Benefits of wormwoodImage Credit source: Getty Images
Shilajit is considered very powerful for health, but there is another such herb found in the Himalayas, for which you may have to pay thousands of rupees for a few grams. Actually, it has many benefits for health. Its demand in the market is very high and that is why people risk their lives to search for this herb which is found in difficult, rough and inaccessible mountain paths at very high altitudes in the Himalayas. It is known as Keeda-jadi. Due to its manufacturing process and its shape, it has been named Keeda Jadi or Caterpillar Fungus. Actually its upper part is a fungus (a kind of mushroom) and the lower part is a caterpillar. This is a parasitic fungus.
Keeda Jadi is also called Himalayan gold i.e. gold of the Himalayas. Its scientific name is Cordyceps sinensis. Apart from this, it is also called ‘Yarsagumba’ or ‘Yarcha Gumba’. It is used for everything from removing problems related to lungs to improving fertility and slowing down aging. Now let us know its properties and benefits.
Makes muscles stronger
Cordyceps i.e. wormwood can improve stamina, in fact it can give strength to the muscles. According to the information given in Health Line, a study conducted in 2024 states that 14 youngsters were given placebo or 1 gram of Cordyceps before high intensity workout. Researchers found that those taking Cordyceps had less muscle damage and faster cell repair, allowing them to recover faster. The findings of this study showed that the fungus or herb reduced muscle inflammation and rapidly increased CD34+/Pax7+ cells in the tissues. This herb can be helpful in preventing muscle damage.
Can reduce aging
According to the information published in PubMed, many active compounds like cordycepin, adenosine, sterols and many other polysaccharides are found in Keeda Jadi. This herb increases the production of collagen. This is a protein which is necessary to keep the skin young. Collagen increases the elasticity of the skin, which prevents wrinkles. Increase of Sirtuin was also observed due to the effect of this herb. It is also called ‘longevity protein’ which plays an important role in the life cycle of cells.
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Benefit for heart-blood sugar control
According to Health Line, a study was conducted in 2018 on diabetic rats, which showed that cordyceps can help in reducing blood sugar. Apart from this, it is also helpful in reducing lipid levels. Another study says that it can also reduce oxidative stress. This helps in improving heart health.
can reduce swelling
Wormwood can also be helpful in reducing inflammation in the body. Some people face the problem of weight gain due to inflammation. It is definitely beneficial in this. Apart from this, studies say that consuming wormwood can also be beneficial for those suffering from arthritis. Whereas other research also showed similar positive results in asthma and allergic rhinitis.
This is something to pay attention to
Wormwood is found in inaccessible areas of the mountains. Because of this, it is very difficult to harvest and bring it back. It is available in the market at a price of lakhs. For this reason, many people are also manually growing Cordyceps supplements, a version called CS-4 specific strain. There may be a difference in nutrients, so it is very important to recognize it.
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