Medicinal mushrooms are valuable sources of food and traditional medicine and are being used as alternative of medicines. They are rich sources of various bioactive components which have many health benefits.
A stronger immune system, more energy and better stamina are the demands of the present circumstances of the people. The medicinal mushroom helps to raise the health standard of people. Cordyceps is an "expensive mushroom" due to its wide range of health-promoting benefits. We know of certain food items such as black pepper or hinges found in every household are as expensive as gold. Himachal Pradesh has a diversity of agricultural products including apples and many of them are a major source of income. Luxury foods like Kashmiri saffron or premium quality Darjeeling tea are sought all over the world. One such expensive item is the Cordyceps mushroom has great potential to become one of the most valuable cash crops.
According to many studies cordyceps mushrooms reduce fatigue and increase the body's stamina. It increases muscle strength by increasing ATP levels and antioxidant enzyme activity. It also reduces lactic acid levels in muscles. Several researches have also demonstrated that this mushroom increases glucose from the muscle by activating the pathways that control the muscles. In addition, this mushroom increases ATP energy molecules and removes free radicals by increasing the body's antioxidant defense. This mushroom also increases insulin availability in blood and liver glycogen levels. It increases the efficiency of the heart during exercise by increasing blood flow and testosterone levels. Thus it reduces fatigue and increases the strength of the body.
Due to its widespread applications in cancer prevention and treatment, public interest in complementary and alternative medicine has increased worldwide.
Cancer is a global challenge for human health. Cordycepine found in cordyceps has emerged as a strong anticancer agent in many ways. Several studies suggest that cordycepin induces apoptosis of human cancer cells. According to several researches cordycepsin has been widely used as an antitumor agent, with anti-metastatic and antiproliferative effects found to induce apoptosis. Cordycepin regulates the signaling pathway related to tumor development and metastasis. Therefore cordyceps may be beneficial for the development of anticancer drugs that target tumors.
Cultivation of cordyceps has huge potential in helping rural community to make stronger livelihood and can be one of important way to create employment and source of income. Kehloor Biosciences & Research Centre has successfully developed the cordyceps cultivation technology. Research Centre is committed to share this technology with farmers/entrepreneurs.
Cordyceps Cultivation Training Program
Kehloor Biosciences and Research Centre has developed the cultivation technologies for Cordyceps militaris (Keeda Jadi a medicinal mushroom) and offers four days hands on training program for the interested farmers/Entrepreneurs/Students. The training will include theory as well as practical based sessions.
Four days training Schedule:
Day 1: Introduction of Cordyceps militaris, medicinal uses and scope. Introduction to laboratory, equipments and cultivation processes.
Day 2: Detailed cultivation process along with practical demonstration.
Day 3: Introduction of harvesting and processing techniques, Sales and marketing.
Day 4: Laboratory establishment and scale up, Query session.
