Chaga - Inonotus obliquus, birch canker polypore, cinder conk

Inonotus obliquus is a fungus that infects trees through cuts and holes and causes the Chaga canker to grow. Chaga is found on trees in the more northern parts of Europe, Asia, as well as in Canada and in the more northeastern areas of the United States.. 

Chaga does not have caffeine and will not keep you awake. It has adaptogenic properties and can help your body adapt to stress and calm down. It’s good to drink chaga at any time of the day.   Chaga is not a psychedelic mushroom. Here is a link to the National Library of Medicines webpage with a lot of more medically techincal information.  

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chaga-mushroom

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).

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.

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).

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.

 https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-chaga-mushrooms

As with other supplements, the health risks of chaga mushrooms can include unexpected side effects. For example, it may interact poorly with blood-thinning medications and diabetes medications.  

Chaga mushrooms can lower blood sugar, which can make it dangerous for those taking insulin or other blood sugar-lowering medications. Consuming chaga could cause  a drop in blood sugar, hypoglycemia,. 

Chaga may also interfere with blood clotting. Therefore, those with bleeding disorders should avoid it, and anyone taking blood thinning medication should use it with caution.  

CLICK HERE to be taken to links on Human Studies and the use of Chaga