Chongcao:Chinese caterpillar fungus

Chongcao (Chinese caterpillar fungus) , which is a combination of worm and fungus, is also called "dongchong xiacao" (a worm in winter and grass in summer, literally) . In winter, the larva of a particular species of moth dies in soil, with fungus filaments growing in its body. This is dongchong. In the early summer of next year, a kind of purplish red grass sprouts from the head of the larva. This is xiacao. Chongcao mainly grows in the northwestern part of Yunnan.

It has a curative effect on ailments such as spitting blood or having blood in the sputum because of tuberculosis deficiency of both lungs and kidney, cough, difficulty in breathing, night sweat, impotence and pains in the back and legs. It also has a tonic effect for weakness after illness or because of age.

Chongcao is an endemic herb in China and grows mainly on grass lands on high snow mountains in the northwestern part (Diqing and Nu-iijiang Prefectures) of Yunnan.