Viral Video Raises Concerns About Misinformation on Birch Chaga

A Belarusian man's video about identifying birch chaga has gone viral, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation regarding its medicinal properties. The video, posted by Viktor Tishina on May 17th, shows a man walking through a forest identifying a growth on a birch tree. He claims this growth is not chaga, a mushroom with purported health benefits, and warns against misidentification. "Often, people mistake it for chaga, especially if it's high up on the tree," Tishina says in the video. He emphasizes that chaga should only be harvested by professionals, implying that improper harvesting or misidentification can lead to ineffective or even harmful treatments. However, the video's claims lack scientific backing, and experts caution against relying on unverified sources for medical advice. The video's popularity highlights the need for reliable information about medicinal plants. The video's success, with over 1700 views in just a day, shows the public's interest in natural remedies. However, it also underscores the importance of verifying information from credible sources before using natural remedies for health issues.