Xylaria Sclerotia Formed Within Termite Nests: A Review of Their Biology and Human Uses

Certain Xylaria species form massive sclerotia of several centimeters in diameter within the underground nests of macrotermitine termites after the termites abandon the nest. Vernacularly the sclerotia are called Wulingshen in China or Nilamanga and Puttumanga in southern India. Xylaria nigripes once was commonly regarded as the sole producer of the massive sclerotia, which are in fact produced by at least six Xylaria species, including X. nigripes and close relatives. Xylaria sclerotia have been used in folk medicine for treating a wide range of ailments, whereas dried mycelia from cultures are used mainly for soothing anxiety, depression, insomnia, and some neurological disorders. Here, we review the biological functions, pharmacological properties, and beneficial implications for human health from cultured materials prepared from mycelia or stromata produced in cultures of sclerotium-forming Xylaria species.