Chaga is a fungus that grows on birch trees in cold regions. People dry and powder the hard outer core to make extracts, teas, or capsules. Folk traditions in Siberia and Northern Europe used chaga for centuries, and many now take it to support immune function and bolster antioxidant defenses.
You can drink it as a tea, take a liquid extract, or swallow a capsule. Most people reach for it during cold and flu season to reinforce the bodys natural defenses. Some note improvements in digestion and occasional stress relief.
Take chaga in the morning or early afternoon, preferably with food to reduce the chance of a mild upset stomach.
Chaga can alter blood clotting and blood sugar levels. It may interact with blood thinning medications. Because chaga contains high oxalate levels, anyone with a history of kidney stones should be cautious.