Chinese caterpillar (Cordyceps sinensis)
Other names: Yartsa gunbu, Dōng chóng xià cǎo
Harm score: 1 (Natural substances)
The Chinese caterpillar, also known as Yartsa gunbu or Dōng chóng xià cǎo, is one of the so-called medicinal mushrooms with significant medicinal effects. It is a special kind of parasitic fungus that needs insects to live. It attacks the caterpillars, which it gradually kills and turns into sclerotia, from which the fungus subsequently grows. This process takes place in cold mountainous regions, especially in Tibet. The Chinese caterpillar is also unique in that it penetrates the soil during the winter dormancy period, where the fungus begins to grow.
Products containing Chinese caterpillar are highly valued and popular in China and other Asian countries. Chinese caterpillar is mainly used in traditional Chinese medicine and the pharmaceutical industry, but its uses are much wider. For example, preparations containing it are a popular dietary supplement that helps to strengthen the immune system, improve physical performance and prevent fatigue. In the Czech Republic, Chinese caterpillar is also used in the form of tea mixtures or tinctures. It is also used to make various creams and ointments that are applied to the skin for various skin problems and disorders. The cosmetic industry is not left out either, where its antioxidant potential is exploited.
Chinese caterpillar (Cordyceps sinensis) can be found in the following products
