Chaga is one of the most striking mushrooms from the northern herbal tradition. Because of its special composition, Chaga has been used for centuries in the folk traditions of northern cultures. In this blog you can read what chaga is exactly, where it comes from, what is in it and how you use it.
At Dutch Balance we offer Chaga capsules from the brand Pure Mushrooms.
What is the Chaga mushroom?
Chaga, also known as the birch conk (Latin name: Inonotus obliquus), is a special mushroom that grows mainly on the bark of birch trees in cold climates such as Scandinavia, Siberia, Canada and Alaska. Unlike most mushrooms it does not form a classic cap, but a hard, dark mass that looks like burnt wood.
For centuries Chaga has been used in the folk medicine of northern countries such as Russia and Finland, often as a tea. That long history is one of the reasons the mushroom is now attracting interest here as well.
What is in Chaga?
The composition of Chaga is what makes the mushroom special. It is low in calories and contains, among other things:
- Polysaccharides: complex carbohydrates you come across in more mushrooms.
- Betulinic acid: a compound that occurs naturally in birch bark and concentrates in Chaga.
- Phytosterols: plant compounds that structurally resemble cholesterol.
- Melanin: the pigment that gives Chaga its dark colour.
- SOD (superoxide dismutase): an enzyme that occurs naturally in the mushroom.
- Beta-glucans: a type of polysaccharide characteristic of mushrooms.
These compounds help determine the character of Chaga. What exactly they do in the body is still the subject of research.
Chaga and research
The compounds in Chaga are being looked at scientifically, but much of that research has been carried out in the lab or in animals. For humans there are no hard conclusions yet.
There are currently no EU-approved health claims for Chaga. It is not a medicine, but a food supplement that fits within a healthy lifestyle.
How you can use Chaga
There are various ways to use Chaga.
Chaga capsules
The simplest way. Our premium Chaga capsules from Pure Mushrooms contain 320 mg of concentrated extract per capsule. Stick to the dose on the packaging, generally two capsules one to three times a day. Handy for anyone with a busy life or travelling.
Chaga tea and in food
You can also use Chaga extract or powder in tea or add it to your food. For tea: prepare with water at 60 to 70 degrees and let it steep for at least 45 minutes. For food: stir a teaspoon into a smoothie, yoghurt or porridge.
Chaga side effects: is this mushroom suitable for everyone?
Chaga is generally well tolerated, but there are a few points to note:
- Chaga can interact with certain medicines, particularly blood thinners and diabetes medication.
- Anyone sensitive to fungi or mushrooms can have an allergic reaction.
- Because of its oxalate content, Chaga is not advised with kidney problems or a tendency to kidney stones.
Start with a low dose to see how your body responds. Do you take medication, are you pregnant or do you have a medical condition? Then consult your doctor first.
Discover all our mushrooms
Besides Chaga we offer other Pure Mushrooms supplements, such as Reishi and Lion’s Mane. Also have a look at our full range of mushrooms, our CBD products and vitamins and minerals.
Buying Chaga? Have a look at the organic Chaga capsules.
