ABSTRACT
Carl Linnaeus in the year 1753 described this fungus as Boletus suberosus and later specific epithet was changed to betulinus as it was reported from the birch trees. The use of F. betulina in folk medicine is known since ages. The infusion from fruit bodies of F. betulina was popular, especially in Russia, Baltic countries, Hungary and Romania for its nutritional and calming properties. In Northern America and Siberia, snuff prepared from the ash of P. betulinus is used as a pain reliever, whereas the powder obtained from fruit bodies of P. betulinus is used as snuff in Austria. Fomitopsis betulina has been tested in vitro for its activity against cancer cells. The therapeutic use of Fomitopsis betulina was known for several thousands of years for treating various human ailments and diseases.
