Making plasters/band-aids in the woods

The fungus starts out budding like a ball, but soon folds over to make a distinctive, smooth rim around the pore surface.

Taking bracket fungus really isn’t going to harm the tree or the spore – though you should only ever take what you need.

Its uses go back centuries as a firestarter*, but it can also be used for sharpening razors (as a strop) or as we’ve said, as a plaster!

*5,300 years ago (approx) a guy named by the researchers as Otzi was murdered in the alps. Preserved perfectly, among his possessions was powdered birch poly pore which was used in fire lighting

Step 2: Removing the polypore

A swift tug is all you should need to move fresh poly pore.

Step 3: Cutting strip

Step 4: Application

When applying, stretch slightly and gently squeeze and the polypore will bind to itself. You can reinforce with cordage/grass/bark whatever you’ve got on you really.

There are otherways – using pine resin etc but birch polypore is nice neat and less sticky to deal with.

Have fun in the woods and don’t forget :-

– Always take a first aid kit,
– Take care
– and most importantly leave no trace!