Chaga Tea, Powder and Extracts: What Differs

What chaga is, and what is in a "chaga" product

Chaga is the common name for Inonotus obliquus; GBIF lists it as an accepted species in the family Hymenochaetaceae. [4] The part sold is not a typical mushroom cap. A cancer-center monograph says the conk used medicinally "comprises wood from the substrate tree and mycelium" of the fungus. [5] A laboratory study of chaga conks noted that the amount of Inonotus obliquus itself in them is limited. [6] So a label that says "chaga" can describe a lot of different material. The full profile is on the chaga guide.

Traditional use

The same monograph says chaga is used as a folk remedy in Russia and other northern European countries for various ailments, including cancer. [7] That is traditional use. It is not evidence that chaga works.

The forms, and what is documented about each

1. Tea

   Traditional use only; no human trial of chaga tea found

   Chaga is edible, but the monograph says it is not commonly eaten because of its bitter nature and that tea made from the whole mushroom is what is consumed. [8]

2. Powder

   Evidence of harm (case reports)

   Supplements come as tablets, capsules or powders. [9] All three kidney case reports above involved powder. [1] [2] [3]

3. Extracts (water or alcohol)

   Preclinical (laboratory chemistry)

   In a laboratory comparison of aqueous and ethanol extracts from Finland, Russia and Thailand, oxalic acid was the main organic acid, highest in the water extract from Russia. [10]

4. Coffee blends

   Marketing claim only

   Proper evidence not found: we searched PubMed and the cancer-center monograph for chaga coffee or blends and read nothing on them. See mushroom coffee.

One of the case reports measured oxalate in the chaga it came from and found "extremely high oxalate content (14.2/100 g)". [11] We did not read a source that compares the oxalate in tea, powder and extract products side by side, so we cannot say that one form is safer than another. Proper evidence not found (searched PubMed for chaga and oxalate).

What research shows

The monograph's summary: in preclinical studies chaga showed many effects (for example antitumor and anti-inflammatory activity), but "the safety and efficacy of chaga have yet to be evaluated in clinical studies". [12] Our own PubMed searches for chaga trials in people found no usable human trial. Proper evidence not found. Results in cells and animals do not show that a tea or capsule helps a person; see human studies versus animal and laboratory research.

Supply and quality

The monograph says natural reserves of the fungus have nearly been exhausted and scientists are seeking cultivated substitutes. [18] That is one reason what is in a product can differ from wild chaga. Quality and substitution questions are covered in quality testing and certifications.