Although side effects related to chaga mushroom consumption are not thought to be common, there are some scenarios where supplementation is not recommended.
Chaga is a natural, slow-maturing fungus that is usually well tolerated by humans.
However, this mushroom may interact with certain chemical substances, particularly pharmaceutical medications. It is important to speak to your doctor before beginning supplementation to talk about possible chaga side effects, including drug interactions.
The chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) has been used to support general health in traditional medicine for centuries. It is indigenous to cold climates, growing primarily in Russia, Canada and parts of the northwestern United States.
Word about the possible health benefits of chaga use has spread worldwide and has sparked clinical research interest to determine its capacities to improve human health.
In particular, chaga is currently being examined for possible action against cancerous cells. It is also being tested for numerous other potential health benefits related to its high antioxidant content.



- Supports the immune system
- Anti-inflammatory with highest ORAC score
- Natural source of superoxide dismutases (SOD)
Chaga Mushroom Side Effects
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Bruising and Bleeding
One of the main side effects associated with chaga mushroom supplementation is drug interactions.
For instance, the extract may interact with drugs that lessen blood coagulation, such as warfarin and aspirin. Chaga contains triterpenes, flavonoids, minerals, proteins, polysaccharides, betulinic acid and other constituents that stimulate biochemical responses throughout the body.
If you take this supplement with anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet drugs, you may increase your risks of bruising and bleeding.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia occurs when blood-sugar levels drop too low. Some common hypoglycemia symptoms include shakiness, weakness, incessant hunger/thirst, irritability, confusion and/or difficulty speaking.
It is thought that chaga mushroom supplementation may interact negatively with insulin and/or other medications that are designed to moderate blood-sugar levels.
Chaga Mushroom Safety
Although chaga is well tolerated by humans, there is insufficient clinical research to determine its potential to cause negative side effects, especially when used in conjunction with other medications.
Chaga Mushrooms: Purported Health Benefits
Part of the fungus’ popularity can be attributed to its few known side-effects combined with its many attributed health benefits. Although the majority of the therapeutic properties remain clinically unsubstantiated, the chaga mushroom is thought to play a role in:
- Improving cardiovascular health;
- Preventing, treating and reversing the formation and/or spread of cancerous cells;
- Assisting with the regulation of cellular apoptosis, migration and respiration;
- Improving immune system health;
- Manufacturing red blood cells and protecting DNA integrity
Many of the therapeutic claims attributed to chaga are related to its purported antioxidant powers, but the mechanism of these therapeutic claims are still under investigation. It is extremely important to speak to a healthcare professional before beginning chaga supplementation to treat any of the aforementioned conditions.
Chaga Mushroom and Antioxidants
The ORAC rating of a given food source represents its anti-oxidative powers.
ORAC stands for “oxygen radical absorbance capacity”. In other words, the ORAC score of a food represents that food’s ability to neutralize free radical action.
The FDA used the ORAC assay as one of many tests to determine the antioxidant capacities of foods, herbs and supplements.
The FDA removed its ORAC listings in 2012 because of growing concern that the laboratory ratings did not reflect the food’s antioxidant abilities in the body.
Proponents of the chaga mushroom still point to the ORAC rating as evidence of the fungus’ strong antioxidant properties and additional studies have also pointed to the mushroom’s strong antioxidant profile. [2]
Chaga and Superoxide Dismutase Content
Free radicals are charged molecules that travel throughout the body causing cellular damage. Antioxidants are molecular substances that have the capacity to neutralize the charge of free radicals, neutralizing their ability to damage cells and cellular structures. The human body’s most prevalent free radical is called superoxide.
In order to effectively combat the cumulative, detrimental effects of superoxide, a group of enzymes called superoxide dismutases (SOD) is required. SODs are strong antioxidants present and necessary in every living cell.
When there are high levels of bioavailable SOD, free radical damage is minimized. Minimizing free radical damage is thought to slow down the processes of aging and significantly diminish the probabilities of developing many preventable diseases.
The chaga mushroom is thought to have high levels of SOD and also be a strong adaptogen, helping people cope with stress. Always consult with your family physician about possible chaga mushroom side effects before beginning supplementation.
- Fan L, Ding S, Ai L, Deng K. Antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of water-soluble polysaccharide from Inonotus obliquus. Carbohydr Polym. 2012 Oct 1;90(2):870-4. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.06.013. Epub 2012 Jun 17.
- Najafzadeh, M., Reynolds, P.D., et al. Chaga mushroom extract inhibits oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Biofactors. 2007;31(3-4):191-200.
- Shikov, A.N., et al. 2014 Medicinal Plants of the Russian Pharmacopoeia: their history and applications. J Ethnopharmacol. Jul 3;154(3):481-536.
- Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. 2011. Integrative Medicine: Chaga Mushroom. July 11.
Article last updated on: May 10th, 2018 by Nootriment
14 Comments
we want to try chaga but boyfriend is on blood thiners and one asparine a day. will this effect him other than bruising. would you recommend he tries it out or stay away completely. I have no health issues right now so I am going to try for sure.
thanks.
It seems like since I have been taking this I have been having hives under my arms and other places could this have anything to do do with maybe a reaction with all my percription meds that I take. I miserable with hive that I’ve never had before
The quality of the chaga you get is important. Some chaga is roadside grown and hacked off of birch trees, other chaga is pure, harvested from the high elevation tall white birch trees of Quebec. Know your source. Hives are a certain indication of allergies – perhaps to irritants on the surface of the chaga or perhaps from the manufacturing environment – or something totally unrelated. Berries, berry leaves, ivies, certain grass types, sirficants, cleaning agents, airborne pathogens, etc, can cause hives along with dairy, etc.
I have been Harvesting and consuming Chaga for 30 days or so. Both me and my wife experienced head aches. Im thinking its from the detox affects of the chaga. ? Just sharing.
Tony
Are you sensitive to chocolate, coffee, teas, or other foods with tannins? Tannins are a strong substance that color things tan or brown, as in the items just mentioned. Chaga has lots of tannins and you may be sensitive to it. Tannins unfortunately are in lots of things that trigger headaches. Digestive problems in absorbing foods can also cause headaches. Chaga is no exception. It has some 215 phytonutrients and these are strong powerful cancer fighting antioxidants. Also you may be making your chaga tea extract too strong for your own system.
I had my first cup of Chaga tea last night about 7PM, this morning I noticed I was spotting blood from my vagina. Is this a known side effect? Had a bit of discomfort on my left side, (assuming it was my lymph nodes) but that only lasted a mere 15 to 20 minutes. I take several supplements and vitamines, but no prescription meds.
I have abdominal adhesions , some are strangling my nerves. When i drink this im in extreme pain. Dont know why, but i did try it 3 times with same symptom.
I have been on Chaga for a little more than a month.
I keep getting a almost looks and feels like exzema rash on both arms right where i would get blood work. and also behing my knees.
Also got a rould 3 inch circle on the calf of my leg that looks like some kind of a bug bite and really itchy.
Is there any chance this could all be related to the Chaga.
Getting pains and swelling in my upper stomach.
Thats the only thing i am taking that is different.
I started drinking chaga tea and had stomach related pain and spotting. I stopped drinking the tea. I believe it is not for everybody.
Does Chaga increase red blood cell production?
I am drinking home harvested (off of yellow birch-200 yr old triple trunked trees )
for the first time today…
I have not tinctured it yet -just water extraction..cooked it 3 hours @ 150 degrees F…
Have both fungus foods allergy and birch tree allergy-yet I also suffer from so many things chaga could help…I took the tea drinking test
I also have a free floating head ache surrounding my entire head..it comes and goes-I feel real good when it goes-
The tea tasted strong-perhaps too strong ? It was like a black tea-astringent and bitter-maple syrop and it was palatable-plus more water
Think the headache might be from being on computer too long
Gratified to read that I am not alone in the head ache-thing… it (chaga) is a lot of strong chemicals phytonutrients etc in-a shock to the system which needs adaptation to -and dosage experimenting good luck fellow sensitive beings ! Jen L
Chaga was recommanded to me by a dream :-) Before this dream I didn’t know that chaga exists.
So Ijust start to use it in powder. I use a tea spoon into my green tea.
I use to take Gingko biloba so as I know the chaga effect about blood, I stop it and use gotu kola for my brain because my job is very demanding about brain (I work on computer, developer)
After several days, less a week, I feel droziness and tired but not depressed,
just calm
Is Chaga responsible ?
Is it safe to take chaga and asheaganda at the same time?
Hey Carrie,
There is no direct interaction noted between these products and there are a few supplements on the market that combine these ingredients. To determine whether a specific combination of supplements is safe for your personal case, it is always recommended to consult with a doctor first!