A unique herb found in the higher reaches of the Himalayas is 'Yarsagumba', which is not used in India but is used in China as a natural steroid. Due to its enchanting ability to increase strength, this herb is used in China by sportsmen, especially athletes. Seeing the usefulness of this herb, the local people are exploiting it on a large scale in the areas of Pithoragarh and Dharchula.
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| Keeda-Jadi Or Cordyceps sinensis |
In general, it is a kind of wild mushroom that grows on a particular insect after killing its caterpillars. The scientific name of this herb is Cordyceps sinensis (Family - Ophiocordycipitaceae) and the name of the insect on which it grows is the caterpillar 'Hapilus fabricus'. The local people call it wormwood because it is half wormwood and half herb and in Sino-Tibet it is called Yarsagumba. This is also called " Kida- jadi."
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| Harvested Keeda - Jadi or Caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis) |
A team from Dehradun-based Indian Forest Research Institute has recently performed a wonderful study on it. Dr. Nirmal Sudhir Harsh, head of the Department of Forest Pathology at FRI, explains, "This herb is found in areas at an altitude of 3500 meters where the treeline ends, that is after the trees stop growing. From May to July when snow melts, the cycle of its growth begins.
This enchanting herb would not have made headlines had it not been for the recent scramble to find it, first sparked by record-breaking performances by Chinese female athletes in the 1500m, 3000m, and 10000m at the Stuttgart World Championships. Their trainer, Ma Junren, told reporters that he has given Yarsagumba regularly to their athletes, and then only they are able to win. It is said that 3-4 years ago, when this fungus used to sell at Rs 4 lakh per kg, now its price is Rs 8 lakh. 10 lacks per kg.
According to Botanist Dr. AN Shukla, “Nutrients such as proteins, peptides, amino acids, vitamins B-1, B-2, and B-12 are found in abundance in this fungus. They give instant strength and do not get caught in the doping test done on the players.” It has other uses in Sino-Tibetan traditional medicine. “It is considered a life-saving medicine for treating lungs and kidneys,” says Prema Lama, a priest at a Buddhist monastery in Dehradun.
According to sources, tonics that increase sexual arousal are also being prepared from wormwood, which is in high demand.” For all these reasons, its importance is so high, says SS Rawat, Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttarakhand, “Its business has to be legalized. And the Forest Department itself will get it collected, on the other hand, the concern of scientists and environmentalists is that whether it is illegal or legal, its indiscriminate exploitation is causing damage to the delicate biodiversity and ecology of the Himalayas.
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