucans in the tinder fungus that stimulate macrophages and NK cells, melanin with antioxidant activity, and substances that support digestive health. In traditional Chinese medicine it has been used for stomach complaints and as a supportive treatment for intestinal cancers. It is prepared as a decoction or powder. If you grow herbs, take a look at AMADEA's wooden plant markers and herb labels – a lovely addition to any garden.
The most common mix-ups and mistakes when collecting
The related Ganoderma resinaceum has a yellowish-orange margin and a resinous surface. Reishi prefers broadleaf trees. The content of medicinal substances differs considerably – do not buy products that do not specify the species.
Burls are woody bulges on the trunk with no fungal origin. Chaga breaks away from the trunk relatively easily and is typically rusty orange inside. Getting this wrong means zero medicinal effect.
Trametes ochracea does not have such striking coloured bands and is more uniformly ochre. The medicinal polysaccharides PSK and PSP are characteristic of Trametes versicolor – always check the Latin species name on food supplements.
Comparison of medicinal wood-decay fungi
| Species | Host tree | Abundance in CZ | Key substances | Main traditional uses | Form of use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reishi (G. lucidum) | Oak, beech, walnut | Rare | Triterpenes, beta-glucans, amino acids | Immunity, stress, sleep, liver | Decoction, tincture, capsules |
| Chaga (I. obliquus) | Birch | Rare | Melanin, betulinic acid, beta-glucans | Antioxidant, digestion, immunity | Tea, powder, tincture |
| Turkey tail (T. versicolor) | Beech, oak, birch, hornbeam | Very common | PSK, PSP, beta-glucans | Immunity, supportive cancer care | Powder, extract, capsules |
| Tinder fungus (F. fomentarius) | Beech, poplar, lime, birch | Common | Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucans, melanin | Immunity, digestion, antioxidant | Decoction, powder, extract |
Frequently asked questions about medicinal wood-decay fungi
What is the best-known medicinal wood-decay fungus in the Czech Republic?
The best known is Ganoderma lucidum, known as reishi or lingzhi, which has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for around 2,000 years. In the Czech Republic it grows rarely in warmer areas – for example in the oak woods of South Moravia. AMADEA turns the wood of oaks, the trees on which reishi grows, into chopping boards.
Are medicinal wood-decay fungi available as food supplements?
Yes. Reishi, chaga and turkey tail are sold in pharmacies, health food shops and online as capsules, extracts, tinctures or dried powder. Always check the origin of the mushroom and the Latin species name on the packaging, as the quality of products varies considerably.
Can I collect medicinal wood-decay fungi freely in the forest?
In general, mushrooms may be picked for personal use in the Czech Republic. The tinder fungus and turkey tail are common and collecting them is not restricted. Reishi is rare – so it is more ethical to buy it from certified growers. Only collect chaga where you are sure you have identified the fungus correctly.
Do medicinal mushrooms have side effects?
Medicinal mushrooms are not medicines – they are food supplements. Reishi is not recommended before surgery (it may affect blood clotting), with low blood pressure, or alongside medication without consulting a doctor. Chaga contains extremely high levels of oxalates and is unsuitable for people with kidney stones.
Does AMADEA offer products connected with the nature of Czech forests?
AMADEA is a Czech maker of handcrafted wooden products made from the very trees on which medicinal fungi naturally grow – beech, oak and birch. The range includes wooden candle holders, kitchen accessories, decorations and wooden crates and boxes for storing herbs and natural products.
🌳 Looking for a gift made of natural wood? At AMADEA you will find handmade products from Czech forests – from decorations to kitchen accessories.
Visit AMADEAAuthor: Martin Portych – specialist in wooden products, gift advice and shop content
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