08 Apr 2022 Ganoderma Lucidum: The Magic Mushroom
Ganoderma Lucidum: The Magic Mushroom – Today Current Affairs
- Recently efforts are being made globally to popularize Ganoderma lucidum (magic mushroom) by cultivating wood logs and sawdust for trade and livelihood.
Today Current Affairs
About Magic Mushrooms:
- It is a medicinal mushroom used for centuries to cure diseases such as diabetes, cancer, inflammation, ulcers as well as bacterial and skin infections.
- However, the potential of this fungus i.e. Magic Mushroom/Ganoderma lucidum is still being explored in India.
- It is considered one of the most important medicinal mushrooms in the world because of the many medicinal properties found in its chemical constituents.
- It has been given nicknames such as “Mushroom of Immortality”, “Celestial Herb” and “Auspicious Herb”. It is also known globally as “Red Reishi Mushroom”.
- Information about the use of this mushroom can be found in the history of China 5,000 years ago. It is also mentioned in the historical and medical records of countries like Japan, Korea, Malaysia and India.
- Unlike common mushrooms, the specialty of this mushroom is that it grows only on wood or wood-based substrates.
- It thrives well in hot and humid climates and grows preferably in mixed forests of sub-tropical and temperate regions.
- Contains more than 400 chemical constituents, including triterpenes, polysaccharides, nucleotides, alkaloids, steroids, amino acids, fatty acids and phenols.
- They exhibit pharmacological properties such as immunomodulatory, anti-hepatitis, anti-tumor, and antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), anti-malarial, hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory.
- In addition to medicines, Ganoderma lucidum is also used as a base material for the manufacture of products such as tea, coffee, energy supplements, health boosters, beverages, baked goods and anti-aging cosmetics.
What is the scope of its cultivation in India? The Hindu Analysis
- Its mass production is limited to the countries of China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States of America.
- Awareness is spreading about Ganoderma and the demand for this mushroom has inspired many countries including India to mass produce it and manufacture its products. The Hindu Analysis
- India is a country where most of the population is mainly dependent on agriculture and there is a lot of potential for cultivation of this mushroom.
- It can be grown indoors and thus is protected from the effects of extreme weather conditions, human-wildlife conflict, harsh topography and poor soil conditions. Today Current Affairs
- Presently, mushroom in India is mostly confined to laboratory research. However, some successful efforts have been made by various Indian organizations for its cultivation.
- It is cultivated in the country on wooden logs. The Hindu Analysis
- It may have immense potential for livelihood generation, but there are also some challenges in this regard.
- Dried fruit or raw powder of ‘Ganoderma lucidum’ can be sold at Rs 4,000-5000 per kg.
In this article we mention all information about Ganoderma Lucidum: The Magic Mushroom Today Current Affairs.
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