是蟲草(cao)的一種，主產于(yu)青(qing)藏高(gao)原(yuan)上，又簡稱“蟲草(cao)”。但蟲草(cao)不(bu)完全等同于(yu)冬(dong)(dong)蟲夏草(cao)。與產于(yu)青(qing)藏高(gao)原(yuan)的冬(dong)(dong)蟲夏草(cao)相比，其他蟲草(cao)功效(xiao)成(cheng)分含量很(hen)低，有些甚(shen)至對健(jian)康沒有任(ren)何幫(bang)助。

蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)草(cao)(cao)(cao)又(you)稱(cheng)冬蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)夏草(cao)(cao)(cao)、冬蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)草(cao)(cao)(cao)等。麥(mai)角(jiao)菌(jun)(jun)(jun)科的(de)(de)真(zhen)菌(jun)(jun)(jun)（蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)草(cao)(cao)(cao)菌(jun)(jun)(jun)）與蝙蝠蛾幼(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)在特殊條件下形成的(de)(de)菌(jun)(jun)(jun)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)結(jie)合(he)(he)體，子(zi)(zi)座出(chu)幼(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)的(de)(de)頭部、單生、細長如棒球(qiu)棍(gun)，長4~11cm。冬蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)夏草(cao)(cao)(cao)是蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)和草(cao)(cao)(cao)結(jie)合(he)(he)在一(yi)起(qi)長的(de)(de)一(yi)種奇特的(de)(de)東西，冬天(tian)是蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)子(zi)(zi)，夏天(tian)從蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)子(zi)(zi)里長出(chu)草(cao)(cao)(cao)來。蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)是蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)草(cao)(cao)(cao)蝙蝠蛾的(de)(de)幼(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)，草(cao)(cao)(cao)是一(yi)種蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)草(cao)(cao)(cao)真(zhen)菌(jun)(jun)(jun)。

其中完全野生的冬蟲夏(xia)草(cao)又被專業人士分為(wei)(wei)(wei)青海(hai)草(cao)（意(yi)思為(wei)(wei)(wei)青海(hai)省境(jing)內(nei)(nei)出(chu)(chu)產）、藏(zang)草(cao)（部分人士表述意(yi)思為(wei)(wei)(wei)西(xi)藏(zang)自治區境(jing)內(nei)(nei)出(chu)(chu)產）、川草(cao)（意(yi)思為(wei)(wei)(wei)四川省境(jing)內(nei)(nei)出(chu)(chu)產）、滇草(cao)、甘(gan)肅草(cao)、爐草(cao)、灌草(cao)等(deng)。

【中文學名】：蟲草。

【中文別名】：冬蟲夏草；冬蟲草。

【英文名】 CORDYCEPS

【別名】蟲草(cao)(cao)、冬蟲草(cao)(cao)、夏草(cao)(cao)冬蟲。

【界】：真菌界。

【門】：真菌門。

【綱】：子囊菌綱

【蟲草(6張)目(mu)】：肉座菌目(mu)。

【科】：麥角菌科。

【屬】：蟲草屬。

【分布】：四川，云南，甘肅，西藏、青海、東北。

【所屬學(xue)(xue)(xue)科(ke)】：（一(yi)級學(xue)(xue)(xue)科(ke)）；昆蟲病理(li)學(xue)(xue)(xue)（二級學(xue)(xue)(xue)科(ke)）

【主(zhu)要(yao)成(cheng)分】：蟲(chong)草酸(suan)、蟲(chong)草素(su)、、甾醇(chun)、、生物堿、維生素(su)B1、B2、多糖及礦物質等(deng)。

【來(lai)源】本(ben)品為(wei)麥角菌科真菌冬(dong)蟲(chong)夏草菌Cordyceps sinensis （Berk.）Sacc. 寄生在(zai)蝙蝠娥科昆蟲(chong)幼蟲(chong)上的(de)子(zi)座及(ji)幼蟲(chong)尸體的(de)復合體。夏初子(zi)座出(chu)土、孢子(zi)未發(fa)散時挖取(qu)，曬(shai)至六七成干，除去(qu)似纖維狀的(de)附著物及(ji)雜質(zhi)，曬(shai)干或低溫干燥

【干(gan)(gan)濕度】：蟲草采挖出來(lai)(lai)(lai)是濕的(de)，經過刷(shua)凈、曬(shai)干(gan)(gan)到市面上銷售。處理(li)的(de)干(gan)(gan)度不(bu)一(yi)樣(yang)，儲(chu)存(cun)時(shi)放在冰箱中也(ye)會讓干(gan)(gan)度變化。一(yi)般來(lai)(lai)(lai)說(shuo)干(gan)(gan)度都要求在95%以上，純干(gan)(gan)也(ye)不(bu)行，用手輕輕一(yi)抓(zhua)就有可(ke)能(neng)折(zhe)斷（斷條形成的(de)其中一(yi)個原因，銷售過程, 中抓(zhua)來(lai)(lai)(lai)抓(zhua)去就斷了(le)一(yi)些）。

【飽滿(man)(man)度(du)(du)】：品相好的蟲(chong)草是(shi)很飽滿(man)(man)的，就像一個胖娃娃一樣。由(you)于采(cai)挖的時間(jian)不同，后期(qi)儲存銷售過程中水(shui)分的侵擾，蟲(chong)草的飽滿(man)(man)度(du)(du)會有(you)區(qu)別，飽滿(man)(man)度(du)(du)要是(shi)很差，就是(shi)所(suo)謂(wei)的癟草了。

【斷條】：指蟲草(cao)在采挖、刷凈、收(shou)儲及后(hou)期銷售過(guo)程中發生了折斷，分成(cheng)兩(liang)截(jie)(jie)或(huo)多截(jie)(jie)。index養生

【穿(chuan)條】：指將(jiang)斷(duan)了(le)的蟲草(cao)用竹簽穿(chuan)起來，形成一個(ge)完整的蟲草(cao)。

【死草】：冬蟲夏草死掉了挖出來(lai)的就是死草。

【癟(bie)草(cao)(cao)】：由于采挖時間晚，蟲(chong)體(ti)營養(yang)被草(cao)(cao)頭吸收(shou)過多從而導(dao)致蟲(chong)體(ti)變(bian)癟(bie)，甚至變(bian)空，一般情(qing)況下，癟(bie)草(cao)(cao)伴隨著草(cao)(cao)頭過長的(de)現象產(chan)生。也(ye)有后(hou)期儲存(cun)不(bu)當，導(dao)致受潮化苗(miao)導(dao)致變(bian)癟(bie)的(de)。

【混草(cao)】：將品(pin)質低的蟲(chong)草(cao)混到高品(pin)質的蟲(chong)草(cao)里面一起按高品(pin)質蟲(chong)草(cao)銷售。

冬蟲(chong)夏草(cao)(cao)主(zhu)要(yao)(yao)分布在(zai)(zai)我國青(qing)(qing)海、西(xi)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)、四川、、貴州、甘肅海拔(ba)4000米左右的(de)高海拔(ba)地(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)，目前東北吉林地(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)也有養殖蟲(chong)草(cao)(cao)。專(zhuan)業人士根據產地(di)(di)的(de)不同又分為青(qing)(qing)海草(cao)(cao)、藏(zang)(zang)(zang)草(cao)(cao)、川草(cao)(cao)、滇(dian)草(cao)(cao)等。也有把產自青(qing)(qing)海、西(xi)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)的(de)統稱為藏(zang)(zang)(zang)冬蟲(chong)夏草(cao)(cao)。一般來講，青(qing)(qing)海、西(xi)藏(zang)(zang)(zang)兩地(di)(di)出產的(de)冬蟲(chong)夏草(cao)(cao)內在(zai)(zai)品質要(yao)(yao)比其他(ta)地(di)(di)方的(de)好，很受市場(chang)歡迎，售價也較(jiao)高。

冬(dong)(dong)(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)又稱(cheng)為(wei)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)草(cao)或(huo)冬(dong)(dong)(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)草(cao)，是(shi)真(zhen)菌(jun)冬(dong)(dong)(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)寄(ji)(ji)生于(yu)蝙(bian)(bian)(bian)蝠(fu)蛾(e)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體(ti)上的(de)子(zi)(zi)(zi)座與幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)尸體(ti)的(de)復(fu)合物(wu)。屬于(yu)麥角菌(jun)目(mu)、麥角菌(jun)科、蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)草(cao)屬。顧名思(si)義，冬(dong)(dong)(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)當然冬(dong)(dong)(dong)天是(shi)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)，而(er)夏(xia)天就(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)變(bian)成草(cao)了。為(wei)什么這么神(shen)奇呢(ni)？原(yuan)來(lai)，冬(dong)(dong)(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)是(shi)一種(zhong)叫做蝙(bian)(bian)(bian)蝠(fu)蛾(e)的(de)動(dong)物(wu)，將(jiang)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)卵產在地下，使其(qi)孵化成長得像蠶寶寶一般的(de)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)。另外(wai)，有一種(zhong)孢子(zi)(zi)(zi)，會(hui)經過(guo)水而(er)滲透(tou)到(dao)(dao)地下，專門(men)找蝙(bian)(bian)(bian)蝠(fu)蛾(e)的(de)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)寄(ji)(ji)生，并吸收幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體(ti)的(de)營養，而(er)快(kuai)速繁殖，稱(cheng)為(wei)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)草(cao)真(zhen)菌(jun)。當菌(jun)絲(si)慢(man)(man)慢(man)(man)成長的(de)同時，幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)也隨著慢(man)(man)慢(man)(man)長大(da)，而(er)鉆出(chu)地面(mian)。直到(dao)(dao)菌(jun)絲(si)繁殖至充滿蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體(ti)，幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)就(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)會(hui)死亡，此時正好是(shi)冬(dong)(dong)(dong)天，就(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)是(shi)所(suo)謂的(de)冬(dong)(dong)(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)。而(er)當氣溫回升后，菌(jun)絲(si)體(ti)就(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)會(hui)從冬(dong)(dong)(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)的(de)頭部慢(man)(man)慢(man)(man)萌發(fa)，長出(chu)像草(cao)一般的(de)真(zhen)菌(jun)子(zi)(zi)(zi)座，稱(cheng)為(wei)夏(xia)草(cao)。在真(zhen)菌(jun)子(zi)(zi)(zi)座的(de)頭部含有子(zi)(zi)(zi)囊，子(zi)(zi)(zi)囊內藏有孢子(zi)(zi)(zi)。當子(zi)(zi)(zi)囊成熟時，孢子(zi)(zi)(zi)會(hui)散出(chu)，再次尋找蝙(bian)(bian)(bian)蝠(fu)蛾(e)的(de)幼(you)(you)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)作為(wei)寄(ji)(ji)主，這就(jiu)(jiu)(jiu)是(shi)冬(dong)(dong)(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)的(de)循環。　

冬蟲夏草均為野生，生長在海拔3000米至5000米的高山草地灌木帶上面的雪線附近的草坡上。其形體如老蠶，表面黃棕色，背部有許多皺紋，腹部有足八對；其斷面呈白色或略黃，周邊深黃色；體長六厘米，直徑約三毫米，很象一棵草。每年五月中下旬，當冰山上的冬雪開始融化，氣候轉暖的時候，草蝙蝠蛾的幼蟲破土而出，開始活動，在山上的腐殖質中爬行，待頭向上爬至蟲體直立時，寄生在蟲頭頂的菌孢開始生長，菌孢開始長時蟲體即死，菌孢把蟲體做為養料，生長迅速，蟲體一般為四至五厘米，菌孢一天之內即可長至蟲體的長度，這時的蟲草稱為“頭草”，質量最好；第二天菌孢長至蟲體的兩倍左右，稱為“二草”質量次之；三天以上的菌孢瘋長，采之無用。　

子座單生，稀2～3個，從寄主頭部生出，長4～11cm，基部直徑1.5～4mm，向上漸狹細，頭部膨大成近圓柱狀，褐色，長1～4.5cm，直徑2.5～6mm。子囊殼近表面生，基部稍陷于子座內，橢圓形至卵形。生于海拔3000～4000m高山草甸土層中。主產四川、云南。6～7月子座出土，子囊孢子未發散時采收，曬干或低溫干燥。蟲體似蠶，長3～5cm，直徑3～8mm；頭部紅棕色，長有子座；胸腹部深黃色至黃棕色，胸節3，胸足3對，腹節10，腹足5對，中部4對明顯；表面有環節20～30個；質脆，斷面淡黃色。子座細長圓柱形，稍扭曲，長3～7（11）cm，直徑1.5～4mm，表面灰棕色至棕褐色，有細縱皺紋，頭部稍膨大；質柔韌，斷面類白色，似纖維狀。氣微腥，味微苦。含粗蛋白、多種氨基酸、D-甘露醇即“蟲草酸”、蟲草菌素、麥角甾醇、半乳甘露聚糖、尿嘧啶、腺嘌呤等。

功(gong)效：甘，平(ping)。歸肺(fei)(fei)、腎(shen)經。補(bu)虛損，益精(jing)氣，益腎(shen)壯陽(yang)，補(bu)肺(fei)(fei)平(ping)喘，止(zhi)咳化(hua)痰(tan)。治療痰(tan)飲喘嗽，虛喘、癆(lao)嗽、咯血、自(zi)汗(han)盜(dao)汗(han)，陽(yang)痿遺精(jing)，腰(yao)膝酸痛，病后久虛不復。

1用(yong)(yong)(yong)于腎(shen)虛腰痛，陽(yang)痿遺精。有補(bu)腎(shen)助陽(yang)益精之(zhi)(zhi)效(xiao)。可單用(yong)(yong)(yong)浸酒服，或配(pei)伍淫羊藿、巴戟天(tian)、菟絲子等(deng)同用(yong)(yong)(yong)。2．用(yong)(yong)(yong)于肺虛或肺腎(shen)兩虛之(zhi)(zhi)久(jiu)咳虛喘(chuan)，勞嗽痰(tan)(tan)血(xue)。能補(bu)益肺腎(shen)，平(ping)定喘(chuan)嗽，止血(xue)化(hua)痰(tan)(tan)。治勞嗽痰(tan)(tan)血(xue)，常配(pei)北沙(sha)參(can)、川貝母、阿膠(jiao)等(deng)；治喘(chuan)咳短氣，常與人參(can)、胡桃(tao)肉、蛤蚧等(deng)同用(yong)(yong)(yong)。此外(wai)，病后體虛不復(fu)，自汗畏寒等(deng)，可以同鴨、雞、豬肉等(deng)燉(dun)服，有補(bu)虛扶弱之(zhi)(zhi)效(xiao)。

“冬(dong)天(tian)是蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)，夏(xia)天(tian)是草(cao)(cao)，冬(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)(cao)是個(ge)寶。”冬(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)(cao)簡稱(cheng)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)草(cao)(cao)，是冬(dong)季真(zhen)菌寄生于蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)草(cao)(cao)蛾(e)幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)體內(nei)，到了夏(xia)季發育而成(cheng)。冬(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)(cao)因此得(de)名。

從外形上看，冬蟲夏(xia)草(cao)(cao)蟲體(ti)呈(cheng)金黃(huang)色、淡黃(huang)色或黃(huang)棕色，又因(yin)價格(ge)昂(ang)貴而有“黃(huang)金草(cao)(cao)”之稱(cheng)。因(yin)其藥(yao)用(yong)價值(zhi)高，功效好，在(zai)國內外被視為珍品，市場(chang)需(xu)求(qiu)量大，但因(yin)其天然(ran)資(zi)源(yuan)量稀少，故價格(ge)十分(fen)昂(ang)貴。

冬(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)(cao)(cao)究(jiu)竟是蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)還是草(cao)(cao)(cao)？青海大(da)學牧(mu)科(ke)院副研(yan)究(jiu)員、多年從(cong)事冬(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)(cao)(cao)人工培育研(yan)究(jiu)的(de)(de)(de)王宏生(sheng)介紹說，從(cong)它的(de)(de)(de)形(xing)(xing)成過程(cheng)來看。通俗(su)地講，就是蝙蝠科(ke)許多種別(bie)的(de)(de)(de)蝙蝠蛾為繁(fan)衍后(hou)代，產卵于土壤中，卵之后(hou)轉變為幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)，在此(ci)(ci)前后(hou)，冬(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)(cao)(cao)菌(jun)(jun)侵入幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體(ti)(ti)內，吸收幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體(ti)(ti)內的(de)(de)(de)物質作(zuo)為生(sheng)存的(de)(de)(de)營養條件，并在幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體(ti)(ti)內不斷繁(fan)殖，致使(shi)幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)體(ti)(ti)內充滿菌(jun)(jun)絲，在來年的(de)(de)(de)5－7月天氣轉暖時，自幼蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)頭部長(chang)出黃或淺(qian)褐色(se)的(de)(de)(de)菌(jun)(jun)座(zuo)，生(sheng)長(chang)后(hou)冒出地面呈(cheng)草(cao)(cao)(cao)梗狀，就形(xing)(xing)成我們平時見(jian)到的(de)(de)(de)冬(dong)蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)(cao)(cao)。因此(ci)(ci)，雖然兼有蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)和草(cao)(cao)(cao)的(de)(de)(de)外形(xing)(xing)，卻非蟲(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)(chong)非草(cao)(cao)(cao)，屬于菌(jun)(jun)藻類生(sheng)物。

世界上(shang)蟲(chong)草(cao)屬有(you)507種，其(qi)中只(zhi)有(you)一種是冬蟲(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)，其(qi)余的(de)506種都只(zhi)能(neng)(neng)稱之為蟲(chong)草(cao)。所以說蟲(chong)草(cao)不(bu)能(neng)(neng)等同(tong)與冬蟲(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)，在(zai)名(ming)稱上(shang)不(bu)能(neng)(neng)替代，在(zai)藥(yao)用價值上(shang)，臨(lin)床學上(shang)更不(bu)能(neng)(neng)等同(tong)的(de)。市場上(shang)有(you)些不(bu)法(fa)商家(jia)以其(qi)他蟲(chong)草(cao)來冒充冬蟲(chong)夏(xia)草(cao)高價出售。一些常見的(de)其(qi)他蟲(chong)草(cao)如下。　

子座從蟲頭部中央長出，不包住整個蟲頭；子座頂端圓形，中部四足不太突出，環紋沒正品蟲草那么明顯，草頭出現分叉的情況比較多。（正品蟲草也有這種情況，但是幾百條才可能看到一條分叉的，此種情況要依據其他特征識別）其它外表特征基本相同。有的亞香棒蟲草蟲體發白，較為好鑒別，也有黃顏色的，較為難識別。

近年(nian)來，由于雪(xue)災的(de)緣故，這(zhe)兩年(nian)，湖南，江西地(di)區(qu)經常發現亞(ya)香(xiang)棒(bang)冬蟲夏草(cao)(cao)，并(bing)有人到當地(di)不斷收(shou)購，應(ying)引起廣大消費者的(de)重(zhong)視，這(zhe)種蟲草(cao)(cao)很(hen)難(nan)識別(bie)，購買蟲草(cao)(cao)時(shi)務必小心，要仔(zi)細甄別(bie)。　

蟲體粗短，表面棕黑色，環紋眾多，被銹色絨毛，子座長，大大超過蟲體，可達30厘米，分枝纖細而曲折，子實體頭部圓滿柱形或棒狀。足不明顯。