Yarshagumba
dong chong xiz cao
Pharmaceutical name: Cordyceps Sinensis
Botanical name: Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc. and
(usually) the larval remains of HEpialus varians Staudinger.
Family: clavicipitaceae
Where grown : SIchuan, Qinghai, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tiben
When harvested: early summer when the fungus has emerged, but
before the larval body has disintegrated
Alternate names: chong cao, dong chong cao
Japansese: tochukaso
Korean: tongch'unghach'o
English: cordyceps (fungus and the carcass of the insect from
which it grows), Chinese caterpillar fungus
Literal English translation: "winter bug summer herb"
Properties: sweet, warm
Channels entered: Lung, Kidney
Action & Indications:
- Augments the kidneys and
tonifies the yang: for impotence and sore weak lower back and
lower extremities from kidney yang deficiency.
- Tonifies the kidney yang, augments the Lung yin, transforms phlegm, and stops bleeding: for chronic cough, wheezing from deficiency or consumptive coughs with blood-streaked sputum. Because it tonifies both the yin and yang and is a very safe substance, it can be taken over a long period of time.