There are various types of famous medicinal plants found in Nepal but the popularity of cordyceps or yarsagumba is simply overwhelming. 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.

For the last couple of years, the trade of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba 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 or Natural Viagra.

Every year during May and June, thousands of villagers from remote areas risking their own lives head for high mountains to collect cordyceps or yarsagumba or yarchagumba. It is estimated that one villager can earn up to Rs. 2,500 approximately to $35 a day by collecting cordyceps or yarsagumba or yarchagumba which is beyond the monthly salary of many Nepalese households. Dolpa – a remote district in western Nepal with high steep valleys and dry climate is one of the foremost areas for collecting Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba. Almost 50% of the annual supply of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba comes from Dolpa alone. Here, not only the adults but school goers also take unofficial holidays in search of the gold rush. Collection of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba was illegal until 2001 but following its popularity and the lobbying from various organizations, the Government lifted the ban but imposed a royalty rate of Rs. 20,000 (US$ 280) per kilogram(2.2lbs). One kilo of Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba that costs about Rs. 315 (US$ 5/6) in 1992 increased to Rs. 105,000 (US$ 1,435) by the year 2002 and the price has been shooting up so as the international interest on the mysterious half-caterpillar-half-mushroom known as Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba.

Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba is mostly found in Nepal , Tibet and China . Tibetan herders observed that the Yaks who eat Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba had more energy and were more highly sexed. This encouraged the herders to try Cordyceps which has since led to it use by people over the ages and increasingly all over the world. In ancient China it was cooked with chicken to make a tonic broth in early spring and early winter to help the body adjust to seasonal changes and routinely given to old people to ease aches and pains. The ancient method involves simmering Cordyceps or Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba in a double boiler for several hours and then sipping the liquid as tea or eating the whole fruiting body including the host. It tastes like liquorice. Cordyceps was, and still is, a popular aphrodisiac for men, cooked with gin and soy sauce inside the head of a duck.

Cordyceps or yarsagumba is a rare species of plant widely used both in clinical medicine and as a household remedy. Following are the uses of cordyceps or yarsagumba or yarchagumba.

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.

Today the most popular recipe for caterpillar fungus is to stuff a duck with the infected moth pupae, then boil it.

The soup broth is then administered to patients.

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