[#2016-02] Cordyceps Lin, Bao-quin Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug

Cordyceps is the composite of a genus of fungus that grows on the larva of insects. To date,
more than 350 Cordyceps-related species have been found worldwide based on fungus and/or
insect host. However, since 1964, only Cordyceps sinensis has been recorded officially as an
herbal drug in Chinese pharmacopoeia. C. sinensis, known as Dongchongxiacao (winter-worm
summer-grass) in Chinese, is one of the most famous traditional Chinese medicines and
medicinal mushrooms. The fungus attacks the larva of some species of insects (Fam.
Hepialidae), and converts each larva to a sclerotium, from which the fruiting body grows.