Cordyceps (Caterpillar Fungus)
冬虫夏草 · Dōngchóngxiàcǎo
Cordyceps sinensis (Ophiocordyceps sinensis)
Temperament
Warm
Geschmack
Sweet
Meridian
Lung, Kidney
The extraordinary 'winter worm, summer grass' grows at 3,500–5,000 m on the Tibetan plateau, where a parasitic fungus emerges from caterpillar larvae each spring. For centuries it has been the ultimate lung-and-kidney tonic of the imperial pharmacopoeia — tonifying yang while nourishing yin, gentle enough for long-term use.
🌿 Wirkung
- •Tonifies lung yin and kidney yang
- •Secures essence and stops bleeding
- •Relieves chronic cough
- •Supports stamina and recovery
📖 Anwendung
3–9 g in decoction, double-steamed with duck or chicken (the classic bugong ya recipe); 1–3 g daily as powder.
🔬 Moderne Forschung
Cordycepin and cordycepic polysaccharides are studied for respiratory function, immune modulation, renal support, and exercise performance.
⚠️ Kontraindikationen
Avoid in external fevers. Source matters: wild Cordyceps is extremely expensive; cultivated mycelium offers an accessible alternative.
