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Winter worm, summer grass, its name truly reflects,
Transforming and growing, with energy it connects.
A single entity both plant and animal shows,
The mysteries of nature, no end to what it knows.
—————-“Ode to Cordyceps” by Pu Songling of the Qing Dynasty
“According to the fourth edition of the Taiwan Chinese Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Cordyceps sinensis (http://en.whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/%e5%86%ac%e8%9f%b2%e5%a4%8f%e8%8d%89/) Cordyceps sinensis is a complex formed by the stroma and body of the insect larva of the moth family Hepialidae, parasitized by the ascomycete fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H.Sung, J.M.Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora. Commonly found at altitudes of 4000 meters above sea level, particularly in high-altitude grasslands with snow accumulation and good drainage, it is primarily produced in Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet. However, it is also found in Bhutan, which borders Tibet. Typically, it is harvested in early summer before the spores disperse, sun-dried until it is about 60-70% dry, and then the fibrous attachments and impurities are removed before being fully dried or freeze-dried for storage. In winter, the insect larva is parasitized by the Cordyceps fungus and dies. The internal tissues and exoskeleton combine with the fungal hyphae to form a hard sclerotium, while the external appearance remains that of the larva. This stage is known as “winter worm.” In the following spring, the fungal hyphae begin to grow and emerge from the ground in the summer, resembling a plant. This above-ground portion is called the “summer grass,” hence the name “Cordyceps sinensis.” Specimens with a complete body, plump and fat insect body, bright yellow color, white cross-section, and short stroma are considered to be of higher quality. According to Zhao Xue-min’s “Bencao Gangmu Shiyi” (Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica), a classic work of traditional Chinese medicine, Cordyceps sinensis is sweet in taste, neutral in nature, and enters the lungs and kidneys. It has the functions of nourishing the lungs and kidneys, stopping bleeding, resolving phlegm, and is used for chronic cough, shortness of breath, hemoptysis due to consumption, impotence, nocturnal emission, and lumbar and knee pain. It can tonify the kidney essence, strengthen qi, and specifically nourish the lower back.
Due to its high price, often reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars per kilogram, Cordyceps sinensis has become a target for counterfeit products. These counterfeit products can be categorized into several types. Some are made from plant roots with nodes, while others are molded from mineral substances. Some genuine Cordyceps sinensis may have iron wires or bamboo skewers inserted to increase their weight. Additionally, there are counterfeit products made from other types of Cordyceps or even plastic. Therefore, buyers must be very cautious. Here are a few ways to identify genuine Cordyceps sinensis:
1. Examine the head: The head of a genuine Cordyceps sinensis is reddish-brown and mostly embedded in the stroma. Only about 1/3 of it is visible from the side. There are several reddish-brown protrusions under the stroma on the ventral side. Use a magnifying glass to examine the connection between the head and the stroma. Use tweezers to remove the black soil at the junction of the insect and the grass and shake the stroma to see if it is artificially glued on. Artificially cultivated Cordyceps sinensis is exceptionally clean and lacks the black soil at the junction of the insect and the grass.2. Examine the stroma: The stroma is usually 4-7 cm long, and some may even have two stems. Counterfeit products may have excessively long stroma, no enlargement at the upper part, or even a broken head. The stroma of artificially cultivated Cordyceps sinensis is noticeably thinner.3. Examine the body: The body of a genuine Cordyceps sinensis is deep yellow to yellowish-brown. Counterfeit products may be dyed and the color is uneven, unnatural, or may fade when rubbed with alcohol. The color of a genuine product will not fade when rubbed. Use a magnifying glass to carefully observe for any signs of breakage or gluing, and pay attention to whether there are any bamboo skewers inserted inside.4. Examine the legs: A genuine Cordyceps sinensis has 8 pairs of legs on its ventral side. The first 3 pairs of legs are smaller and arranged consecutively behind the reddish-brown head. The middle 4 pairs of legs are larger and are particularly prominent when viewed from the side. Each pair of legs has 3 narrow segments, and the last pair of legs is very small and located at the end of the insect body.5. Use a magnet: Use a magnet to check if there is any iron wire inserted inside to increase the weight.6. Examine the cross-section: A genuine Cordyceps sinensis has a whitish cross-section with distinct dark veins. There is a clear dark brown U-shaped, V-shaped, or S-shaped pattern in the center, which is formed by the flattened internal organs. The shape varies in different parts and positions.
These are a few simple ways to identify genuine Cordyceps sinensis. Due to its high price, it is best to purchase from a reputable dealer. After purchasing, Cordyceps sinensis can be used to make chicken soup or soaked in alcohol with other tonic herbs. It can also be brewed into tea. However, it may not be suitable for people with colds.
Previously, the Agricultural Improvement Station in central Taiwan developed a strain of Cordyceps militaris cultivated using silkworms. Its origin differs from that of traditional Cordyceps sinensis. Therefore, consumers should carefully verify the product when purchasing to avoid accidental purchase. Additionally, there are also fungal mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis cultivated for food sales on the market. As a result, the government regulatory agency issued a notice in 2019 (Health Food License No. 1081302650) clearly stipulating that products using Cordyceps sinensis mycelia as food ingredients must be labeled with a statement that reads “This product is not made from the traditional Chinese medicinal material Cordyceps sinensis.” Furthermore, the strain used must be Hirsutella sinensis or a strain isolated from Cordyceps sinensis to ensure consumer safety.
Image provided by Professor Zhang Xianzhe, ‘Authentic Medicinal Materials Illustrated Guide’ http://en.whatsintcm.com