Deep dive: Fomitopsis officinalis Agarikon

Our habitats provide us with innate immunity.

As habitats are destroyed, zoonotic diseases can emanate from stressed ecosystems to us.

For thousands of years ancient peoples from Europe to the Pacific Northwest have discovered that Agarikon (Fomitopsis officinalis aka Laricifomes officinalis) is an important ally in nature's pharmacopoeia. Growing almost exclusively in old growth forests, and one of the longest living mushrooms in the world (up to 100 years (?)), our team has collected more than 60 strains of this rare species.

This majestic mushroom is threatened to become extinct in Europe. Our efforts are to preserve as many strains as possible for future investigations into their benefits. My lifetime goal is to collect 100 strains, and compare them all. We are now on that path.

We do not harvest the fruitbodies unless they are in forests that are going to be logged or otherwise threatened. Sometimes we find them laying on the mossy forest floor. Our preferred method is to only take a small fragment of tissue less the size of a finger nail so theses conks continue to thrive.

Respect to ALL. Our ancestors and our descendents are calling out to us. We must listen.

Filmed by Pam Kryskow