The Cordyceps is also known as the “Chinese caterpillar fungus”. It grows in the grass regions of Eastern-Asian mountains at an altitude of 3,000 to 5,000 m. Its basic food resource is quite unusual: The mushrooms attacks a particular underground caterpillar species and uses the dead animal as food. Subsequently, a long fruiting body grows above the ground.

The wild growing Cordyceps sinensis  is very expensive. A kilogramme can cost up to USD5,000. After long-term studies, the mycelium (the mushroom threads) of this mushroom can now be cultivated on breeding grounds without caterpillars. This mycelium offers the same amount of active ingredients as the wild caterpillar mushroom! The Cordyceps contains vitamins and trace elements, essential amino acids and valuable polysaccharides.



Following Scientific Reports are available for this Mushroom: