Inonotus obliquus

Chaga

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is also known as Cinder Conk or Black Mass, which accurately describe its appearance. This mushroom, which feeds on birch trees, is native to the forests of Europe, Russia, North America and cold northern climates in general, where birch is the primary tree species. For hundreds of years, Chaga has been wild-crafted and utilized by the people of northern Europe and Russia, often consumed as a tea. The growing cycle of Chaga begins when a fruiting body of a higher fungi species enters a wound of a mature tree, forming a large hardened mycelial mass (the conk) that will continue to grow until it is harvested or falls to the forest floor. Chaga is unique among mushrooms as it is rare to see the fruiting body in nature, with the hardened mycelial mass holding the herbal value. A mushroom goes through many stages during its life cycle, just like any plant or animal. Each part of a mushroom has unique attributes that support wellness and serve a different purpose for the organism, but the fruiting bodies receive the most attention and are the most familiar. Fruiting bodies emerge from the substrate on which they grow — such as trees or fallen logs — to become the part of the mushroom we recognize. They are the above-ground part that we can see when we walk through the woods, and they are also what have been traditionally foraged and consumed in food and supplements.

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What is Chaga Used For?

The fruiting bodies of this mushroom contain polysaccharides, specifically a type called beta-glucans, which have been studied to support immune health and overall wellness, as well as normal, healthy cell growth and turnover.* The fruiting body extracts we use contain these polysaccharides, without unnecessary fillers or starches. Chaga offers antioxidant support, and it is considered to be a tonic Mushroom to support overall wellness.* It is used to promote healthy cell growth and turnover in the body, as well as gastrointestinal health.* Chaga draws primarily from mature host birch trees to synthesize the potent triterpenoid compounds it contains.*

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Traditional Health Benefits of Chaga

Immune Support Immune Support
Highlights

What is Chaga Used For?

The fruiting bodies of this mushroom contain polysaccharides, specifically a type called beta-glucans, which have been studied to support immune health and overall wellness, as well as normal, healthy cell growth and turnover.* The fruiting body extracts we use contain these polysaccharides, without unnecessary fillers or starches. Chaga offers antioxidant support, and it is considered to be a tonic Mushroom to support overall wellness.* It is used to promote healthy cell growth and turnover in the body, as well as gastrointestinal health.* Chaga draws primarily from mature host birch trees to synthesize the potent triterpenoid compounds it contains.*

View Important Precautions

Traditional Health Benefits of Chaga

Immune Support Immune Support

Products Featuring Chaga

Gaia Herbs Everyday Immune Mushrooms & Herbs || 60 ct Gaia Herbs Everyday Immune Mushrooms & Herbs || 60 ct

Everyday Immune Mushrooms & Herbs

Traditionally for sustaining overall wellness*

A healthy immune system is the foundation for overall wellness. Gaia Herbs Everyday Immune Mushrooms & Herbs is made with a blend of organic Mushrooms and herbs designed to be taken daily to help sustain overall wellness.*

  • With a blend of organic Mushrooms including Chaga, Cordyceps, Maitake, and Reishi.
  • Plus the herbs Astragalus, Schisandra, and Turmeric.
  • This formula is designed to be taken daily to help sustain overall wellness.*
$35.99
Gaia Herbs Immune Mushroom Blend || 40 ct Gaia Herbs Immune Mushroom Blend front carton || 40 ct

Immune Mushroom Blend

Mushroom blend for supporting overall health year-round.*

Traditional mushrooms contain powerful biochemical compounds that help maintain overall good health.* With a blend of five potent immune-supporting mushrooms—Reishi, Cordyceps, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, and Chaga—this formula can help your body build its immune defenses to support your well-being all year long.*

  • 100% fruiting bodies — no fillers, starch, grains, or mycelium.
  • 100% organically grown and sustainably sourced mushrooms.
  • 5x strength: each capsule = 2,500 mg of dry mushrooms.
  • Hot water and dual extracted mushrooms for optimal bioavailability, absorption, and digestibility.*
$29.99
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Gaia Herbs Immune Shine for Immune Support || 3.5 oz Gaia Herbs Immune Shine supplement facts || 3.5 oz

Immune Shine®

Maitake, Chaga, Elderberry & Ginger traditionally for maintaining good health*

Immune Shine is a delicious tasting powder blend combining all the benefits of mushrooms that support immune health with herbs traditionally used to maintain overall well-being.* Adding Immune Shine to your daily routine is an easy way to support your body’s natural defenses.*

  • Made with a blend of Maitake and Chaga mushrooms combined with Elderberry, Ginger and Astragalus.
  • Traditionally for maintaining good health.*
  • This powder can be added to a smoothie, dairy or non-dairy milk, or any other beverage of choice so you can get all of the health benefits of organic mushrooms plus herbs with no added fillers, flavors, or sweeteners.*
$39.99
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Active Constituents of Chaga
Beta (1>3),(1>6)-glucans; triterpenoids
Parts Used
Sclerotia (hardened mycelial mass)
Additional Resources
1.) Nakamura S, Iwami J, Asao Y, et al. New bioactive triterpene constituents from Inonotus obliquus. Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan 2007;127:58-60.2.) Ma L, Chen H, Zhu W, Wang Z. Effect of different drying methods on physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides extracted from mushroom Inonotus obliquus. Food Res Int 2013;50:633-640.3.) Lee IK, Kim YS, Jang YW, et al. New antioxidant polyphenols from the medicinal mushroom Inonotus obliquus. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2007;17(24):6678-81. 4.) Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
Important Precautions
Not for use during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor prior to use. Avoid use if you have an autoimmune disorder, as some of the compounds may be stimulating to immune function.
Disclaimer
This information in our Herbal Reference Guide is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner such as a naturopathic physician.

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