Fungi herbal medicines

Thymus sp. (thyme) is a common spice that has been extensively studied [116-123]. Thyme is one of the earliest medicinal plants in western herbal medicine. The essential oil isolated from this spice is active in the inhibition of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as well as yeast and fdamentous fungi. A major constituent of thyme oil is thymol (91), which has been implicated as the molecule responsible for the activity of this essential oil. Other materials isolated from thyme oil that possess biological activity include carvacrol (92), bomeol (93), p-cymene (37), a-pinene (13) and camphene (94). Thymol (91) was shown to be the most active, followed by carvacrol (92), borneol (93), / -cymene (37), a-pinene (13), and camphene (94) [121]. 

Plants naturally synthesize chemical compounds in defence against fungi, insects and herbivorous mammals. Some of these compounds or phytochemicals such as alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, pwlyphenols and glycosides prove beneficial to humans in unique manner for the treatment of several diseases. These compounds are identical in structure and function to conventional drugs. Extracts from parts of plants such as roots, stems, and leaves also contain such extraordinary phytochemicals that are used as pesticides, antimicrobials, drugs and herbal medicines. 

Grieve, M., and C. E. Leyel. A modem herbal. The medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and economic properties, cultivation and folk-lore of herbs, grasses, fungi, shrubs and trees with all their modem scientific uses, 1931. 

Emodin is a naturally occurring anthraquinone produced in many species of lichen, fungi, and higher plants (e.g., the genus, Rhamnus). Extracts containing emodin have been used in traditional medicine as herbal laxatives. It has also... 

M. Grieve,, A Modern Herbal - the Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folklore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs and Trees with All Their Modern Scientific Uses , Tiger Books International, London, 1998. 

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