Can I still eat Cordyceps sinensis if it has worms?

The so-called Cordyceps sinensis is a worm in winter and a grass in summer. It is simply called "Cordyceps" and is a precious medicinal material that grows naturally. Because of its high medicinal value, excellent nourishing effect and very limited resources, it is very expensive. So can such precious Cordyceps sinensis still be eaten if it has worms in it? Will it affect its efficacy? Is it safe to eat?

Wang Hongsheng, an associate researcher at the College of Animal Husbandry of Qinghai University who has been engaged in the research of artificial cultivation of Cordyceps sinensis for many years, said that from the perspective of its formation process. In layman's terms, many species of bat moths in the family Batidae lay eggs in the soil to reproduce, and the eggs later turn into larvae. Before and after this, the Cordyceps sinensis fungus invades the larvae's body, absorbs the substances in the larvae as nutritional conditions for survival, and continues to reproduce in the larvae, causing the larvae's body to be filled with hyphae. When the weather warms up in May-July of the following year, yellow or light brown fungal seats grow from the larvae's heads. After growing, they emerge from the ground in the shape of grass stalks, forming the Cordyceps sinensis we usually see.

Therefore, although it has the appearance of both insects and grass, it is neither an insect nor a grass, but a fungus or algae. Therefore, Cordyceps sinensis that has worms in it can be taken as long as the worms and eggs are cleaned and removed. It is normal for Chinese medicine to be infested with worms. It can be used after proper treatment. For example, you can expose it to the sun to repel insects, let it cool down, seal it in a plastic bag, and then use it normally.

So, based on the above, we can know whether Cordyceps sinensis can still be eaten if it has worms in it? It is undoubtedly edible. It is completely edible as long as it is processed with the correct method, but it is better to eat it as soon as possible. It should not be placed in a cool and humid place to avoid insects or mold again, which will affect its medicinal value and food safety.