Abstract: The present invention provides an herbal pharmaceutical composition comprising the root of scutellaria, the rhizome of coptis, the root and rhizome of rhubarb, and the dry powders of the root of ginseng (or American ginseng) or the rhizome of ginger. The herbal pharmaceutical composition is effective in preventing patients from developing or treating patients with cardiovascular diseases, which include, but are not limited to, hypertension, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and cardiomyopathies. The present invention also provides methods for preparing and using the herbal pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A solid state fermentation (SSF) method is provided which is effective for both small- and large-scale fungal cultivation. Also provided is SSF media for fungal cultivation. The media preferably contains a carbon source and nitrogen source to provide a carbon to nitrogen ratio of about 5:1 to about 25:1 by weight. The media may also contain a vitamin and an inorganic substance. A preferred SSF medium contains malt extract, yeast extract, peptone, glucose, water, solid base, and calcium carbonate or gypsum. Before propagating fungal mycelia in the SSF medium, the mycelia may be pre-cultivated in a solid culture medium and then in a liquid medium. Although the SSF method can be used in growing most fungi, preferred fungi include Cordyceps sinensis, Ganoderma lucidum, Antrodia camphorata, Trametes versicolor, and Agaricus blazei. The SSF method not only produces high yield of fungi, but also stimulates the production of fungal metabolites, particularly the kinds with pharmaceutical and medicinal activities.