Whilst you hear a lot about a whole heap of trending supplements out there, another range of fungi is starting to take the spotlight: Chaga mushroom tea. In particular, people are talking about the health advantages.
This burgeon is also called Inonotus obliquus— is a mushroom that grows on birch trees in cold environments such as Scandinavia, Russia, and Asia. It is then shriveled up and ground into a powder high in hot water to make tea, says Melanie Keller, a naturopathic physician. Curious about it? Please keep reading to find out more about Chaga tea’s advantages, possible adverse effects, how to select the very best product, and how to make it.
The advantages to know of:
It’s packed with antioxidants. In its beverage form, you can sip happily, understanding one cup of the hot drink has lots of antioxidants that do your body good. “Chaga is loaded with adaptogenic properties, antioxidants, and nutrients that can improve your general health and increase durability,” states Jenelle Kim, DACM, LAc, a qualified herbalist, Chinese medicine doctor, and founder and lead formulator for JBK Wellness Labs.
The tea might aid in cancer treatment and avoidance. In many cultures, it’s thought that the shroom can assist prevent and help cancer treatment. “In Norway, the health food proliferation is called ‘kreftkjuke,’ which translates to ‘cancer fungi,'” Dr. Kim states. Although more research is required to validate this advantage, preliminary studies appear appealing.
“There have been a variety of research studies on the liquid extract of the fungus that show its powerful anti-tumor and anti-cancer activities in numerous countries,” Keller says. “It has likewise shown a capability to reduce the progression of cancer.
One study discovered a 60-percent growth reduction in tumor-bearing mice, while in metastatic mice, the number of blemishes decreased by 25 percent compared to the control group. The actual result and hidden systems are still unclear.”

It supports the body’s system of immunity. “Multiple in-vitro studies have also shown the extracts from birch tree fungus can assist regulate the body immune system and the body’s capability to combat off health problem and allergic reactions,” says Uma Naidoo, MD, a nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef, nutrition professional, and author of the bestselling book This Is Your Brain on Food.
“Animal research studies on these claims confirmed that mice who took in Chaga extracts before direct exposure to food irritants had less of a reaction than those that did not consume the extract, suggesting that Chaga mushroom might be utilized as an anti-allergic functional food.”
The strain can help with stomach ulcers. If you handle unpleasant sores that establish on the inside lining of your stomach, consider including the shroom tea in your rotation– after contacting your primary care physician, of course. “The birch fungus has revealed an effective antiulcer activity in stomach ulcers,” Keller says. To reap these benefits, go check out Medicinal Foods for the best products: https://medicinalfoods.com/mushroom/chaga/tea
The hot brew has potential antiviral impacts. There’s been a buzz around practical fungi such as the one in question and how they can support your immune system. And Keller explains that some preliminary reports have revealed insights into the fungus’s antiviral results with Covid-19, which appear promising. But again, more research study is needed to validate, and you must be seeking advice from a physician concerning any treatment protocol.
It’s anti-inflammatory. “Numerous research studies have likewise revealed that metabolites from the strain’s extract connect with cells to suppress their inflammatory reactions in both in vitro and mouse studies,” states Dr. Naidoo; however, she keeps in mind that these studies utilize a highly concentrated burgeon extract– not the brew in particular, and these claims have not yet been evaluated on people.

Side effects of drinking the herbal beverage. According to Dr. Kim, most people do not experience unfavorable side effects when consuming it. But individuals with the conditions listed below are encouraged to avoid them.
Kidney problems. Dr. Kim states that if you have concerns such as kidney stones or kidney illness, it’s best to skip the brew because it consists of high amounts of oxalate, a natural compound that can affect the kidneys.
Diabetes or on blood-sugar medication. “It appears to influence blood-sugar levels in lab studies, so individuals with diabetes might want to be cautious,” states William W. Li, MD, doctor, researcher, and author of Consume to Defeat Sickness. And is essentially about getting medicinal foods in your diet.
Bleeding disorders. People with bleeding conditions, like hemophilia, or on blood thinners must consume the herbal brew with care or prevent it altogether, Keller says, as it might interfere with the blood clot.
Auto-immune illness. “People with the auto-immune disease are likewise encouraged to consume with caution as the immune-boosting potential of the mushroom extract may worsen the immune system,” Dr. Naidoo states.
Whether you have pre-existing conditions, Dr. Naidoo advises consulting with your doctor before drinking the tea, specifically if you take regular medication, to avoid any problems or undesirable side effects.
Once you get the thumbs-up from your MD, Dr. Kim suggests integrating the herbal hot water into your diet plan slowly with a small cup every day or every other day to prevent adverse responses from taking in excessively too rapidly. And this way you get to reap the health benefits without putting your health in the line of fire.