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Dietary supplement

Chaga Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbalist & Alchemist

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Chaga is a dietary supplement by Herbalist & Alchemist with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for immune support, antioxidant support, general wellness/tonic.Based on those ingredients, 327 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Chaga Mushroom Extract, Dried. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Chaga by Herbalist & Alchemist

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains a single active ingredient: Chaga Mushroom Extract, Dried. Chaga is a fungus that grows on birch trees and is traditionally used as a tea or tonic.

The extract is delivered in a liquid form using water and ethyl alcohol as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Chaga's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: supports healthy immune function.
  • We looked for evidence on: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), immune health, infection prevention, immune resilience.
  • The closest evidence on file: Chaga is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Natural Medicines).

The evidence we hold on chaga for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and COVID-19 is insufficient to rate it — meaning there isn't enough reliable research yet to say whether it actually works for these uses. If you're thinking of using it for one of these conditions, that's a conversation to have with your doctor or pharmacist.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Chaga

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Chaga is generally used in foods and teas, but human safety data are limited. One important caution: there have been two cases of kidney failure and one case of acute kidney inflammation tied to excessive chaga consumption because it contains high concentrations of oxalate — a compound that can build up in your kidneys.

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient information.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Chaga

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Chaga.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 327 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before you take this product, double-check with your pharmacist if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (Moderate risk), immunosuppressants (Moderate risk), or antidiabetes medications (Moderate risk). No other interactions are documented for the ingredients we checked.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Chaga may be worth considering if you're interested in traditional mushroom tonics and have no bleeding disorder, immune-suppressing condition, or diabetes. If you take blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or diabetes drugs, check your exact medications with our tool first.

Talk to your pharmacist before adding it, especially if you have a history of kidney problems.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Chaga, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbalist & Alchemist
Barcode (UPC) 667056105648
Net contents 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2024
DSLD ID 302529
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Chaga by Herbalist & Alchemist, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
3 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
4 mL
Servings per container
15
UPC/BARCODE
667056105648
IngredientAmount% DV
Chaga Mushroom Extract, Dried5 mL--

Other ingredients: Water, Distilled, Ethyl Alcohol

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formula

Inonotus obliquus

OK (Kosher)

Formulation

Supports healthy immune function

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: 60-80 drops (3-4 mL) in juice or water. Take 3 times per day. Shake well before using.

Precautions

Contraindications: do not use if you have mushroom allergies.

Keep out of children's reach.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Seals/Symbols

OK (Kosher)

See for yourself

Chaga by Herbalist & Alchemist label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Chaga by Herbalist & Alchemist

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size3 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container15 Amounts shown are per serving.

Chaga Mushroom Extract, Dried

Interacts with
327 drugs
5 mL per serving

Chaga is a fungus that grows mostly on birch trees and is used as a tea or supplement, mainly for immune and antioxidant support. Human evidence for i...

Chaga Mushroom Extract, Dried monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Water, Distilled, Ethyl Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Chaga by Herbalist & Alchemist Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Chaga?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
327Drugs
327 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Chaga with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Chaga Mushroom Extract, Dried3 drug types · 327 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, chaga may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro and animal research suggests that chaga extract can inhibit platelet aggregation. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking chaga with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research suggests that chaga might decrease blood glucose levels and increase insulin levels. This has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, chaga might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
In vitro research suggests that certain constituents of chaga stimulate immune function. This has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Chaga, from the product label.

Herbalist & Alchemist

See all Herbalist & Alchemist products
Name
Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc.
City
Washington
State
NJ
ZipCode
07882
Phone Number
800-611-8235
Web Address
www.herbalist-alchemist.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Chaga by Herbalist & Alchemist: Common Questions

Does Chaga by Herbalist & Alchemist interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Chaga has a known interaction with 327 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Chaga contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against it — there isn't enough information to know whether it's safe for you or your baby. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether chaga is right for you in this situation.
What side effects does chaga have?
In general, it's well tolerated at typical doses. The main concern we have on record is that excessive chaga use has caused kidney problems in a small number of cases because of its high oxalate content. If you have kidney issues, that's especially important to discuss with your pharmacist.
Is this supplement proven to work for heart disease or diabetes?
Not yet. The evidence we hold for chaga on cardiovascular disease and diabetes is insufficient to rate — meaning there's not enough reliable research to say it does or doesn't work. If you're considering it for either condition, talk with your doctor first.
What exactly is in this bottle?
It's chaga mushroom extract (the active ingredient) mixed with water and ethyl alcohol to make it a liquid you can take by mouth.
How much oxalate is in this product?
We don't have that information on file. Since oxalate buildup is a concern with chaga, especially if you have kidney problems or a history of kidney stones, ask your pharmacist about the oxalate level in this specific product before you use it regularly.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Chaga is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Chaga label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Chaga's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 9 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Chaga 9 references
  1. Sun JE, Ao ZH, Lu ZM, et al. Antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects of dry matter of culture broth of Inonotus obliquus in submerged culture on normal and alloxan-diabetes mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;118(1):7-13. PubMed
  2. Hyun KW, Jeong SC, Lee DH, et al. Isolation and characterization of a novel platelet aggregation inhibitory peptide from the medicinal mushroom, Inonotus obliquus. Peptides 2006;27(6):1173-8. PubMed
  3. Kim YO, Han SB, Lee HW, et al. Immuno-stimulating effect of the endo-polysaccharide produced by submerged culture of Inonotus obliquus. Life Sci 2005;77(19):2438-56. PubMed
  4. Kikuchi Y, Seta K, Ogawa Y, et al. Chaga mushroom-induced oxalate nephropathy. Clin Nephrol 2014;81(6):440-4. PubMed
  5. Lee S, Lee HY, Park Y, et al. Development of end stage renal disease after long-term ingestion of chaga mushroom: case report and review of literature. J Korean Med Sci. 2020;35(19):e122.
  6. Kwon O, Kim Y, Paek JH, et al. Chaga mushroom-induced oxalate nephropathy that clinically manifested as nephrotic syndrome: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022;101(10):e28997. PubMed
  7. Su L, Xin C, Yang J, et al. A polysaccharide from Inonotus obliquus ameliorates intestinal barrier dysfunction in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Biol Macromol 2022;214:312-323. PubMed
  8. Chen S, Ma Y, Li H, et al. Anti-diabetic e?ects of Inonotus obliquus extract in high fat diet combined streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic mice. Nutr Hosp 2022;39(6):1256-1263. PubMed
  9. Ye X, Wu K, Xu L, et al. Methanol extract of Inonotus obliquus improves type 2 diabetes mellitus through modifying intestinal flora. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023;13:1103972. PubMed

See these in context on the Chaga monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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