Wild Mushrooms and Health Diversity, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Benefits, and Cultivation

Medicinal mushrooms have been used since ancient times. Certain mushrooms can be used in treating numerous conditions including those related to cardiovascular health, obesity, cholesterol balance, bone health, diabetes, and cancer. Wild Mushrooms and Health Diversity, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Benefits, and Cultivation establishes reports on numerous species of wild medicinal mushrooms and their potential uses in new drug discovery, analysis of bioactive substances, and prospects for cultivation. Features * Comprehensive review of medicinal mushrooms as sources of promising bioactive molecules and prospective agents of new drug discoveries. * Presents information on diversity, distribution, ethnomycology, ecology, cultivation, descriptions of specific species, and folk medicinal uses of mushrooms throughout the world. * Emphasis on identification, documentation, bioactive substances, and the nature of mushroom bioactivity. * Discusses nutraceutical properties of wild mushrooms, including a high protein content comparable to meat and a low-fat content make them a complete dietary food. * Explores methods involved in the collection, identification, documentation, cultivation, and analysis of mushrooms for drug discovery and conservation techniques. A volume in the Exploring Medicinal Plants series, this volume is a comprehensive resource for medical researchers/scientists and pharmaceutical companies. In addition, content is appropriate for mycologists and botanists interested in pharmacognosy.