Cordyceps sinensis has always been considered one of the best tonic products in Chinese medicine. But the extremely high price of the original form has prevented many practitioners and patients from using it regularly. Now, by using the newest scientific method, cultivation of the original mycelium has been successful. Clinical trials have demonstrated that the mycelium gives equal or sometimes better results than the original form. This special strain, known as Paecilomyes hepiali, is the first one approved by the Department of Health in China.

Cordyceps sinensis (Dong Chong Xia Cao, 冬虫夏草) is perhaps the rarest and most precious herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Cordyceps has been used for the general health well being by Chinese for centuries, but remained unknown for the rest of the world until in 1992 Olympics when the Chinese women's track team athletes broke multiple world records and attributed their success in part to Cordyceps they took as an herbal dietary supplement. Modern studies suggest Cordyceps may enhance the immune function of our body, may stimulate progesterone production, boost energy and endurance.^†

Cordyceps sinensis grows in or around Tibet. Cordyceps sinensis is actually composed of fungus that grows on caterpillar larvae. In its native habitat, the spores of Cordyceps infect and get into the body of caterpillar larvae. When the fungus grows in the body it kills the larvae in the winter, and eventually fungus fully consumes the larvae and sprouts into a little plant in the summer. The Chinese name Dong Chong Xia Cao literally describes the life cycle of Cordyceps.

Because of the unique nature of Cordyceps, it has been unsuccessful to cultivate Cordyceps. The natural habitat of Cordyceps in Tibet is rapidly deteriorating because of the over consumption and skyrocketing prices. Today Cordyceps products in its processed forms on the market are all made from Cordyceps fungus grown in the laboratory.