Cordyceps (Caterpillar Fungus)
冬虫夏草 · Dōngchóngxiàcǎo
Cordyceps sinensis (Ophiocordyceps sinensis)
Family: Ophiocordycipitaceae · Part used: Whole fungus (wild-harvested or cultivated mycelium) · Origin: Nagqu, Tibet & Yushu, Qinghai, China
Nature
Warm
Flavor
Sweet
Meridian
Lung, Kidney
The extraordinary 'winter worm, summer grass' grows at 3,500–5,000 m on the Tibetan plateau, where a parasitic fungus emerges from caterpillar larvae each spring. For centuries it has been the ultimate lung-and-kidney tonic of the imperial pharmacopoeia — tonifying yang while nourishing yin, gentle enough for long-term use.
🌿 Functions & Actions
- •Tonifies lung yin and kidney yang
- •Secures essence and stops bleeding
- •Relieves chronic cough
- •Supports stamina and recovery
📋 Traditional Indications
- •Chronic cough and wheezing
- •Lower back and knee weakness
- •Night sweats and fatigue
- •Impotence and low libido
- •Post-illness convalescence
- •Altitude adaptation (traditional)
📖 Usage & Dosage
3–9 g in decoction, double-steamed with duck or chicken (the classic bugong ya recipe); 1–3 g daily as powder.
🍵 Classic Recipes
Cordyceps Duck Soup
Cordyceps 5 g double-steamed inside a whole duck for 2 hours — the imperial lung tonic.
Cordyceps Tea
Steep 2 g in 80°C water for 10 minutes; re-steep up to three times, then eat the fungus.
🔬 Modern Research
Cordycepin and cordycepic polysaccharides are studied for respiratory function, immune modulation, renal support, and exercise performance.
⚠️ Contraindications
Avoid in external fevers. Source matters: wild Cordyceps is extremely expensive; cultivated mycelium offers an accessible alternative.
