Mushroom

Chaga

Inonotus obliquus

Evidence TierCWADA NOT PROHIBITED

tuneTypical Dose

1,000-2,000 mg per day (extract)

watchEffect Window

4-8 weeks for general immune/antioxidant support.

check_circleCompliance

WADA NOT PROHIBITED

Overview

Clinical Summary

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a medicinal mushroom containing polyphenols and beta-glucans. It is used for antioxidant support and immune modulation, mainly based on mechanistic evidence.

Laboratory and animal research supports antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activity, but direct human intervention evidence is essentially absent. Practical effects depend on extraction method and standardization, which vary widely across products, so claims should stay tentative and mechanistic rather than clinical.

Beta-glucans modulate immune receptors (Dectin-1, TLRs). Melanin and betulinic acid provide antioxidant activity. Mild AMPK activation may reduce blood glucose.

Outcomes

What This Is Expected To Influence

Primary Outcomes

  • Antioxidant support
  • Immune modulation

Secondary Outcomes

  • Potential blood glucose reduction (preclinical only)

Safety

Contraindications and Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation
  • History of kidney stones or oxalate-sensitive conditions
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Concurrent diabetes medications (hypoglycemia risk)

Side effects

  • GI upset
  • May lower blood sugar
  • Kidney stone risk (extremely high oxalate content)

Interactions

  • Blood-glucose-lowering drugs (Theoretical/Unknown) - Includes insulin and oral hypoglycemics. May enhance glucose-lowering effects and increase hypoglycemia risk.
  • Blood-glucose-lowering supplements (Theoretical/Unknown) - May add to glucose-lowering effects and increase hypoglycemia risk.
  • Antiplatelet drugs (Theoretical/Unknown) - Potential additive antiplatelet effects and bleeding risk.
  • Blood-thinning drugs (Theoretical/Unknown) - Includes anticoagulants. Potential additive bleeding risk.
  • Blood-thinning supplements (Theoretical/Unknown) - Potential additive bleeding risk.

Avoid if

  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • History of kidney stones or oxalate nephropathy
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Uncontrolled diabetes or frequent hypoglycemia

Evidence

Study-level References

chaga-SRC-001In vitro study
Sourceopen_in_new

Park YK, Lee HB, Jeon EJ, Jung HS, Kang MH. Chaga mushroom extract inhibits oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes as assessed by comet assay. BioFactors. 2004;21(1-4). doi:10.1002/biof.552210120. PMID:15630179.

Population: Human lymphocytes treated in vitro

Dose protocol: Aqueous chaga extract pre-treatment in human lymphocytes

Key findings: Cells pre-treated with chaga extract showed over 40% reduction in DNA fragmentation compared with hydrogen peroxide control, as assessed by comet assay in human lymphocytes.

Paper content

Human lymphocytes pretreated with aqueous Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) extract at concentrations of 10 to 500 microg/mL showed over 40% reduction in H2O2-induced DNA fragmentation measured by comet assay. This demonstrates that Chaga mushroom extract provides cellular protection against endogenous oxidative DNA damage, supporting its claimed antioxidant properties.

chaga-SRC-002Narrative review
Sourceopen_in_new

Szychowski KA, Skora B, Pomianek T, Gminski J. Inonotus obliquus - from folk medicine to clinical use. J Tradit Complement Med. 2021;11(4):293-302. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2020.08.003. PMID:34195023.

Population: Review of preclinical and traditional use data on Inonotus obliquus (chaga mushroom)

Dose protocol: Narrative review of preclinical and traditional evidence

Key findings: Comprehensive review covering antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antiviral, and hypoglycemic properties. Highlights ROS-scavenging and PPARgamma pathways as primary mechanisms. Notes the need for rigorous human clinical trials.

Paper content

This review summarizes the therapeutic potential of Inonotus obliquus (chaga mushroom) extracts, covering anticancer, antidiabetic, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antioxidant activities. Two main mechanisms of action are proposed. The first involves modulation of antioxidant enzymes and reactive oxygen species levels, and the second relates to PPARgamma-mediated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The authors conclude that I. obliquus fits the definition of functional food but needs further evidence-based clinical studies.

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