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Dietary supplement

Chaga Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Host Defense Mushrooms

Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Chaga is a dietary supplement by Host Defense Mushrooms 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. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Computed from our clinical databases

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Chaga by Host Defense Mushrooms

Four independent checks of what is known — a summary of the available information, not a grade of the product itself.

Evidence for Intended Use
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 assessable

None of the active ingredients could be matched to our evidence database, so intended use can't be graded.

Why this rating?
  • None of the active ingredients could be matched to a HelloPharmacist monograph, so intended use can't be graded against our evidence data.
Ingredient Transparency
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • “Chaga” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (1 Gram(s)) without saying how much of each component you get.
Known Interaction Concern
Not assessable

None of the active ingredients could be matched to our interaction database.

Why this rating?
  • We couldn't match any ingredient to a HelloPharmacist monograph, so there was nothing to check interactions against.
Safety Information
Unable to assess

None of the active ingredients could be matched to our safety data.

Why this rating?
  • We couldn't match any ingredient to a HelloPharmacist monograph, so there was no safety data to measure.

HelloPharmacist summaryFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Medication interactions could not be assessed, and safety information could not be assessed.

Assessment coverage: 0 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 24, 2017.

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 Host Defense Mushrooms
Net contents 120 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status Off market
Date entered into DSLD May 24, 2017
DSLD ID 74113
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten Free
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 Host Defense Mushrooms, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
IngredientAmount% DV
Chaga1 Gram(s)--
Polysaccharides550 mg--
Fatty Acids5 mg--

Other ingredients: dried myceliated Brown Rice, Pullulan

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.
Brand IP Statement(s)

Host defense is the #1 best-selling mushroom brand in the U.S.: The highest quality and scientifically validated

From the forest, to our farm, to you. Host Defense Chaga

General Statements

Guaranteed, accurate identity of each mushroom

Heat treated to proper temperature to ensure safety & bioavailability 200(0)F + U.S. grown and processed Produced under the direct supervision of Paul Stamets, D.Sc. Proceeds help to save bees, trees, people & planet

Bee friendly

Source: SPINscan natural/Natural products supermarkets>S2WM/Total US-Natural channel/Mushroom ingredient report/52 wks ending 3/20/216

Antioxidant & DNA support

Embraced by Eurasians for centuries and found throughout boreal forests, Changa grows primarily on birch trees. Studied and treasured worldwide for its health-enhancing and antioxidant properties, Changa is a unique species, and the focus of recent and ongoing scientific research.

Seals/Symbols

Identity guaranteed

Producer Certified organic Washington State Dept. of Agriculture

Non GMO Project Verified

Formulation

Made with certified organic ingredients

Non-GMO verified ingredients

Gluten free

Certified organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

Formula

Made with U.S. grown organic mushrooms

Host Defense Chaga uses activated, optimally dried, certified organic mushroom mycelium, with a full spectrum of constituents: >55% (550mg/serving) polysaccharides, .5% (5mg/serving) fatty acids, and an array of extracellular constituents, including enzymes, antioxidants, and other myco-nutrients, essential for supporting natural immunity.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions For Use: As a dietary supplement, take 2 capsules once per day. Can be taken with food or without, on an empty stomach or as recommended by your healthcare advisor.

Precautions

Consult your healthcare advisor regarding the use of this product during pregnancy.

Keep out of reach of children.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

Chaga by Host Defense Mushrooms label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Chaga by Host Defense Mushrooms

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

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Chaga

Interacts with
327 drugs
1 Gram(s) 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 monograph & interactions
  • › Polysaccharides
  • › Fatty Acids

Other (inactive) ingredients: Dried myceliated Brown Rice, Pullulan. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Chaga by Host Defense Mushrooms Drug Interactions

Chaga contains a single active ingredient, and it has known interactions with 327 medications. Here’s the picture, then you can look up your own drug.

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

Chaga 327

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.

Chaga3 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.

Host Defense Mushrooms

See all Host Defense Mushrooms products
Name
Fungi Perfecti, LLC
Street Address
PO Box 7634
City
Olympia
State
WA
ZipCode
98507
Phone Number
877-504-6926
Web Address
Hostdefense.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Chaga by Host Defense Mushrooms: Common Questions

Does Chaga by Host Defense Mushrooms 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.

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

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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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