As suggested by its name, Birch Polypore grows on birch trees, living or dead. It grows around the world wherever birch trees are found.
Birch Polypore came briefly into public awareness in 1991 when the mummified remains of Oetzi the Iceman were discovered in an ice cave on the border of Italy and Austria. On his person was a pouch containing Birch Polypore.
The general consensus is that Oetzi the Iceman used the Birch Polypore against an infection of the intestinal parasite Trichuris trichuria, of which eggs were found among his remains. [190]
Folk lore from Europe tells of Birch Polypore being used in this fashion, as a remedy against parasites. It has also been used as a general antibiotic, and to stop bleeding. [25]
Studies from 1997 also reported that compounds isolated from Birch Polypore helped reduce chronic skin inflammation [191] as well as inflammation in general. [192]
An antibiotic compound named Piptamine has been isolated from Birch Polypore, [193] and extract of Birch Polypore has demonstrated effectiveness against Bacillus megateterium. [194] Paul Stamets, world leading medicinal mushroom expert, has suggested studies of Birch Polypore extract against Bacillus anthracis, the anthrax bacteria. [134]
Another compound that is found in high concentrations in Birch Polypore is known as Betulinic Acid. Produced by the birch trees upon which this mushroom grows, Betulinic Acid gets extracted and concentrated by the Birch Polypore. A 1995 study on melanoma found that Betulinic Acid killed the malignant melanoma cells but did not harm healthy cell tissue. [195] Seven years later, another study showed that Birch Polypore extract inhibited the enzymes that promote tumor cell growth, which may help explain how Betulinic Acid works against cancer. [196]
In a 2001 study on the effect of Betulinic Acid derivatives on HIV, it was reported that these compounds blocked HIV replication. [197]
American medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets filed a patent on his proprietary Birch Polypore extraction methods in 2004 after researchers at the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) reported that his Birch Polypore extract selectively killed the cowpox and vaccinia viruses without harming human cells. [134]
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 medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.
Birch Polypore came briefly into public awareness in 1991 when the mummified remains of Oetzi the Iceman were discovered in an ice cave on the border of Italy and Austria. On his person was a pouch containing Birch Polypore.
The general consensus is that Oetzi the Iceman used the Birch Polypore against an infection of the intestinal parasite Trichuris trichuria, of which eggs were found among his remains. [190]
Folk lore from Europe tells of Birch Polypore being used in this fashion, as a remedy against parasites. It has also been used as a general antibiotic, and to stop bleeding. [25]
Studies from 1997 also reported that compounds isolated from Birch Polypore helped reduce chronic skin inflammation [191] as well as inflammation in general. [192]
An antibiotic compound named Piptamine has been isolated from Birch Polypore, [193] and extract of Birch Polypore has demonstrated effectiveness against Bacillus megateterium. [194] Paul Stamets, world leading medicinal mushroom expert, has suggested studies of Birch Polypore extract against Bacillus anthracis, the anthrax bacteria. [134]
Another compound that is found in high concentrations in Birch Polypore is known as Betulinic Acid. Produced by the birch trees upon which this mushroom grows, Betulinic Acid gets extracted and concentrated by the Birch Polypore. A 1995 study on melanoma found that Betulinic Acid killed the malignant melanoma cells but did not harm healthy cell tissue. [195] Seven years later, another study showed that Birch Polypore extract inhibited the enzymes that promote tumor cell growth, which may help explain how Betulinic Acid works against cancer. [196]
In a 2001 study on the effect of Betulinic Acid derivatives on HIV, it was reported that these compounds blocked HIV replication. [197]
American medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets filed a patent on his proprietary Birch Polypore extraction methods in 2004 after researchers at the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) reported that his Birch Polypore extract selectively killed the cowpox and vaccinia viruses without harming human cells. [134]
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 medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.
About the Author:
Dr. Rafael has worked with natural health since Chiropractic College in 1996. He now specializes in research and writing about medicinal mushrooms, specifically working with the MycoMedicinals of Paul Stamets, whose Birch Polypore extract is part of the synergistic blend Paul Stamets Host Defense. For research references to this article, visit the Piptoporus betulinus research page.
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