What is Cordyceps?

 

Overview

As a combined body of insect and fungus, Chinese Cordyceps (Caterpillar fungi) are the result of a parasitic relationship between the fungus Cordyceps and the larva of the ghost moth. Caterpillar fungi belongs to Clavicipitaceae under Hypocreales; in summer and autumn, its spores develop into mycelium and attack the larva of the ghost moth to grow and proliferate in their bodies and absorb nutrient from the larva body. The larva end up as a shell of mycelium and form sclerotia. The larva usually hibernates in the soil during winter. In the following summer, the fungus which has invaded the larva bodies will extrude as columnar fruiting bodies and emerges from the ground. Since its shape resembles grass, it is named as dong chong xia cao (冬蟲夏草) meaning "winter worm, summer grass".

 

Origin

Chinese Cordyceps live on the intersecting lands in Northwest China (Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan & Yunnan Province). Among them, the best Cordyceps are produced in Tibet and Qinghai due to high altitude and naturally cold environment. Sichuan and Yunnan province follow, but due to climatic and geographic factors, the Cordyceps produced are thinner and sold in bundles.

 

Appearance

It can be divided into "worm"(larva) section and "grass"(sporophore) section.

 

The "worm" part appears dark yellowish or yellowish brown with 20 to 30 pairs of segments with several annular marks and eight pairs of feet present at the abdomen with the middle four pairs more prominent. The cross-section has a prominent U-shaped dark brown mark and the organism is brittle.

 

The sporophore is the base and protrudes from the head of the larva. Slender with longitudinal striate, and its top is elliptical, enlarged, with dark brown or blackish brown surface and with numerous protruding granular peritheciums. Soft and tough in texture.

 

Good larva should be plump, yellowish, dried and complete in shape, while the sporophore should be as short as possible.

 

Function

Cordyceps are mild and sweet in nature, belonging to the lungs and kidneys Meridan. It is an excellent tonic which helps invigorate lung and kidney functions, supplements essence, improves inspiration to relieve dyspnea, eliminates phlegm, and stops bleeding. It improves body immunity when taken over a prolonged period.

 

Storage

​Cordyceps should be stored in a cool and dry place. They should be placed in a refrigerator (at 0-8˚C) after opening. If they are to be consumed over a long period of time, it is better to seal properly and place in a freezer (at -18˚C or below).

 

Cooking

Chinese Cordyceps (2 qian), American Ginseng (5 qian), Dried Red Dates (5 pieces), Pelodiscus sinensis (1), Lean pork (12 taels), Make soup with the above ingredients to nourish the lungs and the kidneys, replenish the Yin and the vital energy.