Lab-Grown Chaga vs. Wild Chaga: Are They Really Twins or Distant Relatives?

Chaga is a product of nature, and as such, its characteristics can significantly differ based on the conditions in which it grows. Chaga, scientifically known as Inonotus obliquus, thrives in extremely cold climates. In its native habitat, it experiences regular exposure to freezing temperatures, encounters various pathogenic microbes, and undergoes UV irradiation [1].

In which regions does Chaga thrive? Chaga grows at a sluggish pace primarily on hardwood trees, with birch trees being the most prevalent hosts, particularly in Northern climates.

Is Lab-Grown Chaga the Same as Wild Chaga?

Concerns about overharvesting Chaga have prompted researchers to explore laboratory cultivation of I. obliquus. However, attempts to grow Chaga in labs have not yet succeeded in replicating the diversity and levels of bioactive compounds found in the wild Chaga.

The absence of the birch tree in the cultivation process results in the absence of betulin and other crucial compounds. A study indicated that the immune-stimulating effects of lab-grown Chaga reached only approximately 50% of those found in wild Chaga [1].

Furthermore, an analysis revealed significant differences in the chemical composition between wild and cultivated Chaga. Wild Chaga exhibited a wide variety of sterols, with 45.47% lanosterol, 25.26% inotodiol, and 10 other sterols making up the remaining 30.17%. In contrast, cultivated Chaga contained only 3 sterols, with ergosterol being the predominant sterol at 82.20% [2].

It is evident that many health benefits attributed to Chaga mushrooms stem from their prolonged struggle for survival in harsh environments. Ongoing research aims to enhance Chaga cultivation methods. In Finland, current efforts involve inoculating birch trees with Chaga to cultivate it directly on the host tree.

When selecting a Chaga supplement, it's crucial to know the product's source. Due to Chaga's slow growth, it can accumulate toxins from airborne pollutants. For this reason, Antioxi exclusively utilises wild-harvested organic Chaga from Siberia to ensure the highest purity extracts. Antioxi’s Organic Chaga is extracted using dual extraction, to extract the highest degree of active compounds.

To ensure the optimal quality of your Chaga mushroom supplement, verify that the product specifies a beta-glucan concentration of at least 25%. This ensures you receive the full spectrum of health benefits associated with this mushroom.

Antioxi's Chaga Extract boasts a beta-glucan content exceeding 30%, guaranteeing that you receive the necessary benefits.

Resources

1. Zheng, W., Miao, K., Liu, Y., Zhao, Y., Zhang, M., Pan, S., Dai, Y. 2010, ‘Chemical diversity of biologically active metabolites in the sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus and submerged culture strategies for up-regulating their production’, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, vol. 87. <https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-2682-4>
2. Zheng, W.F., Liu, T., Xiang, X.Y., Gu, Q. 2007, ‘Sterol composition in field-grown and cultured mycelia of Inonotus obliquus’, Yao Xue Xue Bao, vol. 42, no. 7, pp. 750-6. <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17882960/>