Traditional uses and medicinal potential of Cordyceps sinensis of Sikkim

Abstract

Cordyceps sinensis has been described as a medicine in old Chinese medical books and Tibetan medicine. It is a rare combination of a caterpillar and a fungus and found at altitudes above 4500m in Sikkim. Traditional healers and local people of North Sikkim recommend the mushroom, i.e., Yarsa gumba, Keera jhar (C. sinensis) for all diseases either as a single drug or combined with other herbs. The present study was undertaken to collect information regarding the traditional uses of cordyceps in Sikkim. It was found that most local folk healers/traditional healers use cordyceps for the treatment of 21 ailments. A modern literature search was carried out to assess whether the curative effects are valid or just blind faith of local people. Chemical constituents of cordyceps are given and pharmacological and biological studies reviewed. More mechanism-based and disease-oriented clinical studies are recommended.

Full text

Journal of Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine | Jan-Mar 2011 | Vol 2 | Issue 1 9
Address for correspondence:
Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda,
Ayurveda Regional Research Institute, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim -
737 102, India. E-mail: akpanda_06@ yahoo.co.in
Received: 20-July-2010
Revised: 14-Sept-2010
Accepted: 21-Sept-2010
Traditional uses and medicinal potential of
Cordyceps sinensis of Sikkim
Ashok Kumar Panda, Kailash Chandra Swain1
Ayurveda Regional Research Institute, 1Department of Pharmacology, Sikkim Manipal Institutes of Medical Sciences, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
GENERAL ARTICLE
ABSTRACT
Cordyceps sinensis has been described as a medicine in old Chinese medical books and Tibetan medicine. It is a rare
combination of a caterpillar and a fungus and found at altitudes above 4500m in Sikkim. Traditional healers and local
people of North Sikkim recommend the mushroom, i.e., Yarsa gumba, Keera jhar (C. sinensis) for all diseases either as a
single drug or combined with other herbs. The present study was undertaken to collect information regarding the traditional
uses of cordyceps in Sikkim. It was found that most local folk healers/traditional healers use cordyceps for the treatment
of 21 ailments. A modern literature search was carried out to assess whether the curative effects are valid or just blind
faith of local people. Chemical constituents of cordyceps are given and pharmacological and biological studies reviewed.
More mechanism-based and disease-oriented clinical studies are recommended.
Key words: Cordyceps, disease, folk healers, fungus, mushroom, North Sikkim
INTRODUCTION
Mushrooms have been used as food, medicine, poison,
and in spiritual mushroom practices in religious rituals
across the world since at least 5000 BC.[1] Gordon Wasson
(father of modern Ethno mycology) believed that the
Soma plant used in religious ceremonies, over 4000 years
ago, before the beginning of the Christian era, by the
people who called themselves “Aryans” was a mushroom.
The Vedic juice called “soma rasa” is said to bestow
divine qualities on the soul of the consumer, even
immortality.[2] Ayurveda classifies mushrooms under
tamasika ahara, and as a medicine for enhancing vigor and
vitality.[3] The fungus Cordyceps sinensis has been described in
old Chinese medical books from ancient times, and is also
found in Tibetan medicine.[4] The fungus Penicillium from
which the antibiotic penicillin is derived is the most famous
medicine of the age, and the most potent hallucinogen
agent Lysergic acid diethylamide (LCD), has also been derived
from the plant – parasite ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea.[5,6]
Traditional healers in Sikkim recommend the fungus/
mushroom Cordyceps sinensis for “all illnesses” as a tonic,
because they claim that it improves energy, appetite,
stamina, libido, endurance, and sleeping patterns. It is a rare
combination of a caterpillar and fungus found in Sikkim at
altitudes above 3,800 m. The mushroom is most popular
in the Lachung and Lachen area of North Sikkim and has
the reputation of being a precious longevity-promoting
herb. The present study was undertaken to collect as much
information as possible regarding traditional claims for its
uses in different diseases. Attempts to evaluate such claims
through studies of available modern literature were also
made.
INFORMATION GATHERING
North Sikkim is a vast reservoir of high-altitude medicinal
and aromatic plants. Its people possess a treasury of
knowledge related to their management and uses. There
are a number of reputed classes of practitioner like the
Amchi (Tibetan folk practitioner) and Vaidyas (herbalist/
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10 Journal of Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine | Jan-Mar 2011 | Vol 2 | Issue 1
Panda and Swain: Uses and medicinal potential of C. sinensis in Sikkim
folk healers). Relevant information was gathered from
local people, local practitioners, folk healers, and by direct
contact with herb collectors of Lachung and Lachen,
during repeated field visits between June 2008 and
September 2009.
Information was collected through an open-ended
questionnaire from a large number of individual
respondents, as well as through semi-structured interviews.
They were asked for herbs' local names, traditional and
commercial uses, parts used, and mode of administration.
Information obtained in each locality was cross-checked
at different places with other respondents. To substantiate
the usefulness of CS, scientific information for the
chemical constituents, curative effect, biological studies,
and pharmacological studies was collated from journals.
CORDYCEPS SINENSIS
C. Sinensis is an annual Ascomycetes fungus closely related
to the mushroom. Although not actually a mushroom
taxonomically, it has been described as an exotic medicinal
mushroom in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine.
The name cordyceps comes from Latin words meaning
club and head. The mycological features, related species
and vernacular names are given in Table 1 . The normal
harvesting period stretches from April to August. It grows
only in high-altitude regions of about 3800 m above sea
level, in cold, grassy, alpine meadows of the Himalayan
mountains. The fungus is parasitic in nature. The base of
the mushroom rst originates from an insect larval host
(Hepialis armoricanus family Hepialidac) and ends at the
club-like cap, including the stipe and stroma. The fruit body
is dark brown to black, and the root of organism, the larval
body pervaded by the mycelium, is yellowish to brown
color.[7] The immature larvae (host) on which cordyceps
grows usually lies about 6 inches below the surface
of the ground. As the fungus approaches maturity, it
consumes more than 90% of the infected insect effectively
mummifying its host. As the stroma matures, it swells up
and develops perihelia. The average weight of cordyceps is
about 300–500 mg.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The people of North Sikkim call the fungus/mushroom/
herb yarsa gumba; its Tibetan name [winter (yarsa) and
summer (gumba)]. In the literature, “gunba” or “gonba”
have also been used instead of “gumba.” It is called Keera
Jhar (insect herb) by the local Nepalese. It is also known
as the Himalayan Viagra. It costs approximately 6.77 U.S.
dollar per piece in the international market and is locally
available at Rs.100/- per piece.
Initially local herders observed that yak, goat, sheep, etc.
consuming C. Sinensis during their grazing in the forest
became very strong and stout. This observation paved the
way for the discovery of its medicinal value. Thereafter,
local people and herders used the fungus powder with
jaggery to increase milk production, and improve
reproductive capacity and vitality of their cattle. Then its
relevant medicinal properties were explored, collecting only
the aerial part (fruiting body/stroma), which they dried
in sunlight as primary processing. Then they themselves
consumed it and became convinced of its medicinal effects
in enhancing vigor and vitality. They further claimed that
it has aphrodisiac effects, and hence they used to give it as
a gift to relatives and friends from Gangtok and adjoining
areas.
At present, local folk practitioners use the product alone or
in combination with other medicinal herbs to treat various
diseases, administering different doses for different ailments
according to their experience, based on an empirical trial-
and-error method. People of both sexes usually take one
piece of C. sinensis with a cup of milk to enhance their
sexual potency and desire. The Bhutia community put one
piece of C. sinensis in a cup of local-made alcohol (chang),
leave it for 1 hour, and drink it morning and evening as a
tonic. Some use hot water instead of alcohol. Some folk
healers use C. sinensis for diabetes and other wasting diseases.
It is used for cancer mixed with texus leaf and Ginseng
root decoction. Similar reports are also available from
Nepal.[9-11] An attempt was made to evaluate the strength
of the folk claims by counting the number of users for
particular illnesses. Prolonged, continuous use by local
folk healers/traditional healers for the treatment of 21
ailments, including cancer, bronchial asthma, bronchitis,
TB, diabetes, cough and cold, erectile dysfunction, BHP,
Table 1: Mycological features and vernacular
names of
Cordyceps sinensis
English name – Caterpillar fungus, Cordyceps mushroom
Latin name – Cordyceps sinensis
Phylum – Ascomycota
Class – Ascomycetes
Order – Hypocreales
Family – Clavicipataceae
Related species – Cordyceps mililaris, Cordyceps barnesii, Cordyceps
ophioglossoides, Cordyceps hyphae, etc.
Vernacular names
Local Name – Yarsa gumba, Yarcha gumba
Nepali Name – Keera jhar, Jeevan buti, Keeda ghass, Chyou kira,
Sanjeevani bhooti[8]
Chinise Name – Dong chong xi cao
Japanase – Tocheikasa
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Journal of Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine | Jan-Mar 2011 | Vol 2 | Issue 1 11
Panda and Swain: Uses and medicinal potential of C. sinensis in Sikkim
jaundice, alcoholic hepatitis, etc., were noted [Table 2].
Most traditional healers and elderly people use it to increase
longevity and cure erectile dysfunction.[12]
Evidence and studies
Various pharmacological and biological studies establishing
the curative effect of corydeps involving various
experimental models (in vitro and in vivo) and some clinical
trials in volunteer athletes.[13,14] C. sinensis exhibits very broad
biological and pharmacological actions in hepatic, renal,
and cardiovascular diseases. It has effects on immunological
disorders including cancer. Pharmacological actions of
cordyceps are primarily due to bioactive polysaccharides,
modied nucleosides, and cyclosporine like metabolites.
Also, the fermentable strain of the mycelia causes normal
fat mobilization and beta-oxidation, thereby maintaining
blood glucose level during prolonged exercise in athletes.
A Chinese study conducted on mice, a double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial, investigated whether oral
administration of cordyceps results in enhanced endurance
and resistance to fatigue. After 3 weeks of administration,
the groups given CS-4 were able to swim signicantly
longer than the control groups. The results of the study
were dose-dependent with results of one group on a
Table 3: Major pharmacological functions of Cordyceps sinensis[16]
Hepatic function
Stimulation of energy metabolism


Renal function
Reduction in aminoglycoside antibiotic induced nephrotoxicity

Endocrine and steroid system


Cardiovascular function

Reduction in aconitine, BaCl2, 
Anticancer activities
Sterols and their glucosides



Immunomodulation


Erythropoiesis and hemopoiesis
in vivo and in vitro
Platelet hemopoiesis
Table 2: Traditional uses of Cordyceps
sinensis (Yercha gumpa) in North Sikkim
Illness Strength of the claims
Increase longevity ++++
Erectile dysfunction ++++
Female aphrodisiac +++
Infertility ++
General weakness +++
Tuberculosis ++
Bronchitis ++
Malignant Tumor +++
Cough and cold ++
Rheumatism +
Arthritis ++
Jaundice ++
Prostate enlargement ++
Liver diseases +++
Kidney diseases +++
Coronary heart disease +
Chronic pain ++
Sciatica and backache ++
Low BP and dizziness +++
Diabetics ++
Alcoholic hepatitis +
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12 Journal of Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine | Jan-Mar 2011 | Vol 2 | Issue 1
Panda and Swain: Uses and medicinal potential of C. sinensis in Sikkim
higher dose showing a 30% increase in endurance and the
second group showing a 73% increase in endurance. The
study concluded that the cardiotonic action, inhibition
of tracheal constrictions, and relaxation of contracted
vascular smooth muscle (which CS-4 evokes) increase the
ability and endurance of exercise. Another double-blind,
placebo-controlled study was conducted to test the effects
on physical performance in 1998 led by S. Morrissey of
Beijing Medical University Sports Research Institute.
They found that the group given the most of the product
containing cordyceps experienced improved lactate
clearance. Researchers concluded that lactate clearance
improved due to improved lactate energy metabolism
within the cell. Hence the authors concluded that using this
CS formulation would enhance lactate clearance and allow
athletes greater anaerobic physical performance[15] [Table 3].
Scientic proof of the effects of the Cordyceps mushroom
seem to be quite promising and coincide with folk
practices of Sikkim and other parts of India, China, Nepal
and Bhutan. The Cordyceps mushroom also has potent
antioxidant properties.[17]
Natural product chemistry of Cordyceps
Many natural products have been identied from the
fruiting bodies and cultured mycelium of cordyceps
and related species. The major chemical constituent is
cordycepic acid with other amino acids, vitamins and
minerals [Table 4].
CONCLUSION
The folk healers of Sikkim use C. sinensis to cure 21 ailments
including cancer, asthma, TB, diabetics, cough and cold,
erectile dysfunction in males and female BHP, hepatitis,
etc. Many studies in vitro and in vivo support C. sinensis
having diverse biological activities and pharmacological
potential [Table 3]. Its effects on renal and hepatic function
and immunomodulatory-related antitumor activities are
most promising and deserve further attention. Although
the origin and preparation of cordyceps have not always
been clearly addressed, most studies use water-soluble,
polysaccharide-rich fractions or alcohol extracts.
Now all possible measures have to be undertaken to ensure
that a healthy environment is sustained so that substantial
harvesting can be carried out for the medicinal fungi and
plants, which will be able to provide the basic income for
folk healers and other rural people. Fermented mycelia can
be constantly produced on a large scale, and are a better
source of the medicine. Available evidence regarding C.
sinensis’s medicinal value look very promising, but there is
a lack of study performed specically on humans. More
mechanism-based and disease-oriented pharmacological
studies are required. The need of the hour is now to
undertake detailed pharmacological studies of C. sinensis for
its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicities in
humans. In the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia, the mushroom/
fungus, C. sinensis, can be considered to fall in the Rasayana
category.
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Table 4: Chemical constituents of natural cordyceps[18-21]




and deoxyuridine and cordycepia); 28 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, their derivatives and other organic acids (oleic, linoleic, palmitic and

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Journal of Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine | Jan-Mar 2011 | Vol 2 | Issue 1 13
Panda and Swain: Uses and medicinal potential of C. sinensis in Sikkim
Source of Support: Nil, Conict of Interest: None declared.
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