Group 8
林建佑, 何岳哲, 李仁傑, 彭建文
Physics, Optical Science

 
     
 

  A Drug of Wonder -
             Caterpillar Fungus

 
 

Many modern drugs are not different forms of chemicals from traditional medicines. Aspirin is made chemically now, but the original was willow bark. Moreover, some fungi used in traditional medicines are used by modern medicine to cure disease. The caterpillar fungus (冬蟲夏草) is such a good example.

 
 

The caterpillar fungus is a traditional medicine that has been widely used to improve health by Chinese for hundreds of years. However, the use of this fungus is relatively unknown in this country. In the old days, Chinese people thought that the caterpillar fungi were worms. However, after years of study, it is found that it really is a fruiting body produced by the fungus.

 
 

This particular fungus usually goes through a worm- like stage in winter to store nourishment for surviving the severe winter. At the beginning of autumn, the caterpillar fungus releases its spores and invades the active Hepialus caterpillars. The fungus slowly eats away the tissues of the hibernating caterpillar throughout winter, filling them up with long filaments.

 
 

By the time spring approaches, the nourished fungus have sprouted a long stalk of fruiting body that produces spores in the dead caterpillar. The stalks are revealed when the snow melts. By summer, the long stalks of the fruiting plant- like body release their spores, which continue to invade more caterpillars. On the other hand, uninfected caterpillars then grow into Hepialus moths.

 
 

Today some people believe that the caterpillar fungus cures tuberculosis, coughing, anemia, back and knee pains. The caterpillar fungus is mainly used as a tonic to increase strength or for rejuvenation after a long serious injury.

 
     
 

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