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History
History
Although Agarikon is first described in the written word in ancient Greece, its use likely dates back much further and was not limited to Greece alone.
Although Agarikon is first described in the written word in ancient Greece, its use likely dates back much further and was not limited to Greece alone.
- First described in 65 A.D. as "the elixir of long life" in Materia Medica (Stamets, 2017)
- Has also been referred to as the "quinine conk" due to its bitter taste (it does not contain quinine)
- Used to treat smallpox by some indigenous people (Stamets, 2017)
- Used to treat respiratory illnesses such as tuberculosis by the Greeks (Stamets, 2017)
- Spiritually important to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian who referred to it as "the bread of ghosts" and used it to mark the graves of tribal shamans (Blanchette et al., 1992)
Habitat
Habitat
Agarikon is commonly found in larch trees in old forests. Lab strains tend to lose genetic integrity over time, so there is concern about its conservation in the wild since its native forests have shrunk (Kałucka & Svetasheva, 2019).
Agarikon is commonly found in larch trees in old forests. Lab strains tend to lose genetic integrity over time, so there is concern about its conservation in the wild since its native forests have shrunk (Kałucka & Svetasheva, 2019).
- Native to old growth conifer forests in North America and Europe (Stamets, 2017)
- Temperate forests in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and the Slovenian Alps (Stamets, 2017)
- Fun Fact: Potentially the longest living mushroom in the world with a life span of up to 75 years! (Fungi Friday, 2018)
Medicinal Properties
Medicinal Properties
The ancient idea that Agarikon could treat tuberculosis appears to have some merits. In addition to this it is has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. (Stamets, 2017)
The ancient idea that Agarikon could treat tuberculosis appears to have some merits. In addition to this it is has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. (Stamets, 2017)
- Shown to have an effect against tuberculosis (Hwang et al., 2012)
- Its antiviral and antibacterial abilities have also been demonstrated (Teplyakova et al., 2012) (Stamets, 2005)
- Available as supplements in the form of capsules made of the mycelium (Host Defense Agarikon 60 vcaps, 2020)
- Has no real culinary uses due to its bitter taste
Morphology
Morphology
Agarikon is fairly easy to recognize and can grow quite large since its life span is so long.
Agarikon is fairly easy to recognize and can grow quite large since its life span is so long.
- Up to two feet long (Hagle et al., 2003)
- Often hoof-shaped or columnar (Hagle et al., 2003)
- Soft, yellow-white mushrooms as new growths (Hagle et al., 2003)
- Mature into white, chalky mushrooms (Hagle et al., 2003)
- Decay is brown, cubically cracked, with thick, white mycelium in the large cracks (Hagle et al., 2003)
Resource List
Resource List
- Blanchette, R.A., Compton, B.D., Turner, N.J., & Gilbertson, R.L. (1992). Nineteenth century shaman grave guardians are carved Fomitopsis officinalis sporophores. Mycologia, 84(1), 119-124. https://doi.org/10.2307%2F3760412
- Hagle, S.K., Gibson, K.E., & Tunnock, S. (2003). A Field Guide to Diseases & Insect Pests of Northern & Central Rocky Mountain Conifers. USDA Forest Service. http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/forestry/docs/assistance/pests/fieldguide/complete-field-guide/fg-full-temp.pdf
- Host Defense Agarikon 60 vcaps. (2020). Pharmaca. Retrieved November 14, 2020, from https://www.pharmaca.com/host-defense-agarikon-60-vaps?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnb79BRDgARIsAOVbhRpyLAXdAF5DKSic4oRl1_WYBMIAixja-WNA1R5BcUAAsvHgwTkih00aApO_EALw_wcB
- Hwang, C.H., Jaki, B.U., Klein, L.L., Lankin, D.C., McAlpine, J., Napolitano, J.G., Franzblau, S.G., Cho, S.H., Stamets, P.E., & Pauli, G.F. (2012). Biological and chemical evaluation of anti-TB coumarins from the polypore mushroom, Fomitopsis officinalis. Planta Medica, 78(5), 470. http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1321157
- Kałucka, I.L. & Svetasheva, T. (2019, March 28). Fomitopsis officinalis. The IUCN red list of threatened species. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T75104087A75104095.en
- Stamets, P. (2005). Antipox properties of Fomitopsis officinalis (Vill.:Fr.) Bondartsev et Singer (Agarikon) from the Pacific Northwest of North America. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 7(3), 495-506. http://dx.doi.org/10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v7.i3.60
- Stamets, P. (2017, December 6). Agarikon: Ancient mushroom for modern medicine. HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/agarikon-mushroom_b_1861947
- Teplyakova, T.V.,Purtseva, N.V., Kosogova, T.A., Khanin, V.A., & Vlassenko, V.A. (2012). Antiviral activity of polyporoid mushrooms (higher Basidiomycetes) from Altal mountains from Russia. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 14(1), 37-45. https://doi.org/10.1615/intjmedmushr.v14.i1.40
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