Mushrooms as Medicine

Part 1

Mushrooms have been used as food and medicine by cultures throughout the world since ancient times. There are documented records of mushrooms being used as medicine as early as 250 BCE however there are fossil records that seem to suggest that the use of mushrooms as medicine is much older. Traditional Chinese Medicine systems have been among the most prolific users of medicinal mushrooms to treat a variety of health issues ranging from stomach inflammation to the treatment of serious diseases like Cancer etc. So let us begin a wonderful journey into the world of medicinal mushrooms and the vast potential that they have shown in their ability to improve the quality of life itself.

We are now able to identify and isolate the active compounds in mushrooms to develop mushroom based drugs that are used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions. These mushrooms can also be consumed as extracts or tinctures to not only alleviate health conditions but also to get high quality nutrition. The State of Sikkim has vast potential when it comes to medicinal mushrooms as high value mushrooms are found throughout the state and today, we will pay special attention to one such mushroom species!

1. Ophiocordyceps Sinensis aka Yasargumba:

Cordyceps mushrooms in general are entomopathogenic fungi which colonize live insect hosts as they invade and take over the nervous system of the host. Known popularly around the world as the Zombie Fungus it is among the most sought-after medicinal mushrooms, the keedajadi as it is known in other parts of India and Yasargumba in Sikkim is really a magical fungus with several health benefits. Most popularly known to boost the libido and give energy, it is the source of the compound that is used to make Viagra and other popular drugs.

Traditionally in parts of North Sikkim, indigenous communities have been using this mushroom since eons. However, due to its high medicinal and commercial value, this is also among the most exploited wild mushroom in the state. Although picking this mushroom has been restricted to only certain communities in Sikkim, illegal picking and sales have badly affected this sacred and magical fungus and the habitats that it grows in and conservation efforts are much needed to save this ancient medicine from being overexploited and picked into extinction. Alternatively, several other species of cordyceps mushrooms are found throughout the state.

Cordyceps militaris is a mushroom that demands more attention as it has a chemical markup that is very similar to its coveted cousin. It is also an entomopathogenic fungus that mostly affects cicadas. The advantage with this mushroom is that it can be cultivated as opposed to the Yasargumba (Ophiocordyceps Sinensis) which can only be foraged. This mushroom has immense potential as a medicinal and health supplement and as a great source of income for farmers and home growers alike. Today you can order high quality cordyceps militaris from various sellers online and there are some people in Sikkim who have also grown this mushroom commercially with great success. Studies into this magical family of mushrooms has revealed them to be among the most potent health boosting mushrooms.

Since this family of mushrooms is so important and studies are still ongoing about the plethora of health benefits that they offer, we have decided to give extra focus to this wonderful fungus today. This family of mushrooms has shown potential as an immunity booster even for cancer patients, it is packed with anti-oxidants and studies also show that it has anti-tumor effects. It is known to alleviate stress and give bursts of energy. People today also use it because it helps the body optimize the use of oxygen. It has also shown in recent studies that it helps protect the brain and possibly aid in neural repair. This is only the beginning as there is still a lot science needs to learn about this wonderful fungus.

We hope that talking about this mushroom will help in the identification and conservation of this very rare fungi and will also encourage more people to not only make it part of their life but also to further do studies on it. We will continue this journey into the world of medicinal mushrooms with some more mushrooms soon.