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Chhatraka

Agaricus campestris L.

Chhatraka (Agaricus campestris L.) is a fungal (mushroom) drug, from the Agaricaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs on medicinal plants; edible mushrooms generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food use; Chhatraka referenced in Charaka Samhita as cold in potency, heavy, and sweet in taste.

Key facts
Botanical nameAgaricus campestris L.
FamilyAgaricaceae
OrderAgaricales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot listed in WHO monographs on medicinal plants; edible mushrooms generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food use; Chhatraka referenced in Charaka Samhita as cold in potency, heavy, and sweet in taste
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5243458 · Wikidata Q234529 · NCBI Taxonomy 56157

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 1968 to 2025, every one with a DOI.

  • 1Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 11Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
SanskritChhatraka
EnglishField mushroom
Latin/BotanicalAgaricus campestris L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Beta-glucans activate innate immune cells (macrophages, NK cells, dendritic cells) through binding to Dectin-1 and complement receptor 3 (CR3), enhancing immune surveillance
  • Ergothioneine acts as a potent intracellular antioxidant, accumulating in tissues via the organic cation transporter OCTN1, protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage
  • Lectins from A. campestris exhibit insulin-mimetic activity by activating insulin receptor substrate (IRS) phosphorylation and enhancing cellular glucose uptake through GLUT4 translocation

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Antidiabetic activity: animal studies have reported insulin-releasing and insulin-like effects in diabetic animal models.
  • Immunomodulatory and rasayana (rejuvenating) properties: traditionally described in Ayurveda as a strength-promoting food. Research on beta-glucans has reported immunomodulatory activity.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Field mushrooms (A. campestris) are edible and widely consumed with long history of safe dietary use; however, misidentification with toxic Amanita species poses a significant safety risk
  • Agaritine, a naturally occurring hydrazine derivative in Agaricus species, has raised theoretical carcinogenicity concerns, though levels in A. campestris are much lower than in A. bisporus and are largely destroyed by cooking
  • Individuals with mushroom allergies or autoimmune conditions should exercise caution; immunostimulatory beta-glucans may exacerbate autoimmune responses

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (dried mushroom powder), Capsule, Tablet, Extract concentrate, Soup/decoction

Standard Dosage: 3-6g dried mushroom powder; 500mg-1g extract capsule; 300-500mg concentrated extract; as culinary mushroom: 50-100g fresh

Optimal Timing: With meals; decoction/soup anytime; capsules before meals for immune support

Storage: Fresh mushrooms refrigerated (2-5°C). Dried material in airtight containers protected from moisture (highly hygroscopic). Temperature below 25°C. Protect from light if UV-treated for vitamin D2.

Marker Compounds: Beta-glucans (1,3/1,6), Ergosterol, Ergothioneine, Lovastatin (trace, in certain species), Chitin, Lectins, Vitamin D2 (if UV-treated)

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Guduchi for immunomodulatory synergy
  • With Ashwagandha for adaptogenic and immune combination
  • With Amalaki for antioxidant-immune formulations
  • With Haridra for anti-inflammatory immune support

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews1

  1. Mendoza CG, Leal JA, Novaes-Ledieu M. 1979. Studies of the spore walls of Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus campestrisCanadian journal of microbiology. PMID 570877 · doi:10.1139/m79-005

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Gürgen A, Sevindik M. 2025. Optimization of biological activities of Agaricus species: an artificial intelligence-assisted approachScientific reports. PMID 40603525 · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-08118-8
  2. Söylemez T, Yamaç M, Eninanç AB and others. 2024. Ochratoxin A biodegradation by Agaricus campestris and statistical optimization of cultural variablesFood science and biotechnology. PMID 38440684 · doi:10.1007/s10068-023-01417-8
  3. Oluranti OO, Ogundeji BA, Orisajo SB. 2024. Comparative impacts of myco-synthesized nanoparticles against strains of Aspergillus spp. causing biodeterioration of stored cocoa beans in NigeriaDiscover nano. PMID 39690316 · doi:10.1186/s11671-024-04113-6
  4. Ndifon EM, Emeka CPO, Inyang P. 2023. Mushroom-Related Ethnomycological, Ethnomedical, and Socio-Economic Practices in NigeriaInternational journal of medicinal mushrooms. PMID 37560888 · doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2023049043
  5. Karakas FP, Turker AU, Bozat BG. 2023. Phenolic Content, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potential of Several Edible Agaricomycetes Mushrooms Sold in Public Bazaar in Bolu, TurkeyInternational journal of medicinal mushrooms. PMID 36734918 · doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2022046526
  6. Nearing MM, Koch I, Reimer KJ. 2016. Uptake and transformation of arsenic during the reproductive life stage of Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus campestrisJournal of environmental sciences (China). PMID 28007169 · doi:10.1016/j.jes.2016.06.021
  7. Staudigl P, Krondorfer I, Haltrich D and others. 2013. Pyranose Dehydrogenase from Agaricus campestris and Agaricus xanthoderma: Characterization and Applications in Carbohydrate ConversionsBiomolecules. PMID 24970179 · doi:10.3390/biom3030535
  8. Jennemann R, Bauer BL, Bertalanffy H and others. 1999. Novel glycoinositolphosphosphingolipids, basidiolipids, from AgaricusEuropean journal of biochemistry. PMID 9914511 · doi:10.1046/j.1432-1327.1999.00040.x
  9. Gray AM, Flatt PR. 1998. Insulin-releasing and insulin-like activity of Agaricus campestris (mushroom)The Journal of endocrinology. PMID 9659289 · doi:10.1677/joe.0.1570259
  10. Novaes-Ledieu M, Garcia Mendoza C. 1981. The cell walls of Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus campestris fruiting body hyphaeCanadian journal of microbiology. PMID 7197579 · doi:10.1139/m81-121
  11. Spiller GH, Threlfall DR, Whistance GR. 1968. Biosynthesis of ubiquinone in yeast, Phycomyces blakesleeanus, and Agaricus campestrisArchives of biochemistry and biophysics. PMID 5691437 · doi:10.1016/0003-9861(68)90515-8

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.