Chaga
Also known as: Inonotus obliquus, Chaga mushroom, birch mushroom, IO
Effective Dosage
No established dose from provided studies
What the Science Says
Chaga is a parasitic fungus that grows on birch trees, long used in Russian folk medicine. Lab and animal studies suggest its extracts may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating effects, partly due to compounds like beta-glucans, triterpenoids, and phenolics. There is currently only one clinical trial in the indexed literature, and no established safe or effective dose for humans has been confirmed by the provided studies.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to treat cancer in humans — lab results with cancer cells don't translate to a cure. No solid human evidence it boosts immunity in a meaningful way. Not shown to protect your heart in people. Don't assume 'natural' means safe — high doses have caused kidney damage in animal models and real-world case reports.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a mushroom that grows on birch trees. Contains antioxidants and beta-glucans. May support immune function, but human clinical evidence is limited.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 1000-3000mg daily (extract)
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no human pharmacokinetic data in the provided studies; animal studies used oral extracts but did not assess absorption rates
Red Flags to Watch For
- High oxalate content: animal studies show high-dose Chaga causes kidney injury, and human case reports of renal failure exist — people with kidney disease or oxalate sensitivity should avoid it
- Almost no human clinical trial data: only 1 clinical trial indexed out of 10 papers; most evidence is from rats or cell cultures
- Chaga is mentioned on social media in connection with positive health sentiment, but the same research flagged it as a known cause of renal failure in certain cases
- Natural product variability: constituent levels differ between batches, making consistent dosing unreliable
- No regulatory dose guidance: 1,000 supplement products are registered, but no safe human dose has been established from the provided research
Products Containing Chaga
See how Chaga is used in these analyzed products:
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-04-06