Cordyceps Sinensis

Natural Wild Cordyceps Sinensis of Bhutan

In Bhutan, Cordyceps sinensis thrives at altitudes between 4000 to 5000 meters above sea level, in the cold, grassy, alpine pastures of Bumthang Paro, Thimphu, Wangduephodrang, Gasa, Lhuntse, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse and Haa. Every year collectors spend four weeks in May/June collecting Cordyceps under the harsh conditions of the high altitudes.

In 2002 the harvesting of the cordyceps was legal only in Lunana geog under Gasa dzongkhag where the living condition of about 158 households has reportedly improved.People in the higher regions of Paro, Thimphu, Wangduephodrang, Gasa, Lhuntse, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Haa, and Bumthangcan now harvest the Yartsa Goenbub (Cordyceps sinensis) legally, following a royal command issued by His Majesty the King on June 17, 2004.

Until  2002, the forest and nature conservation act prohibited farmers from harvesting and selling the cordyceps. But some farmers in the cordyceps growing areas were known to have been harvesting the plant illegally and selling it across the northern border to Tibet and China.

Only experienced collectors manage to find 10 to 50 pieces of grade ‘A’ quality a day. For its high value, Cordyceps is considered the Gold of the Himalayas. Today, apart from few live caterpillars collected from Lingzhi taken to UK and at the research center in Yusipang, there is no adulteration and artificial cordyceps business in Bhutan.

Moreover, the Royal Government of Bhutan with its development philosophy of Gross National Happiness has always been cautious in terms of forest based natural product extraction. Cordyceps sinensis being one of the valuable natural products, the Royal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests protects its habitat, regulates collection and coordinates the auction of cordyceps.

Further, in order to promote sustainable management, check illegal trade and duplication, only the villagers from cordyceps growing areas are allowed to collect at a particular time in season monitored by the local leaders and forestry officials.

The transaction process also ensure check and balance where buyers will have to fill up how many kilogram’s of cordyceps they buy from the farmers and for how much. The transaction between the buyers and the sellers should take place in presence of the sales committee comprising the local leader and a forestry official who will be the witness.Buyers can go to any cordyceps growing places and buy the plant and after having bought the plant from the farmers, they will have to get a clearance from the Bhutan Agriculture Food Regulatory Authority which will issue a certificate to the buyers wanting to export it to other countries. 

The certificate will maintain that the package contains cordyceps to avoid buyers getting into problems with the forestry and customs personnel when they export it to other countries.

Recently, a team of experts from the Ministry of agriculture and Forests observed that the density of the cordyceps growth were about 5 per square meter which was more compared to other neighbouring countries of similar altitude having one cordyceps per square meter.

Cordycep- Benefits

  (Dong chong xia cao ) is one of best  “herbs”  for all-around health with very strong medicinal properties. Of all the so-called “medicinal mushrooms,” Cordyceps is well-suited for a wide range problems: low energy, dizziness, stress,adrenal fatigue, immune support, poor cell utilization of oxygen, tumors, hearth rhythm disturbances, liver damage, kidney damage, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and chronic cough. In short, it has a huge number of benefits.

In Chinese medicine, Cordyceps sinensis is both a “tonic” and an “adaptogen.” A tonic is any herb that normalizes bodily functions, such as lowering blood pressure. It’s also called an adaptogen because helps you fight stress and get over its effects more quickly.

Cordyceps are valuable for western Pharmaceuticals because they produce a lot of compounds with antibiotics and anti cancer properties.Cordyceps sinensis ,historically is used for better functioning of Lung and Heart. 

Cordyceps is used to treat coughs, chronic bronchitis, respiratory disorders,kidneydisorders, nighttime urination, male sexual problems, anemia, irregular heartbeat,high cholesterol, liverdisorders, dizziness, weakness, ringing in the ears, and unwanted weight loss

It is also used for strengthening the immune system, improving athletic performance, reducing the effects of aging, promoting longer life, and improving liver function in people with hepatitis B.

Some people use cordyceps as a stimulant, a tonic, and an “adaptogen,” which is used to increase energy, enhance stamina, and reduce fatigue.

Cordyceps might improve immunity by stimulating cells and specific chemicals in the immune system. It may also have activity against cancer cells and may shrink tumor size, particularly with lung or skin cancers.

Cordycep clasification Types

Around the world there are over 600 species of corsdyceps. The Yartsa Goenbub(cordyceps sinensis)is commonly found in the northern frontiers. The caterpillar (cordyceps)with yellow eyes is the best one and rare to spot since they grow widely separated from one another. The red eyes grows in a group of one to three and the black eyes cordyceps are found in large groups.

Generally in Bhutan, we grade the cordyceps in following grades

Grade A+

Worm is approximately 4 cm long or more, worm has a diameter of at least 0.4 cm, not soggy or hollow, golden brown in color, fungus and worm attached.it can contain  2000-2900 pieces in a kilogram

Grade A

Worm is less than 4 cm in length,Yellowish brown in colour. 3000-4500 pieces in a kg.

Grade B

Worm is less than 0.3 cm in diameter, slightly darker in color and fungus and worm are attached.It can contain 4500-5500 pieces ina kg.

Grade C: Worm is 2 cm long and slightly darker in colour. It will contain 5500-6500 pieces in a Kg

Grade D:

Worm is less than 2 cm and will contain 8000-9000 pieces in a kg.

Gragde E: All broken pieces comprising only fungus or only worm or broken fungus or broken worm.�