Inonotus obliquus, most commonly known as Chaga, is a mushroom that grows mainly in Siberia. It has become increasingly popular in the Western world in recent years due to its potential health benefits and healing properties.

If you’re new to Chaga and want to see what the fuss is about, you’re in the right place. We address what Chaga is, how to consume it, what it does and any potential side effects.

Inonotus Obliquus

Chaga is a fungus belonging to the Hymenochaetaceae family and is commonly found on birch trees in the Northern Hemisphere. Its appearance is dissimilar to the common conception of a mushroom - large, black and burnt-looking, it’s usually found attached to the side of trees.

Chaga is no stranger to Russians and Scandinavians. For thousands of years, the mushroom has been consumed in these countries for its associated health benefits.

Ancient Russian leader Tsar Vladimir Monomakh was widely known to be a huge fan of Chaga in the 12th century. In the 16th-17th century, it became more formally recognised in medical texts and in the 1950s, Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn became fascinated with the mushroom. He studied the benefits of Chaga and outlined them in his novel, Cancer Ward.

Since the publication, more than 1600 scientific research papers have been devoted to investigating health benefits associated with Chaga.

These studies suggest that Chaga contains immune-boosting qualities that improve overall health.  They are one of several types of medicinal mushrooms.

Best Way to Consume Chaga

The Chaga mushroom is made from the bark of the tree, and contains a substance called 'chitin.' This is incredibly tough and a lot of work is needed to extract the beneficial ingredients.

Instead, it is grated into a powder and brewed as a herbal tea. Taking Chaga with either warm or cold water is believed to release its medicinal properties.

You want to make sure you never boil the Chaga, because you will destroy a lot of the beneficial compounds.

Ideally, keep it between 80-85 degrees Celcius (176-185 Farenheit) for 20-24 hours.

It's a simple recipe but it's not easy to do.

When brewed at home, most people will only extract a fraction of the goodness from their Chaga.

Chaga Mushroom Side Effects?

It is important to be aware of any potential side effects from any tea or supplement. Everyone is different and our bodies may be affected in different ways. As noted, there have been no human studies into Chaga, so there is little information about side effects.

If you’re worried that taking Chaga Life may react with certain medications or aggravate health problems, talk to your GP first.

Certain health websites have noted that Chaga is generally well-tolerated; however, there is the risk that Chaga can cause negative reactions. These include:

• Blood sugar: Chaga does have an impact on blood sugar so may pose a risk to those on insulin or with diabetes. Speak to your doctor.
• Blood clotting: Chaga contains a protein that prevents blood clotting. Those with any particular bleeding disorders or about to have surgery should speak to their GP before taking Chaga.
• Auto-immune diseases: Chaga may cause our immune systems to become more active. Therefore, those with auto-immune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis or Lupus should also seek medical advice.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: We advise avoiding Chaga if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, due to lack of research on the effects.