KIRA JARI - The Himalayan Viagra

Forget the wonders of modern chemistry. You don't need to talk to your doctor about Viagra. All you need is a traditional fungus used both as an aphrodisiac and a performance-enhancing drug. The best part you’ll be helping out developing economies that are thriving on a thirst for the fungus, known as “Kira Jari”. As the name suggests, Himalayan Viagra has been used for at least 1000 years as an aphrodisiac or as a treatment for hypo sexuality.

The fungus is rare and used for another purpose: A natural pesticide. It works by mummifying caterpillars, then growing the fungus out the top of their heads. There is a fungus that attacks caterpillars in the Indian Himalayas. People in north India call it “Kira Jari”. In neighboring Tibet it is known as “Yarsagumba”. The fungus mummifies its prey and then grows out of the top of the dead caterpillar's head. It appears above ground just as the snow melts in May or June.

Over the last five years or so, Himalayan villagers have become wise to the commercial potential of “Kira Jari”. They harvest it, then sell it to local merchants. These merchants then feed the growing demand in Asia's fast-growing urban centers, as well as that of the west. A single fungus sells for about five bucks. That might not sound like a lot, but it's more than the average daily wage for a manual laborer in the region. Some villagers can scavenge as many as 40 of these per day, making it a new gold rush for the Himalayas.

Getting the fungus isn't easy.  Some climb as high as 5,000 meters to obtain the rare fungus. Much like gold, it is worth a lot but the work required to obtain “Kira Jari” isn't for the meek. In addition to having to brave harsh climates to find kira jari, it's rarity means that there are no guarantees that a hunter will find anything at all.To obtain the fungus, men must crawl around on their hands and knees in the snow. Joint pain, trouble breathing and snow blindness are among the health risks associated with finding the fungus.

To collect kira jari one must risk health, wealth and even one's life to obtain it. However, for many men in one of the poorest parts of the world, it's a viable option that outweighs any risk.

The most common uses for the fungus by traditional healers include :

Yarsagumba  (Kira Jari)

 Erectile dysfunction,   Female aphrodisia,  Malignant tumors, Bronchial asthma, Bronchitis, Diabetes,Cough and cold, aundice, Alcoholic hepatitis