What are Cordyceps(Yarsagumba)?
Yarsagumba with its Latin name cordyceps sinesis literally means summer plant and winter insect in Tibetan. Before the rainy season begins, spores of the cordyceps mushroom settle on the heads of caterpillars’ that lives underground. The fungus gets so much into the body of the caterpillars’that it grows out through its head and drains all the energy from the insect and ultimately it dies.Yarsagumba, Yarshagumba or Yarchagumba is a rare and unique herb that grows in the meadows above 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) in the Himalayan region of Nepal. There are various types of famous medicinal plants found in Nepal but the popularity of yarsagumba is simply overwhelming. For the last couple of years, the trade of yarsagumba is increasing and it has been regarded as an expensive life saving tonic. Headache, toothache or any other disease - yarsagumba is the remedy. And not only that, it is also believed to be a cure for sexual impotency – a Himalayan Herbal Viagra.
When is it harvested?
Every year during May and June, thousands of villagers from remote areas risking their own lives head for high mountains to collect yarsagumba.Dolpa – a remote district in western Nepal with high steep valleys and dry climate is one of the foremost areas for collecting yarsagumba. Almost 50% of the annual supply of yarsagumba comes from Dolpa alone. Here, not only the adults but school goers also take unofficial holidays in search of the gold rush.Collection of yarsagumba was illegal until 2001 but following its popularity and the lobbying from various organizations, the Government lifted the ban but imposed a certain royalty rate per kilogram (2.2lbs). Tthe price of Cordyceps has been shooting up so as the international interest on the mysterious half-caterpillar-half-mushroom known as yarsagumba.
Medical use of Yarsagumba
Cordyceps or yarsagumba is a rare species of plant widely used both in clinical medicine and as a household remedy.Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba is also considered potent at strengthening lung and kidneys, increasing energy and vitality, stopping hemorrhage, decreasing phlegm.
Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba has traditionally been used for impotence, backache, to increase sperm production and to increase blood production.
Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba is used specifically for excess tiredness, chronic cough and asthma, impotence, debility, anemia, to build the bone marrow.
Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba is taken for shortness of breath, asthma, impotency, emission, soreness of loins and knees, dizziness and tinnitus.
Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba is also use for strengthen the immune system of tumor patients who have received radiotherapy, Chemotherapy or operation Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba can also used as Natural Viagra.
