It’s no secret that functional mushrooms possess endless benefits for health and wellness, especially Chaga mushrooms. The Chaga mushroom is one of the best functional mushrooms for skin health especially. Used for centuries in Sibera and other regions of Asia, the Chaga was well-known for its immunity-boosting properties and skin health support. To date, the Chaga popularity has expanded from Asian regions and reached the Western world.
The Chaga mushroom is akin to charcoal in its appearance and grows primarily on birch trees in the northern hemisphere. This type of fungus is very different from the average mushroom. Inside of it, there is a bronze mass full of mycelium. Some refer to the Chaga as the “ugly duckling” of functional mushrooms. Fortunately, appearances aren’t what matters when it comes to health and wellness.
This functional mushroom can potentially influence skin, hair and nail health. When taken appropriately and frequently for your health, you may just reap the incredible benefits. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Chaga mushroom for skin health from how it benefits you, how to use it and which products to buy.
5 Chaga Mushroom Benefits For Skin Health
The skin is our largest organ and although it is powerful and protective, it’s still subject to outside influences that harm it. The skin including hair and nails is what the integumentary system is made of keeping tissues, organs, blood and body fluids safe. As the first-line defence, it fights against a number of harmful bacteria, viruses and pollutants. These harmful compounds can cause the skin to deteriorate over time and further damage one’s mental and physical health.
When administered in a supplement form, Chaga can help with the following issues:
#1 Supports Natural, Healthy Aging
Aging isn’t something to fear, especially when there are supplements that support aging in a healthy, beautiful way. Chaga supports healthy aging by potentially restoring the elasticity in the skin. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the main cause of premature aging in the skin. UV radiation expedites aging by degrading the skin collagen and decreasing synthesis. Functioning as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, the Chaga mushroom can help in the restoration of damaged skin cells to return the skin back to its natural appearance and restore a healthy aging process.
When free radicals become too rampant and abundant in the body from pollution or stress, the skin suffers the most. It can age more rapidly and dramatically from these harmful radicals. Chaga mushroom contains parasitic properties that help combat the influence of free radicals and slow the aging process. Antioxidants found in the Chaga mushroom eliminate oxidative stress which can lead to wrinkles and discoloration.
#2 Reduces Skin Inflammation
The Chaga mushroom is high in antioxidants and can ease skin inflammation. In fact, there are historical documents that have recorded the use of the fungus for skin irritation and inflammation by Native tribes and Alaskans. The Chaga mushroom can reduce inflammation in the gut especially, which can lead to IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) when not regulated properly. The fungus can also fight harmful bacteria that can further inflame irritation. Chaga mushrooms have even been found to improve inflammatory issues like eczema.
#3 Calms Sensitive Skin
If you struggle with sensitive skin issues, Chaga mushroom may be just the functional mushroom for you. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in the fungus may have the power to reduce skin sensitivity as a result of allergies. Chaga mushroom does this by strengthening the immune system in the body to combat pollutants, harmful bacteria and environmental issues.
The Betulonic Acid in the fungus helps regenerate the skin cells and helps with scarring and tears. The acid also stimulates collagen production which helps with skin and elasticity. The Chaga mushroom offers incredible, natural skin support for skin conditions.
#4 Boosts Immunity Health
The Beta-D-Glucans found in Chaga mushrooms help balance and boost the immune system. Glucans stimulate the immune system when it needs support and regulate it when the immune system may be overactive. White blood cells in the body can be administered more rapidly to heal an injury and prevent inflammation and infection from spreading to other parts of the body. Any time the immune system is compromised by disease or infection, white blood cells fail and are unable to distinguish between natural, healthy cells and foreign, harmful cells. That can cause inflammation and harm the immune system.
#5 Nourish Hair and Nails
Melanin found in the Chaga mushroom helps with hair and nail growth. It is what gives skin luminous color and protects the skin, hair and nails from issues, deterioration and again from harmful UV rays from the sun. Antioxidants, along with melanin, in the Chaga mushroom contribute to healthy skin, nail and hair growth naturally. This is because the anti-aging and antioxidant properties help prevent or slow down sagging skin, wrinkles and grey hair as a result of aging.
History of Chaga Mushrooms For Skin Health
Chaga mushroom has always grown in Asian regions including Siberia, Russia, Korea, Japan, Scandinavia and now America and Canada. The charcoal-coloured fungus appears as if it grows directly off the trunk of birch trees. However, it actually shares with the tree and lives with the birch tree for many years while the Chaga mushroom grows with its trunk and branches in harmony.
Indigenous peoples in the Ural Mountains of Russia were the first to reap the benefits of the Chaga mushroom. Native tribes to the area cultivated methods using the bioactive compounds of the fungus for skin, hair and nail health to keep them safe and protected against harsh weather.
Mushroom Supplement Types
When selecting the type of mushroom supplement you want, try to be as open-minded as possible! From powders to capsules, drink mixes and single-serve options, you have quite the variety to choose from. Each can easily be incorporated into your daily health and wellness regimen and is highly effective when taken over time. Here are some of the mushroom supplement options available:
Mushroom Powder Supplement
Mushroom powder supplements are perfect for convenience on the go and individuals that are new to supplements. You can easily blend a teaspoon of the powder supplement into your beverage of choice whether it be coffee, smoothies or soup. If you have a frother in your kitchen, you can mix the supplement quite easily into the drink. Powdered mushroom supplement species can dramatically range in flavor type from mild to deeply earthy and bitter. If you are not comfortable with the taste of mushrooms, supplements are definitely the way to go.
Mushroom Powder Capsules
The mushroom powder capsule is also convenient and perfect for travel. If you’re already taking an abundance of supplements daily, the powder capsules can make for easy addition. Usually, you can just easily take a capsule daily with water or a beverage of your choice.
Mushroom Powder Drink Mixes
If you’re a habitual coffee, smoothie or tea drinker, mushroom powder drink mixes can be the perfect solution for you (such as our best selling Mushroom Coffee)
Mushroom powder drink mix is easier to remember with your morning beverage sometimes more than a capsule or supplement. Some powder drink mixes are even flavored to taste great with your favorite drink.
Recommended Dosage For Chaga Mushroom
When consuming Chaga mushrooms, it’s important to understand the dosage and how to safely add the fungus to your diet. There isn’t much guidance on the recommended dosage of Chaga mushroom as everyone’s body is different and responds differently.
When consuming a form of Chaga mushroom extract, it’s safe and ideal to consume anywhere from 100mg to 3000mg a day. The most effective results come from around 1000mg to 1500mg of Chaga mushroom a day. However, if you’re just starting out with the fungus, it’s safest to start off with 250mg to 500mg and see how your body responds.
How Chaga Mushrooms Work
There are a number of active compounds in the Chaga mushrooms that allow them to be the highly effective functional mushroom that it is. Five of its most beneficial properties include beta-glucans, antioxidants, melanin, triterpenes and polyphenols. Here’s how they work in the Chaga mushroom:
- Beta-Glucans: are a soluble dietary supplement often found in whole grains, bran, wheat and oats. Beta-glucans help with immunity heart health, manage and regulate low blood sugar levels and stimulate the immune system.
- Antioxidants: compounds that control and inhibit oxidative stress in the body. Antioxidants may prevent and reduce the damage caused by free radicals which ultimately reduces oxidate stress in the body.
- Melanin: The skin pigment that protects the skin barrier from harmful UV rays from the sun and other viruses, diseases and even cancers developing in the body.
- Triterpenes: Triterpenes have been found to act as an antidiabetic by inhibiting and controlling enzyme activity which contributes to glucose metabolism, reduces insulin resistance and insulin levels as well as glucose levels.
- Polyphenols: Class of properties rich in antioxidants. Polyphenols may improve cognitive function, digestion, blood sugar levels and even heart health.
How To Choose The Best Chaga Mushroom Product
Before adding any Chaga mushroom product to your diet, be sure to consult with your physician or doctor. This will help determine which type is best for you and how to add the supplement into your daily routine. When choosing the best Chaga mushroom supplement for your health and wellness, you should always be buying from a trusted, reliable and reputable vendor.
Here are some things to consider when buying Chaga mushroom products and what you can trust when you buy from Brain Brands:
- USDA certified organic
- USA-grown in Carlsbad, CA
- Third-party tested
- Current Good Manufacturing Practice-regulated
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Certified Kosher
- Gluten-free
- No sugar added
- Vegan-friendly
- Keto-friendly
- Paleo-friendly
References
- Nordic Glow Singapore. (2019). 5 Benefits of Chaga That Reverse Aging! Available at: https://www.thenordicglow.com/blogs/news/5-benefits-of-chaga-to-reverse-aging.
- Peng H, Shahidi F. (2020). Bioactive compounds and bioactive properties of chaga (Inonotus obliquus) mushroom: a review. J. Food Bioact. 2020;12:9–75
- Merdivan S., Lindequist U. (2017) Medicinal Mushrooms with Antiallergic Activities. In: Agrawal D., Tsay HS., Shyur LF., Wu YC., Wang SY. (eds) Medicinal Plants and Fungi: Recent Advances in Research and Development. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World, vol 4. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5978-0_4
- Ritual Superfoods. (2021). Chaga Mushrooms and the Body’s Immune System. Available at: https://rritual.com/blogs/education/chaga-mushroom-and-immune-system.
- Tamayo J, MS, Nutritionist. (2020). Benefits of Chaga – What Can These Mushrooms Do For Your Health? Available at: https://fitnessclone.com/benefits-of-chaga/.
- Brown M, PhD, RD. (2018). What Are Chaga Mushrooms and Are They Healthy? Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chaga-mushroom.
