Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

• Mushroom for Skin Health
• Mushroom for Immunity

Mushrooms are all around us, they are the true communicators in nature. Medicinal mushrooms have been used globally for thousands of years for their health benefits and can provide the missing link to support our health and wellbeing. Each medicinal mushroom has its own unique set of compounds to support health, let’s learn more about chaga:

Meet the Mushroom

Also known as the ‘diamond of the forest’, chaga is an old Russian word for mushroom and it has been a traditional medicine in Northern Europe and Russia for hundreds of years. It grows on the bark of the birch tree, drawing nutrients from the inner layers, and converting them to active compounds to support overall health. 

History

Chaga is renowned for increasing vitality and supporting the immune system. Traditionally it was used in folk medicine in Eastern Russia, boiled to make a tea that was used to support immunity and overall health. 

Benefits: Why you should use it?

• Skin Health: Studies show chaga has the strongest antioxidant activity among fungi examined. Antioxidants protect the body from free-radical damage which can cause premature ageing. Other studies have noted benefits for problem skin conditions such as psoriasis, potentially due to its impact on chronic inflammation.
• Immunity: Studies have shown anti-viral effects and suggest chaga increases cytokines, which are signalling proteins that help regulate immune response.
• Gut Health: A 2017 study found that the polysaccharides in chaga possess prebiotic properties that improve the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut (1).

Key Actives

• Betulinic acid: Derived from the bark of the host birch tree on which it grows, it has wide-spectrum anti-microbial activity. 
• Beta-glucans: Balance the response of the immune system.
• Antioxidants: Chaga has one of highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity) scores of any food, highlighting its ability to protect the body from free radical damage.

Product Info

Our Organic Chaga is a 100% fruiting body dual extract of chaga conk, sustainably wild crafted on birch trees in the pristine Jilin forest. It is vital that chaga is grown on birch trees if it is to contain the main active components it is associated with.

It is dual extracted (Up to 8:1 extract ratio) to release and concentrate its polysaccharides and triterpenes. It has a minimum of 12% glucans, and 0.5% betulinic acid to support immunity and inflammatory response.

Our Pure Grade range of extracts are regarded as practitioner quality and contain the highest levels of active compounds. It is common for mushroom capsules and powders to use ‘drinks grade’ extracts that contain a high level of maltodextrin to help encapsulation, and to taste sweeter to the palate. Pure Grade is the hallmark of the highest quality mushroom supplements. 

How to use

Capsules: Adults take 2 capsules, 1-3 times a day with or without food, or try adding the powder from the capsules into a smoothie. 

Powder: Take 1g 1-4 times a day. Chaga has a rich, bitter flavour. You can make a tea/coffee alternative using the powder, or add it to your smoothies and breakfast bowls. 

FAQs

When is the best time to take it? : Unlike some other mushrooms chaga can be taken at any time of day. Regular consumption of chaga can help you take advantage of its health benefits.

Are there any side effects? : Risk of side effects is reportedly low, but it can interact with certain medications including blood thinners and diabetic medication.

Are there any interactions? : We would advise anyone on any medication, or those who are pregnant/breastfeeding to check with their healthcare practitioner.

Do you test the product? : Yes, it is third party tested, COA are available on request.

Is the chaga harvested sustainably? : Yes, the chaga is sustainably wild crafted. The people harvesting are trained to avoid damaging the trunk of the host birch tree when removing the conk to ensure that the conk can re-grow

Why do you source from China? : The use of medicinal mushrooms was a cornerstone in Traditional Chinese Medicine and this practice dates back thousands of years. No country has more extensive knowledge than China in the growing and extraction of mushrooms. China is also home to some of the vastest and most pristine forests in the world, which provide the ideal environment for mushrooms to grow. It is universally agreed, through ongoing DNA analysis, that China continue to grow the best quality mushrooms in the world.

Combine with

Chaga can be taken on its own or combined with other supplements and functional foods for synergistic effects. Combine with tremella for an antioxidant packed boost for skin health, or try it alongside turmeric for powerful anti-inflammatory support.

Fungi Fact

During World War 2 chaga was often used in Finland as a coffee alternative due to food rationing.

References:

1: https://amb-express.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13568-017-0341-1