Is Chaga Safe to Consume Daily?

If you have been in the realm of herbal wellness for some time already, you may have seen lots of trends come and go. Many popular wellness ingredients are nothing more than fads, but every now and then, an ingredient turns up that lives up to its hype. Chaga is one of them. Is Chaga safe to consume daily? That is the question we will try to answer today.
Do you want to experience the benefits of this mushroom yourself? If so, it is only natural for you to wonder how much you can take in one day. Here, you will learn everything you need to know about the Chaga mushroom, including its benefits and how much you can take daily.

What is Chaga Mushroom?

Chaga mushroom, scientifically called Inonotus obliquus, is a functional mushroom or medicinal mushroom that grows on trees in North America, Eastern Europe, and Asia. It appears that this fungus prefers colder climates, and winter is actually the best time to forage wild Chaga. After all, that is when it is most noticeable.
The fruiting body is the part that most people recognize as the “mushroom.” For Chaga, it is black and has a rough appearance, resembling a piece of coal growing out of the side of a tree.

Today, people take Chaga mushroom gummies and other supplements, but back in the day, it was used as is. It was a crucial element in folk Russian medicine, and was included in the Shen-nung pen ts’ao ching – the first materia medica in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This text refers to Chaga as “The King of the Herbs.”

Owing to its many benefits, we have crafted supplements infused with the goodness of Chaga mushrooms. At Essential Mushrooms, we also have Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Turkey Tail, Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, and King Oyster.

What Are the Health Benefits of Chaga?

Chaga mushroom has clearly been in use for hundreds of years, but what exactly are the health benefits? Just like most of the herbs used in TCM and other ancient healing arts, science is only just now confirming the benefits humanity has been aware of for ages. Here are some of the more recent discoveries about this fungus.

1. Supports the Immune System

Having a properly working immune system depends on having a properly working immune response. Normally, our immune systems analyze threats and respond appropriately. However, there are times when the immune system overreacts. There are also moments when the threats linger in our bodies for so long that even a healthy immune system ends up causing more harm than good.

Chaga helps support a healthy immune response and can minimize irritation in the body. Furthermore, some studies are now suggesting that Chaga can support health and wellness for the long term.

2. Encourages Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Chaga mushroom capsules may encourage healthy blood sugar levels, which could be great for people with occasionally unstable blood sugar. That being said, research into this benefit is still in its early stages. Also, currently, the effects of this mushroom on blood sugar are only being tested in mice.

3. Supports Healthy Cholesterol Levels

There are two types of cholesterol: LDL or “bad cholesterol” and HDL or “good” cholesterol. While only one is referred to as “bad,” these cholesterols still need to stay within certain levels to be considered healthy.

Chaga can help balance cholesterol levels in healthy people. Over time, this can also support long-term heart health.

4. Promotes Long-Term Wellness

Chaga also contains antioxidants, which are molecules with extra electrons. They use these electrons to help neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that are missing electrons.

If they go unchecked, free radicals can wreak massive damage to the body. Free radical damage even plays a large part in long-term wellness, contributing to some signs of aging and overall deterioration of health.

How Much Chaga Should You Take

So, how much of this mushroom can you take in one day? Well, there are no rules because there are no studies out there to show which concentration of Chaga is best.
Apart from that, Chaga mushroom is not something the human body physically needs a certain amount of to survive. That is why there is no nationally recognized recommendation on how much to take.

Considering this fact, there are a few ways to make sure you are taking the right amount. First, start with the suggested dosage of your supplement of choice.
Second, see how you feel after consumption. Start with a small amount and slowly adjust how much you take to find a balance that works for you.

Note: Chaga contains a large quantity of oxalate, making it unsafe for people with kidney disorders.

Things to Look for in a Chaga Supplement

Before you buy Chaga online, know this – not all supplements are created equal. There are two main things you should pay attention to: what part of the mushrooms is used and how they are prepared.

Most supplements use mycelium, which is the root-like system of the mushroom. Mycelium has a few great benefits, but they do not have as many of the health-supporting properties as the fruiting body, which is the part of the mushroom we are used to seeing. Some supplements even use a mixture of the two.

Many supplements even use mushrooms that have been ground into a powder. Many of the helpful compounds in functional fungi are not naturally bioavailable, so simply eating a mushroom or its powder probably will not provide the benefits you expect.
You should go for mushroom extracts instead. These are made by soaking the mushrooms in alcohol to extract the beneficial compounds. The end result is concentrated mushroom powder that your body can actually use.

The Side Effects of Chaga

There are no known side effects of taking Chaga, but that does not mean you should not exercise caution when you take it. Just like you would any other supplement or food, monitor how you feel after taking Chaga, and make a note of any symptoms that could indicate an allergic or intolerant reaction.

If you have diabetes or a blood-clotting disorder, you should discuss with your healthcare provider before you take Chaga. This is especially true if you take any medications. Many herbal remedies are incredibly powerful and must be treated with as much respect as medicine.

Finally, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before you start taking Chaga drops. We currently do not know how this fungus affects breast milk or pregnancy, so it may be best to be careful.

The Bottom Line

Chaga is a functional mushroom that grows in cold climates across Europe, North America, and Asia. Its benefits include supporting the immune system, encouraging healthy blood sugar levels, supporting healthy cholesterol levels, and promoting long-term wellness.
Chaga has been touted as “The King of the Herbs,” and we could not agree more. That is why we have a full line of single Chaga and blended supplements.

Also Read: Cordyceps vs Chaga