Hoof Conk/Fungus Health Benefits

ByCody McElrea
Hoof Conk/Fungus

Health Benefits

  • Traditionally used all over the world to cure various human diseases (wounds, gastro-intestinal disorders, liver-related problems, inflammations, various cancers, etc.) (Kalitukha et al., 2023)
  • The fibers found in F. fomentarius can modulate the immune system, contribute to intestinal health, accelerate wound healing, absorb heavy metals, organic dyes and radionuclides, normalize kidney and liver function, and provide antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anxiolytic (reduces anxiety), anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving) effects (in vivo, in vitro, ex vivo and clinical studies)(Kalitukha et al., 2023).
  • Insoluble cell walls purified from the fruiting bodies prove particularly effective in the treatment of chronic, recurring, complicated multifactorial diseases (Kalitukha et al., 2023).
  • Fruiting body has been used traditionally for oral ulcers, gastroenteric disorders (stomach and intestinal tract), hepatocirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver), inflammation and various cancers (Gupta et al., p. 302)
  • Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antitumor, antinociceptive (diminishes pain without producing anesthesia), lowers blood lipid concentrations, prevents high blood pressure  (Gupta et al., 2013).
  • Bioactive compounds are polysaccharides, laccase, MN peroxidase, antioxidant enzymes (Gupta et al., 2013).
  • The isolated cell walls contain fibers composed of glucans (β-glucans, polyphenols, and chitin (Kalitukha et al., 2023)
    • Chitin: a polysaccharide which has several properties including biocompatibility and antimicrobial (Gagwani, 2023)

References

Kalitukha L, Galiano A, Harrison F. Medicinal Potential of the Insoluble Extracted Fibers Isolated from the Fomes fomentarius (Agaricomycetes) Fruiting Bodies: A Review. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2023;25(3):21-35. doi: 10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2022047222. PMID: 37017659.

Gagwani, D. 2023. Chitin-definition, structure and function. Study.com.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/chitin-definition-structure-function.html 


Gupta, V. K., Schmoll, M., Maki, M., Tuohy, M., Mazutti, M. A., 2013. Applications of microbial engineering: the potent pharmacological mushroom fomes fomentarius. 300-317. CRC press. https://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=l2nOBQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA300&dq=fomes+fomentarius+hoof+fungus+peer+reviewed+articles+ganoderma&ots=3Y9RpHBLGa&sig=cADWG6PhAObNpP8eJcxboYzRlBs#v=onepage&q&f=false4