Health Benefits of Chaga Mushroom

Let’s Talk Tuesday! This is post number two in my new series, where you can expect in-depth articles on two Tuesdays per month on varying health and nutrition topics. Today, let’s talk about the health benefits of chaga mushroom! In case you missed it, check out the last LTT on why vegetable oil is unhealthy!

Chaga is a medicinal mushroom that has been used for centuries to help with various ailments. It has recently started to gain popularity in the health and wellness world, and is commonly consumed as a tea or in coffee.

This article will look at a few of the different health benefits that are said to be improved with chaga, which is sometimes called the “King of Mushrooms”. I’ll also share a favorite chaga latte recipe of mine.

background of chaga mushroom

Chaga mushroom (scientific name: Inonotus obliquus, if you’re into that kind of knowledge) has been grown in cold climates in the Northern hemisphere for centuries. Most chaga is grown on the sides of birch trees in Russia, Siberia, Scandinavia, Canada, or the northernmost parts of the United States (chaga loves the cold).

Chaga doesn’t look like a typical mushroom. It grows off the side of the birch tree, and looks similar to a big piece of charcoal. It is not eaten as a food, and needs to be extracted before ingestion. All medicinal mushrooms require extraction with hot water and/or alcohol (ideally, both) to get all the beneficial compounds out.

health benefits of chaga mushroom

The main areas in which chaga mushroom has been studied for its health benefits are with cancer prevention and treatment, immune system function, and antimicrobial/antiviral activity.

The majority of studies that have been done in these areas are performed either in vitro (meaning in test tubes with cells), or with animal models. These types of studies are less helpful than human studies, but they can still give us some good information to extrapolate from.

Obviously, humans are not the same as mice, but some pathways can behave similarly. Scientists can use some of the findings from mouse studies to learn more about how certain compounds or substances may act in humans.

chaga and cancer

One study done on human cells found that chaga extract inhibited colon cancer cell growth and increased apoptosis (cell death) of the cancer cells.

Another study done on mouse models with Lewis lung carcinoma found that giving chaga extract for three weeks resulted in a 60% tumor reduction, and a 25% reduction in number of modules in metastatic mice, compared to the control group of mice.

While it is great that test tube and animal models have shown a reduction in cancerous activity, no clinical trials have been done on humans yet. However, the results from other studies are promising in terms of cancer prevention or treatment.

chaga and immunity

One of chaga’s main claims to fame is its benefits for supporting the immune system. Chaga has been shown to modulate the immune system by promoting the formation of helpful cytokines. Cytokines can either be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory, and we want more of the anti-inflammatory.

Chaga also helps the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting infections.

A main compound in chaga (and all medicinal mushrooms) that help with supporting the immune system is a polysaccharide called beta-glucan. Beta-glucan is what modulates the immune system by stimulating macrophages, natural killer cells, and neutrophils, all of which are necessary components to fight infections, bacteria, and viruses.

chaga and autoimmune disease

A caveat with this is that some people do not want their immune system stimulated. For example, people with severe autoimmune diseases, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, would want their immune systems to be “calmed down”, not increased.

However, some studies have shown that chaga can help with the symptoms of ulcerative colitis (hi, that’s me!). A study with mice found that the mice who received chaga extract had reduced intestinal inflammation, as well as inhibition of those pro-inflammatory cytokines. All good things for reducing the symptoms of ulcerative colitis!

chaga and anti-viral activity

Chaga has been studied for its anti-viral effects, which is similar to the effects on the immune system. In test tube studies, chaga extract has been shown to inhibit growth of hepatitis C and HIV. Again, these haven’t been studied in humans yet, but the potential for helping people with these viruses is promising.

are there side effects of chaga?

Since there haven’t been clinical trials on humans, there aren’t side effects that have been established. People with severe autoimmune disease should exercise caution with using chaga, as mentioned above.

It’s unknown if there are any adverse effects of taking chaga when pregnant or breastfeeding, so ask your doctor about that one.

People with diabetes should also be cautious, because chaga may reduce blood sugar, which could cause blood sugars to go too low when taking medication as well. Ordinarily, chaga reducing blood sugar is a good thing – you just want to make sure your doctor knows so he/she can adjust your medication accordingly, if needed.

Lastly, people with blood clotting disorders may not want to use chaga, as it can prevent blood clotting. As always, talk to your doctor if you have a specific health concern you have questions about!

summary of health benefits of chaga mushroom

Overall, chaga is a very healthy mushroom for most people to consume. Many studies have been done in test tube and animal models, which tend to show that chaga extract can reduce cancer growth, improve immune function, and fight bacteria and viruses.

Chaga can be made into a tea or coffee. My favorite way to consume chaga is with Four Sigmatic’s Chaga Elixir or Mushroom Coffee. This is not a sponsored post, I just love Four Sigmatic! I have been using their products for years and truly believe that chaga helps my immune system. I have hardly been sick in almost two years since using chaga.

chaga latte recipe

• 1 packet of Four Sigmatic chaga elixir
• 4 oz cold brew concentrate or 2 oz espresso
• 10-12 oz almond milk (warmed or cold)
• 1 Tbsp cacao powder
• 1 scoop of collagen (use code: VEGGIES10 for a discount)
• 1/2 Tbsp honey or date nectar
• Blend them all together!

What questions do you have about chaga? Are you interested in trying it?