Reishi Mushrooms Love Neighbours

Ganoderma mushroom finds a mention in the historical record that dates back to 2000 years. However, very few attempts have been made to scientifically evaluate the medicinal properties of Ganoderma mushrooms found in India. It is commonly called as Reishi or mannentake (10,000-year mushroom) in Japan and Ling Zhi (mushroom of herb and immortality) in China and Korea. The mushroom is known by many in North America and Europe as one of the “artist’s conk” fungi. An interesting observation was many leaves of nearby creepers and grass blades were seen emerged out of this mushroom-like Ikebana arrangement A long term observation from the time the fruiting body emerged out of the soil till it became woody. Of the approximately 10,000 known species of mushrooms, about 300 of them possess medicinal properties. Captured through camera in a series of photographs revealed that when a leaf or a grass blade come in contact with, the mushroom would embrace it by growing around Though, no explanation was found in literature to this rare sight, the possibility is that both, mushroom and leaf/grass are mutually benefited as both were flourishing equally According to Wasser and Weis mushrooms represent a major and as yet, largely untapped source of potent pharmaceutical products. Some of them are edible whereas some are known for their medicinal properties, yet others are poisonous in nature. Ganoderma has also been found to occur widely in India, particularly in tropical areas.