Packed with antioxidants, chaga mushroom is available in tea or supplement form. Its extract may fight cancer and improve immunity, chronic inflammation, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Still, human studies are needed to confirm these benefits and to determine its safety, side effects and optimal dosage.
Chaga mushrooms have been used for centuries in Siberia and other parts of Asia as a medicine to boost immunity and improve overall health.
Though ugly in appearance, the chaga mushroom is gaining popularity in the Western world for its potential health benefits.
What Are Chaga Mushrooms?
Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) may be a sort of organism that develops primarily on the bark of birch trees in cold climates, such as Northern Europe, Siberia, Russia, Korea, Northern Canada and Alaska.
Chaga is additionally known by other names, such as dark mass, clinker polypore, birch canker polypore, cinder conk and the sterile conk trunk spoil (of birch). Chaga produces a woody development, or conk, which looks comparative to a clump of burnt charcoal — generally 10–15 inches (25–38 centimeters) in estimate.
In any case, the interior uncovers a delicate center with an orange color. For centuries, chaga has been utilized as a conventional medication in Russia and other Northern European nations, primarily to boost resistance and generally health.
It has too been utilized to treat diabetes, certain cancers and heart infection. Traditionally, chaga was ground into a fine powder and brewed as an home grown tea. Nowadays, it’s not as it were accessible as a tea but moreover as a powdered or capsuled supplement.
Potential Health Benefits
Research is ongoing, some scientific studies indicate that chaga extract may provide certain health benefits.
- Boosts Your Immune System and Fights Inflammation
- Prevents and Fights Cancer
- Lowers Blood Sugar
- Lowers Cholesterol
Safety and Side Effects
No human studies have been conducted to determine its safety or appropriate dosage. However, Chaga is generally well-tolerated.
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 beforehand.
