Birch Polypore Mushroom | Tea, Medicine, Ötzi The Iceman, Fire Making, Knife Sharpening & More

[@JamieKunka]

Timestamps 00:00 - Birch Polypore introduction 01:00 - Setting up camp 02:15 - Identification 05:41 - Hoof fungus, tinder fungus lookalike 06:44 - Moving camp and making fire 07:00 - how to make Birch Polypore Tea 07:47 - Finland torch, Swedish torch 08:55 - Lighting the torch 09:18 - Making the birch polypore tea 10:24 - Traditional Folk Remedy 10:46 - Ötzi the iceman and whipworm 11:45 - My story about the Birch Polypore 14:24 - Moomins, The Groke and the Birch Polypore 13:52 - Science behind the medicinal benefits 16:03 - Wound dressing, bandage or plaster 18:27 - Trying the tea 20:36 - Sharpening knife with Birch Polypore 23:35 - Ötzi the iceman and his birch polypore necklace 24:51 - Ötzi the iceman appears 25:20 - Making tinder and fire with the Birch Polypore

[@MichaelMantion]

you deserve more views.

[@JamieKunka]

@@MichaelMantion Thank you. As long as a few folk enjoy them i'm happy!

[@happyheartsprevail573]

Hello from Canada. Thanks for this. I know these but didn't know how many uses. Peace be with you.

[@HellGod67]

You forgot 20:06 - Squirell ;D

[@skylovecraft2491]

I have watched sooo many videos on this mushroom and this is the first one i found that explains how to make it into a tea! Great job and thanks!!

[@barrychristy3504]

I had a really bad eye and sinus infection a few years ago that I was taking meds for a few months. A friend gave me a drink he made from seaweed and said it would sort me out. I didn't believe him but figured I had nothing to loose so I drank some. 20 minutes later I was breathing easier but I figured it was just a placebo effect, the next morning I woke feeling better than I had in months. Now I regularly make and drink it. Just shows some traditional medicine does work 🙂

[@JamieKunka]

Wow very interesting. What kind of seaweed was it?

[@barrychristy3504]

@@JamieKunka carageen 🙂 He picks his own because he lives on the sea shore but I just buy it from the shop. Bring about 1.5 to 2 litres of water to boil in a pot and add the carageen. Add the juice and rind of 1 lemon and 2 large oranges. I also add fresh ginger and local honey to taste. I'm spoiled by all the great local honey here in Galway Ireland 🙂 You'll notice the carageen will pretty much completely disolve after a while, that's when it is ready. Strain it into a jug. Its nice to drink as it when still hot. I keep it in the fridge, it'll turn to jelly so to drink it I add 50% to a cup and top with boiling water from the kettle. 2 years ago I went home for Christmas and everyone had a bad cold so I made it up straight away, it wasn't to everyone's liking but none of them had a cold the next morning. Love the channel by the way, using your advice I found and identified Chanterelles a few weeks ago Cheers

[@JamieKunka]

@@barrychristy3504 Thanks! Next time I'm at the coast I'll definitely gather some and try this out! Sounds like it's a pretty powerful cold buster and definitely one for the medicine cupboard. I've heard Ireland is amazing for seaweed. I bought a packet of mixed Irish seaweed from a health food shop up here which I love adding to Asian food!

[@francinepitarch6061]

Wow, thanks for the recipe on that seaweed. And thanks for this polypore video. I know where I can find this mushroom right now

[@Foxyfreedom]

Could’ve also been the meds you were taking months for.

[@RebeccaKnott-oi1qh]

Thank Jamie for sharing some of your knollage here with the wider world. I found you looking for knolage about birch water and found myself working through most of your videos. I happen to have some birch polypore that i dryed last yr, which is now boiling in a pot on my stove as im having digestive trouble and a stinking cold. I also have more of it thats been steeping in alcahol for several months now so ill mix some in with the tea for a full spectrum of yummys. Im looking forward to how my body reacts. Thanks again for being apart of keeping a collective knollage of the magical gift from the natural world alive xR

[@NatureIntoAction]

Terrific video presentation. The best I've seen for authentic content with detailed show and tell. Lotta gifts from the birch! Thanks!!

[@cosmiccharlie8294]

what a fine dog!

[@darranwilkins4648]

Nice video fella. There are so many fungi that's have massive properties Turkey tails. These little polypores are wonder medicines.

[@lsagerbunny58]

Fantastic video! Loved this and after foraging some myself in Scotland this year, will be making my first tea tonight. Thanks for some great content!

[@toadstoolze]

Nice video man... the setting is beautiful 👌 keep up the good work!! Mush love!!👍

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😁

[@PeterLDosa]

Hi Jamie.Nice content ,learned a lot of it.I would recommend you to mix honey into your drinks when it's cooled down below 40%Celsius.Learned it from a beekeeper.Apparently it looses its health benefits and it is even releasing harmful chemicals in hot water. Keep up the good work;)

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks for the tip I’ll make sure not to cook honey then!

[@den_bosmens_outdoor]

As a beekeeper myself I can only confirm this!

[@AwoooOga3503]

I found some and took home to Mom, and she was so happy. And they're kinda rare to find here I live.

[@charlietango8340]

Another wicked video dude! loving this content right now

[@DarkCity4Real]

Having stumbled on this video and after watching someone else talk about it, I have to say this is the most fascinating and informative version. What I have learned in this one video was actually quite amazing and so a massive thank you for doing this and sharing. I can see many more of your videos will be watching this coming week. Keep up the great work.

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks Jon! So glad you enjoyed it and found it useful. Can’t wait for more fungi to pop up this season to film 😁

[@DarkCity4Real]

@@JamieKunka Oh superb. That's something to look out for. By any chance are there any growths on these trees we should be aware of that might be harmful or are these pretty much the only thing that grows on it (except Chaga I realise)? Keep up this excellent and informative channel.

[@JamieKunka]

It’s possible there might be poisonous mushrooms growing at the base of birch trees or or around dead ones. However if it’s a chaga type growth fungus I’m not aware of any poisonous ones or lookalikes. Have a good look at the Hapalopilus polypore as they are the only poisonous polypore around which have upset people before!

[@egomanfreeman1]

Man, I didn't know you can start a fire like that. Glad to see you're still chilling on this channel!

[@JamieKunka]

I couldn't believe how easy it was to get a flame from the birch polypore! Definitely gonna keep some dried birch polypore in the survival bag! Last night I ignited a stick of it and it just burned away like a stick of incense. Incredible stuff.

[@egomanfreeman1]

@@JamieKunka while I was referring to your log on snow campfire technique, :D the dried polypore part also surprised me a lot. will look into finding one of these, though not sure if they grow in Slovakia

[@JamieKunka]

@@egomanfreeman1 Haha! Oh right. Yeh have a look on some dead birch trees and I bet you will find one!

[@jeannetteterry2023]

Thank you, I am so excited to make this..💞

[@Buchoass]

Awesome work in making this video, Great content and great camera work, funny necklace test lol. Cheers Just B.

[@alisdar1234]

Fantastic video. I harvested one today and will dry it out for tinder. I love the idea of a little cottage like yours in the woods🙂

[@JamieKunka]

Great stuff I hope you enjoy one of its many uses!

[@patwoods6487]

Absolutely fascinating.

[@neonfear]

This was so interesting! Loving the videos. Thank you.

[@cocis911]

Thank you for this video! You put such great effort into all aspects of it, and you achieved a wonderful result!

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks! I really enjoyed making it!

[@myriaddsystems]

The little red Tufty squirrels - absolutely enchanting sight!

[@JamieKunka]

They are always a source of great fun and amusement!

[@matthewgoetzka8855]

Thanks for all the good information 🙏🏼

[@cloudnine9100]

thankyou really enjoyed and learned so much

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks I'm glad you found it useful!

[@margotjones8312]

Love this video and your enthusiasm for the birch polypore!

[@JamieKunka]

Such a great Polypore!!

[@SupahBon]

Last summer I found a really small one which I ate. Tasted just a bit soapy. Didnt know about these medicinal qualities, thanks!

[@mike76rob]

I've just watched this a couple of times to make sure. Great videos, you should do more..! I have just harvested my first Birch Polypore and a very decent 26cm across, I was going to take a couple of the tree where there 4 new and 1 old but I think this will do me a while. Looking forward to trying the brew from it.

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks Mike! Glad you made a positive ID. Hope the tea goes well. Don't be afraid to chuck some honey and ginger in there 😊

[@skewtzzDBD]

Very well-made. Just harvested a huge Pipto yesterday, excited to try some of these uses out!

[@JamieKunka]

Great stuff! Are you going to brew up a tea? I'm interested to hear if you experience vivid dreams after it.

[@skewtzzDBD]

@@JamieKunka Totally planning on it - as soon as I finish my chaga! I first tried to make a chicken-like meat out of the spore surface, but it was far too bitter to enjoy even with seasoning. I'll let you know about any dreams

[@JamieKunka]

I made the same mistake with it in a soup once and it ended up overriding all the flavours with bitterness 😂

[@jimmyrustler8983]

@@JamieKunka Oof! Bet that was nasty. Bitter boletes will do the same. Ask me how I know. 🤣

[@micheloff-grid4248]

Hello yes here at the 55 latitude N in Canada birch are fluent…. I get lots of chaga of course polypore now it time for chaga that I pick in February on live tree only …I also made birch syrup that a sale at the farmer market I also ski tree pin leather boots but I used pole on my forest trail Thank you hope to exchange whit you

[@boboala1]

I think it's very cool that you know about Otzi, birch polypore, and winter bushcraft! Oh, and that you're Scottish! ;-)

[@andrewhumphreys3911]

Thanks 🙏 great video I felled a old dead birth tree threatening to fall on the house and it was full of Birch Pollypores Lots of tea 🍵 ha

Jamie, thank you for a very interesting video and lots of advice!

[@JamieKunka]

Your very welcome!

[@dalehaywood5407]

What a great informative video on using the birch polypore. Having seen some i had to find some info about them and what they can be used for so glad i come across your channel. Would adding some pine needles or rosehip in the brew be worth a go? Thanks for the info.

[@JamieKunka]

Glad it was helpful! Yes I bet some pine needles and rose hip would make a great winter elixir!

[@beatrizhattori9700]

I ve seen these mushrooms here in N Norway, steinsopp, stone mushroom. Thanks for all the information on your nice video!

[@almostRyanMacleod]

Loved this video! Just had my first mug of this tea while watching this and really enjoyed it. Not as bitter as I expected and smelled like stewed apple while it was simmering. Also love the Moomins cup. There's a shop in Cromarty with a load of different moomin mugs and I've been meaning to get one haha

[@JamieKunka]

Stewed apples! That's a good tasting note. I'll have to try and find that shop, I need some more. Let me know if you have any powerful dreams. I'm beginning to think that's one of the effects of the tea, could just be me though.

[@almostRyanMacleod]

@@JamieKunka I had one of the strangest dreams I've had in a long time, so I think you're right haha

[@JamieKunka]

Very interesting! Would you say it was helpful or just freaky??

[@almostRyanMacleod]

@@JamieKunka Definitely just a bit freaky and nonsensical for sure

[@JamieKunka]

Interesting. I remember the first time I had it I was stuck dreaming the same short thing for hours and hours on loop 😂

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Great video, thanks for showing us. Take care.

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks Quinn. Love your channel!

[@carlj2628]

another really awesome video man. i'll give it a go :) i'm currently sipping on some reishi (ganoderma lucidum) tea that ive been finding growing here in france. if it grows in your area i'd absolutely love to see a video on that!

[@kravist518]

Great informative video, how many times can you use each slice or how many boils before it’s not as effective?

[@JamieKunka]

I've think you could get three good boils out of the slices. Just make sure hey don't go mouldy in between. I suspect subsequent boils release slightly different compounds!

[@oneconciousness2248]

I'm inspired! Thanks for such a fun educational vid. It's a November Sunday in the uk. My second day of mushroom foraging adventures👍 cheers for the excellent vids.

[@JamieKunka]

Hope you found some nice specimens!

[@nashamorrison3113]

lovely video .thanks for the info

[@tonyyemm12]

Obviously a bit of a lunatic, but very entertaining , let’s have some more !

[@Michael-mj1bz]

Really enjoyed this, well done

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks Michael!

[@ianbird8617]

Great vid, enjoyed

[@damienfontaniere4015]

That is a great video, thank you very much, really enjoyed it.

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks Damien I'm glad you enjoyed it, I had a fun time making it!

[@davidyendoll5903]

Excellent , thank you . Subscribed one watching one video !

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks David! Welcome to the channel!

[@bexxISM]

Great Video, I've been using Chaga a lot the last few years and recently started harvesting other edibles. I know I have this growing in my back yard here in Vermont so I hope to soon start drinking this tea. Is it something to use sparingly or can you use anytime.

[@JamieKunka]

Very lucky to find one in the back yard! I know some people take a bit a day in tea or tincture but it’s quite high in Oxalates so if there is history of kidney stones in the family I would not over do it! I just use it every so often 😁

[@john2940]

I loved the vid already with all the info and just the nice tone but when you mentioned MOOMIN?? Omg. Instant favourite channel.

[@JamieKunka]

Haha! Snufkin is my idol 😄

[@bushcraftbasics2036]

Just came across your channel, seems pretty good.

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks! Hopefully making some more videos soon once we get a bit of snow!

[@jayelbee777]

Awesome video! I just subscribed. Thank you!

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks Jan! More videos coming soon!

[@juliagoatly5857]

I have a stash of these I harvested in December. I now have coronavirus so I will need to make a brew. At least I’m not too worried about the bitterness as I have little taste and smell 😂

[@JamieKunka]

Get the brew nice and bitter then!! 😂 I made myself a strong one when I had it as well! I think it helped a bit as I soon recovered from the worst of it!

[@soldier-Dave]

Great video! New subber here!

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@grim.hustle]

I love your channel! I drank Birch Polypopre tea today, but I did not boil it, but put it into 80 degree Celsius water... and let it sit there for a a few hours. Any thoughts?

[@JamieKunka]

I think that should work pretty well without damaging some of the more delicate compounds!

[@storm3698]

Brilliant video. Subscribed. I picked off burch today fungi which is very dry and dark porous underside. It has been id as burch polypore but I'm not sure. It is very dry and almost like cork or dried sponge.

[@JamieKunka]

Perhaps quite an old one if it’s pores have gone dark?

[@storm3698]

@@JamieKunka yes. It was white inside when cut

[@eastindiaV]

Okay if I remember my mom correctly she told me that carbon is the main food source of mushrooms, so these kind of mushrooms eat old dead logs.. and that's where I found my polypores. now I'm not sure if they're Birch polypores per se, but they're pretty close to them it's a fairly you know Common family of mushrooms... you know Polyporus spp. is what I'll call it, but I'm pretty sure they might somehow produce hydrochloric acid (hydrogen & chlorine) that maybe breaks down (similar to human digestive tract) the tree....so that it's able to then consume the nutrients and carbon from the tree....in which case I'm f****** high as s*** on either right now, because I use them mushrooms to develop a liquid culture and then, with that liquid culture I'll make beer... and in the presence of hydrochloric acid, ethanol becomes Aether, so that would explain why I have an insane crazy Head Rush right now and I can barely even like think... it's like the f****** edges of my vision are starting to go dark, it's definitely ether Another way I can tell that it's Ether, besides just drinking it and being like damn, is I can see in that tank where I'm fermenting there's a whole bunch of condensation whereas my other tank that I make Saké in, there's not as much condensation.... and Aether has a very very low boiling point, and it's very very can't remember the word it's got a very fast evaporation rate so for that reason it creates a lot of condensation in the fermenter.... it's just a little droplets of Aether in there probably

[@GaiusMucius]

Hey, I love your channel and your dog! Also, if you're ever around northern Italy (when things get back to normal), pay a visit to the Ötzi museum in Bolzano. You won't be disappointed :-)

[@JamieKunka]

Hey Tim! I love reading about Ötzi and it would be amazing to visit the museum in Bolzano. I have heard so much about it. It is for sure on my list of things to do. I bet it is a very beautiful area!

[@GaiusMucius]

@@JamieKunka You bet. The Dolomites, with its very accommodating mountain huts, are also amazing destination for hiking and climbing!

[@JamieKunka]

@@GaiusMucius Mountain huts sound amazing. I have heard from a few people who have climbed and skid there thats it is incredible. Might have to book a trip once we can all travel freely again!

[@davidbennett9691]

My father was a barber and always honed his razors on a bracket fungus like this.

[@JamieKunka]

What did his honing tool look like? Was it stuck to a peice of wood as well?

[@fastjimmysoutdoors5286]

Is that a Mora Swedish knife you are stirring the pot with? I have one and it is the best knife I've ever owned.

[@JamieKunka]

Yes indeed! A gift from someone who worked with ray mears!

[@annadiaconu868]

amazing video tahnk you for sharing with us about this amazing mushroom. can you eat it as well ? or only consumed as a tea ?

[@JamieKunka]

It’s possible you could eat it as an anti parasitic or potential immune booster but it would be very bitter and chewy! They think that’s what Ötzi the iceman might have done was chew on it regularly for his intestinal parasites 🦠!

[@friedeseimitdiroxmox4669]

Nice to know up in Scotland still the european squirrel hasn't been replaced by the american one.

[@JamieKunka]

Yes luckily there is still a great deal red squirrels in this part of Scotland!

[@chrismarks6060]

What trousers do you have on there Jamie? Torn between a couple and can't seem to make out what yours are!

[@JamieKunka]

Hi Chris! They are the Hagloffs Rugged Pant. Lovely heavy weight cordura type material but actually quite breathable. I've been wearing them for about 10 years and they still look brand new after a wash!

[@chrismarks6060]

@@JamieKunka Ahh I did see them online when I was trying to match the patterns hehe. Thanks for the reply! Enjoying your videos - new sub here!

[@JamieKunka]

Thanks and I'm glad your enjoying the videos 😁

[@timaddison307]

his knife just went through that Ginger like it was interdimensional

[@JamieKunka]

🤣

[@AndrewBlucher]

"Bring your stick" :-)

[@jamieleeredwood8011]

Is this a bracket mushroom found also on dead oak?

[@JamieKunka]

I think this polypore is only found on Birch trees. Have a look at some other British bracket fungus that grow on oak. There should be some good books/useful apps that could help

[@autreyoutube401]

You left your keys in the door!

[@krystalmorrow2606]

Is this safe to consume during pregnancy?

[@JamieKunka]

Hi Krystal, unfortunately I couldn't find any research or folk information about the Birch Poly pore and pregnancy. I would advise avoiding in case it does anything unexpected with your hormones as I believe it can prevent the conversion of testosterone into oestrogen (aromatase inhibitor). However that might be quite good if your having a baby boy but I would still be careful in case there are any compounds which might induce abortion. Hope this helps! Jamie

[@Jahsus]

Fix them on with thick spider web!

[@jackschitt7783]

Why in the hell did you use the sharpened edge to strike the steel?! OMG....

[@JamieKunka]

Apologies for the blade abuse 😂

[@timothylongmore7325]

great video. i just threw out pounds of these. i forage and sell medicenal and tried offering these. no takers. its a shame as they're very plentiful. i've used them for wound dressing but never tea. i'll certainly give it a go now.

[@JamieKunka]

I guess maybe the Chaga steals the show all the time and they are a bit overlooked but shouldn’t be!

[@timothylongmore7325]

@@JamieKunka I agree. I don't harvest them anymore ( for sales) , but do use them personally as wound dressing. I soak them in colloidal silver but may give them a go without the added topical.

[@eastindiaV]

Also to hold an ember you literally just take a piece out of a campfire thats lit jam it down into the dry mushroom, and then just run as far as you can away to the next Village over and then start a fire there with it.... and then there's two fires. back then people were cavemen and they didn't know how to start a fire at all so people had to run around with f****** embers, like it was a currency or something

[@benjamindejonge3624]

Some people make hat’s out of them

[@jimf1964]

I totally forgot, I bought 2 boxes of mushrooms and I better use them before they go bad……and I’ve been sick while I have dried turkey tail, and birch polypores and didn’t use them. 🙄

[@edenbreckhouse]

If it's the Swiss army knife of mushrooms, can it be used to get stones out or horses hooves?

[@JamieKunka]

I think a dried stick of birch polypore probably would as it dries rock hard!

[@edenbreckhouse]

@@JamieKunka I will try to tea - I see loads of Birch Polyphore when I'm out and about.

[@ferociousbeast4029]

Awesome mushrooms but nobody tells you the side effect if you're allergic. Worst thing I've ever been through my life. I wasn't allergic first or second time I used this mushroom but third time my body didn't recognize the protein and all my capillaries opened up and my body released an abundance of histamine which messed up my intestines. Be very careful.

[@JamieKunka]

I had not heard of such allergic reactions with this fungus so thanks for posting you're experience as a warning to people who wish to consume the Birch Polypore. Interesting that it took a few exposures for you to develop an allergic reaction.

[@ferociousbeast4029]

@@JamieKunka in this case it affected my intestinal system and my stomach. The doctor put me on an antibiotic and I've been taking a lot of antihistamine. Apparently it takes a week to get out of your system.

[@stacyrosa6672]

I have a rough time with the taste of Birch Polypore tea, so bitter!

[@JamieKunka]

Yeh quite hard going! Much better with some honey and ginger in it 😁

[@kennethprice5628]

Btw, these stoves are smokeless. LOL

[@jwright4686]

Hemp the dog was impatient. Throw me the stick, bud! Stop talking about mushrooms!

[@woodspirit98]

What global pandemic?