In an unusual discovery, yarsagumba , a prized medicinal herb with purported aphrodisiac properties, has been found in the Rimigha Lek (highland) area of Rambha Rural Municipality in Palpa district—an area that lies in Nepal’s mid-hill region rather than the typical high-altitude Himalayan pastures where the herb is usually found.
According to Narayan Dev Bhattarai, Chief of the Palpa Division Forest Office, laboratory tests conducted at the National Forensic Science Laboratory in Khumaltar, Lalitpur, confirmed the specimen discovered last week in Ward No. 2 (Phoksingkot) and Ward No. 3 (Rimigha Lek) to be genuine yarsagumba .
The herb, which resembles a caterpillar-fungus hybrid, was found during a shrub-clearing and sapling plantation effort in the area. The unusual find prompted local authorities to send the specimen for verification and issue a public notice temporarily prohibiting entry into the site.
Following the lab confirmation, the District Security Committee held a meeting and decided to continue restricting access to the area for the time being, said Rural Municipality Chair Bishnu Prasad Bhandari. Chief District Officer Toyanath Subedi confirmed the discovery but noted that further study is needed to determine the exact species and its medicinal value.
The presence of yarsagumba at an altitude of just 1,800 meters is considered highly unusual, as the herb typically grows at elevations between 3,500 and 5,500 meters in pastures of the Himalayas. The finding has generated excitement among local residents.
Yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is globally recognized as one of the most valuable medicinal fungi. It is found predominantly in high Himalayan regions, with Nepal ranking second after China in terms of global supply. Traditionally harvested in high-altitude regions, the herb is used in traditional and modern medicine for its perceived energy-boosting properties and is believed to help treat ailments such as cancer, tuberculosis, anemia, kidney and liver disorders, and respiratory infections.
According to Ayurvedic practitioners, yarsagumba is a rare parasitic combination of a caterpillar and a fungus, forming a unique organism with diverse medicinal applications. – With inputs from RSS
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