Page 23 - MSU Campus Tour Guide eBook

22 Mahasarakham University Campus Tour Guide

6. Natural Medicinal Mushroom Museum

The Natural Medicinal Mushroom Museum at Mahasarakham University is a learning
and research center dedicated to the expansion and dissemination of the
knowledge pertaining to natural medicinal mushrooms and fungi. Northeastern Thai,
or “Isan” people sustain themselves on a largely herb-based diet, and each year, like
the one before it, edible fungi remain a staple source of nutrients in this environment.
Some kinds of mushrooms are used as medicine for certain diseases; however,
academic studies on mushrooms have rarely been conducted. Mahasarakham
University, located amidst the varieties of this valuable resource, is obliged to be the
leader in conserving and inheriting the wisdom as well as increasing the body of
knowledge in the use of this natural treasure.
The Faculty of Science at Mahasarakham University has initiated a project to setup
and maintain a Natural Medicinal Mushroom Museum with the collaboration of the
Thai-Korea Natural Phellinus Mushroom Research Centre. The construction of the
museum started in May 2007, and was completed in August of the same year. It is
regarded as the first natural medicinal mushroom museum in Asia.
The Natural Medicinal Mushroom Museum was established to be the learning centre
for the expansion and dissemination of knowledge on natural medicinal mushrooms.
It will raise the awareness of the value of mushrooms and increase understanding
about mushrooms through the following processes: collection of specimens,
systematic categorization, display of specimens, learning and teaching, academic
service, and research.
The museum aims to collect data on natural medicinal mushrooms, including
mushrooms from the Isan region and other mushrooms that have been researched
and gained international attention. It also aims to be a learning center leading to
the development of new medicines in order to save lives, especially from diseases
which cannot be cured by modern pharmaceuticals.