CORDYCEPS |YARSAGUMBA: यार्सागुम्बा|

 

Scientific Name: Ophicordyceps sinensis

Common Name: Yarshagumba (Nepali), Keeda Jadi (Hindi), Himalayan Gold, Himalayan Viagra

Family: Ophiosordyciptaceae

Altitude:3000-5000m east to west Nepal

Season: April - July

Parts Used: Whole plant

Description:

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a rare parasitic fungus with strong healing property colloquially known as Yarsagumba in Nepal. The herb is native to  Asian countries like Nepal, China, India, Bhutan, Pakistan etc.The name Yarsagumba originates from Tibet as Yart Swa Gun Bu which mean 'herb in summer and insect in winter'. Basically, it is a 5-8 cm long club shaped yellow caterpillar fungus combination in which a grayish mushroom comes out of the anterior end of caterpillar of swiftmoth (Hepialus armoricanus) during the period of April to July. The fungus infects the caterpillar larvae living in the grassy soil before the rainy season. When it reaches the head of the larvae dies. After that the stalks of the fungus propagates in the head, grows 2-3 inches long and turns dark brown in color.

Morphological feature:

O. sinensis  consists of two parts:

• Fungal endosclerotium (Golden yellow color with caterpillar)
• Stroma (Dark brown or black color)

The stroma is the dark brown colored upper fungal part which grows from the larval head. Sometimes, it can grow longer than the caterpillar itself. The fertile part of the stroma is head. The golden yellow part is the endosclerotium that is grown out of larva.

Uses:

Yarsagumba is insect-fungi parasite with high medicinal value which has been used as a traditional medicine since a long time ago. It is one of the most highly priced herb in the world at the present time due to its multiple health benefits. Experiments have shown that Yarsagumba has several bio-activities like anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-fatigue, immunomodulatry, hypoglycemic, kidney and liver protection, sexual and reproductive function enhancement, respiratory health maintenance etc. So, the medicinal uses of Yarsagumba are listed below:

• Boosts the exercise performance or stamina during physical workout (1*)
• Believed to have potential anti-tumor effects (2*)
• Can be used to cure chronic kidney disease (3*)
• It shows immunomodulating effect (4*)
• The extract of Yarsagumba is believed to have antigenotoxic properties (5*)
• Both natural and cultured Yarsagumba show direct and potent antioxidant property relieving human demands(6*)
• The anti-hypoglycemic activity of fruiting body of Yarsagumba is used in managing Type II Diabetes (7*)
• It is believed to enhance sexual and reproductive activity (8*)
• Due to its anti-fatigue activity and ability to enhance the endurance and strength, it is administered to restore health after various diseases. (9*)
• It has been used in the clinical practice for the treatment of chronic hepatitis and other liver related disorders (10*)
• The nucleosides, sterols, polysaccharides  and other chemical components from Cordyeps are  invested in the ongoing clinical trials  of treatment of TdT-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia (11*)

Life Cycle:

The cycle of formation of Coryceps is illustrated by the picture given below:

 

Collection:

Yarsagumba in Nepal is collected from the 12 districts for commercial purpose. Since it's production is only in high altitudes, the collection of Yarsagumba in Darchula, Dolpa, Jumla, Mugu, Bajhang, Rukum, Myagdi, Manang, Gorkha, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk and Sankhuwasabha districts is popular. Yarsagumba is harvested before the monsoon season, between May and June, when tens of thousands of people swarm over the Himalayan foothills in Rukum, Dolpa and Bajhang districts in western Nepal to collect the herb. Yarsagumba is found at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 metres and is the world’s most expensive medicinal fungus. It can fetch as much as $100 per gram in the Chinese market, making it more expensive than gold, according to reports. The herb is used to cure anaemia, chest and lung infections, tuberculosis, Hepatitis B and kidney and liver diseases.

Yarsagumba is the main source of income for many families in Bajhang. Every year, transactions worth around Rs 400 million take place through the business of yarsagumba in the district. Hundreds of yarsagumba collectors have reached the highlands of Bajhang district to collect the caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis) despite the ban imposed by the government on this year’s collection.

In mid-April, the Covid-19 Crisis Management Committee in the district had decided to impose a ban on the collection of the herb this season in view of the coronavirus pandemic. However, despite the ban, most villagers in Saipal and Surma rural municipalities have left for the highlands to collect the medicinal herb also known as the Himalayan Viagra.