Chaga and Chest Infections: Why It's Been Rich's Go-To Every Autumn

Every autumn, without fail, I used to get a chest infection. Same time each year, same drill – doctor, antibiotics, weeks of feeling rough before it finally cleared. It happened so reliably I just expected it.

Then I started drinking Chaga regularly. And the chest infections stopped. Not "got milder" – stopped completely. I haven't had one since. My own theory is that it's the upper respiratory and immune support Chaga's known for, quietly doing its job before anything had the chance to properly take hold.

(Sourced from the Changbai Mountains in northern China – grown on the right wood substrate, not oats, rye or soy, or wild-harvested – and heavy metal tested at Flourish Labs in Oregon, then spot tested again here in the UK.)

That's my story, not a medical claim – if you get recurring chest infections, it's always worth a chat with your GP. But it's exactly why Chaga is the mushroom I reach for first every autumn, and why it's at the centre of our seasonal ritual.

Why Chaga, specifically

Chaga's been used in Siberian and Northern European traditional medicine for centuries, prized for its role in immune support and helping the body deal with oxidative stress. It's one of the most antioxidant-dense things you can put in your body – part of why it's earned the nickname "King of Mushrooms".

Chaga and the third eye

In some spiritual traditions, Chaga's associated with the third eye – specifically with decalcifying the pineal gland, the idea being that as buildup clears, perception and intuition sharpen. It's a belief rooted in tradition rather than clinical science, but it sits alongside the same thinking behind our piece on fungus as a spiritual teacher – that there's more going on with these mushrooms than nutrition alone.

How we take it

Two ways, depending on what fits your day:

• Chaga Tincture – a few drops under the tongue or into your morning coffee. Fastest way in, and the one I personally use every day through autumn and winter.
• Chaga Powder (Dual Extract) – if you prefer stirring it into a hot chocolate, coffee or smoothie, this is the one to go for.

Both come from the same wild-harvested Chaga, just in different formats – pick whichever one you'll actually stick with, because consistency is what matters most with Chaga.

A few things people ask us

How long before I notice anything? Most people build up to it over a few weeks of daily use – it's not a quick fix, it's a habit.

Can I take it alongside other mushrooms? Yes – Chaga pairs well with everything in our range, especially Reishi if you want immune support and evening calm covered together.

This reflects one person's experience and isn't a guarantee of results for everyone – food supplements aren't a substitute for medical advice, so do see your GP for recurring infections.