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| many were calling it an illegal ''drug". Little did they know that cordyceps is widely used by millions of Chinese and has been used for thousands of years and is a safe medicinal. |
| Cordyceps grows not on trees but on the living bodies of certain moth larvae. The mushroom organism, in the form of fine threads, penetrates a larva, eventually killing and mummifying it. The mushroom then sends up its fruiting body: a slender stalk with a swollen end that will release spores. It is cultivated, because it is in great demand as a supertonic that builds physical stamina, mental energy, and sexual power. Chinese doctors say it is simultaneously invigorating and calming as well as life prolonging. Chinese people usually buy it in whole dried form, consisting of the mummified larva and attached fruiting body of the mushroom, which they add to soups and stews made from duck and chicken. In addition, extracts of cordyceps are included in many compound tonic formulas. Cordyceps is considered safe and gentle, indicated for both men and women of any age and state of health. |
| Caterpillar fungus takes its Chinese name "winter worm, summer grass" from the fact that it grows on the larvae of caterpillars that inhabit the ground in winter. In early spring, high in the mountains of China and Tibet, harvesters stoop to spot the little brown blade-like growths as they protrude above the melting snow. The individual growths are then graded, dried, and tied with bright threads to make up small bundles for sale to the wealthy. The flavor of the fungus is reminiscent of licorice. Today, thanks to cultivation technology, the far less expensive mycelium of caterpillar fungus is available, which tests have shown to be equally active as the blade-like fruit bodies. (The mycelial form of a fungus is a fine web-like matter from which the fruiting body matures.) |
| In traditional Chinese medicine, caterpillar fungus is prized as a potent tonic having properties similar in action to ginseng, one of the very few medicinal plants with demonstrated performance enhancing effects in animals and in athletes. The oldest prescriptions held that if 8.5 grams of the fungus were eaten cooked inside a duck, the effects were equal to taking 28.35 grams of the best quality ginseng. Today, caterpillar fungus is also cooked with chicken. |
| Various theories have been put forward to explain the basis |
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