The Unique Medicinal Fungi in Taiwan - Taiwanofungus camphoratus (Antrodia cinnamomea)
The hottest red-gold industry Legend of Antrodia cinnamomea - Ruby of the Forest

Taiwanofungus camphoratus(Antrodia cinnamomea) has commendations as “The ruby of the
forest”. It’s also named as Chang-Ku, Niu-Chang-Ku, Niu-Chang-Chih or Hong-Chang-Chih. It
smells aromatic, and it tastes acrid and bitter. It prefers to grow in dark and humid condition in
nature. It grows only on Cinnamomun kanehirae Hay., the host tree, in the mountains around
450-2000 meter high. It Grows slowly and hard to cultivate the fruiting body. So, Taiwanofungus
camphoratus (Antrodia cinnamomea) is a unique fungus of Taiwan and is currently the most
expensive medical fungi in the world and has been hailed as the hottest red-gold industry.
The appearance of Taiwanofungus camphoratus(Antrodia cinnamomea) and its habitat is much
similar to those of Ganoderma lucidum. Therefore, Taiwanofungus camphoratus(Antrodia
cinnamomea) was regarded as a species of Ganoderma lucidum in the early time. According
to Chinese medical ancient books, “Shennong Ben Cao Jing”, reports, Ganoderma lucidum is
classified as the best of top category of traditional Chinese medicine. Taiwanofungus camphoratus
(Antrodia cinnamomea) has been used by people for more than two hundred years. It’s said
that the efficacies of Taiwanofungus camphoratus(Antrodia cinnamomea) is much better than
Ganoderma lucidum, so Taiwanofungus camphoratus(Antrodia cinnamomea) is horned as “King of
Ganoderma lucidum”.
The biotech industry has begun to invest significant resources in research and development of
Taiwanofungus camphoratus(Antrodia cinnamomea) market for nearly twenty years. There are
more than 200 well-known published international journals and nearly 300 Taiwan dissertations on
Taiwanofungus camphoratus(Antrodia cinnamomea) study. Research covering Anti-cancer, Antiinflammation,
Immuno-regulation, Liver Protection, Anti-oxidation, etc...Hence, such unique fungi
have been extensively studied and applied in Taiwan. Moreover, it is getting more attention from
overseas researchers and investors.