Although it sounds more like something against which you should be vaccinated than an ingredient of love, yarsagumba is fast becoming one of the most talked-about aphrodisiacs in the world.
Fungus with libido-boosting power
Its notoriety hasn’t sprung from some new scientific study proving the ingredient’s power in black-and-white terms. No, yarsagumba is the new “it” food because its transport and sales are now as legally controlled as drugs. Yes, there are yarsagumba busts. People go to prison for this aphrodisiac. (In fact, there are even several murders linked to this rare prize!)
Why? Because this Asian fungus is most typically found in the ancient homeland of the Manang people of Nepal. Only a select few are permitted to harvest yarsagumba. But because it is considered one of the most expensive ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, poaching has become big business.
A dangerous mushroom spore
This rare ingredient only grows above approximately 11,000 feet and is found, as far as I know, only in Nepal. It is the spore of a particular mushroom which–I wish I was kidding–settles on the heads of caterpillars, grows through the head and sucks out the caterpillar’s energy, eventually killing its host. By spring, when they are harvested the yarsagumba resemble mummified caterpillars and are transported whole. To serve, they’re crumbled over cereal, rice, whatever.
Can yarsagumba improve sexual function?
Leave it to the scientists at Stanford to examine the fact behind this fable. In a controlled study they found an increase in the 17-ketosteroid in the urine of men who had eaten the fungus. (This indicates a possible improvement in sexual function among caterpillar mummy fungus eaters.) In another, slightly less scientific poll, 64% of users claimed noticeable improvement in sexual function.
The more industrious believers have tried to cultivate the fungus phenom. But thus far, efforts have proved fruitless and the value of yarsagumba, as its reputation reaches further and wider, continues to drive up both price and allure of what has to be one of the aphrodisiac world’s least savory ingredients.
Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiacs
Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.
Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.
Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.
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Fascinating question but we’re sorry, that’s beyond our expertise.
Would this act as a pain killer for cancer patients,kindly advise and oblige with dosage.