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Dong Chong Xia Cao冬虫夏草

Cordyceps (cultured mycelium) · Cordyceps · Caterpillar Fungus

Herbs that Tonify the Yang 补阳药《本草从新》

Overview

A fungus that overwinters inside a caterpillar host and pushes up a grass-like stroma in summer — hence the name. Sweet and neutral, entering the Lung and Kidney, it is unusual among tonics in supporting yang and yin at once, which is why it suits chronic wheezing cough, a weak aching low back and slow convalescence rather than any acute complaint. What the dispensary supplies is cultured mycelium, prescribed in the same way as the collected fungus and free of the price and adulteration problems that dog wild material.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Warm

Channels

Kidney · Lung

Typical Dosage

5–15 g in decoction
冬虫夏草Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Tonifies the Kidney, supports the yangAching weak low back and knees, daytime fatigue, cold limbs, reduced libido and impotence where Kidney yang is depleted.
  • Nourishes the Lung, calms wheezingLong-standing cough and breathlessness on exertion where the Lung is worn down and the Kidney no longer grasps the qi; often paired with Ren Shen 人参 or with lily bulb for a dry component.
  • Rebuilds after depletionSlow recovery after protracted illness, surgery or oncology treatment — taken as a steady daily tonic over weeks, not as a short course.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Dong Chong Xia Cao

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Chronic cough and wheezing with exertional breathlessness
    - Sore, weak low back and knees with cold intolerance
    - Fatigue and poor stamina during slow convalescence
    - Reduced libido, impotence, night urination from Kidney yang deficiency

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Chronic coughCOPDFatigueConvalescenceLow libido

Contraindications

Cautions

Warming and consolidating, so it is held back while an exterior pattern or an active fever is running, and while unresolved excess heat is present. Because it acts on immune function, anyone taking immunosuppressant medication should raise it with the prescribing doctor before starting. Wild Cordyceps has a long record of adulteration and heavy-metal contamination — only cultured, tested material should be used, which is what is supplied here.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction on record — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ben Cao Cong Xin《本草从新》(1757, classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.