Agarikon is classified as a medicinal mushroom, which means that it is part of a selective list of fungi that has healing benefits. The Agarikon mushroom goes by several names including Quinine Conk, The Bread of Ghosts, Tree Biscuit, and its scientific names Laricifomes officinalis and Fomitopsis. Athough Laricifomes officinalis is genetically distinct from the genus Fomitopsis, they are both lumped in with Agarikon mushrooms as one in the same (at least for medicinal purposes). In fact, there are over 40 species of mushrooms that can be labeled as an “Agarikon” mushroom. Although there are many different mushrooms in this group, they all have similar medicinal properties and benefits.
Anti-viral: In the early 2000’s a team of scientists tested 11 species of North American Agarikon mushrooms. Those 11 species contained compounds that were shown to possess highly anti-viral properties, and those compounds are the subject of several scientific studies. Some of those compounds are known to be useful in treating viruses like cowpox, swine flu, bird flu, oral and genital herpes (as mentioned below), and several other viruses. While there are still animal studies and human clinical trials that need to be performed, researchers are already suggesting that ingesting Agarikon may help the body develop a bio-shield against unwanted viruses and bacteria.
It is recommended that Agarikon should only be taken for a maximum of 7 to 10 days at a time.