Legends
of Cordyceps Sinensis
Legend
has it that the Yung people, Tibetan herdsman, first
discovered Cordyceps over a thousand years ago in the
high plateaus of the region, thinking it was a type
of grass. They first noticed that animals grazing on
a tiny, grass-like mushroom became more energetic and
agile. Even the older cattle showed signs of increased
vigor. Intrigued, the herders began to harvest the mushroom
and soon observed that human consumption seemed to yield
similar benefits.
From
that moment on, logic ensues and it was only a matter
of time before the knowledge of the benefits of this
miraculous herb was unlocked. Chinese herbalists were
among the first few who began to use Cordyceps for a
host of human ailments. However, the scarcity of the
herb became an indefinite obstacle that made this cure-all
panacea limited to the elites of the society.
Cordyceps
Sinensis grows wild in the Tibetan Plateau, approximately
15,000 feet above the sea level. The low oxygen levels
in the extreme climate and inhospitable environment
causes only the toughest and fittest of a few species
survive in the harsh conditions. The survivors are usually
extremely adaptable, having developed powerful defenses
against the elements. Thus, the harsher the environment
in which the mushroom is harvested, the higher the quality
of the Cordyceps.
Harvesters
of the Cordyceps consider the mushroom the “elixir
of life” and to be worth “more than gold”.
In the narrow window of 4 weeks between May and June
during its season, expert foragers unearth less than
10 cordyceps mushroom per day. The annual harvest of
the highest grade cordyceps mushrooms worldwide is barely
660 pounds, making it one of the rarest, most precious
mushrooms available. Its scarcity and the nature of
which the mushroom prevails explain why Cordyceps Sinensis
was such an exclusive privilege of the Chinese royalty.
In
the second century, B.C., the first Emperor of China
used Cordyceps religiously as a tonic for longevity.
The legendary Chinese beauty Yang Kue-fei (701-756A.D)
also took Cordyceps regularly, crediting the mushroom
as her fountain of youth. The historical use of cordyceps
as an anti-aging herb in TCM dates back to 1700BC. During
China’s Chin Dynasty, one emperor is said to have
paid an ounce of gold for a three days’ supply
of the precious fungus. Tibetan scholars wrote detailed
description of Cordyceps in 15th and 18th century texts.
Only in 1726, at a scientific meeting was Cordyceps
introduced to Europe.
Natural
Cordyceps Sinensis takes about six years to complete
its life cycle and consequently, the natural product
is deemed extremely rare. Due to the scarcity and high
price of natural Cordyceps, researchers and scientists
have long studied the reproduction of the mushroom in
accessible conditions. It was not until the recent medical
breakthrough, discovered by Microenvironment Control
Technology Research Center of Research Institute of
Tsinghua University, Zhejiang Yangtze River Delta when
they founded the artificial cultivation and reproduction
of the fruiting bodies of fresh Cordyceps Sinensis,
was the development of Cordyceps Sinensis products possible.
While
other manufacturers may choose to utilize lower grade
mushrooms that are easier to harvest, it only these
select, highest grade Cordyceps Sinensis carefully developed
and cultured by the Microenvironment Control Technology
Research Center of Research Institute of Tsinghua University
that AHB uses in our nutritional supplement.
