Every year, Bhutanese climb more than 17,000 feet to get a bag of cordyceps referred to locally as “Yartsa Goenbub”. Cordyceps Sinensis is a rare and powerful fungus found high in the mountains of Bhutan. Before the rainy season begins, spores of the Cordyceps land on the heads of caterpillars living underground, the fungus invades its tiny body and eventually bursts through its head, killing it.
For centuries, the fungus Cordyceps Sinensis has been used in traditional medicines of Tibet and China. It is said to combat a variety of disorders and maintain normal body functions. The journey to gather Cordyceps from high altitudes in the Himalayas is a difficult trek that only the most adventurous travellers can complete, which has contributed to the herb’s reputation as a rare, valuable, and highly sought-after product.
Cordyceps collection process in Bhutan
The Bhutanese people have been collecting cordyceps for decades, but the practice was not legalized until 2004. The Bhutanese government then took steps to protect the species by restricting the number of permits it could issue for collection and limiting the collection to a single month. After collection, the cordyceps are then sold through official open auctions in each of the regions they are found in.
Limited in availability, the growth of the cordyceps is heavily influenced by the weather condition. Cordyceps grows best in Bhutan after the snow melts but before the summer heat begins, from the beginning of May to the end of July. The collection is only permitted during the month of June. Throughout the international market, cordyceps is the most highly prized plant in the Himalayan region. It serves as the primary income source for the highlanders of Bhutan.
The health benefits of Bhutanese cordyceps
In Bhutan and other Asian countries, Cordyceps Sinensis is regarded as a valuable medicinal fungus. Bhutanese Cordyceps is thought to be the most potent and has the highest medical benefit of any cordyceps discovered elsewhere in the globe.
1. Combating fatigue
Fatigue is the feeling of being very tired, drained of strength, or exhausted. It can be caused by physical or mental stresses such as overwork, lack of exercise, or lack of sleep. It can also be a symptom resulting from illness, anxiety, medicine, or depression. Cordyceps have been shown to produce anti-fatigue function and are good to combat tired muscles. Cordyceps are known to help in boosting strength and improving the immune system. Cordyceps also promote restful sleep and help to boost energy.
Benefits of Cordyceps on anti-ageing
Cordyceps has traditionally been used in senior populations for improving weakness, impotence, and diseases associated with aging. They are filled with antioxidants known to fight free radical damage and help slow the signs of aging. According to studies, cordyceps help to enhance memory, improve brain function, and increase antioxidant levels in the blood. Cordyceps also contain anti-ageing compounds that can help rejuvenate the skin, eliminate dead or dying cells, and improve the appearance of blemishes, wrinkles, and age spots. This helps you look years younger!
Cordyceps helps fight Diabetes
In some cultures, cordyceps have long been used to treat diabetes. It helps to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range by imitating the action of insulin. Cordyceps may also improve liver function, kidney function and protect against kidney disease—a common complication of diabetes.
Improves fertility
Cordyceps is an ancient Chinese fungus that has been used for centuries to improve fertility. It increases levels of progesterone in women and testosterone in men while also improving kidney function, cardiovascular health, and adrenal support. It is a safe alternative to medications because it has no side effects. Cordyceps also rejuvenate the body and greatly improve overall sexual health.
Five effective ways to consume Cordyceps Sinensis
There are many ways Bhutanese consume Cordyceps Sinensis. The medicinal fungus can be purchased in dried form, as a powder, or in capsules. Here’s which forms are most popular among Bhutanese consumers:
Cordyceps tea
In Bhutan, one of the most traditional and ancient methods of taking cordyceps is via drinking cordyceps tea. Preparing Cordyceps tea is similar to making Green tea: boil a dose of Cordyceps in water for a few minutes, then reduce to a simmer and steep for another 15 minutes. Remove the fruiting bodies, discard them, season with honey and additional tea spices to taste, and serve. Bhutanese people use it as tea in the morning and evening.
The key chemicals in cordyceps tea can be stored in a glass container for later use without losing their potency.
Cordyceps capsules
Cordyceps capsules are an excellent supplement for increasing your energy and endurance, strengthening your immune system, and overall health. Bhutanese particularly use cordyceps capsules to boost their immune systems when they feel like they have been weakened by infections or illness. Cordyceps should be taken before bed; 2-3 capsules should suffice.
Cordyceps hot water extract
Cordyceps hot-water extract is the best way for people to take workout supplements or breathing exercises. The hot-water extract is prepared by simmering Cordyceps at various temperatures for hours to bring out all water-soluble components, and then the liquid supernatant is heated at a low flame until a thick paste is achieved. Cordyceps hot-water extract gives it a direct advantage over other forms of taking cordyceps as it can be stored in a glass bottle for a couple of years as a medicine.
Cordyceps powder
If you think that boiling Cordyceps Sinensis is too troublesome, there is a very convenient way to deal with it: grind the Cordyceps Sinensis into a powder with a grinder, and then take it with water.
If you don’t know how to take Cordyceps Sinensis or use the wrong method, you could greatly reduce its efficacy and waste your money. You can see below a selection of cordyceps products available on our website:
