Inonotus Obliquus: Benefits & Side Effects of the Chaga Mushroom

Inonotus obliquus (the chaga mushroom) is a slow-growing parasitic fungus found on white birch trees in cool climates. 

The mushroom can take up to seven years to reach maturity.

Over the course of its growth it develops a brown/black, woody, chitin-based outer shell that covers its inner orange/yellow meat.

It is indigenous to the United States, particularly regions of North Carolina and throughout the northwest. The greatest concentration of chaga can be found in Russia, especially Siberia, but the mushroom also naturally grows in Korea and parts of northern and eastern Europe.

Chaga has been used for more than 500 years as a natural holistic treatment for a variety of health conditions. In most cases, Inonotus obliquus is taken as a tea or tincture.

It contains over 200 phytonutrients, B complex vitamins, various minerals, fiber and protein. It is thought to be a general health elixir, promoting overall vitality and immunity.

Chaga Mushroom

Mushroom Supplement

Immunity

Anti- Oxidant

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Supports the immune system
• Anti-inflammatory with highest ORAC score
• Natural source of superoxide dismutases (SOD)

Dosage:

Between 200 - 800 mg per day

Safety:

Generally Well Tolerated

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Historical Use of Inonotus Obliquus

Chaga has been a staple of traditional Russian and Siberian medicine since the 16th century.

The mushroom is still commonly used in Russia to prevent and treat a number of ailments.

Chaga use eventually spread to China where people generally favor herbal and plant-based medicines. The Chinese still refer to Inonotus obliquus as the “King of All Plants.”

The Japanese, who have also used it for hundreds of years, call it the “Diamond in the Forest.” Chaga is known worldwide for its antifungal, antipyretic, antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Inonotus obliquus is commonly considered an adaptogen. Adaptogens are natural substances that enable humans to better deal with the impact of stress.

Adaptogens are generally seen to support the whole body as opposed to an individual system. By warding off the effects of stress and improving coping abilities, adaptogens are thought to improve performance, concentration and physical ability.

Research on Inonotus Obliquus

Chaga was historically used to treat various forms of cancer. In fact, the mushroom was rumored to have cured the lip cancer of a Russian duke. Contemporary research has focused on the effects of chaga extract on cancer cells.

The mushroom is of interest to cancer researchers because of its observed effects on the immune system and its apparent ability to selectively kill certain cancer cells.

The exact mechanism of these actions is unknown, but Inonotus obliquus contains constituents that may play a role in increasing immune function and killing cancerous cells.

For instance, chaga contains polysaccharides called beta-glucans. These molecules may help stop the growth and spread of some cancer cells and have been observed to increase the activity of the immune system in animals.

Further, the mushroom contains betulin and betulinic acid, both of which are being investigated for their possible role in cancer treatment.

Research is still in its infancy, but extracts of the mushroom have been observed to affect certain cancers in laboratory and animal studies. The therapeutic value of chaga in humans with cancer is still unknown and further research is required.

Inonotus obliquus is also being tested for its ability to:

• Support cardiovascular health by slowing down the oxidation of fats in the blood;
• Protect cell structure and function;
• Support digestive health by stimulating the liver to release more bile;

Inonotus Obliquus Antioxidant Properties

The antioxidant properties of chaga are thought to be unequalled in the plant kingdom. Antioxidants are molecules that can neutralize free radicals in the body.

Free radicals are ionic molecules that are highly reactive and can damage surrounding cells by “stealing” electrons, causing molecular damage.

When accumulated throughout the body on a regular basis, this damage is believed to play a role in premature aging and the onset of many preventable diseases.

Chaga contains high levels of antioxidants. The ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) rating is based on a number of laboratory tests used to determine the antioxidant capacity of different foods.

ORAC ratings were previously published by the FDA, but the organization has since stopped this practice over growing concern that the lab-based tests do not reflect the antioxidant action of food in the body.

Nevertheless, chaga consistently ranked atop the ORAC lists and has been observed in laboratory studies to exhibit strong antioxidant effects.

Inonotus obliquus contains high amounts of the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD). SOD is a natural defense against superoxide, which is the body’s most prevalent free radical. By neutralizing the destructive effects of superoxide throughout the body, SOD is believed to slow the aging process and inhibit the onset of disease.

Inonotus obliquus Side Effects

Chaga mushroom is generally well tolerated by humans and is not associated with any severe side effects. However, chaga may interact with prescription and over-the-counter drugs. It is important to speak with your doctor before you take Inonotus obliquus to make sure this supplement is right for you.

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