Benefits
What Are Chaga Mushrooms?
Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a type of fungus that grows mainly on the bark of birch trees in cold climates, such as Northern Europe, Siberia, Russia, Korea, Northern Canada and Alaska.
Chaga is also known by other names, such as black mass, clinker polypore, birch canker polypore, cinder conk and the sterile conk trunk rot (of birch).
Chaga produces a woody growth, or conk, which looks similar to a clump of burnt charcoal — roughly 10–15 inches (25–38 centimeters) in size. However, the inside reveals a soft core with an orange color.
For centuries, chaga has been used as a traditional medicine in Russia and other Northern European countries, mainly to boost immunity and overall health.
It has also been used to treat diabetes, certain cancers and heart disease
Potential Health Benefits
Though research is ongoing, some scientific studies indicate that chaga extract may provide certain health benefits.
Boosts Your Immune System and Fights Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural response of your immune system that can protect against disease. However, long-term inflammation is linked to conditions like heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis (4Trusted Source).
Animal and test-tube studies suggest that chaga extract can positively impact immunity by reducing long-term inflammation and fighting harmful bacteria and viruses.
By promoting the formation of beneficial cytokines — specialized proteins that regulate the immune system — chaga stimulates white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off harmful bacteria or viruses (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).
As a result, this mushroom could help fight infections — from minor colds to serious illnesses.
Additionally, other animal and test-tube studies demonstrate that chaga can prevent the production of harmful cytokines, which trigger inflammation and are associated with disease (5Trusted Source, 7).
For example, in a study in mice, chaga extract reduced inflammation and gut damage by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines (8Trusted Source).
Prevents and Fights Cancer
Several animal and test-tube studies show that chaga can prevent and slow cancer growth (9Trusted Source).
In a study in mice with cancer, chaga supplements resulted in a 60% reduction in tumor size (10Trusted Source).
In a test-tube study, chaga extract prevented the growth of cancer in human liver cells. Similar results were observed with cancer cells of the lung, breast, prostate and colon (11Trusted Source, 12, 13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).
It’s thought that the anticancer effect of chaga is partly due to its high content of antioxidants, which protect cells from damage by free radicals (15Trusted Source).
In particular, chaga contains the antioxidant triterpene. Test-tube studies reveal that very concentrated triterpene extract can help kill cancer cells (15Trusted Source).
Keep in mind that human studies are needed in order to make strong conclusions about chaga’s anticancer potential.
Lowers Blood Sugar
Several animal studies link chaga to lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, it may help manage diabetes (16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).
A recent study in obese, diabetic mice observed that chaga extract reduced blood sugar levels and insulin resistance compared to diabetic mice who did not receive the supplement (18Trusted Source).
In another study in diabetic mice, chaga supplements led to a 31% decrease in blood sugar levels over three weeks (17Trusted Source).
Similar results have been seen in other studies (19, 20Trusted Source).
However, as human research is unavailable, it’s unclear whether chaga can help manage diabetes in humans.
Lowers Cholesterol
Chaga extract may also benefit cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of heart disease.
In an eight-week study in rats with high cholesterol, chaga extract reduced “bad” LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing antioxidant levels (21).
Similar studies gave the same results and observed that — in addition to reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol — chaga increases “good” HDL cholesterol (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source).
Researchers believe that the antioxidants present in chaga are responsible for its effects on cholesterol.
Again, more research in humans is needed to clearly understand chaga’s cholesterol impact.
SUMMARYAnimal and test-tube studies found that chaga extract may boost immunity, prevent chronic inflammation, fight cancer, lower blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol. However, more human studies are needed.
Benefit of Chaga
Chaga mushrooms are rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including:
Oxidative stress causes physical signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and gray hair. Exposure to sun, pollution, and other sources of damage create too many free radicals for the body to neutralize, which accelerates the aging process of the skin.
In theory, supplying the body with more antioxidants could slow the aging process, or even reverse visible signs of aging.
Although no research has conclusively linked chaga to anti-aging benefits, its effectiveness in fighting other forms of oxidative stress suggests that it could also fight aging.
3. Lowering cholesterol
Chaga mushrooms contain many antioxidants that may reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called “bad” cholesterol.
High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for heart disease, so chaga mushrooms could be useful in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
4. Preventing and fighting cancer
Increasingly, researchers are taking seriously the possibility that chaga mushrooms may be able to prevent cancer and slow its growth.
Chaga is rich in antioxidants, which are chemicals that help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals or oxidants. When the body is unable to produce enough antioxidants to prevent this damage, oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress can cause cancer and a host of other health problems.
A 2010 study found that chaga could slow the growth of lung, breast, and cervical cancer cells in a petri dish. The same study also found that chaga could slow the growth of tumors in mice.
A 2009 study found that triterpenes, the compounds found in chaga and some other mushrooms, cause tumor cells to self-destruct. Unlike other cancer treatments, however, chaga does not appear to harm healthy cells.
Although other studies have found similarly promising results, they have all been carried out on animals or in a laboratory. To prove the anti-cancer benefits of chaga conclusively, researchers will need to conduct extensive studies on humans.
5. Lowering blood pressure
Research suggests that oxidative stress is a contributing factor for high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more prone to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular health issues.
Chaga’s antioxidants could have a potential role in lowering blood pressure and preventing poor cardiovascular health.
6. Supporting the immune system
Cytokines are the immune system’s chemical messengers. They are proteins that play a vital role in stimulating white blood cells, which are the immune system’s first line of defense against a range of illnesses.
Some research on mice suggests that chaga may help regulate the production of cytokines, supporting the immune system by helping cells communicate with one another. This could help fight infections, from minor colds to life-threatening illnesses.
7. Fighting inflammation
When the body is fighting an illness, inflammation supports the fight. But sometimes, inflammation transitions from a short-term attack to a chronic health problem.
Some illnesses, particularly chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to inflammation. Recent research suggests that some conditions that are not considered inflammatory, including depression, may be partly due to chronic inflammation.
Chaga’s role in regulating cytokine production may also help control inflammation. This points to a role for chaga in fighting autoimmune conditions and possibly some other diseases.
8. Lowering blood sugar
Chaga might also have a role in the fight against diabetes.
A 2006 study found that chaga mushrooms could lower blood sugar in rats. The rodents were genetically modified to have diabetes and to be obese. After eating chaga mushrooms for 8 weeks, their blood sugar levels were lower.
Though no research has been done on humans yet, this suggests that chaga might contribute to an alternative treatment for diabetes in the future.
9. Preventing drug side effects
Research is still in its infancy, but if chaga proves effective at fighting illnesses such as cancer and arthritis, it could be an alternative to traditional treatments.
Treating people with chaga mushrooms could prevent them from experiencing the side effects of other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and various medications prescribed for chronic illnesses.
Safety and Side Effects
Chaga is generally well-tolerated. However, no human studies have been conducted to determine its safety or appropriate dosage.
In fact, chaga can interact with some common medications, causing potentially harmful effects.
For example, chaga could pose risks for people on insulin or those with diabetes due to its impact on blood sugar.
Chaga also contains a protein that can prevent blood clotting. Therefore, if you are on blood-thinning medications, have a bleeding disorder or are preparing for surgery, consult with your doctor before taking chaga (22Trusted Source).
Though some research shows that chaga may help reduce inflammation, it may also cause your immune system to become more active. Thus, people with autoimmune diseases should seek medical advice before taking chaga.
There is no research on the safety of chaga for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Therefore, the safest option is to avoid use.
Finally, remember to buy supplements from reputable sources, as chaga is not monitored by the FDA.
SUMMARY
No studies have analyzed the safety or appropriate dosage of chaga. Unwanted side effects could occur if you have a bleeding disorder or autoimmune disease, take blood thinners or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a type of fungus that grows mainly on the bark of birch trees in cold climates, such as Northern Europe, Siberia, Russia, Korea, Northern Canada and Alaska.
Chaga is also known by other names, such as black mass, clinker polypore, birch canker polypore, cinder conk and the sterile conk trunk rot (of birch).
Chaga produces a woody growth, or conk, which looks similar to a clump of burnt charcoal — roughly 10–15 inches (25–38 centimeters) in size. However, the inside reveals a soft core with an orange color.
For centuries, chaga has been used as a traditional medicine in Russia and other Northern European countries, mainly to boost immunity and overall health.
It has also been used to treat diabetes, certain cancers and heart disease
Potential Health Benefits
Though research is ongoing, some scientific studies indicate that chaga extract may provide certain health benefits.
Boosts Your Immune System and Fights Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural response of your immune system that can protect against disease. However, long-term inflammation is linked to conditions like heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis (4Trusted Source).
Animal and test-tube studies suggest that chaga extract can positively impact immunity by reducing long-term inflammation and fighting harmful bacteria and viruses.
By promoting the formation of beneficial cytokines — specialized proteins that regulate the immune system — chaga stimulates white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off harmful bacteria or viruses (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).
As a result, this mushroom could help fight infections — from minor colds to serious illnesses.
Additionally, other animal and test-tube studies demonstrate that chaga can prevent the production of harmful cytokines, which trigger inflammation and are associated with disease (5Trusted Source, 7).
For example, in a study in mice, chaga extract reduced inflammation and gut damage by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines (8Trusted Source).
Prevents and Fights Cancer
Several animal and test-tube studies show that chaga can prevent and slow cancer growth (9Trusted Source).
In a study in mice with cancer, chaga supplements resulted in a 60% reduction in tumor size (10Trusted Source).
In a test-tube study, chaga extract prevented the growth of cancer in human liver cells. Similar results were observed with cancer cells of the lung, breast, prostate and colon (11Trusted Source, 12, 13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).
It’s thought that the anticancer effect of chaga is partly due to its high content of antioxidants, which protect cells from damage by free radicals (15Trusted Source).
In particular, chaga contains the antioxidant triterpene. Test-tube studies reveal that very concentrated triterpene extract can help kill cancer cells (15Trusted Source).
Keep in mind that human studies are needed in order to make strong conclusions about chaga’s anticancer potential.
Lowers Blood Sugar
Several animal studies link chaga to lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, it may help manage diabetes (16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).
A recent study in obese, diabetic mice observed that chaga extract reduced blood sugar levels and insulin resistance compared to diabetic mice who did not receive the supplement (18Trusted Source).
In another study in diabetic mice, chaga supplements led to a 31% decrease in blood sugar levels over three weeks (17Trusted Source).
Similar results have been seen in other studies (19, 20Trusted Source).
However, as human research is unavailable, it’s unclear whether chaga can help manage diabetes in humans.
Lowers Cholesterol
Chaga extract may also benefit cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of heart disease.
In an eight-week study in rats with high cholesterol, chaga extract reduced “bad” LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing antioxidant levels (21).
Similar studies gave the same results and observed that — in addition to reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol — chaga increases “good” HDL cholesterol (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source).
Researchers believe that the antioxidants present in chaga are responsible for its effects on cholesterol.
Again, more research in humans is needed to clearly understand chaga’s cholesterol impact.
SUMMARYAnimal and test-tube studies found that chaga extract may boost immunity, prevent chronic inflammation, fight cancer, lower blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol. However, more human studies are needed.
Benefit of Chaga
Chaga mushrooms are rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including:
- B-complex vitamins
- vitamin D
- potassium
- rubidium
- cesium
- amino acids
- fiber
- copper
- selenium
- zinc
- iron
- manganese
- magnesium
- calcium
Oxidative stress causes physical signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and gray hair. Exposure to sun, pollution, and other sources of damage create too many free radicals for the body to neutralize, which accelerates the aging process of the skin.
In theory, supplying the body with more antioxidants could slow the aging process, or even reverse visible signs of aging.
Although no research has conclusively linked chaga to anti-aging benefits, its effectiveness in fighting other forms of oxidative stress suggests that it could also fight aging.
3. Lowering cholesterol
Chaga mushrooms contain many antioxidants that may reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called “bad” cholesterol.
High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for heart disease, so chaga mushrooms could be useful in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
4. Preventing and fighting cancer
Increasingly, researchers are taking seriously the possibility that chaga mushrooms may be able to prevent cancer and slow its growth.
Chaga is rich in antioxidants, which are chemicals that help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals or oxidants. When the body is unable to produce enough antioxidants to prevent this damage, oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress can cause cancer and a host of other health problems.
A 2010 study found that chaga could slow the growth of lung, breast, and cervical cancer cells in a petri dish. The same study also found that chaga could slow the growth of tumors in mice.
A 2009 study found that triterpenes, the compounds found in chaga and some other mushrooms, cause tumor cells to self-destruct. Unlike other cancer treatments, however, chaga does not appear to harm healthy cells.
Although other studies have found similarly promising results, they have all been carried out on animals or in a laboratory. To prove the anti-cancer benefits of chaga conclusively, researchers will need to conduct extensive studies on humans.
5. Lowering blood pressure
Research suggests that oxidative stress is a contributing factor for high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more prone to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular health issues.
Chaga’s antioxidants could have a potential role in lowering blood pressure and preventing poor cardiovascular health.
6. Supporting the immune system
Cytokines are the immune system’s chemical messengers. They are proteins that play a vital role in stimulating white blood cells, which are the immune system’s first line of defense against a range of illnesses.
Some research on mice suggests that chaga may help regulate the production of cytokines, supporting the immune system by helping cells communicate with one another. This could help fight infections, from minor colds to life-threatening illnesses.
7. Fighting inflammation
When the body is fighting an illness, inflammation supports the fight. But sometimes, inflammation transitions from a short-term attack to a chronic health problem.
Some illnesses, particularly chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to inflammation. Recent research suggests that some conditions that are not considered inflammatory, including depression, may be partly due to chronic inflammation.
Chaga’s role in regulating cytokine production may also help control inflammation. This points to a role for chaga in fighting autoimmune conditions and possibly some other diseases.
8. Lowering blood sugar
Chaga might also have a role in the fight against diabetes.
A 2006 study found that chaga mushrooms could lower blood sugar in rats. The rodents were genetically modified to have diabetes and to be obese. After eating chaga mushrooms for 8 weeks, their blood sugar levels were lower.
Though no research has been done on humans yet, this suggests that chaga might contribute to an alternative treatment for diabetes in the future.
9. Preventing drug side effects
Research is still in its infancy, but if chaga proves effective at fighting illnesses such as cancer and arthritis, it could be an alternative to traditional treatments.
Treating people with chaga mushrooms could prevent them from experiencing the side effects of other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and various medications prescribed for chronic illnesses.
Safety and Side Effects
Chaga is generally well-tolerated. However, no human studies have been conducted to determine its safety or appropriate dosage.
In fact, chaga can interact with some common medications, causing potentially harmful effects.
For example, chaga could pose risks for people on insulin or those with diabetes due to its impact on blood sugar.
Chaga also contains a protein that can prevent blood clotting. Therefore, if you are on blood-thinning medications, have a bleeding disorder or are preparing for surgery, consult with your doctor before taking chaga (22Trusted Source).
Though some research shows that chaga may help reduce inflammation, it may also cause your immune system to become more active. Thus, people with autoimmune diseases should seek medical advice before taking chaga.
There is no research on the safety of chaga for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Therefore, the safest option is to avoid use.
Finally, remember to buy supplements from reputable sources, as chaga is not monitored by the FDA.
SUMMARY
No studies have analyzed the safety or appropriate dosage of chaga. Unwanted side effects could occur if you have a bleeding disorder or autoimmune disease, take blood thinners or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
