Introduction
Tiger milk mushroom or also known as Lignosus rhinoceros, is our Malaysia’s national hidden treasure. The simple reason being is that it is highly beneficial and yet extremely rare (you would not be able to spot one stalk from another within a 5km radius)! It can also be found in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Southern China, and parts of Australia.
The medicinal value of the tiger milk mushroom lies within its sclerotium (the root-like structure found beneath the ground). This region is white in colour and has a milk-like taste.
History
Ever wonder why are these mushrooms named after tiger milk? According to legendary folklore, this mushroom is believed to have grown at the very spots where the mother tigers spilled their milk while feeding their cubs.
This mushroom has steeped in traditional Malay, Chinese, and even the aborigines’ medicinal history for over 400 years. While tiger milk mushroom has been the go-to remedy to treat various ailments such as cough, asthma, bronchitis, allergies, fever, joint inflammation, and pain for over centuries, it has not hit the mainstream market because of the unavailability of sufficient samples to carry out scientific studies as well as its high harvesting cost. In the year 2002, our Ex-Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir mentioned his long-term cough was resolved by taking tiger milk mushroom. Since then, this mushroom took the holistic health world by storm due to its powerful healing properties, especially for respiratory problems.
Benefits
Lung and Respiratory Health
- Effective in reducing the body’s reaction to allergens. This helps to relieve respiratory issues including asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and chronic cough.
- Beneficial to those exposed to polluted environments or those who are heavy smokers.
Anti-Inflammation
- Helps to relieve joint pain associated with inflammation.
- Exhibits a similar anti-inflammatory pattern as Indomethacin, a drug used to treat inflammatory diseases
Strong Immunity
- Stimulates the production of human immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils which enhance the body’s ability to combat infections.
- Eliminates unwanted toxins and foreign substances from the body.
Rich in Antioxidants
- Studies showed that the sclerotia of this mushroom could help reduce oxidative stress in the body.
- Prevents the harsh effects of premature aging
A few traditional medicine practitioners actually believe it may be useful in preventing the recent coronavirus breakout. However, there is still insufficient data to support this hypothesis. Since this mushroom regulates our immune systems and its anti-inflammatory properties effectively repair the damaged tissue of the respiratory system, it might actually be helpful in the reduction of COVID-19 symptoms. What do you think?
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Prepared by: Chew Ee Wei, a HTM Pharmacist.
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