Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Ophiocordyceps sinensis has an entomopathogenic nature, meaning it parasitizes the larvae of ghost moths. The fungus infects the caterpillar underground in the Himalayan and Tibetan alpine regions, eventually killing it and sending a fruiting body up through the soil.

This rare fungus has been utilized for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is highly valued for purported energy-enhancing and aphrodisiac properties. It is often brewed into tea or used in medicinal soups.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is one of the most expensive natural ingredients in the world due to its highly specific growth requirements and difficulty of harvest. It can only be found at high altitudes in the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, where foragers must manually search harsh terrain for a brief period each year.

Because the natural life cycle requires a very specific interaction between the fungus and the ghost moth larvae in high-altitude conditions, true Ophiocordyceps sinensis is incredibly difficult to cultivate commercially. As a result, many supplements use a related and cultivable fungus, Cordyceps militaris, as a substitute.