Chinese Caterpillar Fungus(Dong chong xia cao)

This medicinal is the dried stroma and sporphore of Cordyceps sinensis (Berk)Sacc.parasitized on the larva of Hepialus varians Staudinger.Both stroma and the dead larva are used medicinally.It is excavated before or after Summer Solstice when the accumulated snow still does not melt,and dried by natural sunlight after removal of the external soil and membrane.After being softened with yellow wine and made straight ,it is baked on mild fire and used in its unprocessed form.

Medicinal Properties:sweet and neutral.

Meridian Tropism:lung and kidney meridians.

Medicinal Efficacies:reinforce lung and replenish kidney;stop bleeding and resolve phlegm.

Usage and Dosage: 5~15g.Also used in the form of pills or powder.