Yarshagumba: the caterpillar fungus
Nicknamed the "Himalayan Viagra", yarshagumba (Cordyceps sinensis) is a rare species of parasitic fungus from the highlands of Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan.
Yarshagumba
Cordyceps sinensis: (Yarshagumba) Yarshagumba
Venacular name: Yarsagumba, Jibanbuti
Family: Clavicipitaceae
Distribution: Sub-alpine to alpine region of Nepal
Habitat: Meadows
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.
Cordyceps sinensis: (Yarshagumba) Yarshagumba
Venacular name: Yarsagumba, Jibanbuti
Family: Clavicipitaceae
Distribution: Sub-alpine to alpine region of Nepal
Habitat: Meadows
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.
fig: people searching yarshagmba
Every year during May and June, thousands of villagers from remote areas risking their own lives head for high mountains to collect yarsagumba. It is estimated that one villager can earn up to Rs. 2,500 approximately to $35 a day by collecting yarsagumba which is beyond the monthly salary of many Nepalese households. 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.
The Himalayan region of Nepal is famous for different types of medicinal plants. Yarshagumba is one of them. The literal meaning of Yarshagumba is summer plants, winter insect. Yarshagumba is currently very popular due to its use as aphrodisiac (sex stimulant) and tonic. Hence its collection and trade is increasing. Considering its importance, the Department of Plant Resources included a programme named as "Study of Yarshagumba in the natural habitat" in its overall programmes. Yarshgumba in Dolpa district. They covered the natural extent of distribution between 2800-4500 meters.
Details of field based information:
Occurrence : 2800-4500 meters
Availability : 2500 plants per hectare
Soil quality : pH 7-7.5
Associated plants : Rhododendron anthopogon, Anemone sp., Anaphalis sp.,Carese sp., etc.
Collection time: April/May – June/July
Germination time : April – June/July
Weight : 0.3 to 0.5 gm. per plant
Resercah need: The Department is attempting to culture fungus from spores on the Yarshagumba
Every year during May and June, thousands of villagers from remote areas risking their own lives head for high mountains to collect yarsagumba. It is estimated that one villager can earn up to Rs. 2,500 approximately to $35 a day by collecting yarsagumba which is beyond the monthly salary of many Nepalese households. 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.
The Himalayan region of Nepal is famous for different types of medicinal plants. Yarshagumba is one of them. The literal meaning of Yarshagumba is summer plants, winter insect. Yarshagumba is currently very popular due to its use as aphrodisiac (sex stimulant) and tonic. Hence its collection and trade is increasing. Considering its importance, the Department of Plant Resources included a programme named as "Study of Yarshagumba in the natural habitat" in its overall programmes. Yarshgumba in Dolpa district. They covered the natural extent of distribution between 2800-4500 meters.
Details of field based information:
Occurrence : 2800-4500 meters
Availability : 2500 plants per hectare
Soil quality : pH 7-7.5
Associated plants : Rhododendron anthopogon, Anemone sp., Anaphalis sp.,Carese sp., etc.
Collection time: April/May – June/July
Germination time : April – June/July
Weight : 0.3 to 0.5 gm. per plant
Resercah need: The Department is attempting to culture fungus from spores on the Yarshagumba
Yarshagumba trade
Yarsagumba collection in Bajhang-Nepal Himalaya
FUGs are now responsible for collecting entry charges from harvesters (NRs. 100 per collector) and a further conservation charge (NRs. 5,000 per kg) is levied. In the first year alone, the groups collected over NR800,000 (US$12,500). Following initial difficulties in collecting the charges, the FUGs set up four teams of younger group members to guard the entry points to the harvesting areas and enforce the fees. The fee income has been used to develop a micro-hydropower plant, benefiting all three FUGs.
Selling Yarshagumba tonic without any side effects
Yarshagumba (sex tonic) is currently very popular due to its use as aphrodisiac (sex stimulant) and tonic.
Known benefits and it is also use for
1) Asthma, allergic rhinitis* -poor renal function, renal injuries by chemicals** -chronic bronchitis, coughing
2)poor resistance of respiratory tract, catching flu easily -regulating blood pressure (high or low blood pressure)
3)Anti-aging, weakness: - the declining of sex drive -lowering raised blood lipid levels, strengthening the body's immunity
4)Poor function of lungs & kidneys, irregular menstruation
5)Ever heard anything about natural healthy warrior!
We mean you can fight with tiredness stand youth with the harmony of nature.
The New York journal of medicine reported that cordyceps has properties similar to ginseng, being used to strengthen the body after exhaustion or long term illness. It has traditionally been used for impotence, backache, to increase sperm production and to increase blood production. It is used specifically for excess tiredness, chronic cough and asthma, impotence, debility, anemia, to build the bone marrow and reduce excess phlegm.
