Himalayan Viagra Earns Bhutan s Yak Herders a Fortune
Post on: 2011-11-02 By: admin
Yak herders in Bhutan are growing rich from trading a rare aphrodisiacal mushroom found only in the high Himalayas.
The herders can earn more in a month from collecting the wild, parasitic Cordyceps sinensis fungus, dubbed "Himalayan Viagra" than they can in a year from yaks, thanks to recent tales of its aphrodisiacal and medical properties.
It sells for as much as $80,000 for 2.2 pounds in Hong Kong after a Chinese running coach credited it with the success of his record-breaking athletes.
With a licensed household collecting as much as 2.2 pounds of the fungus in a season, the archery-loving herders even started importing expensive bows from the U.S.
Dophu Dukpa, a Cordyceps auctioneer, said, "You can see the effects everywhere, in the new clothes and shoes. They are slaughtering far fewer yaks and spend a lot more time on their archery. But instead of the traditional bows, they are importing these fancy bows from the U.S."
Nigel Hywel-Jones, a British mycologist researching whether the trade is sustainable, said, "For one thing, it is very hard to find. It looks like a brown twig in a landscape of brown twigs.Secondly, an area that might be full of Cordyceps one year will have almost none the next. Those cycles, and the fact that pickers always miss a fair proportion, probably allow populations to recover."
The mushroom, which feeds on and then grows out of the body of the ghost moth caterpillar, is the subject of widespread pharmaceutical research.
One possible explanation for its effectiveness is that it contains an acid that closely mirrors one of the constituent elements of DNA.
You must login to comment.
View All Health Centers ›
CFPB Official Defends Bureau's First 100 Days
Why Reverse Mortgages Are Not a Retirement Option
U.S. Birth-Rate Trend to Hurt Government Programs
U.S. birth rate declines during recession
Why National Social Security Won't Happen
Funding social security's alternate plan
Test Your Cholesterol IQ
Test Your Hypertension IQ
Test Your Colon Cancer IQ
Test Your Alzheimer's IQ
Surprising causes of lung trouble
The worst habits for your heart
Tips for treating kids' colds
Jobs with high depression rates
6 surprising libido boosters
CFPB Official Defends Bureau's First 100 Days
Germany's Merkel, France's Sarkozy To Meet Wed.
Papandreou Calls Emergency Greek Cabinet Meeting
Greece faces meltdown after bailout vote bombshell
Sarkozy, Merkel to meet Greeks on Wednesday
Fun Hula-Hoop Exercise Routine
Low-Calorie Snacks for Every Craving
5 Mood-Boosting Workouts
Properly Portioned Recipes
Cooking Light's 12 Healthy Habits
Support Center: How to Control Portions
Best Wines for Fast Food
Ultimate Sandwich Smackdown: Po' Boys vs. Cheesesteaks
The U.S. Navy Adopt-a-Chef Program Bringing Pros on Board to Improve Food
South Carolina's Four Provinces...of BBQ
America's Best Sandwiches
Justice with Judge Jeanine
The Journal Editorial Report
Privacy Policy (Updated!)
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.©2011 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. All market data delayed 20 minutes.
Article original from: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/24/himalayan-viagra-earns-bhutans-yak-herders-fortune/
