Once in a while a medicinal ally comes along that completely captivates my heart and mind. Over the last year or so the birch polypore fungus has been the ally in question and it is everything that ‘the people’s medicine’ should be – local, abundant, safe and powerfully healing.
Latin – Pitptoporus betulinus – Piptoporus comes from the latin meaning ‘pores cast down’ and betulinus from its host tree, the birch.
Common name – Birch Polypore, also razor strop fungus, birch conk, birch bracket. The name polypore refers to its many pores, situated on the underside of the fruiting body from which the spores are released.
Taste – bitter, slightly sweet and earthy.
Smell – I would consider the smell to be rich and mushroomy though the legendary Roger’s mushroom guide describes its as having a ‘distinct or odd smell (not mushroomy).’ So you will have to make up your own mind on that!
Actions – Immune tonic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, anti-parasitic, anti-septic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, styptic.
For further information on taxonomy and identifying this mushroom please see here and here.
The birch polypore grows from a single lateral attachment point on birch trees, being subglobose at first, then expanding to a bracket measuring approximately 10-20 cm across. It is white to begin with, the cap changing to a beige/tan colour and then darkening or greying with age. The underside is white and contains many pores which release their spores into the air. Spores land on exposed areas of birch trees, where branches have broken for example, and begin to grow hyphae which spread to form a mycelial network through the tree. It is considered weakly parasitic on birch trees, a healthy tree will be able to contain the spreading hyphae but in one that is aged or diseased the fungus will begin the gradual process of breaking it down. The fruiting bodies are annual, unlike some of our other common bracket fungi which may live for years, but they are often gnawed by insects before the end of this period so they are better picked young.
Birch polypore grows freely in the temperate forests of Europe and North America and its ethnobotanic uses have been wide and varied. From medicine to tinder, knife sharpener and sweat band, this fungi has been employed in many more ways than your average mushroom. Like the more famous tinder fungus, Fomes fomentarius, it is able to carry a spark from one campsite another, easing the task of firelighting, and in more recent times it was cut into strips and used to sharpen knives, especially by those who could not afford leather, giving it its common name, the razor strop fungus.
It shot to fame after it was found on the body of Ötzi’, a 5300 year old mummy found preserved in the ice in the Italian Alps. Amongst his kit Ötzi’ carried two strips of hide onto which had been threaded pieces of birch polypore. As he was later found at autopsy to be infected with intestinal parasites against which the birch polypore is active, it has been theorised that he was carrying them as treatment and also as a possible anti-septic incase of minor injuries.
Of course to me it is the medicinal properties of this wonderful fungus that are most fascinating and it has a variety of applications which make it a very useful addition to the herbalist’s cabinet. Like our more famous medicinal mushrooms birch polypore contains primary metabolites (polysaccharides) and secondary metabolites (such as triterpenes) that are beneficial for health. Its traditional uses are backed up by research yet it is still not common in the dispensaries of most modern herbalists who tend to rely on the more famous imported medicinal mushrooms.
Like those more famous medicinal mushrooms birch polypore makes a wonderful immune tonic as it contains polysaccharides which are mostly glucans, known to be some of the most effective immune enhancing compounds available.
It has been shown to be a useful support in the treatment of cancer in a number of ways. Alongside providing general support to the immune system, it also inhibits angiogenesis, the formation of new blood cells which occurs in tumour growth. In one study anti-cancer effects were “attributed to decreased tumor cell proliferation, motility and the induction of morphological changes. Of note is the fact that it produced no or low toxicity in tested normal cells.” (1) Another in vitro study on colorectal cancer showed that “Studied extracts highly decreased the viability of cancer cells, slightly inhibiting proliferation and tumor cell adhesion in a time- and dose-dependent manner.” (2) It also found that the extracts studied had very low toxicity to normal cells making it a safe and effective treatment.
The relationship of birch polypore to its host tree is key to its healing actions. It will grow on other trees only if they are artificially inoculated, in nature it is found exclusively on birch trees. One facet of the birch polypore’s healing actions is the concentration of betulinic acid which it potentiates from it’s host tree. Betulinic acid has been shown in various studies to initiate apoptosis, or death of cancer cells. (3) In 2001, an extract of birch polypore containing betulinic acid showed useful antiviral action against HIV by blocking its reproduction. (4)
Birch polypore has also been shown to contain compounds that are matrix metallo-proteinase inhibitors, which can also slow cancer cell proliferation. (5)
It has been shown in various studies to be anti-inflammatory, mainly due to triterpene acids. (6,7)
It is considered a great wound herb, not just for its anti-inflammatory properties but because it is anti-septic, anti-bacterial and helps to stop bleeding. An anti-biotic called Piptamine has been isolated from it and the whole mushroom is said to be effective against various strains of bacteria including E. coli. It can be used to make a perfect plaster when in the field by scoring a rectangle into the underside, then peeling it back slowly and carefully. It is absorbent and holds in place well. Apparently here in Sussex it used to be burnt into a charcoal and used as an anti-septic. I haven’t tried this method yet but it is on my to do list, especially because of the local ethnobotanic connection!
It also has a lot of potential as an anti-viral. Renowned mycologist and author of Mycelium Running, Paul Stamets has reported that it is active against flu, cowpox, yellow fever and other potentially deadly viruses.
Birch polypore has also been reported to be an aromatase inhibitor, meaning it helps to prevent the conversion of androgen hormones into oestrogen. This is important in both men and women as high oestrogen levels are linked to many hormonal imbalances and cancers.
How to Prepare:
I have mostly been using my birch polypores as either a tea or a tincture. I have been drinking a cup of the tea a few times a week as a general immune tonic over the winter months and I made a delicious birch polypore and elderberry syrup last autumn.
The tea should be decocted, or gently simmered in water, rather than just left to infuse as tougher parts of plants or fungi need a bit more energy to give up their constituents. A rough recommended dosage would be 1 cup of decoction made with 5-8g dried mushroom per day. The dried (or fresh) mushroom should be added to a pan with the water and allowed to simmer gently for about an hour. If there is a specific health concern then this dose could well be higher but it is best to see a practitioner in that case. If you find the taste of the tea too bitter you can freeze it in ice cube trays to make a medicinal stock which can be added to soups or stews where the flavour will be disguised.
Medicinal mushrooms have traditionally been extracted in water, via decoction, to maximise the polysaccharides. The triterpenes and other secondary metabolites tend to extract well in alcohol however so a decocted tincture is ideal to capture a wide range of the mushroom’s constituents. I plan to follow up this post with another describing how to make a decocted tincture in detail and will update the link here when I do.
For storage purpose you can slice the mushrooms and allow to dry, usually a pretty quick process, then store in a jar or brown paper bag out of direct light until ready to use.
Birch polypore dries to a lovely light, velvety material which is a pleasure to touch and stroke. Inspired by a friend of a friend, a German herbalist who had carved a ball from it, I decided to experiment with some polypore craft of my own. Firstly I made a ring, though the flaw in this plan soon became obvious as it rehydrated every time I washed my hands and I ended up with a soggy band of mushroom around my finger! Next were some slightly rustic Christmas decorations which ended up being recycled into tea. Finally I decided to follow in the footsteps of the iceman himself and settle on threading my birch polypore onto a cord to make a necklace. It makes a lovely tactile bead to wear and I enjoy the feeling of connection to a medicine I am using so frequently at the moment… that is, as long as I remember to remove it before the shower!
I hope you get chance to get to know this wonderful ally and work with it yourself. Please remember that even though it is abundant, it is performing a vital task in its environment and it is wise to harvest responsibly, taking a few mushrooms from here and there rather than all from one or two trees.
Happy belated Imbolc to you all!
References:
1. Lemieszek et al – Anticancer Effect of Fraction Isolated from Medicinal Birch Polypore Mushroom, Piptoporus betulinus – Int. Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2009; 11(4): pages 351-364.
2. Cyranka M et al – Investigation of antiproliferative effect of ether and ethanol extracts of birch polypore medicinal mushroom, Piptoporus betulinus Int. Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 2011;13(6): pages 525-33.
3.Fulda S – Modulation of Apoptosis by Natural Products for Cancer Therapy -Planta Med 2010; 76(11): 1075-1079
4. Kanamoto T. et al – Anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity of YI-FH 312 (a betulinic acid derivative), a novel compound blocking viral maturation – Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 2001; 45(4): pages 1225-1230
5. Kawagishi H. – Novel hydroquinone as a matrix metallo-proteinase inhibitor from the mushroom, Piptoporus betulinus – Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2002; 66(12): pages -2748-2750.
6. Kemani Wangun et al. – Anti-inflammatory and Anti-hyaluronate Lyase Activities of Lanostanoids from Piptoporus betulinus – The Journal of Antibiotics. 2004; 57 (11): pages 755-758
7.Kamo T. et al – Anti-inflammatory lanostane-type triterpene acids from Piptoporus betulinus – Journal Nat Prod 2003 66 (8): pages 1104-1106.
Great article! Thank you!
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Thank you. 🙂
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A most interesting read. As someone recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer, I’m interested in the preparation of tincture. What would you suggest as dosage, and would tincture be prepared in the traditional method of tincturing?
Thanks so much for this timely information!
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I would definitely be using the decocted tincture as that maximises the efficacy of the mushroom by combining both water soluble and alcohol soluble constituents. I plan to do a post on how to make this soon, this post was just getting a bit long!
You might also want to look into the local ganoderma mushroom as well as other medicinal mushrooms. They can be very useful in treatment of cancer and can for the most part be taken even if people are having chemotherapy without fear of interactions.
With very best healing wishes. x
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I have been collecting medicinal mushrooms for a couple of years now. I make a very potent broth/stock with a number of mushrooms, some root herbs and some good organic beef bones. These mushrooms include Chaga, Maitake, Red-belted polypores, Turkey Tails, then I buy Shitakes from an Asian market. Reishe would be great to add. I can highly recommend Greg Marley’s book, Medicinal Mushrooms, for specific information. Taken daily, this is a very potent support for Cancer patients. My step-father has been taking it for his lymphoma and has had success in raising his blood levels.
I use it to keep me well during winter.
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Sounds wonderful Susan.
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Thank you a very interesting article. I am new to foraging and natural remedies, my next foray will be to collect some birch polypore . Today I found found some turkey tails and alfred cakes in my garden. Any tips about the best way to use turkey tails would be greatly appreciated
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Hi Kay,
That’s great! Turkey tails are wonderful medicine. I hope to do a blog post about them sometime soon but in the meantime you will find a lot of information about them online as they are the most well studied of all the medicinal mushrooms. You can do decoctions and decocted tinctures or medicinal stocks just like with the birch polypore.
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Thank you for the wonderful and informative post. The birch has long been a favorite of mine, so it’ll be lovely to look for both birth and the polypore on my next walkabout!
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Thank you. I hope you find some and enjoy experimenting with them 🙂
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Is there a better time of the year to be gathering the polypore? I live in New Hampshire & it is quite abundant here. Wonderful article!
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Here in the UK I have found them at all stages throughout the year however they do seem to be most abundant in late spring and autumn. Just harvest the younger, fresher ones and leave any that are darkly coloured on the underside or have started to decompose or dry out.
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You’ve inspired me to see if there’s a similar species here in the U.S. We don’t have many birch trees where I live, but the reishi is rumored to be here… I just haven’t found it yet. Lots of other kinds of trees around to look through, to see which mushroom might compare.
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Oh how wonderful. You might find turkey tail or other ganoderma species. Reishi does grow here but it is very rare, I haven’t ever found it either. I hope you find some soon!
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Decocted tincture? Would you mind explaining this? I understand decorations, and tinctures, but have never heard of decocted tincture.
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Hi Debra,
This post was getting a bit long which is why I said in the article I would cover it in a separate post very soon. Keep a eye on the blog and I will get the instructions up as soon as time allows.
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Lovely interesting post! Thank you.
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I love this post, Lucinda. I can’t wait to get out and look for these polypores as soon as we are released from the freeze.
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Thanks April. Apparently people in Siberia would knock the mushrooms off the tree and slice them up to eat whilst still frozen so that could be one to try before you thaw out!
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I finally harvested the birch polypore! How exciting to be working with this beautiful little thing. Lucinda, do you know if there is any contraindication for pregnancy with this one? (not asking for me) Thanks so much!
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Hi April, So glad you are working with it! It is considered very safe and non toxic but it is very bitter, especially when prepared as a decoction so I would stick to low doses in pregnancy personally.
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Reblogged this on Sweet Gum Springs Apothecary and commented:
A wonderful post by an English herbalist on the Birch polypore ~ enjoy! Much of what she writes (in terms of preparation) is similar for all medicinal polypores.
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I am interested in discovering potential medicinal uses for a local polypore, Fomes fomentarious. Would you know where I could access such information? The only usage I’ve been finding is for tinder.
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Hi Flora, I haven’t used fomes medicinally so can’t be of much use but I have heard that it was used for wounds in the past. Also there is research suggesting that an extract obtained from it was highly anti-infective.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22135899
I’m not sure how an extract of the whole mushroom compares to this but I will look into it further when I have the time.
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Thanks for this post. It prompted me to go ahead and buy a half pound of the dried mushrooms on eBay. I’m trying to decide if my first use will be a decocted tincture or just a decoction. I found instructions on a website from Britain which explained all of the different methods of making tinctures, decoctions and decocted tinctures.
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Great. I hope you enjoy working with it!
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We are in good birch wood country here and I often see these fungi growing on the decaying trees. I am living with M.E. at the moment and am keen to try some of your ideas! Just for reassurance before I try harvesting any, could you tell me if there are any other species of bracket fungi which grow on birch, which might cause confusion? Thank you.
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There are other brackets which grow on birch but nothing that looks very similar to birch polypore. Here is a good id website to help you to be sure:
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/piptoporus_betulinus.html
I hope you enjoy your harvest and that it is helpful for you. x
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Brilliant Info – many thanks! 🙂
I was looking for medicinal info on this polypore in 2012 and there was hardly anything about it – now 2015 i find lots more info and can use this mushroom confidently as i have quite a stash of dried samples – all i have growing around me are loads of birch, these polypores are everywhere!
Looking forward to making tea and tincture with it now, thanks from Ireland! 🙂
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Hello Lucinda, wondering if I can ask your opinion on the method I have been using to treat my Anklosing Spondilitus/ and overall health and most recently menapause which is one tsp. of finely ground powder in my yogurt with granola, my recent 6 month tests show that my levels went down significantly. Just want to know how safe you think it is taking it this way? I live in the woods in Northeast Wisconsin and plan to sell my chunk dehydrated polypore on ebay to share something that alot of people dont have access to. I thank you for your time and hope to hear back in any way.
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Hi Cindy,
Sorry for the delayed reply, I haven’t been online much the last month. Birch polypore is very safe so the dose you are taking sounds absolutely fine. Do you grind it yourself from the dried mushroom? So glad to hear it has been helpful for you!
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Great article! Are there any look alikes to beware of?
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There are various polypores that grow on trees but nothing that looks that similar to my mind. Have a look in a good mushroom id book to be sure but there isn’t anything poisonous that could easily be mistaken for it.
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Hi Lucinda. What strength alcohol is best for the tincture?
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I use 25% and I haven’t had any issues with preservation.
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I just found some yesterday!! How would I go about drying it? As well as making a tincture!!?
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Hi Darien,
Sorry my reply is a bit late. Hopefully you managed to dry the birch polypore you found. Basically you would just slice it finely and lay it out on paper or a drying rack to air dry. If your house is damp you might need a dehydrator, otherwise it should work fine.
The tincture is more complicated, it involves mixing a strong decoction with an alcohol extract but making sure the final percentage of alcohol is not less than 25. It is a bit lengthy to describe here but I do plan to write a detailed post in future.
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Thank you…as ever so informative and inspires me to learn more.
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Thanks Susana!
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Great post Lucinda, thanks.
Besides being a fantastic medicine it is also very fun to look for them. It makes a walk in the forrest much more interesting and rewarding to know things like this.
Someone told me the more rare Chaga mushroom (that grows exclusively on birch birch trees) is the more potent version of the polypore. Are you familiar with this?
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Yes Chaga is wonderful medicine. I don’t think of it so much as a more potent version but as a different medicine, though it has many of the same uses. It doesn’t grow much here in the South of the UK so i haven’t harvested it myself. It grows well in Scotland though so hopefully one day I will be able to visit and pick my own. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Fireside Witch and commented:
This energy calls to me, and the knowledge had to be shared. Thank you to Whispering Earth! Blessed be ❤
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wonderful …thank you …will search and use . am in Canada.
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Could we please stop using the term tea for drinks that don’t contain Camellia sinensis. Mixing terms in the world of potions is not very wise. The correct term is a brew or in science world its an infusion.
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Fascinating piece, thanks. One thing, though: Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels, not new blood cells.
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Yes you are absolutely right, I will amend.
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Hi there, great article! I just found some Birch Polypores today and took one home. It´s now drying slowly in the oven. Did you do the post on decoted tinctures yet. I am dying to know how to do it.. 🙂
BB, Sam
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I’m ashamed to say I haven’t but you have motivated me to get on the case!
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Thanks so much for sharing!!! Always fascinated to learn more about the incredible medicines we have growing all around us!!
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what a silly comment, we are not scientists but people who enjoy different teas!
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Thank you for this heartfelt information on my new friend 🙂
As a medicine woman I would like to add that to ask for the spirit to make your medicine whole..holy.
With your intention, ask in a good way for the spirit to be used for the highest good of all in your medicine.
You will ‘feel’ the gentle yes or no, give thanks and leave a offering, prayer or kinickkinick (sacred mix of tobacco )
Love this site! Migwetch!
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Thank you for your wise words and kind comment. 🙂
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Thank you! Great information and perfect tea! I’ve been looking to add this mushroom to my world! Your article is well written and informative. Maine is abundant with these beauties. Do you think hot water will extract out the antioxidant properties of this mushroom without having to simmer it? I understand that in order to draw out the other properties, I need to simmer it first.
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The traditional method of extraction for most medicinal mushrooms involves simmering. I think there are other fruits and veg with higher antioxidant contents so I personally would use other things if I was just interested in the antioxidants and keep the mushrooms for their full value. When I have made a hot tea of birch polypore I haven’t felt that there was much in it but it’s always worth trying and seeing what you feel.
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Fantastic article, I’m going to have a go at drying some Birch Polypore, please can I ask, should I discard of the underneath layer as I cannot see it on your photo, not sure if it has useful properties or not. Thanks.
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Hi Trudy, Sorry for the delayed reply. I actually dry the whole mushroom as long as the underside is pristine and not nibbled by insects.
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Like herbs, fresh is always best!
I use the whole fungi that cuts more easily.
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[…] polypore, a fungus that grows on birch trees, was found within the remains of a mummified man. (6) It can cause diarrhea when eaten, which may indicate that it was consumed as a laxative. Clearly, […]
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Hey! Just wondering about that decocted tincture detail you said you’d be updating with 🙂
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I’ve been taking this tea for about 10 months. Initially for sever shoulder pain from inflammation. Since then I have not taken any OTC pain meds. It has helped people I know to kick the flu in 2 days where others foought it off for 2 weeks and reduce the number and intensity of a asthma attacks. My eldest sister is completely off her anti inflammation meds. My youngest sister has bad bronchitis attacks in which she would be bed ridden 2 weeks at a time while on steroids and other meds. This tea prevented her from getting laid up, did not need meds and 2 days later she only had a scratchy throat. This information is now spreading throughout my family who are eagerly trying it for old age aches and pains. This mushroom is a true natural gift.
Have you made a tincture yet?
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[…] be white on the inside and not gray. I love their taste personally. The one on the right is a birch polypore (Pitptoporus betulinus). This is a good one used as a Immune tonic, anti-inflammatory, […]
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Lucinda thank you for this beautiful blog! I came soon a giant mushroom on a path in Wimbledon Commin and being from South Africa I am very cautious about poisonous berries and fungi. A friend of mine identified it and your blog (I hope) has confirmed this. I am currently doing Shamanic practices and feel this is a gift. I would like to make the necklace but scared of ruining my mushroom – would you mind sending some details to my email. Also want to send you a picture in case I have something else…
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Very interesting and enjoyable to read. Thanks! How long can you use polypore for decoctions once dried and stored? Do I need to clean it before use?
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Hi all, I just want to ask if someone ever tried using shrooms or truffles for medical purposes? I was reading some articles about this magic truffles and shrooms before engaging my self for the first time. Like this one from:https://www.trufflemagic.com/blog/what-are-shrooms/ .They say that it has a very potent effect on the brain and hallucination. Unlike marijuana does it have any medical use? In one article that I’ve read magic truffles or shrooms compaired to synthetic drugs are very alarming. Also magic mushroom are use on reducing the symptoms of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. It can also help people to quit smoking and alcohol addiction. Some studies also suggest the property of magic shrooms/truffles can be useful for cancer patients. I would really want to hear other insights regarding this new possible alternative meds. Thanks
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Great article… I’ve collected some Birch Polypore this fall. They are older specimens which are very dark with some spore damaged by insects . If I removed the spore and cut up the rest of the mushroom to dry, would I be loosing some of the benefits ?
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Mid January in PA, came across some frozen birch polypores… can i harvest them and use them? Didnt know if i can thaw them. The undersides are a little tan looking. Too late to use?
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How did it go with the tincture?
I’m planning a double extract 🙂
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Great for pets fighting cancer
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Wonderful information, my favorite webpage to date on the birch conk. Have you been able to explore the alcohol extraction yet?
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Thank you for a very informative article. We have a couple these beauties in our forest in the mountains. I’ve being using mushroom for art purposes recently such as Anthotype process for photographic contact print.
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That sounds wonderful, I’d love to see your artwork!
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Sure no problem, my work with fungus and Anthotype can be seen here – http://gavinlyons.photography/tag/fungus/
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[…] Birch Polypore – Medicine Ancient and Modern – Lucinda Warner […]
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Hi, I have recently been given a large Birch polypore, is there a water to weight/size calculation to get the mix/strength right please?
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Thank you so much for all the detailed and wonderful information on the birch polypore.
I live near a very large forest and discovered these growing on dead/dying birch. I am absolutely fascinated by the multitude of uses one single fungi can have.. just growing quietly in the woods, holding all that magic! I harvested a couple of beauties today ( left some in the tree) much better quality than some others Id found a couple of weeks back. Is there any merit in grinding to a powder form if one can, to extract more of the ‘good stuff’?
This is good to know especially at this time when it is essential for us to give our immune systems a boost!
Wishing you well.
Best wishes
Catherine Norwood Hill
Biddenden Kent
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Hi Catherine,
It’s a great question and yes there is definitely merit in grinding to a powder. For me it depends on what I am making and with what mushroom. For example when I’m making stocks I generally use the whole dried slices and don’t bother grinding but when making a decocted tincture, which I want to be the more potent medicinally, then I would do so. Some mushrooms like artist’s bracket and chaga are super tough and really need to be ground down to very small chunks at leat, if not powdered. Others like birch polypore are lighter and I have found it not so necessary to grind to a powder. One thing worth bearing in mind though is that once powdered the mushroom will oxidise much more quickly so I would advise only powdering in the amount you are planning to use in a short space of time. I hope that helps and wasn’t just more confusing! Let me know if you want any clarification.
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Thank you for the information. I have a dog that has had a growth removed. The second in as many years. I am hoping this will help. He has more that seem to be forming. As a beloved family member I am anxious to restore him to health. My last dog lived to be 18 with no growths on her and the same diet. This one is only 11 and I would like to believe he has many more years with us.
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Wishing you all the best for your dog. I don’t have experience treating dogs so can’t recommend anything but know someone who was using Turkey Tail mushroom for something similar. It might be worth looking into. Also have you heard of zoopharmacognasy? There may be someone in your local area who could work with you in this way as it allows the dog to select their own remedies from a range as they would in the wild.
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[…] reclaiming the earth for woodland, creating habitat for moths and mushrooms – fly agaric and medicinal birch polypore can both be found growing locally, in the root systems and on the trunks of birch […]
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[…] Birch Polypore – Medicine Ancient and Modern […]
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I have been scouring the internet trying to find information on this mushroom. I need to know if it is safe to drink birch polypore tea during pregnancy. I cannot find anything saying not to consume it, but if I could verify if it is safe for sure that would be greatly appreciated. If anyone has any information on this please let me know!
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Thank you so much for such a beautiful and informative article.
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[…] common where I live in the South of the UK. I have written about the benefits of the birch polypore here and have long been intending to cover the others too. At some point I […]
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