Medicinal Mushroom Journal 2005

 

 
In: International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms 7.3:481-482.
Special issue of abstracts for the 3rd International Medicinal Mushroom Conference in Port Townsend, WA -USA, October 12th - 17th, 2005
 

 

Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc:
Economy, Ecology & Ethno-Mycology of Yartsa Gunbu,
a Medicinal Fungus Endemic for the Tibetan Plateau

 

Daniel Winkler

 

Collection, trade and use of Yartsa Gunbu (dbYar rTswa dGun 'Bu), “summer grass-winter worm” as the Caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis) is known to Tibetans, has a long-standing history in Tibetan Medicine and culture. Although ancient local traditions warn that digging of Yartsa would provoke local spirits, its collection dates back centuries. It has been - and is now more than ever - one of the most important sources of income for rural Tibetans, especially nomadic communities, who often derive over 50% of their annual cash income from its collection in spring and early summer.

 

The 15th Century scholar and doctor Zurkhar Nyamnyi Dorje [b.1439-d.1475] mentions Yartsa Gunbu in his text “Oral Instructions on a Myriad of Medicines” (Man nGag bYe Ba Ring bSrel). However, according to some Tibetan doctors it might have been recorded under a different name in the “four Tantras” (rGyud bZhi]) by Yuthok Yontan Gonpo (8th to 11th Century). In Tibetan materia medicaCordyceps sinensis is placed in the category of "medicinal essences" (rTsi sMan), which includes several tonics. It is used for general strengthening, boosting the immune system, virility, and is prescribed for kidney and heart problems. It is also used for treatment of Hepatitis B. In Tibetan Medicine Yartsa is mostly prescribed in compound remedies, which contain a variety of ingredients to balance each other, thus optimizing their efficiency and minimizing side effects.

 

Field studies in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan (1999-2004), and Nyingchi (Linzhi) prefecture, Tibet AR (2005) analyze collection techniques and trends, local markets and their participants, and the quantity and value of the harvest. Individual specimen are sold by collectors for 1 to 5 Yuan (1999) to 4 to 10 Yuan (2004). Results are contrasted to Chengdu and Lhasa market prices, which peaked at 40,000 Yuan/kg ($4,900) in early 2004. The market is driven by demand in lowland China, where Yartsa Gunbu is known in Mandarin as “dong chong xia cao”, a verbatim translation of its original Tibetan name.

 

The mycology / biology of Cordyceps and Thitarodes as well as the geo-ecology of their habitat are presented. Cordyceps sinensis is a fungus parasitizing on a range of ghost moth larvae of theThitarodes (Hepialus) genus, which live in alpine grassland ecosystems of the Tibetan Plateau. Cordyceps sinensis is distributed on grasslands that receive a minimum of 350 mm average annual precipitation. It is to be found in an altitude of 3300m to 5000m rising from the east to the west of the Plateau. Locally it occurs within an altitudinal range of 500m around the potential treeline. Tibetan's reliance on livestock herding has increased the habitat of Cordyceps substantially through continuous expansion of its pastoral areas at the expense of forest ecosystems.  

 

While collectors complain about increased competition and intrusion of outsiders during collection season, some researchers and government agencies worry about the sustainability of present harvesting and favor regulation beyond current collection fees and licenses. Inspecting freshly dug specimen in Kangding and Lithang, it was apparent that at the onset of the collection season sporocarps are collected before they have had the chance to mature their asci cells and release spores.

 

In this context, it needs to be taken into account that semi-artificial production of Cordyceps sinensis, whereby caterpillars are bred and exposed to Cordyceps propagules, be it indoors or outdoors, is being carried out successfully on an experimental basis in the Tibetan areas. Overall, the current pressure on natural populations of Cordyceps sinensis seems not to have seriously endangered the resource. However, ever increasing harvest pressure and the absence of reliable baseline data clearly necessitates more research to formulate sound management strategies to secure the long-term survival of Cordyceps sinensis, a valuable resource especially for marginalized Tibetan families and mankind in general.

Last edited on Sun, May 20, 2012, 12:43 am