Now that mushroom season is here ( YAY!) it is the perfect time to find birch polypores! Anyone that has been on a wander with me throughout fungi season or those who have attended Medicinal Mushrooms workshops, will know that I absolutely love birch polypore, ( Fomitopsis betulina, previously known as Piptoporus betulinus ), and with good reason!
How to identify
As seen below, birch polypore generally appear in round shaped brackets bursting out of birch trees. They can be parasitic to trees, infecting healthy trees and utilising them as food until they die. At this point, they will continue feeding off of the decaying matter until it is spent.
When fresh, the caps will have a light tan brown appearance and the underside will be bright white and porous. The flesh is bright white when in optimum condition with a strong aroma of mushroom that sometimes accompanies a slightly medicinal smell.
As they age, the undersides will darken with weather and bug exposure and the caps will darken, often growing wavy and weird in shape. As older specimens mature, they often become heavy and fall from the tree as shown below.
Only gather birch polypore that is fresh for edible or medicinal purposes.
There are no lookalikes that grow on birch trees.
History and Medicinal Uses
Birch polypore has been used historically for thousands of years and has a long standing place in herbalism and folk remedies. In 1991, a 5300 year old frozen being dubbed Otzi the Iceman was discovered in the Otztal Alps by a couple hiking. Otzi was found to be carrying pieces of dried birch polypore and upon investigation, it was thought that he was using the mushroom to treat a parasitic infection that he had as they have such skills (1).
In 2000, research around birch polypore identified a compound called Piptamine which was found effective in treating various strains of gram positive bacteria such as staph infections which led to it being deemed as an anti-biotic against types of fungal and yeast infections (1). Further research has reaffirmed what herbalists have long known, that birch polypore possesses the ability to fight infection, boost our immune system and activate the bodies natural killer cells to eradicate harmful toxins and disease. Triteripines and betulinic acids help fight and prevent grave conditions such as cancer and tumours. The properties don't stop there however! It is also anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and has astringent, meaning that it can staunch bleeding when applied to wounds. (1, 2, 3, 4).
People generally make use of birch polypore for medicine by extracting the goodness it contains in hot water or alcohol. This usually translates to tea or tinctures. Various countries around the world drink birch polypore tea before and throughout winter months to prevent cold and flu viruses however it is also used all year round as a way to obtain its immune boosting and preventative properites.
Natures Plaster
Now this is my favourite quality of birch polypore and no matter how many times I demonstrate or use this plaster, I remain in awe of how tremendous and clever this fascinating fungi is! As seen below, by cutting into the underside of the mushroom, you can produce a self-sticking, anti-septic, stypic, anti-bacterial plaster!! How AMAZING is that?! I will never tire of speaking about this and I personally feel it is one of nature's best wonders!
How to Use
Edible Uses ( Fresh )
Birch polypore is edible however many find it too bitter to enjoy and depending on the stage harvested at, it may be tough and inedible due to maturity. Personally, I prefer and enjoy small size specimens when using for food dishes. It is bitter but it can be enjoyed in dishes that have liquid it can soak in such as curries and stews.
I remove the tan layer if using fresh by peeling off to only use white flesh.
Edible Uses (Dried)
Can be dried and ground into a powder to be used in stock form or for teas.
To preverse
Dry the fungi completely until it is able to snap. I generally cut it into thin strips while fresh and then snap into smaller pieces when dry. It can be added to food, tea, tinctures at this stage or it can be ground into a powder as stock.
I should have mentioned birch polypore was the first mushroom I became comfortable in using and was actively seeking due to its medicinal properties. You will struggle to confuse it with others when you've spotted one!
Happy Wandering!
x
References
(1) Pleszczynska, M., et al. (2017) Fomitopsis betulina (formerly Piptoporus betulinus): the Iceman’s polypore fungus with modern biotechnological potential. World journal of microbiology and biotechnology.
(2) Davis, R. (2020) et al. Differential Immune Activating, Anti-Inflammatory, and Regenerative Properties of the Aqueous, Ethanol, and Solid Fractions of a Medicinal Mushroom Blend. Journal of Inflammation Research.
(3). Grunewald, F. (2018) et al. Effects of Birch Polypore Mushroom, Piptoporus betulinus (Agaricomycetes), the "Iceman’s Fungus", on Human Immune Cells. #
(4) Stamets, P. (2018) et al. The effects of polyporemushroom mycelia reduce viruses in honey bees.
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