Dong Chong Xia Cao: Chinese Herb Guide

Name

Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps), recorded in Zeng Ding Ben Cao Bei Yao (Supplement and Revision of Essence Materia Medica)

Source and quality

Origin

The dried stroma and spore of Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) parasitizing a larva of Thelaira cordis Staudiger.

Where it is grown

Sichuan and Qinghai provinces, and the Tibet Autonomous Region, in China.

Harvest

Collected in early summer, once the stroma has emerged but before the spores disperse.

Smell and taste

A faint raw meat smell; slightly bitter.

Better grade

Whole and large, with a fat larva body, a short stroma, a bright yellow appearance and a white interior.

Processing

Used unprocessed.

Nature and action

Sweet and neutral; enters the kidney and lung channels. Tonifies kidney yang, nourishes kidney essence, tonifies lung qi, stops bleeding, resolves phlegm and relieves cough and dyspnea.

When it is used

Chronic cough and dyspnea of deficiency type

Cordyceps is a good herb for reinforcing the lung and kidney together, because it tonifies kidney yang, nourishes kidney essence and tonifies lung qi. It also stops bleeding, resolves phlegm and relieves cough and dyspnea, so it treats both the branch and the root of cough and dyspnea of deficiency type.

Because of its hemostatic action it is especially indicated for phlegmatic blood cough of deficiency type. In that case it is combined with herbs that nourish yin, clear the lung, resolve phlegm and relieve cough, such as Bei Sha Shen, Nan Sha Shen, Chuan Bei Mu and Mai Dong.

For phlegmatic blood cough with both qi and yin deficiency, it is combined with herbs that tonify qi, nourish yin, clear the lung, resolve phlegm, relieve cough and stop bleeding, such as Xi Yang Shen, Bei Sha Shen, Chuan Bei Mu and E Jiao.

For phlegmatic blood cough with both lung and kidney deficiency, it is combined with herbs that tonify the lung and kidney, receive qi, resolve phlegm and relieve cough and dyspnea, such as Ge Jie, Shan Yao and Chuan Bei Mu.

Impotence and premature ejaculation with thin semen due to kidney deficiency

It is indicated for impotence and premature ejaculation with thin semen due to deficiency of kidney yang and insufficiency of kidney essence, because it treats impotence by tonifying the kidney and nourishing essence.

It may be used alone as an alcoholic preparation, or combined with herbs that tonify kidney yang and nourish essence, such as Tu Si Zi, Ba Ji Tian and Yin Yang Huo.

It is also suitable for weakness due to chronic illness. When susceptibility to external contraction is a concern, it may be stewed with duck, chicken or pork, because it tonifies the kidney, secures essence, tonifies the lung, protects the defensive system and improves recovery.

Dose

Decoct or stew 5~10 g. It may also be used in pills, powder or as an alcoholic preparation.