Willow Bracket Mushroom - Phellinus igniarius

Willow Bracket fungus, Phellinus igniarius, is a hoof shaped bracket mushroom that is very hard, has a blackened top, and grows on rotting stumps and infected trees. I usually find it on yellow birch, or willow trees in the Adirondack Mountains.

Studies show that it is neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, antioxidative, antitumor, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is being investigated for use against cancer, multiple sclerosis, heart attack, stroke, injury recovery, liver damage, and diabetes.

It has been studied for use in stroke patients with success.¹ It may lower uric acid in gout patients.² It is cytotoxic and may induce apoptosis or programmed cell death. This could fight cancer cell proliferation.³ It appears that the immunomodulatory effect may slow the progression of multiple sclerosis.⁴

This mushroom is being used to treat some serious diseases. Results will vary between people and cannot be guaranteed. Keep in mind that this is a natural, wild gathered product and is not synthesized in a laboratory. The concentration of chemicals in each mushroom will vary depending on the location and microclimate it grows in as well as the type of tree it is on. If you are a repeat customer and the tincture varies substantially by order please let me know.

Suggested dosing: Tincture 1 ml 3x day.

Possible side effects: Gastrointestinal upset.

Contraindications: None known but always consult your physician if you are taking any botanical supplements. This is especially critical if this is being used as an adjuvant to cancer therapy.

¹ Kim JH, Choi BY, Kim HJ, Kim IY, Lee BE, Sohn M, Park HJ, Suh SW. A Water-Ethanol Extract from the Willow Bracket Mushroom, Phellinus igniarius (Higher Basidiomycetes), Reduces Transient Cerebral Ischemia-Induced Neuronal Death. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2015;17(9):879-89. doi: 10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.v17.i9.80. PMID: 26756300.

² Li X, Chu FJ, Jiang SL, Jin XB. [Preliminary study on effect of Phellinus igniarius ethanol extract on serum uric acid metabolism and gut microbiome in rats]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2021 Jan;46(1) 177-182. doi:10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20200915.403. PMID: 33645068.

³ Wang_2017, Fei-Fei Wang and Feng Liu and Chao Shi and Wei Ma and Kai-Jin Wang and Ning Li,Cytotoxic Activities of Fractions of the Willow Bracket Medicinal Mushroom, Phellinus igniarius, Agaricomycetes and the Induction of Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in MGC-803 Cells, International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms}, 1521-9437},2017, 19, 6, pages 561-570.

⁴1.Zapora E, Wołkowycki M, Bakier S, Zjawiony JK. Phellinus igniarius: A Pharmacologically Active Polypore Mushroom. Natural Product Communications. 2016;11(7). doi:10.1177/1934578X1601100741

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. I am not a medical professional and cannot diagnose or treat any medical conditions.