Cordyceps fungus; the Himalayan Gold
Cordyceps fungus or the caterpillar fungus, a notable herb naturally found in the high-altitude Himalayan regions of Tibet, Bhutan, India, China and Nepal, is said to have driven the recent intrusion by the Chinese soldiers into the Indian territory. Said to be extremely valuable, reports suggest that the herb is more expensive than gold in China, hence named the 'Himalayan Gold'. But what exactly is cordyceps fungus? Let's find out.
What is cordyceps fungus?
Cordyceps are a type of fungi that grow on the larvae of insects. It is scientifically called Ophiocordyceps sinensis, and Tibetans call it, ‘Yartsa Kambu'.
The National Library of Medicine says that it is a unique combination of a caterpillar and fungus, wherein, the fungi attaches itself to the host. It slowly starts to replace the tissue of the host, beginning to sprout stems and grow outside the host's body. These then are hand-picked and used for medicinal purposes.
According to the DNA, cordyceps or caterpillar fungus can be brown in colour and up to 2 inches long.
Medicinal properties and health benefits
Found in the mountainous regions of the Indian Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau, cordyceps are known for its medicinal properties. While there is no scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness, scientists claim that it has a bioactive molecule called cordycepin, which can possibly help develop an antiviral and anti-cancer treatment.
Furthermore, traditionally, cordyceps are said to reduce fatigue and boost strength and sex drive. It is known for its anti-aging properties, and also known to improve memory and sexual function. Therefore, many also refer to it as Himalayan viagra.
In addition, cordyceps is said to help fight inflammation in the body. A study found that it reduced skin inflammation in mice, demonstrating its anti-inflammatory properties
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More valuable than gold?
Reports suggest cordyceps fungus or 'Himalayan Gold' is more expensive than gold or diamonds in China. It is in high demand, which makes it extremely costly.
According to The Week, a kilogram of the medicinal herb in the international market can bring about Rs 65 lakh, whereas its market value stands at $1,072.50 million in 2022.
Are there any side effects?
According to WebMD, "Cordyceps is possibly safe for most people when taken in doses of 3-6 grams daily for up to 1 year. It might cause mild side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, and stomach discomfort."
Why China attempted to intrude Indian borders for this herb
As per reports, the harvest of this herb/fungus has been decreasing for a couple of years, leading to shortages in the country.
According to the Indo-Pacific Centre for Strategic Communications (IPCSC), “In the last two years, the Cordyceps harvest has waned in Qinghai, the largest producing region in China as the fungus grew scarce. At the same time, demand for the highly prized Cordyceps has increased sharply in the last decade as an emerging Chinese middle class seeks it to cure everything from kidney disorders to impotence, despite a lack of scientific evidence.”
“Output fell to 41,200 kg in 2018 from 43,500 kg a year earlier, a 5.2 percent slump, revealed data from the bureau. That’s a fraction of the 150,000 kg reported by provincial media for 2010 and 2011.
“Some towns in the Himalayas rely on collecting and selling this fungus for a living. In fact, experts say that up to 80 percent of household income in the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas can come from selling caterpillar fungus," it adds.