…has many consequences. Including the loss of plant species like the bulbous agarikon mushroom (as seen in photo above). Scientists are studying the endangered agarikon for its medicinal properties. The University of Illinois-Chicago found the fungus to be extraordinarily active against XDR-TB tuberculosis, which is resistant to all known drug treatments. Other studies have found that agarikon has properties to combat flu viruses including, when combined with other mushrooms, bird flu, and possibly smallpox.
The bad news? Logging has razed the Pacific Northwest's old growth; less than 20 percent of our original forests still stand. And these mushrooms breed in the Pacific Northwest’s giant Douglas fir trees.
For more on this story from Alternet, visit: www.alternet.org
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