Long history as a food source.

High in B vitamins.

Leavening agent for bread.

Used in fermentation of juices to create wine, beer and soy sauce.

Cheeses.

Enzymes used in industry and detergents.

Otzi the Iceman (5,300 years ago) was found in Austrian Alps with two polypores, Fomes fomentarius and Piptoporus betulinus. It is believed they were used to start fires and/or medicinally.