Legalized in 2002

The Nepal Government legalized the yarsagumba trade in 2002, but the transactions already existed since long ago, the fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic, remedy illnesses and aphrodisiac.
Although they certainly crush the fungus to treat diarrhea or the bruises, own villagers in Rukum say they have no news of those overall effects and ensure that make aphrodisiac effects need at least consume it regularly.
And Furthermore, its market value is such that they have more account sell it that consume it, as explained. “Something must have the fungus so the Chinese are paying so much,” says Lacchi Pun Magar, also of the Committee of Rukum, whose members are these days in Kathmandu.
With the increase in demand, the new concern is own sustainability of production, because a few years ago the villagers managed to collect 200 kilos and now, just 60 or 70 kilos.
The Nepal Government has no plans in this regard and villagers in Rukum assume that little can be, apart from diversification initiatives to find alternative to the revolution of the yarsagumba life means.
“There was a time ?recuerda Gharti Magar? that the shepherds fell with the fungus from the heights of the mountains, and deep it as if any other outside plant”.