Hand harvested
After the snow melts in May and June, collectors work above 13,000 ft and find each piece by hand. A good day yields only a handful.
Wild harvested · 11,500–16,400 ft Himalaya
TYB Premium Dried Caterpillar fungus NOT MYCELIUM
Whole, intact wild Ophiocordyceps sinensis — hand-picked in the high Himalaya and sun-dried
- Wild, Not Farmed
- Energy & Stamina
- Altitude Breathing
- Lab Tested
$47.99
Free US shipping · Ships within 24 hours
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- Lab Tested
- Wild Himalayan
- 30-Day Returns
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Whole Wild Fruiting BodiesNever Mycelium On GrainThird-Party Lab TestedFree US Shipping30-Day Returns
Compare packs
Which pack is right for you?
| Pack | Pieces | Price | Per piece | You save | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Pieces | 3 | $47.99 | $15.99 | — | Trying it first |
| 10 Pieces | 10 | $149.99 | $14.99 | — | A full routine |
| 50 Pieces | 50 | $699.99 | $13.99 | — | Best value / gifting |
The per-piece cost drops with the larger packs. Pieces are a natural product, so individual size and weight vary slightly.
← swipe to see the full table →
Know what you are buying
Wild sinensis vs. what most brands actually sell
Almost every cordyceps product on the US market is one of two things — and neither is wild Ophiocordyceps sinensis. Here is the honest difference, so you can judge for yourself.
| Point | This product — wild O. sinensis | CS-4 / mycelium on grain | Cordyceps militaris |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it actually is | Whole wild fruiting body with its host larva | Fungal mycelium grown in a tank on a grain substrate | A different species, farmed indoors |
| Where it grows | Only at 11,500–16,400 ft in the Himalaya | Indoor fermenters, anywhere in the world | Indoor trays, anywhere in the world |
| Can you verify it by eye | Yes — intact pieces you can inspect | No — it arrives as a beige powder | Orange stalks, no larva |
| Grain carrier in the finished product | None | Often a large share of the finished weight | None |
| Marker compounds | Adenosine and cordycepic acid (D-mannitol) | Varies widely between producers | Cordycepin-rich |
| Supply | Wild, seasonal, genuinely limited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Usual form sold | Whole pieces | Capsules and powders | Capsules and powders |
To be fair to them: Cordyceps militaris is a legitimate species with a real compound profile of its own, and mycelium products are not automatically bad. They are simply not the same organism as wild Ophiocordyceps sinensis. We are pointing out the difference, not calling anyone a fake.
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Benefits explained
What each traditional use actually refers to
Cordyceps has been used in the Himalaya for centuries. Below is a plain-English summary of what each area refers to — and what it does not.
| Area | What it is associated with | Traditional Himalayan use |
|---|---|---|
| Energy & stamina | Adenosine and cordycepic acid are the markers used to identify quality O. sinensis; the fungus is studied for its role in cellular energy pathways | Sherpa porters and herders took it before a long climb |
| Breathing at altitude | Traditionally taken to support comfortable breathing in thin air | A classic tonic in Tibetan and Nepali practice |
| Immune balance | Beta-glucan polysaccharides, common to medicinal fungi, are associated with normal immune function | Taken daily through long Himalayan winters |
| Physical recovery | Grouped with adaptogens — associated with the body's response to physical stress | Given to people rebuilding strength after illness |
| Vitality | Classed with rasayana, the rejuvenating botanicals of Ayurveda | The reason it earned the name "Himalayan gold" |
This is a summary of traditional use and of the areas researchers study. It is not a medical claim, and nothing here is a promise of a health outcome. Talk to your doctor before starting anything new.
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Purity & testing
The standard every lot has to meet
| Parameter | TYB standard | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Ophiocordyceps sinensis, wild | Most US "cordyceps" is mycelium or a different species |
| Origin | 11,500–16,400 ft Himalayan belt | Altitude is what this species requires to exist at all |
| Form | Whole intact pieces | A powder can hide grain, filler or a lower grade |
| Fillers | Zero — no grain, binder or flow agent | One ingredient, nothing else |
| Heavy metals | Third-party tested, every lot | Wild-harvested material can carry soil residue |
| Adulteration check | Pieces are inspected and weighed individually | Weighted or glued pieces are a known problem in this trade |
| Moisture | Sun-dried, under 8% | Keeps mould out during storage |
| Grading | Hand-graded by size and colour | So every pack looks like the photos |
Ask us for the current lot's lab report at any time — we will email it to you.
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How to use
Four simple ways to take it
| Method | How much | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Warm water or tea | 1 piece, steeped 10–15 minutes — then eat the piece | Once daily, in the morning |
| Soup or broth | 2–3 pieces, simmered 30 minutes | Two or three times a week |
| Simmered in milk | 1 piece | Evening |
| Chewed whole | 1 piece | Once daily |
New to cordyceps? Start with one piece a day and stay consistent — traditional use is about steady daily intake, not a large dose. Do not use if pregnant or nursing without checking with your doctor first.
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Our sourcing
From 15,000 feet to your door
Every piece is picked by hand, cleaned, graded, sun-dried and lab-tested before it is sealed.
Cleaned & graded
Every piece is brushed clean, then hand-graded by size, colour and whether it is fully intact. Broken pieces are rejected.
Tested & sealed
Each lot is third-party tested for heavy metals and moisture, then sealed airtight for shipping.
What customers say
★★★★★
The pieces are whole and intact — you can actually see what you are getting. Completely different from the mycelium powders I had been buying.
Daniel R.Verified Buyer
★★★★★
I steep one in hot water every morning. Arrived sealed, well packed, and shipped faster than I expected.
Megan K.Verified Buyer
★★★★★
Went with the largest pack for the family. The per-piece price is by far the best of the three options.
Anthony P.Verified Buyer
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Himalayan cordyceps?
It is a fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, that grows on ghost-moth larvae at 11,500–16,400 ft in the Himalaya. The fungus colonises the larva over winter, and in summer a slender stalk emerges from the head — that whole structure is what is harvested. It is known as yarsagumba in Nepali and keeda jadi in Hindi.
Is this vegetarian or vegan?
No. Each piece includes the dried larva along with the fungus — that is simply what this organism is. It is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans, and we would rather say so plainly than have you find out after it arrives.
How is this different from the cordyceps capsules I see everywhere?
Most US cordyceps supplements are either CS-4 mycelium grown in a tank on a grain substrate, or Cordyceps militaris, a different species farmed indoors. Neither is wild O. sinensis. Because ours ships as whole intact pieces, you can inspect exactly what you bought — which is not possible with a powder. See the comparison table above.
How many pieces should I take?
Typically one piece per day. If you are new to it, start with the smallest pack and see how you get on before moving up. If you are on medication or managing a medical condition, check with your doctor first.
How should I store it?
In an airtight container, somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight. Stored properly it keeps for about 24 months. In a humid climate you can keep it in the refrigerator.
Is it sustainably and legally sourced?
Wild Ophiocordyceps sinensis is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and its collection is regulated in the countries it comes from. We buy only through licensed collectors and keep origin documentation for every lot. If you would like to see the paperwork for the lot you received, email us and we will send it.
Shipping and returns?
Free shipping within the US, dispatched within 24 hours. If the seal has not been broken you can return it within 30 days.
Important information
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.