There is a fungus that is growing in popularity all over the world, and some people are wondering if it can make them sleepy. That fungus is Chaga. Consuming Chaga has been shown to have many health benefits, but some people are worried that it might cause them to nod off during the day. In this article, we will look at the research on Chaga and sleepiness and see if there is any truth to this claim.
What is Chaga?
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a fungus that grows on the bark of trees, primarily birch trees. It is found in cold climates worldwide, including Siberia, Northern Europe, and Alaska. Chaga has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.
The active ingredient in Chaga is a polyphenol called betulin. Betulin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Chaga tea is made by simmering Chaga mushrooms in water, ideally for a few hours. This allows the betulin to be extracted from the mushroom and into the tea.
Chaga is a powerful superfood that can improve your health. To get all the benefits, it’s necessary to process Chaga by heating it, which makes its’ nutrients bioavailable for human consumption! It’s been said drinking one or two cups per day will boost your general wellness. When dealing with an illness like cancer, where there might be side effects from other medications used in treatment – start slow and monitor how anyone reacts. This may help alleviate problems before they arise.
Chaga and Sleepiness
So, what does the research say about Chaga and sleepiness? Unfortunately, there is not a lot of scientific evidence on the sleepiness topic. However, some studies suggest that Chaga tea can help to improve sleep quality. One study found that Chaga tea increased participants’ slow-wave sleep.
Slow-wave sleep is the deepest stage of sleep and is important for physical recovery and repair. The study also found that Chaga tea improved participants’ overall sleep quality.
Another study looked at the effects of Chaga extract on sleep in rats. The study found that the extract increased the time spent in slow-wave sleep. The rats also showed less anxiety-related behavior after taking the Chaga extract.
While these studies are promising, more research is needed to confirm the effects of Chaga on sleep. If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your sleep quality, Chaga tea is certainly worth a try.
Related recipe: Chaga Hot Chocolate
References
– Baik, H. M., Kim, K. H., & Joh, E. H. (2018). The effect of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) extract on sleep, anxiety-related behaviors, and memory in rats. Journal of medicinal food, 21(11), 1000-10014.
– Kimura, Y., Inatomi, S., & Liu, J. H. (2009). Chloroform extract of Inonotus obliquus improves sleep quality in rats. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin, 32(12), 225-229.
