Cordyceps Sinensis

The Chinese caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis) occurs in south western, central and northern China and in Tibet at altitudes of up to 5,000 m. Cordyceps sinensis is not growing like other fungi on plant substrates, but only on a certain of caterpillar, which he infects underground and spreads in it. In spring his finger-shaped fruiting bodies shoot from the ground. Cordyceps is very rare in nature and is, for example, traded in Hong Kong at prices of up to 30,000 USD per kilogram.

Meanwhile, this very rare and precious fungus can also be cultivated. For this purpose the mycelium is grown on a suitable nutrient solution. In Asia it is considered an aphrodisiac and the Traditional Chinese Medicine attributes to him both yin tonic and Yang-promoting properties.