Agarikon (Fomes officinalis) – A Native American Miracle Mushroom?
The medicinal mushroom Agarikon (Fomes officinalis) can live for 50 years or more, making it one of the longest living perennial mushrooms in the world. This is even more impressive in light of the fact that it starts growing on trees that are already old to begin with. In other words, Fomes officinalis can only survive in old growth forests.
The earliest written record of any mushroom used medicinally can be found in the Materia Medica from 65 B.C., where Fomes officinalis was listed by Greek physician Dioscorides as a tuberculosis remedy. [25] Other oral and written traditions from Poland and elsewhere in Europe indicate that Fomes officinalis was the most important medicinal mushroom in ancient Europe.
However, Agarikon (Fomes officinalis) is now practically extinct in Europe because of its dependency on old growth forests. Its current habitat in the wild may be entirely limited to unlogged land in Washington State. Fortunately, though, this is one mushroom that can be cultivated. Two companies that grow Fomes officinalis commercially are Paul Stamets’ Fungi Perfecti out of Washington State, and the Ohio based Mushroom Harvest.
Historically, Fomes officinalis was used in the form of a poultice to treat skeletal pain and muscle pain, and as a tea for lung conditions such as pneumonia and tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).
In 2002, an article by K. Grzywnowics was published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms supporting this information. Titled Medicinal mushrooms in Polish folk medicine, it states that Fomes officinalis was indeed used to treat lung conditions, including asthma and coughing, as well as painful skeletal conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Polish healers considered it an elixir for long life. In addition to lung and musculoskeletal conditions, it was also used to treat infected wounds and open bleeding. [147]
Native Americans were also aware of the medicinal properties of Fomes officinalis. Oral traditions among certain tribes hold that it was used as a remedy against diseases brought by the Europeans, including smallpox. One such tribe was the Haida of the American Northwest, who even incorporated Agarikon into their spirituality where it was associated with the female creator spirit Raven, and by extension to female sexuality and fertility.
Two of the rare mentions of Fomes officinalis in modern scientific literature have reported that it does produce significant immune enhancement in test subjects. [148, 149]
Finally, a word of caution: Two of the common name synonyms for Agarikon (Fomes officinalis) are “Quinine Conk” and “Quinine Fungus,” due to the quinine-like bitter taste of the mushroom. However, Fomes officinalis does not actually contain the compound quinine and is not known to be effective against malaria.
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.
Credits: Thank you, Paul Stamets, for research references.
Dr. Markho Rafael, an passionate mushroomer since childhood, has spent his entire professional career in the area of natural health. He currently specializes in medicinal fungi, working in particular with the certified organic line of Fungi Perfecti (Paul Stamets). For research references to this article, please visit the Fomes officinalis extract page. Click on the numbers that indicate references.
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