Fomitopsis pinicola
Blessed strength and perseverance of the Red Belted Conk. This beauty is an abundant and profound teacher of resilience, a beloved ally of these times. The red belted conk has been used for centuries, to carry fire, as a styptic (to place on wounds to stop bleeding), as immuno-protective medicine and to prevent and heal from tumors and cancer. When sitting with these grandfathers, I got a vision of a white veil covering my body; a light sheen, followed by three rings of protection emanating out from my physical body. These are guardians of the forest, protectors of our light and physical bodies and emissaries that are ushering us into the New Earth.
Medicinal Profile:
- Turn death into life : anti-tumor
- Styptic, emetic, anti-inflammatory
- Immune-modulating, antioxidant – increases overall vitality
- Anti-bacterial
- Bitter – stimulating to liver and gut
Not only is the red belted conk helpful to humans, it is also boosting the immune system of the honey bee, helping to ward off the varoa mite and detoxing their systems from pathogens. This is one reason I like to leave most of these mushrooms in the forest. The bees visit their nectar, particularly the younger mushrooms, and in turn increase the health of the earth at large.
Not only do the bees benefit from these creatures, bears too play a role in their creation. Witnessing nature allows us to see how everything is interconnected. A fir tree got a good swipe from a bear claw. This caused sap to bleed from the tree and created a feeding ground for bees and other insects. About a year and a half later, a red belted conk appeared on the once open “wound.” No coincidence that bears support the bees.
The mere majesty of nature in slow motion is such a gift to witness. May all being in right timing slow down to the pulse and heartbeat of Mother Earth, and be infused with the essence of her medicines.
Gratitude to the red belted conk, for the many layers in which it peels, and for its place in protecting life on earth.
