Agaricus mushroom for smallpox

Suburban Pioneer

I recently had a conversation with an employee in the natural health section of our co-op about smallpox and she shared with me that Agaricus mushroom has been found to successfully fight the species of Varicella (I think that's right) that causes smallpox. I purchased a bottle of Agaricus extract from Fungi Perfecti. I later found a couple of research papers confirming her claim. Might be worth looking into as an additional form of treatment.

Torey

@Suburban Pioneer Could you post links to those research papers? I would like to read them. Which species of Agaricus was being used? There are over 200 species in the Agaricus genus. And which species is the extract you purchased made from?

I found an interview with Paul Stamets in which he mentioned research is ongoing with the Agaricon (Laricifomes officinalis) fungi for viruses related to smallpox (as well as other viruses).

There is so much work to be done with fungi to find their full medicinal potential. I am taking an introductory course to medicinal mushrooms at the moment but haven't got to the point yet where they are talking about the specific mushrooms and their uses.

Just to be clear, Variola is the virus that causes smallpox. Varicella is the virus that causes chicken pox.

Torey

Agaricon (aka Agarikon or Larch Polypore) is also named Fomitopsis officinalis as well as Laricifomes. I really wish they'd quit changing the names.

marjstratton

Will follow this discussion. Sound very interesting. (Yes, name changes are challenging.)

Suburban Pioneer

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/908211#Comment_908211

Yes, Variola vs. Vericella. Important distinction! Thanks!

Suburban Pioneer

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/908211#Comment_908211

I just looked for the papers I had seen, and can't seem to find them now. I'll try again soon. I did discover, though, that three links to this info in other sources have been taken down! Hmmmmm? I was able to get this one, though, which is pretty general but will give at least a basic idea: https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4783951