Aquarius' Mushroom: Agarikon
Aquarius season is here. As we journey with each mushroom think about the qualities and healing effects they have and how can we integrate them more into our lives. Whether that be through ritual, ingestion or just learning and building more awareness about their incredible capabilities and role they play in our world.
When we time the embodiment of each mushroom with the energies of the sky, this alchemizes a deeper connection and understanding of the earth and our physical vessels.
Mushrooms are nature's alchemists and we get to dive deep into our next fungi below. Also, refer to the Astrological Planner as your navigational tool throughout the year where you will find an intro to each and fungi archetype for each zodiac season.
Agarikon (Fomitopsis officinalis)
Agarikon is the supreme elder of old growth forests with future altering gifts.
“I am convinced Agarikon holds yet undiscovered medicines of incalculable value. If Agarikon’s antivirals prove to be effective in clinical trials, I do not think it is an exaggeration to say we should save our old growth forests in a matter of national defense” - Paul Stamets
It is immune-enhancing, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-tumoral, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and respiratory supportive.
Its anti-viral properties are useful in preventing the spread and proliferation of various viruses affecting humans, pigs, birds, bats, and bees. It has shown exceptionally strong activity against pox, swine, bird flu, and herpes. Of 200,000 samples of natural products submitted to the BioShield BioDefence program via US Medical Research Institutes of Infectious Diseases, Agarikon showed the most anti-viral activity of them all. It was also shown to be highly effective in breaking down a certain neuro-toxin used as an illegal chemical weapon.
It benefits the pulmonary system and has been used in treatments for inflammatory conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis, flus, coughs, and rheumatoid arthritis. It soothes gastrointestinal tracts, has been applied as a topical for muscle and joint pain, and inhibits tumor growth. Haida peoples used Agarikon in spiritual healing of sexuality and fertility, and to protect from evil spirits (known as archons - etheric realm viruses).
Main modern use:
Longevity, anti-viral treatment, herpes, tuberculosis, cancer/tumors, inflammation.
PLANET:
URANUS - Governs electricity, change, revolution, foresight, nervous system, thyroid function, body rhythms, pituitary gland (with Jupiter).
SIGN:
AQUARIUS - Revolutionary, humanitarian, futurist, non-conformist. Aquarius rules ankles, achilles, lower legs, circulation (with Venus), oxygenation of blood, electrical systems of the body (interconnecting web).
Pairing notes:
Atypical; Future promise. Uranus governs revolution. Aquarius as a fixed air sign rules non-conformism, the future, technology, and the energy body (with Pisces). This shroom can also be paired with Gemini (rules respiratory), Cancer (rules brain, mucus, fluid), Pisces (rules spirit, etheric, immune system, lymphatic).
If you are interested in medicinal mushrooms to deepen your relationship with Aquarius this season check out Agarikon and Artist Conk from Feral Fungi. Use code MAGICOFI for 20% off at check-out!
Magic of I. doesn’t earn any commission for referring these products, we simply love supporting other businesses doing great things and passing that on.
Alchemist, Ethnobotanist, Mycologist & Spagyricist, Jason Scott, shares his wisdom of Agarikon and Aquarius below.
Agarikon & Aquarius
The Bearer of Ancient Wisdom
Common Name: Agarikon, Quinine Conk
Latin Name: Fomitopsis officinalis
Family: Fomitopsidaceae
Tastes: Bitter, Acrid
Affinities: Immune System, Digestion
Energetics: Cool & Moist
Planetary Rulership: Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter
A Tale Older than Time
Nestled in the furthest reaches of old-growth forests resides a highly regarded bearer of ancient wisdom: Agarikon. A conk fungus that grows on evergreen trees throughout the pacific North-West, and in various similar climates around the world, it often resides high above the forest floor resembling a beehive. This mushroom has been highly regarded for its medicinal virtue, especially in recent years.
Recognized by the latin name Fomitopsis officinalis, Agarikon has been held in high regard for use in medicine as the species epithet “officinalis” implies. It’s traditional use in medicine has been recorded as early as 65 A.D. by Dioscorides, the Ancient Greeks would use Agarikon for consumption (tuberculosis). This use in ancient Greece is among the earliest recorded use of conk mushrooms as medicine in the west.
Beyond the recorded use of Agarikon in traditional medicine, this fungus exudes wisdom at the essence of it’s being. I had heard about this mushroom for years before working with it in person. Agarikon takes a long time to grow in its natural environment, and for that reason I have never sought it out or encouraged anyone to actively harvest it.
In March of 2020, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, two different people brought me magnificient specimens of Agarikon to process for them. There is an adage in herbalism that “the medicine that you need grows outside your front door.” In other words, the medicine that you need arrives just as you need it.
I had heard of the Anti-Viral potential of Agarikon, but the fact that it would arise in my practice at the onset of a global pandemic seemed timely, and those sorts of things are regarded carefully. I like to say there are no such things as coincidence.
Upon processing this legendary fungus, I noticed something that I had only noticed with two other mushrooms before it: Red Belted Conk (Fomitopsis pinicola) and Rosy Polypore (Fomitopsis cajanderi). Tincturing with alcohol yields an extremely dark and potent tincture that feels almost sticky to the touch. That stickiness indicates a high resin content. The water extraction also yielded a nice dark tea. When combined a thick caramel color precipitated out of the solution.
To my best guess, this precipitate is a complex of oleo-resins concentrated into the fruiting body of the fungus. The taste of this thick preparation? Likely one of the most bitter and acrid things that I have ever put in my mouth. I had heard it referred to as the quinine conk, but this was really the first time that I understood why. Prior to this, I had only had Agarikon as myceliated grain products which don’t accentuate the full nature of the mushroom.
The intense bitterness of this mushroom, along with the rich resin content points to its anti-viral and anti-bacterial potential. The ethanol extract of Fomitopsis officinalis can contain chlorinated coumarins which have shown a narrow spectrum of significant antibacterial activity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
F. Officinalis is also known to contain Lanostane triterpenoids, which have been explored for cytotoxicity and antitumor potential. Antimicrobial activity has also been reported with the triterpenoids, specifically fomitopsin D which has shown activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
Beyond the noted benefits and testing of isolated compounds, there are many other compounds produced by Agarikon that have not yet been singularly tested. There are also potential health benefits that are indicated by the taste of this mushroom. I have successfully used this mushroom in specific Viral infection as well as in lower dose to support digestive health.
With the strength of F. officinalis and it’s anti-microbial property I often times reserve it’s use for acute infection, or in much lower dosing as a tonic or for it’s spiritual propensity.
Beyond the modern research into Agarikon there is evidence of traditional use among multiple tribes in the Pacific Northwest, including the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. Their use is largely speculative, but suggest that those tribes used the mushroom in a similar fashion to other conk fungi, as a talisman or in specific spiritual rites.
Doctrine of Signatures in Agarikon
Agarikon grows in a hoof-like form and has been reported as growing up to 1m long. It resembles a chalky beehive, often found high up in old growth forests. F. officinalis grows down in a ring like formation with a cream or off-white color and has been found on trees as old as 150 years.
The rings and intensely antimicrobial nature of Agarikon are sure signs of Saturn, which is the traditional planetary ruler of Aquarius. The off white color implies the cooling nature of this fungus that is amplified by the intensely bitter taste, which is also notable in Saturnian herbs and mushrooms.
The ancient feeling and longevity of this mushroom as well as its propensity toward growing in the ‘border’ of the forest canopy infers its Saturnian nature. Agarikon resides on the boundary of the forest, the same way it resides on the boundary of society. Elusive and difficult to find, traversing into new potential while putting limitations through what is possible by way of that exploration.
Agarikon, like aquarius, shares a unique affinity with Uranus along with Saturn. Uranus is innovative, resourceful, and experimental. Disrupting patterns and preordained structures. F. officinalis embodies this in its long-standing use as medicine balanced by the resounding potential through modern research and discovery.
It’s appearance in Dioscorides work, and early influence in the western understanding of medicinal mushrooms establishes it as a leader. Agarikon, for as much as we know about it, still holds much potential just waiting to be released.
Guiding Aquarius
Aquarius, the waterbearer and the 11th sign of the zodiac, pushes boundaries in novelty and discovery. Boundaries are necessary to carry the water Aquarius carries. Boundaries are also necessary as a line to be peeked over, to be tested, to be expanded.
Agarikon can be a guiding light to Aquarius, like a muted star in the old-growth canopy. It watches over Aquarius as it innovates, explores, defines limits. On a physical level those feats require strength, on a spiritual level they require a wisdom to navigate thoughtfully.
The strong antimicrobial and antitumor properties protect and strengthen the body, along with the immune-modulating properties common with most medicinal mushrooms. The way they have witnessed so much in the way they relate to the trees, to the forest, in the way they observe from above provides that higher perspective and deep wisdom.
Awareness of boundaries and where they exist give us the potential to explore the limits of our reality, and how far we can push them. Agarikon teaches us the difference between the imposed limitations put upon us to the real limitations imposed by nature and how to thoughtfully navigate between them.
Treading new pathways forward, breaking unnecessary paradigms, and dreaming new potentials for the future requires a thoughtful approach informed by lived wisdom, and Agarikon puts that wisdom beneath us so that we have a solid foundation from which we can navigate.
Other Aquarius-Supporting Fungi
Artist Conk, Red Belted Conk, Willow Conk
If you are interested in medicinal mushrooms to deepen your relationship with Aquarius this season check out Agarikon and Artist Conk from Feral Fungi. Use code MAGICOFI for 20% off at check-out!
Magic of I. doesn’t earn any commission for referring these products, we simply love supporting other businesses doing great things and passing that on.
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