Yarsagumba (the biological gold)

Yarsagumba, its description, characters, importance

1. Yarsagumba (The Biological Gold) Binod Pokhrel Faculty of Agriculture ( BscAg ) Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) Rampur, Chitwan

2. Yarsagumba (The Biological Gold) Biological Name : Cordyceps sinensis ( Catterpillar Fungus) Yarsagumba literally means summer plant and winter insect . 

3. What it actually is? Before the rainy season begins, spores of the mushroom ( Ophiocordyceps sinensis ) settle on the head of Ghost Moth/Himalayan Bat Moth larva ( Hepialus armoricanus ) living in the soil that lives underground. The fungus gets so much into the body of the caterpillar that it grows out through its head and drains all the energy from the insect and ultimately it dies.

4. Contd … A spindly fungus later sprouts from the dead caterpillar host’s head. Two to six centimeters long, the fungus shoots above the soil, acting as a tiny, finger-shaped flag for harvesters to find. This peculiar hybrid is the world’s most expensive biological resource. Larva of Himalayan Bat moth

5. World’s most efficient and expensive medicinal fungus Fruiting body arising out of the dead body of catterpillar

6. Discovery Discovered about 1500 years ago in Tibet by Herdsman. First mention of Cordyceps from Tang Dynasty . Used to develop powerful and new medicines.

7. Habitat Yarsagumba thrives in the picturesque peaks of the Himalayas, in Nepal , India , China and Bhutan . At altitudes of between 3000 and 5000 meters. Cold and arid environment Average annual precipitation: 350mm – 400mm or more

8. Morphological features

9. General characters Fruiting body Club like 4-7cm long Yellowish or brownish in colour

10. Harvesting April-July Difficult to find and harvest

11. In context of Nepal Every year during May and June, thousands of villagers from remote areas risking their own lives head for high mountains to collect yarsagumba . It is estimated that one villager can earn up to Rs. 2,500 a day by collecting yarsagumba 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 yarsagumba . Almost 50% of the annual supply of yarsagumba comes from Dolpa alone. Here, not only the adults but school goers also take unofficial holidays in search of the gold rush.

12. Collection of yarsagumba 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. One kilo of yarsagumba 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.

13. Price The market price of  Yarsagumba  is around Rs.1.7 million to 2.5 million and is found in the areas of Raidhunga , Saurai , Raksha Mountain, Golden Mountain, Saipal Mountain, Kunda , Dhanseri , Parchhi and Surma Sarobar of the district.

14. How to choose the superb quality  Cordyeps sinensis ? Simple Quality Test When squeezing between two fingers, stiffer it is, the higher the price

15. Other quality parameters Robustness and weight Size and firmness of the host Saturated yellowish brown is preferred over pale colours .

16. Medicinal uses: With the development of modern medicine, clinical studies continue to validate the multipul beneficial effects of  Cordyceps sinensis . Recently, convincing evidence has accumulated especially in Asian countries.  Cordyceps sinensis   therapeutic effect  including : anti-bacterial anti-oxidant anti-tumor anti-viral blood pressure lowering blood sugar regulation cardiovascular cholesterol lowing immune enhancement positive effects on lifestyle diseases-kidneys, lungs/respiratory system, nerves, sexual function and stress.