Agarikon (Fomes officinalis) is one of the largest and longest living mushrooms in the world, some individual specimens known to be as old as 50 years. This needs to be seen in perspective of the fact that Agarikon starts out growing on already mature trees. It requires old growth forests to survive.
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.
Unfortunately, Agarikon (Fomes officinalis) is no longer a European folk remedy. It may actually be extinct in Europe today, due to its requirement of old growth forests. In fact, it is mostly extinct in North America as well; except for Washington State’s last remaining old growth rain forests. Hopefully this last refuge will be preserved for future generations. If not, at least the precious genetic material of this potentially powerful medicinal mushroom can be saved through cultivation. Two U.S. companies that currently cultivate and sell Fomes officinalis are Mushroom Harvest out of Ohio and Paul Stamets’ Washington based business Fungi Perfecti.
There is little modern research on the medicinal use of Agarikon extract but traditional use of this medicinal mushroom included tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and pneumonia (Bacillus pneumoniae and others). It’s also been used topically as a poultice to relieve muscle and skeletal pain.
Supporting this information is a Polish article from 2001 by K. Grzywnowics titled Medicinal mushrooms in Polish folk medicine. While it was still common in Poland, Fomes officinalis was used to treat lung conditions like coughing and asthma, and skeletal conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, but also open bleeding and infected wounds. In Polish tradition, Fomes officinalis tea was considered a life prolonging elixir. [147]
In North America, it is believed that Agarikon extract was used by Native Americans as protection from smallpox and other diseases brought over by the Europeans. But there is no definite written record of this information. The Haida Native American mythological tradition also retains a connection between Agarikon and the female creator spirit Raven, and with female sexuality.
Although rarely researched by modern medicine, two studies did report a strong immune boosting effect in subjects who were given Fomes officinalis extract. [148, 149]
Finally, it should be noted that in spite of its common name synonyms “Quinine Fungus” or “Quinine Conk,” Agarikon does not contain the compound quinine and is not effective in the use 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.
Credit: Thank you to Paul Stamets for source material.
Dr. Markho Rafael, an avid mushroomer since childhood, has spent his entire professional career in the area of natural health. He currently specializes in medicinal mushrooms, working in particular with the certified organic line of Fungi Perfecti (Paul Stamets). For scientific references to this article, please visit the Fomes officinalis extract (Stamets) page and click on any number indicating a reference.
categories: xrtbu,herbs,supplements,nutrition,wellness,medicine,biology,asthma,arthritis,women’s,disease,fitness,self help
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