Ling chih is a wild fungus, which since time immemorial, has been regarded as a good omen, and even an elixir among the Chinese people. In ancient times, it was believed that ling chih was endowed with the natural qualities of mountains and rivers, and impregnated with the essences of heaven and earth. As an elixir of life, the creators of the world treasured it, and only the virtuous were allowed to own it.

It is also said that Chin Shih Huang, the first monarch in the Chin dynasty, dispatched an occultist, Hsu Fu, to lead 500 boys and girls out to sea to search for an elixir of life on an enchanted island. The island is now said to be Taiwan, and the elixir, ling chih.

Another traditional story which refers to ling chih as a supernatural herb is the Legend of the White Snake. When Hsu Hsien, the leading male character in the story, was overcome with fear after seeing the White Snake, the snake took great risks to steal ling chin from heaven to save Hsu's life.

Han, Tang and Sung dynasties writings contain references to this mystic plant. As time passed, the Japanese also came to regard ling chih as an auspicious symbol. It is suitable as a gift to wish someone a long life, since most ling chih is hard and lustrous, resists decay and grows deep in the mountains.

To many modern Chinese, however, ling chih might only exist in ancient legends. An exhibition of the art of thousand-year ling chin held in Taichung at the end of last year, however, has gone a long way to reveal the secrets and mystery of the fungus. An owner of more than 100 ling chih plants, Lin Shin-ke from Shuili village in Nantou County in central Taiwan, has spent half his life collecting them in rugged mountain areas, and has fashioned many of them into works of art.

Shaped like an umbrella, the ling chih, according to Lin, is a wild fungus growing on other plants or on decaying matter such as a rotten wood. Every summer, after thunderstorms, Lin can find ling chih growing in shady places deep in the mountains. After taking them home, he carefully sorts them into those which can be used for medicine, and those suitable for artifacts. Those with an unusual shape are arranged and painted with golden oil to be displayed in the lobby, while the rest are boiled to make medicine.

It is recorded in Chien Chin Fan or Precious Medicine written by Sun Shih-miao of the Tang dynasty that continuous eating of ling chin can ensure immortality. Modern medical science has also thrown some light on the effectiveness of ling chih. The University of Michigan in the United States, after conducting experiments on animals, discovered that ling chih can help to relieve the symptoms of flu. A report from Japan described the effects of ling chih in easing neuralgia, rheumatism and high blood pressure. The Kaohsiung Medical Institute in Taiwan also came up with evidence that ling chin can slow or halt the growth of some tumors.

Chen Chih-tung, former magistrate of Ilan County, was originally a doctor practicing Western medicine. For the past few years, however, he has been practicing Chinese herbal medicine, and has discovered that ling chih is effective in a number of treatment.

Chen admitted he is not sure if ling chih really does cure cancer, since the composition of the plant has not been determined. According to research by Japanese specialists, ling chih contains a rare form of oxygen which can benefit greatly human metabolism. Chinese herbal doctors point out that a sound metabolism is the key to good health.

During his two tenures of office as Ilan County magistrate, Chen helped to improve the aborigines' living conditions. When he returned to his career as a doctor, the aborigines, knowing he is interested in ling chih, frequently sent him the plant as a gift to show their gratitude. Every morning, Chen drinks ling chih solution with his breakfast. After three years of this, symptoms of high blood pressure are disappeared and his eyesight has improved. At the age of 74, Chen attends to 100 patients a day, but he never feels tired. At present, his main hope is that scientific experiments will some day verify the medical qualities of ling chih so that more people can share its benefits.

[Picture Caption]

Lin Shih-ke from Shuili village in Nantou County in central Taiwan; has spent half his life collecting ling chih in rugged mountain areas, and has fashioned many of them into works of art. An exhibition in Taichung at the end of last year, helped to reveal the secrets and mystery of the fungus. 4 & 8, Most ling chih is hard and lustrous, resists decay and grows on other plants or on decaying matter such as a rotten wood.

Chen Chin-tung, a Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, has discovered that ling chin is effective in a number of treatments. Chen has helped to improve the aborigines' living conditions during his two tenures of office as Ilan County magistrate. Knowing Chen is interested in ling chih, the aborigines frequently send him the plant as a gift to show their gratitude.

Left: Chen Chin-tung at work, and right, Liao Wu-chang, an old man selling ling chih tea at Huahsi St. in the Wanhua district of Taipei.

Lin Shih-ke from Shuili village in Nantou County in central Taiwan; has spent half his life collecting ling chih in rugged mountain areas, and has fashioned many of them into works of art. An exhibition in Taichung at the end of last year, helped to reveal the secrets and mystery of the fungus.

Lin Shih-ke from Shuili village in Nantou County in central Taiwan; has spent half his life collecting ling chih in rugged mountain areas, and has fashioned many of them into works of art. An exhibition in Taichung at the end of last year, helped to reveal the secrets and mystery of the fungus.

Most ling chih is hard and lustrous, resists decay and grows on other plants or on decaying matter such as a rotten wood.

Lin Shih-ke from Shuili village in Nantou County in central Taiwan; has spent half his life collecting ling chih in rugged mountain areas, and has fashioned many of them into works of art. An exhibition in Taichung at the end of last year, helped to reveal the secrets and mystery of the fungus.

Lin Shih-ke from Shuili village in Nantou County in central Taiwan; has spent half his life collecting ling chih in rugged mountain areas, and has fashioned many of them into works of art. An exhibition in Taichung at the end of last year, helped to reveal the secrets and mystery of the fungus.

Lin Shih-ke from Shuili village in Nantou County in central Taiwan; has spent half his life collecting ling chih in rugged mountain areas, and has fashioned many of them into works of art. An exhibition in Taichung at the end of last year, helped to reveal the secrets and mystery of the fungus.

Most ling chih is hard and lustrous, resists decay and grows on other plants or on decaying matter such as a rotten wood.

Chen Chin-tung, a Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, has discovered that ling chin is effective in a number of treatments. Chen has helped to improve the aborigines' living conditions during his two tenures of office as Ilan County magistrate. Knowing Chen is interested in ling chih, the aborigines frequently send him the plant as a gift to show their gratitude.

Chen Chin-tung, a Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, has discovered that ling chin is effective in a number of treatments. Chen has helped to improve the aborigines' living conditions during his two tenures of office as Ilan County magistrate. Knowing Chen is interested in ling chih, the aborigines frequently send him the plant as a gift to show their gratitude.

Chen Chin-tung, a Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, has discovered that ling chin is effective in a number of treatments. Chen has helped to improve the aborigines' living conditions during his two tenures of office as Ilan County magistrate. Knowing Chen is interested in ling chih, the aborigines frequently send him the plant as a gift to show their gratitude.

Chen Chin-tung at work, and right, Liao Wu-chang, an old man selling ling chih tea at Huahsi St. in the Wanhua district of Taipei.