12．虫部 insects

冬winter虫insect夏summer草grass

冬虫夏草is the name of a precious traditional Chinese medicine which grows in the area of Tibet西藏. It cures kidney and lung diseases. As its name suggests, this special medicine is a combination of insects and fungus. The formation of this medicine begins in winter, when a certain kind of fungus invades the body of an insect. The fungus grows and absorbs all of the insect’s nutrients, eventually killing the bug. During the summer, the fungus grow out from the dead body of the insect into the ground. The medicine is then ready to be harvested. The harvesting period of 冬虫夏草is only about 15 to 20 days. The complex development and short harvest period of this plant make this medicine rare and precious.

【拼音】dōnɡ chónɡ xià cǎo

【含义】冬虫夏草又名虫草，是我国民间惯用的一种名贵滋补药材。

【出处】《本草从新》。

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