Winter Worm, Summer Grass: Benefits and Uses

Winter Worm, Summer Grass (Cordyceps): Benefits, Uses, and Tips for Safe Use

Aliases: Cordyceps, Winter Worm Summer Grass, Dong Chong Xia Cao.

Flavor & Nature: Sweet, warm, and aromatic.

Meridian Affiliation: Lungs and Kidneys.

Medicinal Parts: The composite of the parasitic fungus Cordyceps sinensis and the larva of bat moths, with the fungus growing from the larva's head.

Physical Characteristics: Cordyceps consists of the larval body and the fungus stalk growing from it. The larva resembles a silkworm, measuring 3-5 cm in length and 3-8 mm in diameter, with a dark yellowish-brown surface and 20-30 distinct ridges. The stalk is thin, about 4-7 cm long, dark brown, and slightly swollen at the top. The best quality Cordyceps is plump, brightly colored, and has a short stalk.

How to Use Cordyceps

Internal Use: Boil into a tea (5-10g), grind into powders or pills, or cook with chicken or duck for a nourishing soup.

Health Benefits of Cordyceps

Main Benefits: Replenishes vital energy, supports lung and kidney health, relieves cough, and reduces phlegm.

Main Uses: Treats chronic cough, asthma, night sweats, fatigue, weak knees, low libido, and post-illness recovery.

Precautions

According to the Sichuan Materia Medica, Cordyceps should not be used when external pathogens (such as colds) are present.

Popular Medicinal Recipes with Cordyceps

Post-illness recovery: Stew 3-5 pieces of Cordyceps with a male duck, adding soy sauce and wine as seasoning.
Chronic asthma: Steam 15-30g of Cordyceps with a male duck and consume.
Anemia and low libido: Simmer 15-30g of Cordyceps with meat or chicken.
Tuberculosis with coughing and blood: Boil 30g of Cordyceps with 15g of Fritillaria and 12g of Lily Bulbs. Consume as tea.
Kidney deficiency and back pain: Soak 30g Cordyceps and 30g goji berries in 2 liters of rice wine for 1 week. Drink a small glass twice daily.
Post-illness fatigue: Combine 30g of Astragalus with 15g of Cordyceps and prepare as a decoction.