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One of the longest living perennial mushrooms in the world, Agarikon (Fomes officinalis) can live for an astounding 50 years or more, a fact that’s all the more impressive because it only grows on trees that are already old to begin with. Agarikon’s survival is therefore dependent on our rapidly vanishing old growth forests.

Fomes officinalis is first mentioned as a medicinal mushroom by Greek physician Dioscorides in the Materia Medica of 65 B.C. where it was listed as a remedy for tuberculosis. This makes it the oldest medicinal mushroom in Western literature. [25] Written records and oral traditions from Poland and other areas of Europe suggest that Fomes officinalis was in fact the principal medicinal mushroom of ancient Europe as a whole, not only Greece.

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.

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).

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]

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 herb (or mushroom) except as advised by a licensed medical practitioner.

Credit: Thank you to Paul Stamets for source material.

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