Yarchagumba is a fungus that parasitizes larvae of ghost moths and produces a fruiting body valued as a herbal remedy. The fungus germinates in the living larva, kills and mummifies it, and then the stalk-like fruiting body emerges from the corpse. It is known in English colloquially as caterpillar fungus. Of the various entomopathogenic fungi,yarchagumba is one that has been used for at least 2000 year for its reputed abilities to treat many diseases related to lungs, kidney, and erectile dysfunction.
The moths in which Yarchagumba grows are ambiguously referred to as "ghost moth", which identifies either a single species or the genus Thitarodes, and the species parasitized by Yarchagumba may be one of several Thitarodes that live on the the Himalayas (Nepal, Bhutan).
Yarchagumba is known in the West as a medicinal mushroom, and its use has a long history in Traditional Tibetan medicine. The hand-collected fungus-caterpillar combination is valued by herbalists and as a status symbol; it is used as an aphrodisiac and treatment for ailments such as fatigue and cancer, although such use is mainly based on traditional Chinese
Yarchagumba is widely used in both Chinese and Tibetan medicinal traditions. It is known to have an excellent balance of Yin and Yang since it is both “vegetable” and animal. Most commonly it is used as an aphrodisiac but can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments from fatigue to cancer. The fungus contains many pharmacologically active substances which are now cultivated on an industrial scale for widespread use.
To list some of Yarsagumba’s health benefits, Yarsagumba is believed to:
relieve exhaustion and fatigue
decrease stress
strengthen stamina
strengthen kidneys
strengthen lungs
increase libido of both men and women
increase semen
strengthen the immune system
strengthen muscles and body strength
relive phlegm congestion
enhance calmness and sense of balance
reducing arrhythmia
preventing nephralgia
strengthening the immune system of tumor patients who have received radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery
increasing the blood cells and protein for producing blood plasma
eliminating toxins and side effects after certain type of therapies
treatment of impotence and premature ejaculation
treatment of neurasthenia,
treatment of rheumatoid arthritis,
treatment of cirrhosis
strengthening flabby waist and knees
lowering the lipoproteinemia level,
preventing arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease
stimulating sexual hormones and inhibiting free radicals, thus delaying the ageing process
treatment of chronic nephropathy and chronic nephritis
For a healthy person the recommended dose is: 0.3—0.7 g (1-2 pc according to the size) daily. Eat whole mushroom in original form, or drink 20 minutes after boiling in water, or mix in powder form with milk for drinking, for 3 to 4 daysDosage can be repeated after a gap of three days. In the case of particular health problems, the dosages are often higher, and as per practitioner’s prescription.
