Excellent Mark. Just geting into foraging mushrooms and have a Birch Polypore to prep. and your video was comprehensive, concise and informative. Thanks from the UK.
BPP... Totally... My favorite. I simmer it for two hours, then, pour it into ice cube trays... two cubes a day keeps my back ache away. Nice video. Your speech is perfect - you should do talk radio. :)
Did not know about the back pain aspect of it. Interesting. I just started looking for BPP yesterday. There are a few emerging around here so I will harvest enough for another year. Thank you for your kinds words
I found this quote "The Birch Bracket Mushroom is anti-inflammatory. This means that it is capable of reducing or entirely numbing pain without touching on the Central Nervous System. Such natural products are in great demand because many ailments cause inflammation at some stage, and often synthetic medications trigger unwanted side effects. In other instances, medications themselves cause inflammation and products from this mushroom can be taken alongside such medications to neutralise inflammation." www.medicalmushrooms.net/piptoporus-betulinus/
@@MarkYoungBushcraft ... Awesome! I hope it can help my neuropathy then. I need an anti inflammatory in this form for sure I can't take anything over the counter or prescription. Too many stomach issue. I guess I better take some of my own medicine 😁
Great video! Dehydrating my first birch polypore tonight. I appreciate the comments on sustainability as well. Excellent information - thanks for sharing! (from New Brunswick)
Thanks for sharing about this important medicinal mushroom. Steam them for about 5 minutes over boiling water if they are too dried. Steaming will not only soften them so easier to slice, but also kill bugs, if any.
Excellent video. Lots videos out there talk about different uses and natural remedies, but they lack the detailed information your videos provide. Keep these videos coming. Great work.
@@MarkYoungBushcraft hope you do more videos or I see more...liked your method and enjoyed the knowledge..I recently just found one and will revisit it many yrs now..also found some hericium coralloides which ill be able to forage more...could I simply use the dehydrated birch polypore in like a hot tea infusion?
I've been powdering my fresh Polypores on a large 'Nutmeg' Grater, before Sun drying... i have been storing the now bone dry, Vit D Rich Grounds in labelled Tupperware (as collect various Polypores from various Medicinal Trees) out of direct Sun light. The Birch Polypore, being more flexible than most , is left to partially dry before Grating and Sun Drying.
Mycology is a study that has always intrigued me. Edible and medicinal plants become more favorable with many outdoor enthusiasts. By sharing some of your own health issues you have brought an important awareness to many. I can't help but think that your sharing must also have been therapeutic. Lyme disease has become a serious conern for all of us who love, live and play outdoors. Maybe you and your colleagues, and "friends" could collaborate on a series of TH-cam videos. It would be helpful to so many and maybe provide some therapy to any of your friends dealing recovering from Lyme Disease. Just a thought. ;)
Bill Heckman excellent recommendation, Mark has done other Lyme awareness vids and as a matter of fact, he was instrumental in helping me get a foothold to fight back against chronic Lyme from.
@@randal1470 We ( wife & I) have a friend who too went through a difficult time with Lyme Disease and still dealing with health issues. It seems so unfair that having a love affair with nature can have a serious long term affect on your health. Unfortunately diagnosing and treating Lyme disease is still an imperfect science. As a person who works in the woods and backpacks with my grandchildren I am super diligent with repelling and searching for ticks. Your very unfortunate experience may be a tremendous help. I'm not a very articulate or smart individual , but I can't help but think that there is someone who knows how to share your story, and get the medical community in Canada and the US involved. I think of the responses Mark received after sharing his cancer story. I wouldn't be surprised if his video saved some lives. I don't mean to climb up on my soap box or to coerce you into revealing a difficult personal journey. Hope you understand. Thanks for listening and best of luck. Bill
Hi Bill. I asked my good friend Randal Graham (Vinland Bushcraft) to respond as well as he has a personal stake in this issue. Randal has videos on his YT channel about his experience you may want to take a look at and share. I have two videos on my channel you are welcome to take a look and share as well th-cam.com/video/TmhjYtBphMk/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/PxVqRoRRHZ8/w-d-xo.html. I agree that more can be done to raise awareness and if I am able to do so I will. Thanks for your support
Right on. If you are on the east coast (noticed your channel name) you may find it a little past season. As long as it does not have too many bug holes it is still good. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft hey mark, I am here in New Brunswick! I just harvested some today with not to many bug holes, but have noticed it’s a little brown on the underside, do ya think it’s still good to use?
As usual super video Mark some research says that it would make a good medium to carry an ember form one area to another or just to use like char cloth.. ..Also found some answers to the medicinal uses at Wildfood UK , through google for those interested. Be well.
I have not been successful with F&S but have been with solar and ferro rod but even then it was not easy. There may be a way to make it accept sparks better but I have not discovered it yet. Once lit, it does keep going. I do really well with chaga and horsehoof which also grow on birch but not the polypore. Thanks for commenting John
Kinda worried this year...not many birch trees here in my surrounding woods, and havent found any of these this year. Found some last year for the first time and was totally intrigued. The way they get rid of an upset stomach - INSTANTLY! - is fascinating, a very powerful mushroom indeed. Oh, well I will have to intensify my prayers to the Mushroom God, so he will guide me to them in the coming weeks. Thank you for the video, gave me renewed inspiration and confidence!
Thanks Lonnie. The polypores are a bit bitter when made into tea. A bit of honey helps. They do seem to work well for me as far as a daily immune boosting tonic. Thanks for commenting.
Glad you found the video helpful. The birch polypore should be emerging soon depending on where you live. In my area (Nova Scotia) they should be out withing the next two weeks. You may want some honey on hand as the tea can be a bit bitter. Thanks for commenting
I feel I am just an amateur as there is so much to learn. I take a medicinal mushroom cocktail daily as part of my immune system defense. I also recognize the value of healthy eating and regular exercise. Thanks for commenting
@@zephydoo433 So, I don't drink this everyday. More so during cold and flue season and it can vary depending on what I have to make it from. Here is my video th-cam.com/video/2JfzQWaGPBk/w-d-xo.html
You could place it a window exposed to the sun for a few days. It actually enhances the medicinal qualities of the mushroom. Make sure it is fully dry before storing. It will be very difficult to cut or break once dry. Thanks for commenting
Hello, Thanks for your video on birch polypores. I harvested , sliced, dried, and stored birch poly pore in glass jars in a dark cupboard. It still looks as good as the day I dried it. It smells fine. My question is, how long can you store and use it. Mine is 2 years old. Can I still make tea with it? Barbara
I have some that old that I still make tea with. I have not noticed any degradation but it makes sense that it won't last forever. At worst, it will loose strength but not become unsafe, unless it gets moldy. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft Thank you for the quick response Mark! Much appreciated. I did make some tea last night and it was fine. I enjoyed it. There wasn’t any hint of mold smell in the jar. I have a large jar of the mushroom and didn’t want to waste it. I should have used it up sooner but now plan to use it up over the next few months. All the best to you and thanks for sharing your experience with us.
They are freshest and at their peak in September but can be harvested anytime. Cut out any rot or bug holes. The good news is, they will likely grow on the same tree next September. Thanks for commenting
Glad you enjoyed the video. The birch polypore is not really and edible mushroom in the sense that morels or chanterells are. It is a medicinal mushroom that can be used to make tea or tincture. It is very rubbery in texture. The very small ones, less than 1" can be eaten cooked but they are still not choice. Hope this helps
I did make a follow up video about using old birch polypores. Basically, as long as the mushroom is not rotten it still has value. One thing to watch for is bugs or where bugs have bored through. Cut off any parts that you feel you do not want to keep and use the remainder. Hope this helps
I have tried the smallest of the fresh mushrooms and they are still rubbery. Besides tea you can use them to sharpen your knife and as a bandage on cuts. I have a video on that if interested. Thanks for commenting
Glad you enjoyed the video. Personally, I either make a infusion with it by itself or in combination with other medicinal plants. I have a video on this. I don't drink it every day but more often during the winter as an immune booster. It does require sweetener though. I have no negative effects from it and I do feel it does help boost my immunity. Thanks for commenting
Thanks for the video. I heard leaving them out in direct sunlight pore surface up can boost vitamin D content. Where did you hear it can leech out medicinal value?
My understanding is that a few days in sunlight when fresh picked will increase Vit D in some mushrooms but long term storage should be in a dark container. Thanks for commenting
I have not been successful with F&S but have been with solar and ferro rod but even then it was not easy. There may be a way to make it accept sparks better but I have not discovered it yet. I do really well with chaga and horsehoof which also grow on birch but not the polypore. Thanks for commenting
Glad you enjoyed the video. you can learn about the medicinal and other properties in my original video th-cam.com/video/nIDiGtf2XI8/w-d-xo.html. Thanks for commenting
Don't think I would risk it. I have used a dehydrator and natural methods to dry mine with equal results. For natural, I cut and place them in a sunny window for a few days. Must be a dry place. Thanks for commenting
Hello Mark! Thank u for the information, Lonnie told me that Chaga does not grow n Oklahoma, would u know if birch polypour grows here ? Awesome video, Thank u
Hi Joy. I can't say for sure about birch polypore. "Officially" it is reported to be found in the upper half of the US and lower half of Canada. I have only found it on dead white or yellow birch. I know chaga prefers colder climates. It could be like a lot of things, once you start looking forward you find it everywhere. Hope this helps
They are freshest in the fall. In my area it is mid-September. After that, bugs start eating them. They are still usable during the winter but many are in poor condition. Thanks for commenting
Mostly no. When it is very young you can eat it but it is quite chewy. It get tougher as it grows. It would be very hard to eat, even cooked. Thanks for commenting
I just made my tea . I only used white clean part . It tasted little bitter but its OK with me. Medicine usually taste bitter thats why its medicine not a candy.
They could be used to extract additional medicine if made into a tincture first, then steeped into a tisane afterwards. Beyond that, they have no value except as compost. Thanks for commenting
Unfortunately no. The heat will damage the medicinal value. It is easier to keep small pieces of dried mushroom and make it up fresh. Thanks for commenting
I can only tell you when they fruit where I live in Nova Scotia. I start seeing them here around early to mid September as the temperatures fall below 20C. You can find them still viable into the winter as well. I like to take note of their location during the summer then go back in the fall to look for new growth. Hope this helps
I put them in the oven at 180° doesn't take long at all. I found one today that never finished forming 😆 it's a big heart shaped ball with no pores? Hmm! Wondering if I should dry it or throw it out? Do you have any idea about that?? And thank you I've done it this way but wondering if I was doing it correctly. I really don't want to make a double extraction but I guess I can make it as I need it if storing it is ok🙂 I just wish I could find some Chaga. Tincture by the way is very easy. Especially with something like the polypore... The hardest thing about tinture is straining the flowers or herbs from the tincture 😉 for BPP tincture you make the tea and the tincture then mix them 50/50 for medicinal drops...
Keep the underdeveloped ones for sure. They are every bit as good. In fact, if they are young enough they are sometimes tender enough to eat but not often. I am finding it harder and harder to find chaga as well. So many people are looking for it now. There are a number of bracket fungi that rival chaga for medicinal value so I am not too concerned. Tinctures are great. I really should be making them. No reason not to, except the cost of the vodka. Thanks for commenting
Found some of these in good shape a few days ago and went back to harvest them today after watching your video on drying/freezing techniques. Great information, I had a friend find and harvest some chaga as well so I guess I just need turkey tail now for the trifecta! I noticed from comments you're also in Nova Scotia; any hints on finding turkey tail around here? Thanks for the great video!
Hello neighbour. Turkey tail is a bit harder to find than the polypore. It grows on dead hardwoods. I have found it in a variety of places. Be sure to ID it before use. Not that any look a likes are dangerous but they not medicinal either. Chaga is getting harder to find as it grows so slow and so many people are aware of it now. Hope this helps
I don't take it off if I harvest them fresh. They tend to turn black on the bottom after they drop their spore. It does not affect their medicinal value but it is not very appealing either. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft But I took mine off, It was very dirty . I don't wanna make my tea with that dirty piece . It could be worms inside or eggs of larva . I don't want that in my tea. I take that layer off and use only clean white part of the mushroom. Yes you can make bandaid out of it but you use it external not internal . Its a big difference .
To be clear, I am not an expert. My understanding is that the medicinal benefit still exists in older mushrooms but may have degraded some. If all I could find was older ones with dark bottoms (spore released) I would still use them. Hope this helps
I love this video, it answered my questions , the only thing is I wondered why it never mention about washing the birch polypore mushrooms before preparing them for storage, and how to cook it from fresh ones. Is it the same way with the dried ones? Thanks. I have subscribed to your channel.
Glad it was helpful! I don't actually wash off the mushrooms but I do wipe or brush off any dirt. I have not found this to be an issue for long term storage after drying. Since I simmer the mushrooms to make the drink any bacteria, viruses or protozoans would be killed off then. I do have another video on making a medicinal cocktail if interested. Thanks for commenting
Glad you enjoyed the video. you can learn about the medicinal and other properties in my original video th-cam.com/video/nIDiGtf2XI8/w-d-xo.html. Thanks for commenting
Hi Mark! Greetings from Arctic Norway, near Tromsø! Great video! I am inspired to harvest in my are. I just came across a tree with a few growths that look similar to the polypore, but I'm not sure if it's the same species. Since we are just coming out of winter, they are dark and dry. Is it possible to send you a photo and maybe you can help me identify? TIA-Carla
Personally, all I do is brush off any dirt, slice them and then dry them. I know I will be simmering or at least steeping them in hot water for an extended period of time so that will kill any pathogens. Thanks for commenting
Most of the time I fill the 6 litre slow cooker to the top after putting in the combo of mushrooms. It looses about a half litre due to evaporation after about four or six hours
Yes; however, the medicinal qualities may have degraded some and the chances of bugs having burrowed in is higher. I would look them over and cut them up, keeping only the portions that look good. Thanks for commenting
Hi Jackie. The frozen ones were fresh-frozen. Coincidentally, Gina wanted to make room in the freezer for Christmas baking and I had to take two large bags of frozen polypores out and dehydrate them. Turned out just the same as far as I could tell. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft Hi Mark, thought so because the slice seemed a bit thicker than the others but just wanted to make sure. I have never tried polypore but will definitely in the future. It was great to hear at the end what you said about Chaga, it seems it is the craze now and it is just being harvested willy nilly without much thought! There is one thing you can't argue with and that is Christmas baking, the good thing about it is it leads to Christmas snacking! LOL Say hi to Gina for me!
Not an easy question to answer. It is best to consider medicinal mushrooms as a nutritional supplement. I take them to prevent sickness. I don't take them everyday but usually a few times a week. The effect can be different for each person. They can cause upset stomach and diarrhea for some. especially if too much is consumed. You may want to watch this video on how I use medicinal mushrooms th-cam.com/video/2JfzQWaGPBk/w-d-xo.html
I am going to assume you mean that tasting sour is way of telling us not to consume it. My response is no, I don't think that is the reason. I find it a bit bitter but still drinkable with no side effects. Thanks for commenting
No no, in trying to figure out if I should eat the ones I grabbed I chewed one but didn't eat it It wasn't bitter like people said it would be it was sour?! In confused I grabbed the young type. Do they taste sourish or acidic? I read there are no look alikes and I found it on a birch.
@@theyoshine Oh, I apologize for the misunderstanding. I have tried eating them as well. The only ones tender enough to eat are those that just emerging on the tree. Even then, they can be tough to chew. For that reason I don't consider them as edible like a chanterelle or morel mushroom. I reserve them for making a medicinal tea only. Hope this helps
@@theyoshine I think the perception of taste may be individualistic. It can be bitter to one person, sour to another and acidic to a third. There is a good chance you have the correct mushroom if it looks like the ones I show in the video. There are no close look a likes. The nearest mushroom that grows on dead birch is the horse-hoof mushroom and it is mostly grey in colour. There is a light coloured mushroom that grows on other dead hardwood trees known as the artists conk. It is also medicinal but equally hard to eat. It is definitely not poisonous.
Thank you for your kind compliment. At 62 years of age I really don't do anything special for my skin. Good diet maybe. I have heard that some medicinal mushrooms like chaga can have a positive effect on skin. I expect it is just a side effect of my camera😆
In the video description I posted a link to an earlier video that talked about the medicinal uses of the birch polypore th-cam.com/video/nIDiGtf2XI8/w-d-xo.html I also have a video on how to prepare a medicinal cocktail from this and other mushrooms th-cam.com/video/2JfzQWaGPBk/w-d-xo.html. Thanks for commenting
Great video thank you. I was watching another video on polypore and it was suggested that its used to thicken soups and stews so i am a little confused with you saying its bitter. Till that was mentioned i was going to ask if u can make soup out of it but i suppose if its bitter thats not a good idea! ps have you tried the tea with anything other than honey? thanks shaz
I have not tried thickening soup with it. I think it would have to be ground to a powder. Does not re-hydrate into something edible. It is bitter but not overly bad. A bit of honey helps a lot. Thanks for commenting
I think you should take off that bottom filthy piece if you gonna make a tea. If you make bandaids then yeah external you can use but when it go in your stomach avoid that bottom layer. That can have garbage inside you don't want in your tea.
@@MarkYoungBushcraft You just don't know, you will have an issue later on. Sometimes problems comes later on. Enjoy eating worms larva in that bottom piece hiding many microbes and worm eggs. It may developed in your stomach and you won't even know until its too late and you have guts full of parasites like worms. Don't eat that bottom piece. Eat only white top flesh .
At the end of the video, you talk about the Chaga mushroom. The information you are giving is incorrect. Chaka mushroom is a misnomer, it is not a mushroom therefore it has no spores. It is a growth on the birch tree to protect the tree from parasites that get into the tree. David Wolfe has a good book out on Chaga, please read it before pointing out that information.
Excellent Mark. Just geting into foraging mushrooms and have a Birch Polypore to prep. and your video was comprehensive, concise and informative. Thanks from the UK.
Glad the video was helpful. Thanks for commenting
Awesome, thx.... New Hampshire we have tons of birch and those polypores are everywhere. Now I'm going to try some. thx...
Hope you enjoy. Thanks for commenting
BPP... Totally... My favorite. I simmer it for two hours, then, pour it into ice cube trays... two cubes a day keeps my back ache away. Nice video. Your speech is perfect - you should do talk radio. :)
Did not know about the back pain aspect of it. Interesting. I just started looking for BPP yesterday. There are a few emerging around here so I will harvest enough for another year. Thank you for your kinds words
How does it take pain away?
I found this quote "The Birch Bracket Mushroom is anti-inflammatory. This means that it is capable of reducing or entirely numbing pain without touching on the Central Nervous System. Such natural products are in great demand because many ailments cause inflammation at some stage, and often synthetic medications trigger unwanted side effects. In other instances, medications themselves cause inflammation and products from this mushroom can be taken alongside such medications to neutralise inflammation." www.medicalmushrooms.net/piptoporus-betulinus/
@@MarkYoungBushcraft ... Awesome! I hope it can help my neuropathy then. I need an anti inflammatory in this form for sure I can't take anything over the counter or prescription. Too many stomach issue. I guess I better take some of my own medicine 😁
@@vadaminot429 Check out this link: www.medicalmushrooms.net/piptoporus-betulinus/
I like your kind & considerate approach to collecting from the wild. Thank you for sharing your knowledge
Thank you. I believe we must be responsible when we forage to ensure a sustainable harvest. Thanks for commenting
Great video! Dehydrating my first birch polypore tonight. I appreciate the comments on sustainability as well. Excellent information - thanks for sharing! (from New Brunswick)
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting neighbour
Thanks for sharing about this important medicinal mushroom. Steam them for about 5 minutes over boiling water if they are too dried. Steaming will not only soften them so easier to slice, but also kill bugs, if any.
Great Idea. I had not considered that. I know they turn very soft or rubbery when I make my tea from them. Thanks for commenting
Thank you for this in-depth and knowledgeable presentation, I'm in Scotland so we have an abundance of Birch trees.
Glad you liked the video. You should be able to find both the polypore as well as chaga. Thanks for commenting
Excellent video. Lots videos out there talk about different uses and natural remedies, but they lack the detailed information your videos provide. Keep these videos coming. Great work.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for commenting Derek
Birch polypore is a great tea to have once a week . Good video 😊
Yes, great stuff for sure. Thanks for commenting
Wonderful video...thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting
Thanks, Mark, great video... and as someone else already said, you have a great voice!!
Thank you kindly
Very well explaining.
Glad you liked it. Thanks for commenting
Great video Mark, you take a lot of the confusion out of this and it inspires me to delve into this deeper.
So, so much to learn Randal. I feel like I have just begun.
Nice job...excellent job ..simplified ...thanx for the information...keep foraging
Glad you liked it. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft hope you do more videos or I see more...liked your method and enjoyed the knowledge..I recently just found one and will revisit it many yrs now..also found some hericium coralloides which ill be able to forage more...could I simply use the dehydrated birch polypore in like a hot tea infusion?
Fascinating. I found some today.
Thanks for all that info
Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for commenting
Sliced quite a large one up
Looks like really tasty chicken
Extremely informative. Thank you sir!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting
I've been powdering my fresh Polypores on a large 'Nutmeg' Grater, before Sun drying... i have been storing the now bone dry, Vit D Rich Grounds in labelled Tupperware (as collect various Polypores from various Medicinal Trees) out of direct Sun light.
The Birch Polypore, being more flexible than most , is left to partially dry before Grating and Sun Drying.
I also have started sun drying after cutting my mushrooms up. Thanks for commenting
Mycology is a study that has always intrigued me. Edible and medicinal plants become more favorable with many outdoor enthusiasts. By sharing some of your own health issues you have brought an important awareness to many. I can't help but think that your sharing must also have been therapeutic. Lyme disease has become a serious conern for all of us who love, live and play outdoors. Maybe you and your colleagues, and "friends" could collaborate on a series of TH-cam videos. It would be helpful to so many and maybe provide some therapy to any of your friends dealing recovering from Lyme Disease. Just a thought. ;)
Bill Heckman excellent recommendation, Mark has done other Lyme awareness vids and as a matter of fact, he was instrumental in helping me get a foothold to fight back against chronic Lyme from.
@@randal1470 We ( wife & I) have a friend who too went through a difficult time with Lyme Disease and still dealing with health issues. It seems so unfair that having a love affair with nature can have a serious long term affect on your health. Unfortunately diagnosing and treating Lyme disease is still an imperfect science. As a person who works in the woods and backpacks with my grandchildren I am super diligent with repelling and searching for ticks. Your very unfortunate experience may be a tremendous help. I'm not a very articulate or smart individual , but I can't help but think that there is someone who knows how to share your story, and get the medical community in Canada and the US involved. I think of the responses Mark received after sharing his cancer story. I wouldn't be surprised if his video saved some lives. I don't mean to climb up on my soap box or to coerce you into revealing a difficult personal journey. Hope you understand. Thanks for listening and best of luck. Bill
Hi Bill. I asked my good friend Randal Graham (Vinland Bushcraft) to respond as well as he has a personal stake in this issue. Randal has videos on his YT channel about his experience you may want to take a look at and share. I have two videos on my channel you are welcome to take a look and share as well th-cam.com/video/TmhjYtBphMk/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/PxVqRoRRHZ8/w-d-xo.html. I agree that more can be done to raise awareness and if I am able to do so I will. Thanks for your support
Great video man! Gonna go get myself some bird polypore today!
Right on. If you are on the east coast (noticed your channel name) you may find it a little past season. As long as it does not have too many bug holes it is still good. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft hey mark, I am here in New Brunswick! I just harvested some today with not to many bug holes, but have noticed it’s a little brown on the underside, do ya think it’s still good to use?
As usual super video Mark some research says that it would make a good medium to carry an ember form one area to another or just to use like char cloth.. ..Also found some answers to the medicinal uses at Wildfood UK , through google for those interested. Be well.
I have not been successful with F&S but have been with solar and ferro rod but even then it was not easy. There may be a way to make it accept sparks better but I have not discovered it yet. Once lit, it does keep going. I do really well with chaga and horsehoof which also grow on birch but not the polypore. Thanks for commenting John
That's horse foot.
Morning, Mark ; Great info on the Polypore Never knew this till now Guess I better go for a walk Thanks ! ATB T God Bless
Any birch polypore down your way Terry?
Excellent video with great information! Thanks so much!!
Glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for commenting
Kinda worried this year...not many birch trees here in my surrounding woods, and havent found any of these this year. Found some last year for the first time and was totally intrigued. The way they get rid of an upset stomach - INSTANTLY! - is fascinating, a very powerful mushroom indeed. Oh, well I will have to intensify my prayers to the Mushroom God, so he will guide me to them in the coming weeks. Thank you for the video, gave me renewed inspiration and confidence!
I have so many from past years I only picked a few fresh ones this year. They do keep well when dried if you do find some. Thanks for commenting
Enjoyed the video. Quite educational. Thumbs up.
Thanks Lonnie. The polypores are a bit bitter when made into tea. A bit of honey helps. They do seem to work well for me as far as a daily immune boosting tonic. Thanks for commenting.
Pro tip: watch movies on flixzone. I've been using it for watching all kinds of movies lately.
@Marley Colin yea, I've been using flixzone} for since december myself :)
Great video, very helpful and informative.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting
Truly excellent video. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for commenting
Thank you! I just found out today the birch polypore is medicinal! Im going out hunting them tomorrow!
Glad you found the video helpful. The birch polypore should be emerging soon depending on where you live. In my area (Nova Scotia) they should be out withing the next two weeks. You may want some honey on hand as the tea can be a bit bitter. Thanks for commenting
Very useful video for me Mark as I'm still learning to work with polypore
So much to learn about what we available to us. I feel like I have just begun. Thanks for commenting Steve
Thank you for the information Mark! We've harvested lots of chaga but not polypore. Will have to do that next fall. Greetings from Northern Alberta!
We have chaga but it is much harder for me to find. Thanks for commenting
Birch polypore has many of the same properties as chaga and some not found in chaga. More available too
I wondered what those mushrooms were on my dead birch trees....now I know! Thankyou!
Great medicinal if a bit bitter. Thanks for commenting
Great that you keep the knowledge alive,great info and well explained
I rather use this medicine first before I use the chemical ones
I feel I am just an amateur as there is so much to learn. I take a medicinal mushroom cocktail daily as part of my immune system defense. I also recognize the value of healthy eating and regular exercise. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft whats in your daily cocktail if you dont mind me asking? thanks :)
@@zephydoo433 So, I don't drink this everyday. More so during cold and flue season and it can vary depending on what I have to make it from. Here is my video th-cam.com/video/2JfzQWaGPBk/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the info.
Most welcome. Thanks for commenting
Great video, Mark! Thank you.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for commenting
Awesome video, how can I dry the polypore whole without slicing it? Thanks 👍
You could place it a window exposed to the sun for a few days. It actually enhances the medicinal qualities of the mushroom. Make sure it is fully dry before storing. It will be very difficult to cut or break once dry. Thanks for commenting
Truly great video. Awesome voice for this btw.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for commenting
good follow up video to last years one
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for commenting Craig
Lots of good info, thanks!
Thank you Wade
We have some beasts here in lake of the woods. Thanks for the videos
Right on. Hope you get to try some out. Thanks for commenting
Hello,
Thanks for your video on birch polypores. I harvested , sliced, dried, and stored birch poly pore in glass jars in a dark cupboard. It still looks as good as the day I dried it. It smells fine. My question is, how long can you store and use it. Mine is 2 years old. Can I still make tea with it?
Barbara
I have some that old that I still make tea with. I have not noticed any degradation but it makes sense that it won't last forever. At worst, it will loose strength but not become unsafe, unless it gets moldy. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft Thank you for the quick response Mark! Much appreciated. I did make some tea last night and it was fine. I enjoyed it. There wasn’t any hint of mold smell in the jar. I have a large jar of the mushroom and didn’t want to waste it. I should have used it up sooner but now plan to use it up over the next few months. All the best to you and thanks for sharing your experience with us.
I found some here in New Brunswick today March 1. When can we harvest them
They are freshest and at their peak in September but can be harvested anytime. Cut out any rot or bug holes. The good news is, they will likely grow on the same tree next September. Thanks for commenting
Great video, you just got a new subscriber.
Awesome, thank you!
Thank you - really enjoyed your explanations and your cautions. A very balanced and intelligent presentation. Any suggestions for cooking with it?
Glad you enjoyed the video. The birch polypore is not really and edible mushroom in the sense that morels or chanterells are. It is a medicinal mushroom that can be used to make tea or tincture. It is very rubbery in texture. The very small ones, less than 1" can be eaten cooked but they are still not choice. Hope this helps
I really enjoyed this video. I love nice knives. That looks like a good one. Does your friend sell them?
Jamie Harris is an awesome custom knife maker. Here is his FB link facebook.com/groups/260558001486220
Very thorough!
Go raibh míle maith agat ☘
Glad you enjoyed. tá míle fáilte romhat
I found a few on a tree but the bottoms where the poors are is slightly yellowing, would this be a sign that they are not usable?
I did make a follow up video about using old birch polypores. Basically, as long as the mushroom is not rotten it still has value. One thing to watch for is bugs or where bugs have bored through. Cut off any parts that you feel you do not want to keep and use the remainder. Hope this helps
Excellent. Thank you for your experiences.
Glad you found the information helpful. Thanks for commenting
Can you eat the mushrooms like you would with sulfur shelf or only make tea?
I have tried the smallest of the fresh mushrooms and they are still rubbery. Besides tea you can use them to sharpen your knife and as a bandage on cuts. I have a video on that if interested. Thanks for commenting
Great and very informative video. Could you discuss how you benefit from it? It's a very interesting mushroom but I sure dont like the taste.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Personally, I either make a infusion with it by itself or in combination with other medicinal plants. I have a video on this. I don't drink it every day but more often during the winter as an immune booster. It does require sweetener though. I have no negative effects from it and I do feel it does help boost my immunity. Thanks for commenting
Thanks for the video. I heard leaving them out in direct sunlight pore surface up can boost vitamin D content. Where did you hear it can leech out medicinal value?
My understanding is that a few days in sunlight when fresh picked will increase Vit D in some mushrooms but long term storage should be in a dark container. Thanks for commenting
Mark, will Birch Polypour take a flint and steel ember?
I have not been successful with F&S but have been with solar and ferro rod but even then it was not easy. There may be a way to make it accept sparks better but I have not discovered it yet. I do really well with chaga and horsehoof which also grow on birch but not the polypore. Thanks for commenting
What are the medicinal properties? Great video, thank you.
Glad you enjoyed the video. you can learn about the medicinal and other properties in my original video th-cam.com/video/nIDiGtf2XI8/w-d-xo.html. Thanks for commenting
Thank you Marc, I will check it out.
Do you do any cooking with these?
No, they are not chewable and they impart a bitter taste. I only make an infusion with them. Thanks for commenting
EXCELLENT
Glad you liked it. Thanks for commenting
good info
Thanks Phyllis
I chopped mine and left the pieces to dry for a couple of days, but they developed a white furry mould. I'm guessing they're no longer good to use?
Don't think I would risk it. I have used a dehydrator and natural methods to dry mine with equal results. For natural, I cut and place them in a sunny window for a few days. Must be a dry place. Thanks for commenting
Hello Mark! Thank u for the information, Lonnie told me that Chaga does not grow n Oklahoma, would u know if birch polypour grows here ? Awesome video, Thank u
Hi Joy. I can't say for sure about birch polypore. "Officially" it is reported to be found in the upper half of the US and lower half of Canada. I have only found it on dead white or yellow birch. I know chaga prefers colder climates. It could be like a lot of things, once you start looking forward you find it everywhere. Hope this helps
Question sunlight ive been told increases the vitamin d ????
Yes, I have since learned that letting the mushrooms dry in sunlight does increase vitamin D content. Thanks for commenting
I dry mine to complete dryness so they easily snap in half for long therm storage
Yes, I do as well. The thinner the better. Thanks for commenting
What time of year do you harvest? Or year round?
They are freshest in the fall. In my area it is mid-September. After that, bugs start eating them. They are still usable during the winter but many are in poor condition. Thanks for commenting
Ive got a sliced one on a rack to dry. My whole house smells like shrooms!❤
Great smell. Thanks for commenting
Thanks Mark!
You are most welcome
Can you cook it and dishes
Mostly no. When it is very young you can eat it but it is quite chewy. It get tougher as it grows. It would be very hard to eat, even cooked. Thanks for commenting
I just made my tea . I only used white clean part . It tasted little bitter but its OK with me. Medicine usually taste bitter thats why its medicine not a candy.
I am okay with the bitter taste as well. Sometimes I add a bit of honey. Thanks for commenting
What do you do with them after using it for tea, feel like is shame to just dispos of them!? Thank you
They could be used to extract additional medicine if made into a tincture first, then steeped into a tisane afterwards. Beyond that, they have no value except as compost. Thanks for commenting
Can this drink be canned for later use or would the boiling process, even within the can, destroy the medicinal properties?
Unfortunately no. The heat will damage the medicinal value. It is easier to keep small pieces of dried mushroom and make it up fresh. Thanks for commenting
At what time of year do these fruit I live in the UK
I can only tell you when they fruit where I live in Nova Scotia. I start seeing them here around early to mid September as the temperatures fall below 20C. You can find them still viable into the winter as well. I like to take note of their location during the summer then go back in the fall to look for new growth. Hope this helps
now
I put them in the oven at 180° doesn't take long at all. I found one today that never finished forming 😆 it's a big heart shaped ball with no pores? Hmm! Wondering if I should dry it or throw it out? Do you have any idea about that?? And thank you I've done it this way but wondering if I was doing it correctly. I really don't want to make a double extraction but I guess I can make it as I need it if storing it is ok🙂 I just wish I could find some Chaga. Tincture by the way is very easy. Especially with something like the polypore... The hardest thing about tinture is straining the flowers or herbs from the tincture 😉 for BPP tincture you make the tea and the tincture then mix them 50/50 for medicinal drops...
Keep the underdeveloped ones for sure. They are every bit as good. In fact, if they are young enough they are sometimes tender enough to eat but not often. I am finding it harder and harder to find chaga as well. So many people are looking for it now. There are a number of bracket fungi that rival chaga for medicinal value so I am not too concerned. Tinctures are great. I really should be making them. No reason not to, except the cost of the vodka. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft ... Yes, I was just reading that BPP is just as good and better in some of its qualities 😊
Found some of these in good shape a few days ago and went back to harvest them today after watching your video on drying/freezing techniques. Great information, I had a friend find and harvest some chaga as well so I guess I just need turkey tail now for the trifecta! I noticed from comments you're also in Nova Scotia; any hints on finding turkey tail around here?
Thanks for the great video!
Hello neighbour. Turkey tail is a bit harder to find than the polypore. It grows on dead hardwoods. I have found it in a variety of places. Be sure to ID it before use. Not that any look a likes are dangerous but they not medicinal either. Chaga is getting harder to find as it grows so slow and so many people are aware of it now. Hope this helps
I have one question. Do you have to remove bottom layer ? I removed mine. It was dirty.
I don't take it off if I harvest them fresh. They tend to turn black on the bottom after they drop their spore. It does not affect their medicinal value but it is not very appealing either. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft But I took mine off, It was very dirty . I don't wanna make my tea with that dirty piece . It could be worms inside or eggs of larva .
I don't want that in my tea. I take that layer off and use only clean white part of the mushroom. Yes you can make bandaid out of it but you use it external not internal . Its a big difference .
I love harvesting them if I'm lucky
And especially cut them
Right on. We are fortunate here to have so many. Thanks for commenting
So if it dark on the bottom it dosen't have the medical use anymore? I'm new to this
To be clear, I am not an expert. My understanding is that the medicinal benefit still exists in older mushrooms but may have degraded some. If all I could find was older ones with dark bottoms (spore released) I would still use them. Hope this helps
Sweet thank you deff a help
I love this video, it answered my questions , the only thing is I wondered why it never mention about washing the birch polypore mushrooms before preparing them for storage, and how to cook it from fresh ones. Is it the same way with the dried ones? Thanks. I have subscribed to your channel.
Glad it was helpful! I don't actually wash off the mushrooms but I do wipe or brush off any dirt. I have not found this to be an issue for long term storage after drying. Since I simmer the mushrooms to make the drink any bacteria, viruses or protozoans would be killed off then. I do have another video on making a medicinal cocktail if interested. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft thank you for your time replying my question, stay safe Mark, God bless🙋♀️🙏
What are the medicinal properties? What does it do for your health? Just curious. Always enjoy your videos Sir. 👍☺
Glad you enjoyed the video. you can learn about the medicinal and other properties in my original video th-cam.com/video/nIDiGtf2XI8/w-d-xo.html. Thanks for commenting
Another video suggested the BPP is good for colon health.
Hi Mark! Greetings from Arctic Norway, near Tromsø! Great video! I am inspired to harvest in my are. I just came across a tree with a few growths that look similar to the polypore, but I'm not sure if it's the same species. Since we are just coming out of winter, they are dark and dry. Is it possible to send you a photo and maybe you can help me identify? TIA-Carla
Yes, my email address is on my TH-cam home page under the "about" tab
Hi Mark , should I wash them before cutting?
Personally, all I do is brush off any dirt, slice them and then dry them. I know I will be simmering or at least steeping them in hot water for an extended period of time so that will kill any pathogens. Thanks for commenting
This is my question as well, thanks for the answer.
Hi Mark, can I ask how much water you boil/add over the mushrooms in the slow cooker?
Most of the time I fill the 6 litre slow cooker to the top after putting in the combo of mushrooms. It looses about a half litre due to evaporation after about four or six hours
@@MarkYoungBushcraft Great, thank you!
Great video. Once they are dried, do you then freeze them or can they just be put in a jar to keep?
I keep them in glass jars mostly although I have vacuum sealed them as well. No need to freeze them. Thanks for commenting
Can i use the old ones from seasons past
Yes; however, the medicinal qualities may have degraded some and the chances of bugs having burrowed in is higher. I would look them over and cut them up, keeping only the portions that look good. Thanks for commenting
Hi Mark, Is the frozen piece fresh frozen or dry frozen? I know some people freeze both fresh and dehydrated. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jackie. The frozen ones were fresh-frozen. Coincidentally, Gina wanted to make room in the freezer for Christmas baking and I had to take two large bags of frozen polypores out and dehydrate them. Turned out just the same as far as I could tell. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft Hi Mark, thought so because the slice seemed a bit thicker than the others but just wanted to make sure. I have never tried polypore but will definitely in the future. It was great to hear at the end what you said about Chaga, it seems it is the craze now and it is just being harvested willy nilly without much thought! There is one thing you can't argue with and that is Christmas baking, the good thing about it is it leads to Christmas snacking! LOL Say hi to Gina for me!
How long do you take it? What is the effect?
Not an easy question to answer. It is best to consider medicinal mushrooms as a nutritional supplement. I take them to prevent sickness. I don't take them everyday but usually a few times a week. The effect can be different for each person. They can cause upset stomach and diarrhea for some. especially if too much is consumed. You may want to watch this video on how I use medicinal mushrooms th-cam.com/video/2JfzQWaGPBk/w-d-xo.html
Whats the weight ratio of polypore:water?
There is no precise recipe. I use three or four slices for about 500ml of water
What if it’s brown is it still good?
Thanks for the question. Here is a video that answers that th-cam.com/video/fJHRFxRjdtQ/w-d-xo.html
Is there any chance they're supposed to taste sour?
I am going to assume you mean that tasting sour is way of telling us not to consume it. My response is no, I don't think that is the reason. I find it a bit bitter but still drinkable with no side effects. Thanks for commenting
No no, in trying to figure out if I should eat the ones I grabbed
I chewed one but didn't eat it
It wasn't bitter like people said it would be it was sour?! In confused
I grabbed the young type.
Do they taste sourish or acidic?
I read there are no look alikes and I found it on a birch.
@@theyoshine Oh, I apologize for the misunderstanding. I have tried eating them as well. The only ones tender enough to eat are those that just emerging on the tree. Even then, they can be tough to chew. For that reason I don't consider them as edible like a chanterelle or morel mushroom. I reserve them for making a medicinal tea only. Hope this helps
@@theyoshine I think the perception of taste may be individualistic. It can be bitter to one person, sour to another and acidic to a third. There is a good chance you have the correct mushroom if it looks like the ones I show in the video. There are no close look a likes. The nearest mushroom that grows on dead birch is the horse-hoof mushroom and it is mostly grey in colour. There is a light coloured mushroom that grows on other dead hardwood trees known as the artists conk. It is also medicinal but equally hard to eat. It is definitely not poisonous.
Doing the same thing in northern BC. On youtube
You are?. Right on
Has anyone cut these slices into noodles, for soup?
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Too tough and rubbery. Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft Sigh. Darn! But thanks.😏
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Use dried rose hips instead of honey, I seem to get rid of the bitterness that way
Interesting idea. I will give it a try
And what do you use on your skin? You have beautiful skin!!
Thank you for your kind compliment. At 62 years of age I really don't do anything special for my skin. Good diet maybe. I have heard that some medicinal mushrooms like chaga can have a positive effect on skin. I expect it is just a side effect of my camera😆
A interesting video, but you do not say what the medicinal properties are.
Glad you enjoyed the video. The medicinal info is in the original video th-cam.com/video/nIDiGtf2XI8/w-d-xo.html. thanks for commenting
what is it do to your health ? why are you drink it ?
In the video description I posted a link to an earlier video that talked about the medicinal uses of the birch polypore th-cam.com/video/nIDiGtf2XI8/w-d-xo.html I also have a video on how to prepare a medicinal cocktail from this and other mushrooms th-cam.com/video/2JfzQWaGPBk/w-d-xo.html. Thanks for commenting
Great video thank you. I was watching another video on polypore and it was suggested that its used to thicken soups and stews so i am a little confused with you saying its bitter. Till that was mentioned i was going to ask if u can make soup out of it but i suppose if its bitter thats not a good idea! ps have you tried the tea with anything other than honey? thanks shaz
I have not tried thickening soup with it. I think it would have to be ground to a powder. Does not re-hydrate into something edible. It is bitter but not overly bad. A bit of honey helps a lot. Thanks for commenting
I think you should take off that bottom filthy piece if you gonna make a tea. If you make bandaids then yeah external you can use but when it go in your stomach avoid that bottom layer. That can have garbage inside you don't want in your tea.
I have had no issue using the bottom. The dark is only where the spore has been released.Thanks for commenting
@@MarkYoungBushcraft You just don't know, you will have an issue later on. Sometimes problems comes later on. Enjoy eating worms larva in that bottom piece hiding many microbes and worm eggs. It may developed in your stomach and you won't even know until its too late and you have guts full of parasites like worms. Don't eat that bottom piece. Eat only white top flesh .
@@generator73 I highly doubt larvae that eat mushrooms will survive stomach acid... I say extra protein! I don't mind eating entire ecosystems... Lol
At the end of the video, you talk about the Chaga mushroom. The information you are giving is incorrect. Chaka mushroom is a misnomer, it is not a mushroom therefore it has no spores. It is a growth on the birch tree to protect the tree from parasites that get into the tree. David Wolfe has a good book out on Chaga, please read it before pointing out that information.
Thanks for commenting
Careful when you say "bug hole". 😂
Thanks for commenting