Spotlight On: The Chaga Mushroom

The Chaga Mushroom

And, as there is so much to be said about each one, we have decided to put some of these superfood superstars under the spotlight, so you can really get to know them. We’ve already tackled Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Turkey Tail and Shiitake, but now it’s time for another mushroom. Today we are looking at the Chaga mushroom, a famously unattractive parasitic beasty that grows in the harsh climes of Northern Europe and Asia, including in Siberia, Russia and Scandinavia.

The name itself is derived from the old Russian word for mushroom, and the communities of these areas have been using it medicinally for centuries. This ancient indigenous knowledge is finally trickling down to modern ears. However, as the chaga (latin name Inonotus obliquus), becomes more and more well known as a health hero. 31 times more antioxidants than blueberries? Say what?! 

It Goes By Many Names

Along with its decidedly unpretty appearance, the chaga can lay claim to some decidedly unpretty (and quite hilarious) nicknames. These include ‘clinker’, ‘black mass’, ‘cinder conk’ ‘birch canker polypore’ and the rather long-winded ‘sterile conk trunk rot of birch’ (and all of these would make great names for a death metal band!) Most of these nicknames do derive from the appearance of this fungus though — it looks like a big lump of burnt charcoal. Inside its hard crust however, is a soft glowing orange core which has inspired the slightly more charitable nickname ‘gold of the forest’.

How It Grows

The chaga is a parasitic mushroom, i.e it has to have a host to grow on. In the chaga’s case it is the birch tree. As you probably know, for most mushrooms, the fruiting body is the visible part, and the mycelium is hidden below ground or in whatever substrate it favours. No so with the chaga, whose outer body (the ‘black mass’) is actually a hard sclerotia, and the fruiting body is deep inside the host tree. In fact it all gets a little bit ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ for the poor birch. Once the chaga spores have entered the tree, they cause decay for 10-80+ years. The charcoal-like mass on the outside is a sterile ‘conk’. It is only once the decay kills part of the tree that the chaga reaches its ‘sexual’ stage. That is when the fruiting bodies start growing beneath the bark of the host tree. If that sounds a bit scary — just remember — nature can be ruthless, my child.

Luckily for humans, the chaga is extremely good for us, causing, if I might say, the opposite of decay. So, let’s dig into this kooky conk, and discover what makes it a medical mushroom and a health food hero to boot! 

5 Amazing Benefits of The Chaga Mushroom

Fights Cancer and Prevents The Growth of Tumours

Research is currently underway into the positive effects that chaga mushroom can have on cancer. Chaga has been found to be rich in antioxidants, the chemicals that help prevent free radicals and oxidants causing cell damage. When a body lacks these antioxidants, this damage occurs more easily, causing oxidative stress. This in turn can cause cancer among other serious health problems. As well as being preventative, chaga could also slow the growth of already existing cancer cells. A 2010 study found that chaga can slow the growth of breast, lung and cervical cancer cells in a lab petri dish. It was also found that chaga could inhibit the growth of cancerous tumours in mice.

In 2009 another study found that triterpenes, which are compounds found in chaga mushrooms, can cause cancer cells to self-destruct. However, amazingly, it does not harm healthy cells. 

Lowers Blood Sugar Levels 

In what could be great news for diabetics, chaga mushroom has been found to lower blood sugar levels. So far the tests have just been on animals, but the results look promising. Numerous recent studies have found that chaga mushrooms reduced blood sugar levels and insulin resistance in mice that had been given diabetes. In one study, the blood sugar levels of the diabetic mice had been reduced by 31% over three weeks. 

Improves Immune and Anti-Inflammatory Function

Inflammation can prevent disease. It is a natural immune response, of both healing and defence. However, prolonged or unnecessary inflammation can be bad for the body, causing heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Test tube and animal studies have found that chaga can reduce long term inflammation as well as fighting harmful viruses and bacteria, which thus boosts the immune system. Additionally, chaga encourages the creation of cytokines, a beneficial protein that regulates the immune system. Chaga also stimulates white blood cells — key to fighting disease. This means chaga could aid in combating everything from serious illness to the common cold. 

Can Lower Cholesterol 

Studies have shown chaga extract can reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol. In a lab study on rats with high cholesterol, chaga extract was found to decrease ‘low density lipoprotein’ (LDL), which is known as the ‘bad’ cholesterol. Over the 8 week study chaga was also found to reduce total cholesterol while simultaneously increasing antioxidant levels and good cholesterol. 

It’s Just Chock-Full of Vitamins 

Basically, this fungus is full of what you need. This who’s who of good-for-you includes:

• B-Complex Vitamins 
• Vitamin D
• Iron 
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Amino Acids
• Dietary Fibre

How Do I Take Chaga Mushrooms?

So, how does one take this ugly-beautiful shroom? Well, that hard sceloria isn’t tasty, for sure. But the most common and easy way to get your chaga on is by drinking it as a tea or taking it as a supplement. There are many powders and tinctures online to choose from, even chaga infused hot chocolate powder! This means it’s easy to incorporate chaga into your routine. But! As always, we recommend talking to your doctor before adding something new to your health supplement regimen. So there you have it — the chaga mushroom — beautiful on the inside, beautiful for your insides. Check it out!