Owing to its peculiar geographic, geologic and climatic characteristics, Tibet produces a multitude of medicinal herbs. Perhaps for this reason, a special branch of medical knowledge, Tibetan herbal medicine, sprang up centuries ago. The inception of Tibetan herbal medicine was connected with, if not based on, traditional Chinese medicine. According to a survey made by traditional Chinese medical scholars there are over 1,000 Tibetan herbal medicines, of which about 300 are frequently used. The Tibetan herbal medicines are generally sold as ready-made products.
Strange to say, the marvelous efficacy of the Chinese caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis) was not discovered in Tibet, where this fungus of the greatest value is produced. It was brought to light somewhere else in China decades ago and soon came to be acknowledged as a wonderful herbal medicine and tonic. It was popularly called the Winter-worm Summer-herb. Strictly speaking, it is a herb, not a worm. The name Winter-worm Summer-herb arose from a peculiarity in the life cycle of the Chinese caterpillar fungus, which causes it to be confused with a larva which goes underground to hibernate in winter with the reproductive cells of the fungus attached to it. Chemical analyses were made and the essence cordycepin was found. This essence came to be used first as a tonic and later as a herbal medicine. In fact, there is no contradiction between these two views, because cordyceps has both short-term effect and long-term benefit. For example, satisfactory sexual performance depends on the maintenance of good health over a long period and also on the timely replenishment of vigor and energy. The dosage is to be varied according to the consumer"s requirement. A survey showed that a great majority of people prefer to have long-term health and longevity. As the demand for cordyceps increased, the price skyrocketed. Since there was no systematic cultivation of this herb the supply of it soon became near exhaustion. The Tibetan plateau naturally attracted medicinal suppliers" attention.
Thus the whole story about cordyceps, so far as the change in the source of supply is concerned, is opposite in direction to that of ginseng. Ginseng was discovered before the establishment of the Qing Dynasty in what is now the northeast part of China. It was produced in the Manchurian mountains. The supply was, to general dismay, very small. The word"ginseng"was a phonetic translation from a Chinese word. The translation contains an inaccuracy. The first syllable should have been translated as "ren". In the Chinese language, "ren"means "human being". This word is used because the whole entity of ginseng is in the form of a human being. The best ginseng produced in Manchurian mountains is very large and has a head with fluffy hair on the top, four limbs extended like arms and legs with a protruding part between the two lower limbs like the male genital organ. Ginseng of this shape was deemed to be of the highest quality and was sold at a very high price. Ginseng is big in size and difficult to cultivate artificially. Therefore, traditional Chinese medical practioners bethought themselves and decided to use a replacement for it. The replacement is what is called "Western overseas ginseng"or "American ginseng", which is very small in size, without any limbs and easy to cultivate artificially. It is often imported from Canada.
The SANLIDA golden cordycepin and ginseng capsules are made by using as raw materials cordyceps produced in Tibet and genuine ginseng of the former Manchurian type cultivated in the Himalayas and, therefore, are highly efficacious whether used as a tonic or as a medicine.
Tibet is thus a wonderful place for the development of tourism and also for the production of medicinal herbs.