Identification of genuine Cordyceps sinensis

Cordyceps sinensis is a complex of the stroma of the fungus *Cordyceps sinensis* (family Clavicipitaceae) parasitizing the larva of an insect in the family Hepialidae (family Hepialidae) and the larval corpse. It is also known as caterpillar fungus. It is harvested in early summer when the stroma emerges from the soil and before the spores disperse. It is sun-dried until it is 60-70% dry, then the fibrous attachments and impurities are removed before further drying or low-temperature drying. Originally recorded in *Ben Cao Cong Xin* (New Compilation of Materia Medica), Cordyceps sinensis is mainly produced in Yunnan, Qinghai, and Tibet in China. It is sweet and neutral in nature, and enters the lung and kidney meridians. It has the functions of tonifying the lungs and kidneys, stopping bleeding, and resolving phlegm. Clinically, it is used for lung and kidney yin deficiency, chronic cough and asthma, hemoptysis, impotence, seminal emission, and soreness of the lower back and knees. Modern pharmacological studies show that it has various effects such as immunomodulation, anti-tumor activity, lowering blood pressure, increasing white blood cell count, anti-aging, and regulating endocrine function. However, due to the high profits of Cordyceps sinensis, unscrupulous merchants have resorted to adulteration and counterfeiting, resulting in a market flooded with counterfeit Cordyceps sinensis. Therefore, it is especially important to be able to accurately identify the authenticity of Cordyceps sinensis. Below, we will briefly introduce several common methods for identifying the authenticity of Cordyceps sinensis.

01 Shape Recognition

(1) Genuine Cordyceps sinensis has a body shape like a silkworm, 3-5 cm long and 3-8 mm in diameter. The longer and thicker the Cordyceps sinensis, the better its quality. (2) Liangshan Cordyceps sinensis has a short and thick body. (3) Pupae Cordyceps sinensis has an oval body. (4) Ground silkworm has a spindle-shaped body that is slightly curved. (5) Xinjiang Cordyceps sinensis resembles a silkworm but is thinner.

02 Color Recognition

(1) Genuine Cordyceps sinensis has an earthy yellow to yellowish-brown exterior, a yellowish-red head, and brownish-yellow or brownish-red "eyes". (2) Liangshan Cordyceps sinensis has a brownish-black or dark brown exterior covered with rusty-colored down; the exterior of Cordyceps militaris is pale yellow or grayish-black. (3) Some Cordyceps militaris insects are whitish, making them easier to identify, while others are yellow, making them more difficult to distinguish. Cordyceps sinensis made from wheat flour and soybean flour has a brownish-red exterior. (4) Xinjiang Cordyceps sinensis has a dark red to purplish-red surface. (5) Red-headed Cordyceps sinensis has a brownish-red body.

03 Foot count recognition

(1) Genuine Cordyceps sinensis has 8 pairs of legs throughout its body: 3 pairs near the head, 4 pairs in the middle, and 1 pair near the tail. The 4 pairs in the middle are the most prominent. The tail resembles a silkworm's tail and is generally 1.6-4 cm long, with most being 1.6-1.9 cm long. Cordyceps sinensis with a length of 5.6-6.5 cm are rare. (2) The number of legs in fake Cordyceps sinensis is not fixed. Some have 8 pairs, while others have more or fewer. (3) Cordyceps sinensis from Liangshan has indistinct legs and 9-10 pairs, which is 1-2 pairs more than Cordyceps sinensis. (4) The 4 pairs of legs in the middle of the abdomen of Cordyceps militaris are not prominent. (5) The 4 pairs of legs in the abdomen of Cordyceps sinensis var. rubrum are not prominent.

04 Cross-section identification

Dried cordyceps sinensis is brittle and easily broken. The fracture surface is fibrous, yellowish-white, with obvious patterns and a small, V-shaped black core in the center, resembling a small horseshoe-shaped imprint. In some cases, it may even be a black dot. This black core is actually the insect's digestive tract. This is a unique characteristic of genuine cordyceps, while fake cordyceps may have an abnormal color on the fracture surface or lack the patterns and black core.