Demystifying the species diversity of Cordyceps: There are insects and weeds, but not insects and weeds

Demystifying the "species diversity" of Cordyceps: there are insects and "grass", but not insects

Demystifying the "species diversity" of Cordyceps: there are insects and "grass", but not

China News Service, Kunming, September 21st, title: Demystifying the "species diversity" of Cordyceps

China News Service reporter Hu Yuanhang

The Yunbaicao Laboratory of Yunnan University collected nearly 500 species of Cordyceps, nearly 20,000 cordyceps soaked specimens, and more than 8,500 cordyceps strains.
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it can be called the "Encyclopedia of Cordyceps" in the world
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Recently, reporters visited the laboratory to reveal the diverse world of Cordyceps

"Mushrooms" that grow from insects

"Mushrooms" that grow from insects

Speaking of Cordyceps, most people are probably familiar with Cordyceps sinensis
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In fact, more than 600 species of cordyceps with sexual forms have been discovered worldwide

The reporter saw all kinds of Cordyceps in the Yunbaicao Laboratory of Yunnan University: Cordyceps militaris, Cordyceps militaris, Cordyceps militaris, Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps sinensis, Beauveria bassiana.
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Some of them grow on caterpillars, Know, stink bugs, some grow on wasps, American cockroaches, scarabs, and some even grow on tiny ants
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The large one is about 30 cm long and the small one is less than 1 cm long

Are they insects or weeds? Yu Hong, a professor at Yunbaicao Laboratory of Yunnan University, told reporters that although Cordyceps contains insects and weeds, it is not a cordyceps, but a compound formed by the parasitic invertebrates, a few fungi and slime molds of Cordyceps fungi (Hypocea fungi).
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In layman's terms, it is a "mushroom" that grows from insects

The well-known Cordyceps sinensis is a complex of Cordyceps sinensis fungus and the larvae of Hepidiaceae
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Before the larva encountered the Cordyceps fungus, it was just an ordinary bug, swimming carefree in the grass or jungle

"From a realistic perspective, in this life-and-death struggle between insects and bacteria, bacteria are the final winners
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However, from another perspective, the special life form of Cordyceps is not the mutual achievement of bacteria and insects

Cordyceps culture originated in China

Cordyceps culture originated in China

From a global perspective, China, India, Nepal and other countries all produce Cordyceps sinensis
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However, it is recognized internationally that the origin of Cordyceps is in China

Yu Hong said that during the Qin and Han Dynasties, the White Tiger Silkworm was listed as a "medium grade" in the "Shen Nong's Materia Medica", which is the earliest record of Cordyceps used as medicine
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A large number of cordyceps unearthed from the tomb of Haihunhou in Changhai, Nanjiang, Jiangxi Province also confirmed that Chinese people began to use cordyceps as early as 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty

The earliest record of cicada flower and cordyceps comes from the "Lei Gong Cannon Burning Theory" during the Southern and Northern Dynasties.
It records "Cicada flower, all the white flowers required by the ambassador, shall be hung up in the southeast corner of the house after harvesting.
boiled pulp a day to night, drying grain fine with it "
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This shows that Chinese medicine has a history of at least 1,500 years in the knowledge and application of cicada flowers and cordyceps
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The earliest medicinal records of Cordyceps sinensis can be traced back to 710 AD
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During the reign of Tang Zhongzong, Princess Jincheng married to Tibet and brought a large number of medical personnel and books.
Among them, "Yuewang Medicine Clinic" was translated into Tibetan, also known as "Medical Law of the Moon King", which is the earliest surviving Tibetan medical work and is recorded for the first time.
Cordyceps is effective in curing lung diseases
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"Tiang Materia Medica" in 780 AD also recorded the function of Cordyceps sinensis to "moisturize the lungs and nourish the kidneys"
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This shows that Chinese medicine has a history of more than 1,200 years in the application of Cordyceps sinensis
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"Modern research has confirmed that many Cordyceps, represented by Cordyceps militaris, Cordyceps militaris, and Cordyceps tenuis, have important values ​​in medical and health care
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" Yu Hong said that Cordyceps sinensis can regulate immunity, resist oxidation, and It has many effects on tumors, anti-aging, etc.
, and it has been included in books such as "The Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China", "Chinese Materia Medica", "Chinese Tibetan Materia Medica", and "Chinese Materia Medica"
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In addition, modern research has confirmed that in addition to its medicinal value, Cordyceps also plays an important role in regulating the number of arthropods in nature, maintaining ecological balance, and biological control of pests
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"The insects are small in the universe, and there are many bodhi in the grass
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" Yu Hong said that Cordyceps often made him marvel at the wonders of nature, and was shocked by the greatness of life
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The Kingdom of Cordyceps in Yunnan

The Kingdom of Cordyceps in Yunnan

After more than 20 years of hard work, the Yunbaicao laboratory has collected nearly 500 species of Cordyceps, nearly 20,000 cordyceps soaked specimens, and more than 8,500 cordyceps strains
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Among them, nearly 300 species of Cordyceps were collected from Yunnan
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"Yunnan is located at the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the intersection of the South Asian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
It is one of the most complex and diverse regions in the world and one of the most diverse regions in the world
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Yunnan has a significant three-dimensional climate and is suitable for various Plants, insects and fungi have bred a wealth of Cordyceps species diversity and Cordyceps genetic diversity
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" Yu Hong said
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A research result from the Yunbaicao Laboratory also showed that the Hengduan Mountain area is the center of genetic diversity of Cordyceps sinensis, and the Hengduan Mountain area in northwestern Yunnan is the origin center of Cordyceps sinensis
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"We analyzed the genetic structure and pedigree of Cordyceps sinensis, and identified 8 phylogenetic branches, and came to this conclusion
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" Yu Hong added
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"Yunnan is not only the kingdom of animals and plants, but also the kingdom of Cordyceps
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" Yu Hong proposed that from the strategic height of biosecurity, it is urgent to establish a Cordyceps Biodiversity Research Center and a Cordyceps Biodiversity Sustainable Utilization Center in Yunnan
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This has practical and long-term strategic significance for protecting the species diversity and genetic diversity of Cordyceps.
It is also important for highlighting China’s characteristics and status in the conservation and sustainable development of Cordyceps biodiversity in the world, and for promoting Chinese medicine and its culture.
Realistic and far-reaching significance
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