Diversity, Traditional Knowledge, and Historical Perspectives on Wild Cordyceps

In this twenty-first-century advanced technology era, Cordyceps is no longer an unfamiliar term amongst the public. However, most of the researchers might have not examine in detail the origin of Cordyceps. Cordyceps is powerful in curing various illnesses, including coughs, allergies, and liver, lung, and kidney dysfunctions. Besides maintaining health, it also plays a vital role in saving hundreds and thousands of lives worldwide. There are many types of Cordyceps in the world, as well as their spectrum of potent medicinal properties. Cordyceps, a parasitic fungus, exists as a combination of host and parasite, i.e. a dead caterpillar and fruiting body, respectively. There are more than 600 documented varieties of Cordyceps, but only certain species are edible and have proven medicinal properties. Historical records showed that Cordyceps possesses promising potential, and it has been extensively used as a tonic for thousands of years, especially during the Dynasty era in China. Cordyceps sinensis is a distinct species found only at high altitudes and grows abundantly on grasslands or shrublands. Genuine wild Cordyceps sinensis can be identified through a visual and sensory approach to prevent buying fake or adulterated Cordyceps at a high price. Since hundreds of years ago, the harvesting activity of wild Cordyceps has provided cash income to households in Tibet.