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Birch Polypore Extract Used for Intestinal Parasites during Stone Ages

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’s main claim to fame is that it was found among the possessions of Oetzi, the mummified Stone Age man from 5,300 years ago whose remains were found in 1991 in a glacial ice cave on the border of Italy and Austria.

It is believed that Oetzi used Birch Polypore as a remedy against intestinal parasites, in particular Trichuris trichuria. [190]

The traditional use of Birch Polypore extract does indeed include use as an anti-parasitic agent, as well as to stop bleeding, and as an antimicrobial agent in general. [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 2001, Betulinic Acid derivatives of Birch Polypore extract demonstrated unique antiviral effects against HIV by blocking HIV reproduction. [197]

A U.S. patent on a Birch Polypore extract was filed in 2004 by world leading medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets, after research at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) concluded that his proprietary Birch Polypore extract was effective against vaccinia virus and cowpox, and non-toxic to human tissues. [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 herb (or mushroom) except as advised by a licensed medical practitioner.

Dr. Markho Rafael has been in the natural health field since Chiropractic College in 1996. His current focus is writing and research on medicinal fungi, specifically working with the MycoMedicinals of Paul Stamets, whose Birch Polypore extract is part of the synergistic blend Paul Stamets Host Defense for Travelers. For research references to this article, go to the Piptoporus betulinus page.