New Delhi : A little known mushroom growing on the body of a high altitude moth caterpillar seems to be the new panacea in traditional Tibetan and Chinese medicine. Anecdotal trade information being monitored by the WTI has suggested a huge traffic in this mushroom called (Cordyceps sinensisis) amounting to almost US $1 million annually! The bad news is that the mushroom is being over-harvested.Since the Caterpillar Mushroom or the Yarsagumbu (its Tibetan name) grows in remote areas with extreme climatic conditions, its harvesting is a difficult process and hence, expensive too. A gram of mushroom costs US$ 2. The Ministry of Population and Environment, Govt. of Nepal has put a ban on its collection, use, sale, distribution, transportation and export. However, India neither lists the species under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 or the Import and Export Act nor does this fungus appear on the CITES list. It is only known that substantial amount of trade on Cordyceps exists within the Indian territory. Therefore, a detailed study involving an investigation into this fungus’ habitat, harvesting etc. is both critical and urgent.

Harvested in areas of Uttaranchal and Nepal and then transported to Dharchula, a border town in Uttaranchal, the Caterpillar Mushroom is bought by traders from Delhi, Lucknow and Kathmandu. The harvesters and traders of this mushroom say that over-harvesting will not cause any harm to this species, as it would rot once the season is over. However, since every life form on earth has a specific role in the ecosystem, it would be wrong to say so and over-harvesting of any species could be detrimental to that species’ long term survival.

The mushroom got its name from its peculiar association with the larvae of a moth of genus Hepialus as the mushroom grows on the caterpillar. This fungus was known to occur in Sichuan, Quinghai, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces of China and in Tibet.

Cordyceps has the following compounds – cordycepic acid, cordycepin, glutamic acid, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates and vitamin B12. Medicinal properties quoted in literature about this mushroom have given it an almost ‘cure for all’ medicine status. Extracts of this mushroom supposedly cure all kidney and lung ailments and cancer. Traditional Chinese knowledge has suggested using Cordyceps as an antibiotic and a rejuvenator cum aphrodisiac.