Polyporus officinalis Health Dictionary

Fries

Family: Polyporaceae.

Habitat: On the old trunks of various coniferous trees.

English: White Agaric.

Unani: Ghaariqoon.

Action: Used in the treatment of sweats in wasting diseases such as phthisis (it checks profuse sweats); also as an expectorant and diuretic.

The drug contains agaric acid (agari- cin). The resinous extract, when burnt, yields not more than 2% of a white ash, rich in phosphates. The drug gives 46% soft resin.

Agaric acid acts as a counter-irritant when applied to abraded surfaces or mucous membrane.