Identification of genuine Cordyceps sinensis

Cordyceps sinensis is a complex of the fruiting body and the dead larva of the bat moth, parasitized by the fungus Cordyceps sinensis, a member of the family Clavicipitaceae. It is also known as "winter worm, summer grass." It is harvested in early summer when the fruiting body emerges from the ground and before the spores are dispersed. It is dried to 60-70% dryness, then fibrous attachments and impurities are removed, and it is further dried or low-temperature dried. Cordyceps sinensis was first recorded in "Ben Cao Cong Xin" (New Compilation of Materia Medica) and is primarily produced in Yunnan, Qinghai, Tibet, and other regions of China. It has a sweet taste and neutral nature, and it acts on the lung and kidney meridians, with functions of invigorating the lungs and kidneys, stopping bleeding, and resolving phlegm. Clinically, it is used for lung and kidney yin deficiency, chronic cough and asthma, consumptive cough with hemoptysis, impotence and spermatorrhea, and soreness of the waist and knees. Modern pharmacological studies show that it has various effects such as immune regulation, anti-tumor properties, blood pressure reduction, white blood cell count increase, anti-aging, and endocrine regulation. However, due to the high profits of Cordyceps sinensis, unscrupulous merchants are driven to adulterate and counterfeit it, leading to a market flooded with fake Cordyceps sinensis that can be difficult to distinguish from the real thing. Therefore, accurate identification of genuine Cordyceps sinensis is particularly important. Below, the author will briefly introduce several common methods for identifying genuine and fake Cordyceps sinensis.

01 Shape Identification

(1) Genuine Cordyceps sinensis has a body shaped like a silkworm, 3-5 cm long and 3-8 mm in diameter. The longer and thicker the Cordyceps sinensis, the better the quality. (2) Liangshan Cordyceps has a short and stout body. (3) Cordyceps militaris has an oval body. (4) Geothelphusa has a spindle-shaped, slightly curved "body". (5) Xinjiang Cordyceps is silkworm-like but thinner.

02 Color Identification

(1) Genuine Cordyceps sinensis has an earthy yellow to yellowish-brown exterior, with a yellowish-red head. The "eyes" of the Cordyceps are brownish-yellow or brownish-red. (2) Liangshan Cordyceps has a brownish-black or blackish-brown exterior covered with rusty villi; Geothelphusa has a pale yellow or grayish-black exterior. (3) Some Cordyceps hawkesii have a whitish body, which is easier to identify, while others are yellow, making them harder to distinguish. Cordyceps made from flour and bean powder have a reddish-brown exterior. (4) Xinjiang Cordyceps has a dark red to purplish-red surface. (5) Red-headed Cordyceps has a brownish-red body.

03 Number of Feet Identification

(1) Genuine Cordyceps sinensis has 8 pairs of feet on its entire 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 is like a silkworm's tail, and the length is generally between 1.6-4 cm, with most being 1.6-1.9 cm. Cordyceps measuring 5.6-6.5 cm are rare. (2) Fake Cordyceps have an irregular number of feet; some have 8 pairs, while others have more or fewer than 8 pairs. (3) Liangshan Cordyceps has indistinct feet, with 9-10 pairs, which is 1-2 pairs more than Cordyceps sinensis. (4) The 4 pairs of feet on the abdomen of Cordyceps hawkesii are not prominent. (5) The 4 pairs of feet on the abdomen of red-headed Cordyceps are not prominent.

04 Cross-section Identification

Dried Cordyceps sinensis is brittle and easily broken. The cross-section is fibrous, yellowish-white, with clear紋路 (texture/lines), and a small "V"-shaped black core in the middle, resembling a small horseshoe print. Some may also have a black dot. This black core is actually the worm's digestive tract. This is a unique characteristic of genuine Cordyceps. Fake Cordyceps may have an abnormal cross-section color, or lack texture and a black core.

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