While reading through my daily dose of news updates, I came across the headline " Temporary ban on yarsagumba harvest in Nepal. The headline made me wanting to know more and I ended up clicking on the link . As a result I learned about a herb which is harvested annually in Nepal and which has many health benefits. This is what I learned about it .
Discovery:
Yasargumba also known as Cordyceps is a rare parasitic organism. It is said to be discovered by the Chinese 2000 years ago who thought the herb was a worm. It is an entomopathogenic fungus - a fungus which grows on worms and is found mostly in the mountaineous regions of Nepal and Tibet. Also classified as medicinal mushroom, it has uses in traditional Chinese medicines. It is collected by hand before the monsoon season, between May and June.Before the rainy season begins the spores of the cordyceps mushrooms settles on the heads of the caterpillars which lives underground. The fungus starts growing inside the body of the caterpillar to the point that it ultimately starts growing out from the head of the caterpillar due to which the insect dies.
Medical Use :
1.Regulates abnormal wakefulness and other sleep problems at night and thus improves sleep quality,
- Regulates blood flow thus regulating blood pressure.
3.It is used specifically to treat excess tiredness, chronic cough and asthma, impotence, debility, anemia - It helps in neutralizing the effects from radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
5.It helps in reducing cholesterol levels , thus improving cardiovascular health
6.It is used in treating liver and kidney related ailments
Market Availability and Pricing
Harvesting the herb in the annual source of income for many people residing in the far western mountain regions of Nepal. The whole family migrates to the steep mountains where the herbs grows to join people in the annual harvesting season. They bring with themselves food supplies, cooking materials blankets and tents to help them survive during the harvesting. It is estimated that most people can make approximately Rs 2500 a day by collecting the herb which is more than most people make in a day.
Before today, I had never heard about this herb, however if what has been said about the uses of the herb is true then it could help people in fighting a lot of various diseases. Its cost is the only roadblock due to which common people have not been able to access it. Hope to hear if someone out there has used it and benefited out of it.
Cheers and have a great day!!