Chaga for Stress

Adaptogenic mushroom chaga may help with oxidative stress specifically.

• Oxidative stress. Chaga’s antioxidant constituents may help the body deal with oxidative stress (not to be confused with physiological stress).
• Boosting the immune system. Chaga may be able to reduce stress by enhancing the immune system.

Overview

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a fungus that grows on birch trees as a mass of branching structures that resemble burnt charcoal.

It is considered a folk remedy in traditional Russian and Northern European medicine, where the wild mushrooms are grated into a fine powder or brewed as tea. Chaga is believed to help the body cope with stress similar to other adaptogens such as rhodiola rosea and ashwagandha. However, it is far better known as an antioxidant.

Recent research indicates that chaga is best utilized as an extract, since the majority of its bio-active ingredients are contained in chaga’s indigestible chitin cell walls.

How Chaga May Help With Stress

Antioxidant activity

Not to be confused with physiological stress, oxidative stress is a process that has been implicated in a variety of harmful effects and conditions. Because chaga contains large quantities of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), it can help the body deal with oxidative stress.¹

For example, one study demonstrated that pretreatment with chaga exerted protective effects against oxidative stress-induced aging.²

Increasing immune system activity

Chaga might also help the body deal with the negative effects of stress by increasing immune system activity through its beta-glucan content.³

Chaga Benefits & Uses for Stress

As a supplement, chaga is usually sold in its organic form and used to make tea that helps relieve stress, acts as an antioxidant, and boosts the immune system. However, there is currently no research evidence of its stress-reducing, adaptogenic qualities. In addition, because chaga contains more than 200 phytonutrients, B complex vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein, some people also claim that it improves overall health.⁴

Research

Animal Research

Research primarily focuses on chaga’s capacity to combat oxidative stress.

Chaga extract (30 mg/kg) seems to display antioxidant actions in rats

In this investigation, hyperglycemic rats were given either 10, 20, or 30 mg of chaga polysaccharides (PIO) daily for 6 weeks. The total antioxidant status (TAOS) was improved compared to the control based on significantly reduced levels of oxidant and inflammatory markers IL-1β and TNF-α.

• The study concluded that “PIO…displays antioxidant actions, hypolipidemic activity, and protects the pancreas from the diabetes induced injuries in STZ-treated rats.”⁶

Chaga extract (300 mg/kg) may ameliorate oxidative stress in mice

In this investigation, mice experiencing oxidative damage due to diabetes were given chaga extract (LIOP) for 3 days. Treatment with chaga seemed to decrease oxidative damage, as indicated by reduced levels of NF-κB and TGF-β, which protected the kidneys from the kind of damage otherwise seen in the control.

• The study concluded that “LIOP treatment could ameliorate glucolipotoxicity-induced renal fibrosis, possibly partly via the inhibition of NF-κB/TGF-β signaling pathway in diabetic nephropathy mice.”⁷

Human Research

There are plenty of clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of chaga in handling health complications but none are focused on stress.

Dosage for Stress

• Chaga extract capsules are available at doses of 0.42 mg – 1 gram
• Chaga may also be taken as a tincture, tea, or powder