Disaster Strikes After Sexual-Power Boosting Plant Consumption
A team of 15 people collecting Yarsagumba mushrooms in the Himalayas suffered a disaster on Sunday when an avalanche fell on the region. Yarsagumba is a mushroom used in traditional medicine to treat impotence, asthma, and cancer, and is believed to increase sexual performance. It requires great effort to collect and can cost as much as 100 dollars per gram. Yarsagumba is only found at altitudes of 3,500 meters and usually grows inside a caterpillar.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Cordyceps population, from which Yarsagumba grows, has declined by at least 30 percent in the past 15 years. The decline in population is attributed to over-harvesting and climate change.
The team’s routine collection works turned into a nightmare with the avalanche falling on the region. While 12 of the 15 people were rescued, no traces of the remaining three people were found. The rescue teams’ helicopter search operations ended due to snowy weather, and work continues from land.
The incident highlights the dangers associated with collecting Yarsagumba mushrooms and the need for sustainable harvesting practices. It is essential to protect the Cordyceps population to ensure the continuity of the species and the livelihoods of those who rely on it for traditional medicine and income.
