Fermented Botanical

Background

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal fungus belonging to the order Polyporus, generally refers to the genus Ganoderma, which includes more than 200 different species. They are mainly distributed in China, Taiwan and Japan. G. lucidum usually grows in the place with high humidity and dim light, such as the roots of rotting trees. Since G. lucidum only grows in certain species, the wild G. lucidum becomes scarce. Besides, the quality of the wild G. lucidum is hard to control. Therefore, most of the G. lucidum products currently on the market are produced by artificial cultivation.

G. lucidum has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. It is one of the most famous Chinese medicines. According to the scientific researches, G. lucidum contains numerous active compounds, including more than 140 triterpenes and rich polysaccharides. "Compendium of Materia Medica" records that G. lucidum can be used for liver disease, cough, palpitation, loss of appetite and insomnia. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that G. lucidum has the effects on promoting immune system, preventing cardiovascular diseases and improving neurasthenia. Such evidence leads G. lucidum to a new level. In addition, since it is hard to obtain G. lucidum fruit body with stable quality, G. lucidum mycelium with stable quality produced by submerged cultivation has gradually become one of the most popular health products.

Background

Inonotus obliquus, which is also known as Chaga, is a fungus belonging to the family Hymenochaetaceae. They are mainly distributed in the areas of 40o ~ 50o north latitude, such as North America, Russia, North Korea, North Europe and China. I. obliquus only grow on Betula platyphylla. The appearance of I. obliquus fruit body presents as a black clump. Owing to its strong vitality, once I. obliquus parasitizes the B. platyphylla, it will continuously absorb the nutrients from the hosts until they die. This special growth mode is similar to that of human cancer cells, giving I. obliquus the name of “cancer of B. platyphylla”.

​The active compounds in I. obliquus are mainly polysaccharides, phenolic and triterpene. Since 16th century, I. obliquus has been extensively used in several regions, including Russia, North Europe, Finland and Poland. It can be used for treating malignant tumors, heart disease, diabetes and other diseases, and has no significant side effects. In 1955, The Medical Academy of Science in Moscow, a precursor of First Moscow State Medical University, has even declared I. obliquus as an anti-cancer substance. On the top of that, in the past few decades, studies have also demonstrated that I. obliquus has the effects on anti-virus, preventing high blood pressure, anti-oxidative and promoting immune system. Such evidence literally makes I. obliquus a superstar in the field of health foods.  

Background

Hericium erinaceus is an edible mushroom belonging to family Hericiaceae. Because of its appearance looks like a monkey’s head, it is also known as monkey head mushroom. H. erinaceus is mainly distributed in North America, Europe and Asia. As the previous royal palace food, H. erinaceus is commonly found in traditional Chinese delicacies. In addition, H. erinaceus is a high-protein, low-fat food and the taste similar to meat, it is very popular among vegetarians.

In addition to being used as general edible mushroom, H. erinaceus is also widely used as medicinal mushrooms. H. erinaceus is rich in active compounds which including polysaccharides, erinacines, hericenones and more than 16 amino acids. In traditional Chinese medicine, H. erinaceus is often used to invigorate the spleen and stomach and treat symptoms such as indigestion and insomnia. In recent years, scientists have identified an active compound from the mycelium of H. erinaceus, Erinacines A, which is a small compound that can easily cross the blood-brain barrier. This active compound can provide protection to nerve cells, and effectively improve neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Background

Cordyceps sinensis is a fungus belonging to genus Ophiocordyceps, usually parasitizes in the larvae of Hepialidae. They are mainly distributed in alpine regions of China, Nepal and Bhutan. The spores of C. sinensis parasitize worms and continuously absorb the nutrients from them. When winter comes, the hosts will die because their bodies are full of hyphae, and their internal tissues and shells will combine with the hyphae to form a hard mycelium. Once spring comes, the mycelium will continue to grow and eventually generate a rod-shaped fruiting body from the head of the worm, resulting in half of it being insects and half being plants. The term "winter worm, summer grass" is also derived from its special growth mode.

Cordyceps sinensis, which is rich in polysaccharides, proteins, nucleotides and mannitol, is the top medicine in traditional Chinese medicine. “Compendium of Materia Medica” records that C. sinensis can be used to treat coughs, respiratory disorders and kidney disorders. Recently, studies have also shown that C. sinensis is effective in immune regulation, improving sports performance and increasing strength. Given that C. sinensis have high health value and is difficult to collect, its price on the market is always high. Therefore, the mycelium produced by the submerged cultivation, which has similar nutritional value to the fruit body of C. sinensis, has attracted more and more attention from the market.

Background

Antrodia cinnamomea, a medicinal mushroom endemic to Taiwan, is a fungus belonging to the family Fomitopsidaceae. Because of its bright orange appearance and high health value, Antrodia cinnamomea is also known as the “Ruby in the forest”. Antrodia only grows in the trunk of Cinnamomum kanehirae. However, with C. Kanehirae being listed as a conservation plant, wild Antrodia has almost disappeared from the market. At present, most of the Antrodia on the market are generated by artificial woods cultivation. But, since C. kanehirae woods are quite rare and it often takes more than one year to grow fruit bodies, Antrodia is still a very precious health food.

Until now, more than 78 compounds have been identified in Antrodia cinnamomea, which are mainly triterpenoids, polysaccharides and quinones. Furthermore, as more researchers have devoted themselves to the research of it, more than 300 related scientific papers have been published. Studies have shown that both the fruit body cultured from wood and the mycelium cultured in solid or liquid state have been found to have multiple pharmacological effects, including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, liver-protecting, anti-viral, anti-allergic, neuroprotective and anti-cancer. Given its wide range of pharmacological effects, Antrodia is also used as a natural supplement for adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy.