Potential Medicinal Fungi from the Woodlands of North West Wales

Medicinal fungi have a long history, especially in the East. Four species in particular (Ganoderma lucidum, Polyporus umbellatus, Wolfiporia cocos and the insect pathogen Cordyceps sinensis) are still considered to belong to the highest class of medicines, promoting all-round good health. In terms of Western medicine, penicillin obtained from a fungus in 1928 has been one of the most influential botanical of this century, used to produce life- saving anti-biotics. Polypore mushrooms have been used medicinally by native people for millennia. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is the most studied of all the polypores, the medicinal claims for this fungus are so extensive that it has been dubbed the panacea polypore . Recent research indicates that certain polypores contain a number of properties that inhibit tumor growth and stimulate immune function. This review compiles the most recent research into the bio active properties of certain polypore fungi, many of which are found in the woodlands of North West Wales. Implications are discussed in terms of a market for medicinal mushrooms in Wales and woodland and fungi conservation issues.