Yarsagumba which is also known as a powerful medicine from the Himalayas is a 'gold mine' for the locals because of its fantastic price.

The Himalayas, with the summit of Everest, is known as a dream destination for climbers. However, for people on the slopes, the Himalayas are a 'gold mine'.

Not gold in the real sense, of course. 'Gold' here refers to yarsagumba, a caterpillar fungus.

The location of the growth was very difficult to reach. Yarsagumba is found only in moist ground territory at an altitude of 3000-5000 meters above sea level. This unique mushroom generally grows around May and June, in early summer.

So, no wonder if summer comes, the villages on the slopes of the Himalayas are suddenly empty. The villagers will climb and look for yarsagumba on the high slopes.



Local residents believe, yarsagumba is a 'miracle cure', which is efficacious cure disease, from asthma to cancer. However, one of the best known properties of yarsagumba is as a powerful medicine. So, do not be surprised if then yarsagumba known as 'strong medicine from the Himalayas'.

"Yarsagumba is more expensive than gold," said Karma Lama, yarsagumba seller, as quoted by the BBC.

One kilogram yarsagumba priced at US $ 100,000 or equivalent Rp1, 4 billion in international markets, such as China, Korea, Thailand, Japan, England, and the United States.

The fantastic price is what makes the villagers on the slopes of the Himalayas willing to risk their lives in search of yarsagumba.

Sita Gurung, one of the yarsagumba seekers said the cold weather and avalanche of snow is the greatest threat.

"Sometimes we get rain and cold, and snow avalanche can come suddenly," he said. "If the landslide is big, we can crash into the abyss."

Sita said one yarsagumba sold for US $ 3.50 - 4.50 or equivalent Rp50.000-65.000. However, when it has been exported and reached the international market the price jumped many times over. One gramnya, priced at US $ 100 (Rp1, 4 million).



On the other hand, people who are constantly plucking yarsagumba from the Himalayan slopes and the effects of global warming, make this unique mushroom increasingly scarce.

"Usually a day we can find 100 yarsagumba, but now at most only 20. In fact, there are times when we do not find yarsagumba at all," Sita complained.

In fact, yarsagumba is the largest source of income for local residents.

"Because yarsagumba I can buy new clothes, I can have money to go to Kathmandu, and most importantly thanks to yarsagumba, I can be financially independent,"
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