Chaga Mushrooms

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For a humble mushroom found on the birch tree, chaga has had a pretty amazing journey, from medicinal teas across the northern hemisphere to great Russian literature to today’s tea and coffee supplements. What is it about this really pretty unattractive mushroom that demands so much attention?

Known for centuries as a powerful medicine for both body and mind, chaga mushrooms have commanded respect from Canada to Siberia to Korea. Today, we know that part of the reason behind this renown are the natural adaptogenic and nootropic properties of the chaga mushroom, as well as anti-inflammatory properties.

So, what is chaga, and how can the mushroom inonotus obliquus help us with stress, wellness, and more? Let’s take a look.

Chaga Mushroom Benefits

Okay, let’s talk about potential chaga mushroom benefits, and see why this mushroom has been embraced for so many centuries and is a popular ingredient in many health supplements — including our line of Mushroom + CBD products.

Note: These benefits have largely been studied only in animals or in very small human studies. It is important to discuss any supplement use with your doctor and do not stop taking your medication without consulting a health professional.

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Chaga as Immune Booster

Among the potential health benefits of chaga mushroom are its immune properties. By promoting the production of proteins called cytokines, chaga helps the body fight off viruses and more. Chaga stimulates white blood cells, which then attack intruders, inflammation, and more. Chaga may prevent formation of harmful inflammatory cytokines, as well.

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Chaga as Anti-Inflammatory

While we’re on the subject of inflammation, chaga also serves as a natural anti-inflammatory. From ibuprofen to white willow bark to chaga mushrooms, anti-inflammatories work by blocking the enzymes that cause pain and inflammation, while also slowing damage caused by chronic inflammation conditions, like arthritis.

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Chaga May Lower Blood Sugar and Cholesterol

Animal studies have shown that chaga has incredible potential to lower blood sugar levels and even possibly manage diabetes. In fact, one study showed that chaga helped lower blood sugar levels 31% in diabetic mice. So far, the science is inconclusive as to how these chaga benefits apply to humans.

Similarly, it’s been shown that the antioxidant powers of chaga mushrooms may contribute to lowering your bad cholesterol (LDL) and increasing your good cholesterol (HDL).

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Chaga as Adaptogen

When it comes to combining chaga with CBD, it’s the adaptogenic power of the mushroom that we look to. Adaptogens are natural compounds that can help us manage and adapt to stress, including biological, chemical, and physical stress.

Adaptogens were first named during the Cold War by the Russian scientist Nikolai Lazarev, who was studying ways to increase vitality in athletes and soldiers. Since then, adaptogens have been extensively studied for their effects on the central nervous system and brain cells. They’re widely looked to for their potential to help with sleep, mood, anxiety, and stress.

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Chaga as Nootropic

Another powerful attribute of chaga and many other mushrooms and fungi is the potential to boost and hone mental performance as a nootropic. Along with caffeine, L-theanine, ginkgo biloba and more, chaga mushrooms are well-regarded for their nootropic potential to improve cognitive function.

There are a number of ways this seems to work, including stimulating growth and repair of nervous system cells, fighting brain cell inflammation, and maximizing the brain’s use of oxygen.

Chaga, CBD and Your Health

Don’t worry, we’re not going to make this article as long as a Russian literary classic (Cancer Ward is nearly 600 pages). We’ll wrap up our mushroom discussion now with these final words.

Chaga on its own is a powerful supplement, tried and proven over centuries of holistic medicine practices. From anti-inflammatory properties to treating chronic illness, this simple mushroom is a wonder.

When combined with CBD, the adaptogenic and nootropic properties of chaga mushrooms are added to the Entourage Effect, giving our Mushroom + CBD products the potential to provide even greater therapeutic relief from stress and anxiety, to help boost our energy, and to enhance our overall wellness.

Wondering where to start with chaga? Try our Focus Mushroom + CBD Drops: CBG Energy Blend!

  1. Rx List. https://www.rxlist.com/birch/supplements.htm. 11 June 2021.
  2. Mary Jane Brown, Healthline. “What Are Chaga Mushrooms and Are They Healthy?” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chaga-mushroom#what-it-is. 25 October 2018.
  3. Sung Hak Lee, Hee Sun Hwang, Jong Won Yun. Phytotherapy Research. “Antitumor activity of water extract of a mushroom, Inonotus obliquus, against HT-29 human colon cancer cells.” December 2009.
  4. Suk-kyung Ko 1, Mirim Jin, Myoung-yun Pyo. Journal of ethnopharmacology. “Inonotus obliquus extracts suppress antigen-specific IgE production through the modulation of Th1/Th2 cytokines in ovalbumin-sensitized mice.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21820502/. 24 July 2011.
  5. Jun-En Sun. Journal of ethnopharmacology. “Antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects of dry matter of culture broth of Inonotus obliquus in submerged culture on normal and alloxan-diabetes mice.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18434051/. 19 June 2008.
  6. Evan Starkman and Brunilda Nazario. WebMD, “Adaptogens: What To Know.” https://www.webmd.com/balance/adaptogens-what-to-know. 28 June, 2021.
  7. Erica Julson, Healthline. “The 14 Best Nootropics and Smart Drugs Reviewed.” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nootropics. 25 June 2018.