Although chaga is a traditional mushroom raw material with a long history of use, its extract is not suitable for everyone without reservation. Below are the situations in which the supplement is not taken or is discussed with a doctor first:
- A tendency to form kidney stones. Chaga contains oxalates, compounds that under certain conditions can affect kidney function in predisposed people, so the product is not taken if there is a risk of kidney stones.
- Blood clotting issues. The mushroom's phenolic compounds may interact with medicines that affect blood clotting, so the product is not taken if you have a blood clotting disorder, and if you take anticoagulants, a consultation is essential.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. There are insufficient data on the safety of chaga extract during these periods, and the label explicitly says to avoid taking it.
- Regular use of medication. Herbal and mushroom extracts can affect the absorption or action of some medicines.
People who are sensitive to mushroom products should start with caution and monitor how their body reacts. This is a standard recommendation for any mushroom supplement, not a risk specific to this product.