Farmer discovers ancient 'elixir of life' in Chinese mountains

New Delhi, Jan 17 : A Chinese farmer recently came across a giant glossy ganoderma, a rare type of fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine, known as the "elixir of life" in ancient times.

The farmer, from Yangchun county of the Chinese province of Guangdong, discovered the ganoderma while collecting herbs in the mountains.

The 72cm long, 64cm wide fungus weighs more than 15 kg and is the largest recorded specimen found in the province.

Many locals are of the view that the large and thick ganoderma could be more than 200 years old.

Well-known for its medicinal properties, the fungus was known as the "elixir of life" in early times.

Presently it's used by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to treat tumours and as an anti-toxin.

ANI