虫草花不是草、不是花，是一种菌。虫草花是一种阴阳双补的食物，可养肺阴、养肾阴，适合肾阴亏损（表现为失眠多梦、潮热盗汗、遗精早泄、腰膝酸痛、头晕耳鸣等症状），以及肺气亏虚（表现为口燥咽干、盗汗，干咳无痰或痰少而黏，甚则痰中带血）者。虫草花富含色素，清洗、烹饪时出现掉色，属正常现象，不必过于担忧。
Cordyceps is a fungus that lives on certain caterpillars in the high mountain regions of China. Supplement makers are able to get enough of the product to sell because cordyceps will reproduce in the laboratory. Cordyceps is used to treat coughs, chronic bronchitis, respiratory disorders, kidney disorders, nighttime urination, male sexual problems, anemia, irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol, liver disorders, dizziness, weakness, ringing in the ears, unwanted weight loss, and opium addiction.
