Agarikon (Fomitopsis Officinalis): Benefits Of The Ancient "Elixir of Life"

What is Agarikon Mushroom ("Elixir of Life")?

Agarikon is categorized as a medicinal fungus, which implies it is one of a select group of fungi with healing properties. The Agarikon mushroom is also known as Quinine Conk, The Bread of Ghosts, and Tree Biscuit, as well as by its scientific names, Laricifomes officinalis and Fomitopsis. Despite being genetically separate from the genus Fomitopsis, Laricifomes officinalis and Agarikon mushrooms are treated as one (at least for medical purposes). In fact, approximately 40 kinds of mushrooms can be classified as "Agarikon" mushrooms. Although this group includes a wide variety of mushrooms, they all have comparable therapeutic characteristics and benefits.

It is primarily found and consumed in countries north of the equator, and as a result, it plays an important role in holistic and traditional medicinal treatments there. Its use can be traced back to the Ancient Greeks, who used it to treat serious illnesses such as smallpox and respiratory problems, and it is frequently discovered in ancient burial sites. Shamans occasionally carved their image into gravestones. Many people believed that the mushrooms contained the medicinal component quinine, which was used to treat malaria and tuberculosis. While this has been proven to be false, as the mushrooms contain no genuine quinine, Agarikon does contain various therapeutic chemicals and characteristics. Furthermore, some scientists believe that the discoveries about the medicinal benefits of Agarikon mushrooms will soon become extremely essential to the medical world.

Agarikon mushrooms have a peculiar appearance; they are often enormous and columnar, and they can easily be mistaken for a bee's nest suspended from a tree. As the mushroom ages and decays, its color might change from white to gray to brown, and the fungus may appear broken. It is supposed to have a particularly bitter taste, which led some to believe it contained the bitter chemical quinine. Some believe the flavor is similar to American ginseng. Agarikon mushrooms are also among the most long-lived, with some examples lasting for 70 to 100 years. They are slow-growing, and deforestation frequently threatens their habitat; thus, many people are working to protect wild Agarikon populations. However, many farmers produce mushrooms in controlled circumstances as well.

Characteristics of Agarikon

Laricifomes officinalis, also known as agarikon, eburiko, or the quinine conk, is a wood-decay fungus that causes brown heart rot on conifers native to Europe, Asia, and North America, as well as Morocco.[2] This fungus is the only member of the genus Laricifomes, in the order Polyporales. The fruiting bodies grow in large conks on the trunks of trees. Reference; (Wiki)

There has been a history of human use of the fungus, from textiles,[3] to ritualistic masks,[4] and medicinal use; the name "quinine conk" is given due to its bitter taste. There is recent scientific evidence that it has potency against several viruses.[5][6]

These distinctive conks can be found growing out the side of or hanging off the branches of the host tree as high as 20 metres (65 feet) off the ground. These conks grow in a columnar or hoof-like shape, sometimes exceeding 65 centimetres (2 ft) in length and nearly 40 cm (1+1⁄2 ft) in girth, and can weigh up to 9 kilograms (20 pounds).[7] The young fruiting bodies are soft and yellow-white, soon hardening and becoming chalky throughout. As they age, they begin to exhibit red, brown, or gray developments in coloration, cracking cubically with thick white felts visible in larger cracks.[7] The spores are white and ellipsoidal, being released through the bottom of the fruit during warmer months. The taste of both conks and felts is bitter and distinct.[7] Reference; (Wiki)

Agarikon: Benefits & Uses

Anti-viral

In the early 2000s, a group of scientists tested 11 kinds of North American Agarikon mushrooms. These 11 species included chemicals that were shown to have strong antiviral activities, and these compounds are the topic of numerous scientific studies. Some of these substances have been shown to be effective in treating viruses such as cowpox, swine flu, bird flu, oral and genital herpes (as discussed below), and several others. While animal studies and human clinical trials are still needed, experts believe that swallowing Agarikon may aid in the development of a bio-shield against undesirable viruses and bacteria.

Cancer

In 2013, a study was conducted in Croatia to investigate the effects of several supplements (many containing Agarikon mushrooms) on isolated tumor cells associated with lung cancer, colon cancer, and brain cancer. Their findings revealed that all of the supplements containing Agarikon mushrooms had a cytotoxic effect on tumor cells, implying that they assisted the body in producing an unfavorable environment for the tumor cells. This is possible because mushrooms contain helpful substances such as antioxidants and polysaccharides. There is still a long way to go in this field of research, and no animal studies or clinical trials have been conducted yet, but many researchers are beginning to investigate the positive effects of Agarikon mushrooms on cancer.

Flu

An American team of scientists discovered that extracts from Agarikon mushrooms were more than ten times more effective than another antiviral therapy, ribavirin, which is used to treat influenza viruses. Another team of Russian scientists obtained identical results in 2012 when evaluating the effects of Agarikon on a specific flu virus, as well as the fact that Agarikon was not hazardous to human cells. These findings are not surprising given that, as previously stated, Agarikon contains potent antiviral chemicals that can protect the body from the flu and a variety of other viruses. Although those studies are test tube trials, many scientists are urging the scientific community to continue investigating Agarikon's effects on flu viruses because it has the potential to significantly improve current flu therapies.

Tuberculosis

In 2012, scientists in Chicago discovered that Agarikon mushrooms contain chemicals known as coumarins, two of which had never been discovered before. Those novel coumarins were shown to exhibit anti-tubercular activity, which is not surprising given that many ancient societies utilized Agarikon to treat tuberculosis and other respiratory ailments. Scientists are actively developing new tuberculosis medicines based on Agarikon mushrooms that can target drug-resistant disease stains.

Herpes

Among the many maladies that Agarikon can heal, the fungus has been discovered to contain chemicals that can treat oral and vaginal ulcers caused by herpes types 1 and 2. While a targeted treatment based on Agarikon mushrooms has yet to be discovered, incorporating a spoonful of dried Agarikon mushroom into a daily smoothie or meal is supposed to keep the body healthy and herpes flare-ups at bay. Much of the studies supporting the use of Agarikon for herpes treatment stems from the discovery that the mushroom is an effective antiviral, as mentioned below.

Respiratory Problems

Because of Agarikon's effectiveness in treating tuberculosis, many people have used it to cure various respiratory problems such as bronchitis, asthma, coughs, and pneumonia. So far, no scientific research has been conducted in this area, although those who visit holistic blogs and forums recommend a few teaspoons daily to maintain healthy lungs. This could be related to Agarikon's antiviral and antibacterial characteristics, which may protect the lungs from disease.

Stomach upset

Previous study on Agarikon have focused mostly on its antiviral qualities, but many people claim that incorporating a few teaspoons of dry or powdered mushroom into their regular diets soothes the gastrointestinal tract and calms unsettled stomachs. Researchers believe that Agarikon may contain anti-inflammatory effects that help to settle the stomach.

Anti-Inflammatory

Although there is little evidence on its use in pain management, many ancient societies used Agarikon mushroom extract topically to alleviate painful muscles and joints. These historical uses include the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, infected wounds, and bleeding. Although its use as a topical treatment has declined, its possible anti-inflammatory characteristics may have contributed to its pain-relieving effects.
Agarikon Mushroom Dosage:
Agarikon mushrooms are available in powders, extracts, teas, and capsules, all of which should be used orally to treat a variety of disorders. Dosages can range from 500 mg to 3000 mg daily, depending on factors such as height, weight, gender, and condition; thus, it is critical to follow all label directions.

It is recommended that Agarikon be used for no more than 7 to 10 days at once.

Agarikon Mushroom Side Effects, Safety, Risks, and Warnings
Large doses of Agarikon mushrooms may induce itching, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Agarikon mushrooms may cause liver damage in people undergoing cancer therapy or who have liver problems.

Since agarikon mushrooms have been associated with hypoglycemia, diabetics shouldn't eat them without first consulting a doctor.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should avoid eating Agarikon mushrooms. If you have a mushroom allergy, avoid consuming Agarikon mushrooms.

There have been no reported medication interactions with Agarikon, but this does not rule them out. If you are on any other medications, you should check your doctor before using Agarikon on a regular basis.

Choosing the Best Agarikon Mushroom Supplement: Why Use a Dual Extract?
Dual extracts are the best mushroom supplements, but you might be wondering why they are so effective. The dual extraction procedure makes all of the mushroom's nutritious contents bioavailable by releasing fat-soluble and water-soluble substances. When you eat mushrooms or drink mushroom tea, you may not be consuming all of the water-soluble chemicals. This procedure has two parts (thus the name "dual extract"): boiling the mushrooms for an extended period of time and then extracting them in alcohol. This rather easy procedure guarantees that you receive all of the nutritional and therapeutic benefits available. If you're not using a dual extract, you're not getting the most out of your mushrooms.

Beta-D Glucans vs Polysaccharides
Supplement firms frequently tout about their supplements' high polysaccharide content, as if this is a strong predictor of supplement quality. However, polysaccharides are merely carbs, and not all carbohydrates are reliable indicators of quality. To identify high-quality mushroom supplements, search for β-glucans on the label.

β-glucans, or beta-d-glucans, are a kind of polysaccharide. These polysaccharides, on the other hand, are frequently investigated in scientific investigations because they have therapeutic qualities. Other polysaccharides may have no therapeutic qualities at all, and some may just be sugars or starches.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22135883
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24266369
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3851412/
4. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11418-018-1182-1