Chinese Caterpillar Mushroom Ophiocordyceps sinensis: Historical, Biology /Collection, Culture and Medicinal Use for Cure of Human Diseases

摘要

Dong Chong Xia Cao,winter worm-summer grass,the Chinese caterpillar mushroom Ophiocordycepssinessis is gaining importance as a potent source of alternative medicine for human disease control all over theworld.This medicinal mushroom has a long history for human disease control,especially in China,and can hardlybe ignored as a source of medicine for control of chronic diseases like cancer,AIDS and other terminal diseases.Itis reported to strengthen the body immune system and is reported to be a hormone stimulator / general vitalizer ofthe body functions at various levels.The first report of positive effect of this mushroom was discovered about1500 years ago in Tibet by herdsmen,who observed that their livestock became energetic after consuming aspecial mushroom growing locally in grasslands.Earliest record of Codyceps as medicine is as old as QingDynasity in China as mentioned in Ben-Cao-Cong-Xing,a new compilation of Materia Medica written byWu-Yilus in 1757.Being a harmone stimulator,Ophiocordyceps sinensis is an important anti-aging medicine,asit inhibits the formation of active monoamine oxidase,an enzyme responsible for aging in humans.The medicinaluse of Ophiocordyceps sinensis by Tibetans has been documented for over 500 years.There is a large and fastgrowing market worldwide for Ophioordyceps sinensis mushroom as a medicine and a health supplement.Thispresentation has dwelt in details about its occurrence and habitat,attempts at its cultivation,mycelial culturepropagation,medicinal properties,Chinese herbal medicine and its clinical trials,its world trade / manufacture /marketing,role of Cordyceps mushroom in development of economy in the region of its occurrence,future thrustareas in development of this mushroom and its products for human welfare.