Yarsagumba: Himalayan Viagra

Most of you’ve probably heard of cordyceps mushrooms - a recent health food craze praised for its ability to boost our immune system and improve the way our body uses oxygen, especially during exercise.

Yet perhaps few know where it comes from.
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Of the 400 species of cordyceps, the most popular is Ophiocordyceps sinensis (yarsagumba)which is painstakingly harvested in the Himalayan mountains in areas over 11,500ft. Yarsagumba is in fact the fragile, mummified body of the Himalayan bat moth caterpillar that has been invaded by a fungus.
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Because it’s already a rare phenomena, like finding a needle in a haystack, coupled with an increase in worldwide demand (it’s regarded as a potent aphrodisiac in Chinese medicine), Yarsagumba’s is said to have become more valuable than gold. We met these Nepalese traders in the isolated village of Phu while they were buying from local foragers. They will sell to Chinese buyers for $100/gram. If we wanted to buy on the spot, one of these lil’ fungal mummies were $10 each.
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The possible wealth promised from their trade has become so valuable that local communities have literally killed over yarsagumba turf. In 2009, seven men were murdered by a local mob in the Nepalese village of Nar over territory. The men were attacked with sticks and knives and then to dispose of the evidence, their bodies were chopped up and thrown in the raging river. Authorities had to trek to the remote village and march out 36 suspects a two days hike to the nearest prison.
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This cautionary tale is a reminder of the lengths humans will go to maintain their means for survival and the possible results of our increased consumption of exotic products in a globalized world.

Pic and Text in support of Madison McClintock from USA who just did Nar Phu Trek with us