Chaga mushroom supplements rich in antioxidants for your wellbeing

Finding the best Chaga mushroom supplements to support your body and mind could be the first step in your mushroom journey. Perhaps, you’re wondering: What is a Chaga mushroom – and what do they do for you? Not to worry! Spirit & Destiny aims to guide you through this fantastic adaptogen – with the help of Clarissa Berry, Nutrition Lead at DIRTEA. Chaga mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries and nowadays, it’s available as a mushroom supplement.

Inonotus obliquus, commonly known as Chara, is a fungus, which grows parasitically in cold climates and on birch, usually. A sterile conk, it resembles burnt charcoal, due to a great amount of melanin. Typically, like many functional mushrooms, Chaga is grated into a fine powder, which can be mixed with water to resemble herbal tea. As a hot drink, Chaga may be the ticket to low immune systems, prevalent in the winter months. Historically a Northern European medicine, Chaga is thought to be an adaptogen, much like ashwagandha, and rich in antioxidants – coming with many benefits.

Best Chaga mushroom supplements at a glance

• Best powder Chaga mushroom supplement: DIRTEA Chaga Mushroom Powder - View Offer at John Lewis
• Best Chaga mushroom capsules: Mushrooms 4 Life Organic Chaga Capsules - View Offer on Amazon UK
• Best Chaga face and body cream: Evolve Organic Beauty Pro+ Ectoin Soothing Cream - View Offer at Evolve Beauty

As covered in more detail in the FAQs, Chaga is plentiful in protective antioxidants, meaning it can take on a few uses, benefiting digestion, immunity, skin health and appearance, according to Clarissa at DIRTEA. Much like cordyceps mushroom supplements, Chaga has the potential to help “combat oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases,” she adds. As for skin health and appearance, we’ve been seeing mushrooms materialising in natural beauty products in recent years, with the promise of protecting skin from ageing and damage. It’s a shroom boom…

For supporting full-body health and longevity, Clarissa recommends a Chaga mushroom supplement. But, which is best for you? Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can implement Chaga into your lifestyle, whether powdered into your breakfast, taken as a capsule or as a morning mushroom coffee ritual. Spirit & Destiny has made sure to have chosen a wide range of Chaga products, whether you crave some much-needed wellness or health. Use your intuition and go with your gut…

Best Chaga mushroom supplements

Verdict: Which is the best Chaga product?

Our top pick is the Indigo Herbs Estonian Chaga Tincture. It's easy to add to your diet, is all-natural and comes from Northern Europe, where this adaptogen has been cultivated and used as medicine for a long time. This Chaga mushroom supplement can be added to a cup of water or fruit juice each morning - and, you can't even taste it.

FAQs

How often should I take Chaga?

Much like any adaptogen, the amount of Chaga you take will depend on bio-individuality or body weight, says Clarissa at DIRTEA, “so it’s always advisable to start with a small dose and gradually increase it to personal tolerance.” As a general rule, Chaga can be taken daily, in whichever form you prefer – for at least four weeks to experience any benefits, at around 2g a day (for most of us).

Can Chaga mushroom supplements interact with other medications?

With all medications, Spirit & Destiny recommends speaking to a health professional before you buy.

After all, Chaga may interact with something you’re already taking – and knowledge is a little lacking, as “research on functional mushrooms is still in its relative infancy,” says Clarissa Berry at DIRTEA. She adds: “Many interactions have not yet been documented, nor has the safety of Chaga during pregnancy or breastfeeding.”

Why are antioxidants important for the body?

Antioxidants are important for the body, says Clarissa at DIRTEA, as they “protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and other reactive molecules.” Essentially, antioxidants are molecules that can neutralise any highly reactive free radicals, preventing oxidative stress, which “can easily damage cells, proteins and DNA”. Therefore, trusty antioxidants protect our cells from any damage.

Though our bodies produce some antioxidants, we should be supplementing ourselves with some extra, for a little boost, in our diet. Aside from enjoying antioxidant-rich food and drink – such as fruit and vegetables, you can supply yourself with antioxidants with Chaga mushroom supplements.

Can Chaga mushrooms be used for skincare?

While it may surprise you to hear that mushrooms can help our skin, is it really surprising? Coming equipped with beautifying properties, adaptogen Chaga’s supply of antioxidants “neutralise free radicals, helping to reduce cell damage and slow skin ageing,” says Clarissa from DIRTEA. She adds that Chaga is a food source rich in the skin pigment melanin, which offers UV protection.

What makes mushrooms different to other types of supplements?

Functional mushrooms are known as adaptogens, meaning “they provide the body with tools to better cope with stress and help to bring the body into a state of harmony,” says Clarissa. Used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, functional mushrooms are safe to consume, with the intent to strengthen both body and mind, creating harmony. Clarissa calls this a “balanced action.”

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Spirit & Destiny, an all-rounder: from health to spirituality. When not at her desk, she’s practising yoga or in deep reflection.

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