India with its diverse habitats and ecosystems is a treasure house of biodiversity. The North-West Himalayan region is particularly rich in wild mushrooms. During the last few decades significant advances have been made in the study of medicinal mushrooms biology and in their cultivation. This book is an attempt to compile all the relevant information on five medicinal mushrooms (Cordyceps militaris, Ganoderma lucidum, Sparassis crispa, Morchella esculenta and Lentinus edodes) collected from North West Himalayan region of H.P.

This book contains 6 chapters starting with the prologue and historical perspective and it provides original information on the procedures followed and observations on classical and molecular systematics, physiology, antibacterial potential, antioxidant potential and artificial cultivation of the collected mushroom species.