Every month, visitors to our museum choose an exhibit that made the biggest impression on them. For the month of February, they chose the Cordyceps mushroom!

Cordyceps is a genus of ascomycetes with about 400 species, characterized as endoparasites that parasitize mainly insects and other arthropods. It is a "zombie fungus", it invades the body of the caterpillar and takes control of its movements. The caterpillar continues to "walk" under the fungus's guidance until it is completely exhausted, at which point the mushroom finally emerges from its lifeless body.

Although the Cordyceps genus is found worldwide, most species have been recorded in Asian countries, such as Nepal, China, and Thailand. They are found primarily in humid tropical and temperate ecosystems.

Cordyceps is one of the top therapeutic mushrooms with numerous properties. It enhances the body's resistance, improves respiratory and cardiovascular function, and is also considered a powerful aphrodisiac. It contains a wide range of bioactive components, including proteins, sterols, enzymes and polysaccharides, while it is rich in trace elements and vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin K and B vitamins). It exhibits strong hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects, while also possessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating properties with significant anti-aging and anti-cancer benefits.

Its aroma is intense, its flavor is deeply earthy and it is an ideal accompaniment to savory dishes.

The Chinese national team's use of Cordyceps in 1993 was documented in historical records and accompanied by a flurry of medals, highlighting the fungus's natural tonic properties in athletics.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 4/3/2026