Updated: March 2018 (Added reader’s side effects)
People often ask us about Chaga side effects. It’s a good question. Let’s answer it simply in this paragraph. If you are considering starting to use something, you should always understand the potential side effects. Chaga has some side effects, and you’ll see them on this page.
In This Article, You Will Learn:
- What are Chaga side effects
- How Chaga acts with bruising and bleeding
- How Chaga acts with diabetes
- Chaga and pregnancy
- How Chaga acts with auto-immune diseases
- Compared with Reishi mushroom
- Chaga and narcotic effect
- What is Low-Quality Chaga
- NEW! Reader’s side effects
- Main Chaga side effect questions (FAQ)
And now, let’s jump in!
Side Effects Of Chaga
Although Chaga consumption does not commonly produce adverse side effects, there are still some precautions you should know. If you are frail or take other medications, you should talk with your doctor. Chaga is generally safe.
However, you should know about all potential side effects:
Bruising & Bleeding
The main side effects associated with Chaga mushroom are with its possible interactions with other drugs. For example, the extract may affect drugs that thin the blood and reduce coagulation (aspirin and warfarin for example). Chaga contains minerals, proteins, polysaccharides and many more antiaggregant substances that can have a synergistic effect. You need to be careful when adding drugs together, and in this case, you may need to be aware of too much blood thinning.
See also: Chaga Tea – Recipes and How-To
Surgery
Chaga may reduce blood clotting, which again can affect bleeding during and after surgery. It’s better to stop using Chaga at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery
Diabetes (Hypoglycemia)
When your blood-sugar level drops too low (Hypoglycemia) you may feel weak, shaky, hungry, thirsty, confused, irritable or you may have difficulty speaking. Diabetes is a serious illness and can be treated under a doctors care with injected insulin, which moderates blood sugar levels.
There are cases where Chaga mushroom supplements may interact negatively with insulin and other medications.
Pregnancy & Breast-Feeding
There have not been enough scientific studies about the use of Chaga during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Therefore it’s better to stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Auto-Immune Diseases
Chaga can affect auto-immune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by making the immune-system more active. Chaga can boost the immune system, which is exactly what you don’t want when your own immune system is attacking you. If you have one of these conditions, please be on the safe side and avoid Chaga.
Those were the main Chaga mushroom warnings you should know about.
Chaga Side Effects Compared With The Reishi Mushroom
We’ve found a very interesting book about the side effects of mixing herbs. It is titled “The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide,” by George T. Grossberg and Barry Fox.
Well, though Chaga mushroom side effects aren’t well researched (or known). We can look at the side effects of another distantly related mushroom, the Reishi mushroom, and compare these theoretical side effects with possible side effects in Chaga. The side effects of the Reishi mushroom can be dry mouth and throat, nosebleeds, itchiness, an upset stomach and bloody stools.
Chaga is quite safe on side effects. However, if you have a condition we talked about in this article, you should be aware. If you are looking for side effects by yourself, keep in mind that Chaga, like many other mushrooms, is rich in beta glucans. These have immunomodulating activities and are of interest because they bind to complement receptor 3 (CR3). This allows immune cells in your body to recognize cancer cells and theoretically specifically target them for death without harming the healthy cells.
Myth: Chaga Gives Narcotic Effect
Psychedelic drugs have captivated people since humans first experimented with special herbs and mushroom. The mind can take you places that your body can’t allow. That’s why some people use substances to change their brain and bodies in order to feel, hear and see something wild or new.
Mushrooms are a very popular way to achieve those psychedelic “trips”, and certain mushrooms can take you there. We must disappoint you, because Chaga doesn’t have any narcotic effect whatsoever. We mean, no matter how you consume it, it doesn’t contain psychotropic or narcotic ingredients. It will not take you on a “trip” as some drugs and mushrooms can. We often get this question from folks who are looking for new (and legal) ways to get high. Chaga won’t do it.
Low Quality Chaga Can Have Negative Side Effects
One thing you should keep in mind is the where you buy your Chaga. You might ask, “why?” As we wrote on the Chaga buying guide, there are shady Chaga suppliers who don’t offer pure Chaga. They pay only by weight, which can be manipulated, and they use pickers who just do it for money.
They may mix it with sand or dirt, or keep it in (stagnant) water to increase weight for more money. Bacteria can then grow in this foul soup they make for money. There are lab tests from Chaga wholesale buyers that have proven this kind of conduct.
One nasty way is to mix it with other similar looking mushrooms. This not only dilutes the Chaga but can give you really bad side effects, depending on the other mushroom.
Therefore, if you’re looking to buy Chaga online, see this guide here. There are reliable and honest sellers out there.
Considerations
We have stated the known side effects here. However, there might be more that aren’t documented yet. Chaga is a safe supplement. However, you should always listen to your body and consult your doctor.
Like with every thing in life, whatever you do, you should do it responsibly. Going from zero to 20 cups of Chaga mushroom tea can give you produce side effects, because your body isn’t used to it. But with responsible moderation, you will be happy with the results from Chaga.
The product is most simple. It is a natural product with nothing added, so it is important to make sure you have quality Chaga. To ensure the quality, you should also harvest it.
See also: Chaga Tea – Recipes and How-To
Reader’s Side Effects
Staicia, 51, Maine
I received some free chaga from a family friend. Anyway, I read online about how to dry and prepare it. I chose to boil in for a few hours and have been drinking 6 oz. of tea every day for about 8 weeks. After having a head cold over the holidays I wanted to stay healthy. I started the chaga when I recovered from the head cold. I live a healthy life style, don’t smoke, and get plenty of exercise.
About 1 month ago I started to get sick (sore throat, cough). I thought it was strange since I was just sick over Christmas. After 2 weeks went by and I didn’t feel better I went to the doctor who said to keep drinking plenty of fluids and wait another week and if I didn’t feel better to come back in. I didn’t mention the chaga to him but it was in the back of my mind.
My cough was getting worse and I was having a hard time breathing like I might have the flu. But I didn’t have any other flu symptoms like a fever, body aches, intestinal abnormalities, or head ache and the sore throat was gone after the first week. Today is Tuesday, and 3 days ago I stopped drinking chaga and I’m completely well now. I started to noticed a difference the day after I stopped drinking it.
Give Us Feedback About Side Effects
If you are having some side effects from Chaga consumption, let us know. We want to spread the word and write it out here in this blog. Also, if you’ve found some other side effects, contact us. Let’s raise awareness about side effects of Chaga!
Bottom Line
Chaga is quite a safe mushroom and within reason, you should not worry about the dosage or accessibility. However, what you want to understand both its effects against different diseases and medical states, and its potential side effects. Make sure you have pure and wild Chaga and you are good to go!
Start Today, Read The CHAGA Buying Guide (& Suggestions✅) ->
Frequency Asked Chaga Questions:
Is Chaga safe?
Chaga IS safe under most circumstances, but the high antioxidant level can cause issues with some medical states. Therefore, read about these side effects, and know the state of your own health,and you’re fine.
What are the main side effects of Chaga?
There aren’t many documented side effects however if you have diabetes, and are taking insulin, it can interact and have a negative effect.
Is Chaga consumption recommended for pregnant women?
Short answer is no. There aren’t any documented studies that study this, but the high antioxidant level can be bad for such a weak immune system as the baby’s. So, when pregnant or breast-feeding, please avoid Chaga products.
If I have a disease not listed here, can I consume Chaga?
As with every special case, consult your doctor. There are so many special conditions that play a huge role in your health. We cannot cover them all here. Therefore it’s always a smart way to consult your doctor, especially if you are in poor health. You can read here on medicine section.
What if Chaga consumption makes me dizzy?
If Chaga consumption makes you dizzy, you should stop using it, or cut back on the amount. Chaga should not give you and side effect. So it is likely that this is an interaction with one of the medicines you are taking.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
If you boil chaga for hours you most likely boiled out many nutrients. Chaga can be dries in an oven at 200* for about 24-48 hours. High heat destroys some of chagas benefits.
Hi Kathy,
You need to simmer, not boil.
Most Doctors will tell you they are not educated in all natural supplements and dont know the side effects of the medication your on. They will just tell you not to take them.
With that being said, I understand they may tell you this so they dont lose money on kick backs from writing scripts and if there are bad side affects they say their butts.
Most likely they just dont know.
SO when this article says check with your doctor, it wont amount to anything. What needs to be said is “Take at your own risk”
I take blood thinner every day warfarin. Should i drink chaga at all
Hi Grace,
You should consult your doctor when you take a blood thinner. Chaga can affect its effectiveness.
Absolutely not! It can cause blood thinning itself and reacts synergistically with blood thinning meds.
I have CREST Syndrome an autoimmune diseases. Will Chaga be good for me?
We’ve never read any studies related to Chaga and the CREST syndrome. Some known Chaga side effects could interact negatively with the CREST syndrome, so you need to talk to your doctor before using it.
I am allergic to crab shell (itching and swelling of throat) and am wondering if ingesting chaga will cause a reaction since they are both made of chitin. Any advice on this? Thanks
There is such a thing as chitin allergy which includes a reaction to chitin found in shellfish. However, we’ve never read any studies about Chaga chitin allergies, but we do not recommend using Chaga if you have such an allergy
I have a small tea business, making herbal teas from cultivated and foraged plants. I make a couple teas with Chaga in them. Through talking to people, I didn’t realize how many people have allergies to Birch, this is also something to be aware of.
Hi Angela,
Great point! What allergies exactly, do you know?