Cordyceps Flower Soup Recipes: Affordable Alternative to Real Cordyceps

Last updated: April 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider or licensed TCM practitioner before starting any new dietary therapy or herbal treatment.

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Quick Answer

• Cordyceps flower (虫草花, Cordyceps militaris) is NOT the same species as wild Cordyceps sinensis (冬虫夏草). They belong to the same order but different families — and cordyceps flower actually contains cordycepin while the far more expensive wild Cordyceps sinensis does not (translated from Chinese).
• Wild Cordyceps sinensis costs $20,000–40,000+ per kilogram. Cordyceps flower costs $15–40 per kilogram. That's a 500–1,000x price difference for an ingredient that offers overlapping (and in some cases superior) bioactive compounds (translated from Chinese).
• Cordyceps flower is rich in cordycepin, cordyceps polysaccharides, cordycepic acid, proteins, and amino acids — compounds associated with immune support, lung health, and kidney tonification in TCM (translated from Chinese).
• The most popular preparation method is Cantonese slow-simmered soup (老火汤), cooking cordyceps flower with pork ribs, chicken, or duck for 1.5–2.5 hours until the broth turns golden-orange (translated from Chinese).

Here's the dirty secret of the luxury TCM ingredient market: the most expensive option isn't always the most effective one. Wild Cordyceps sinensis (冬虫夏草) — the caterpillar fungus harvested at 4,000+ meter elevations on the Tibetan Plateau — is arguably the most overpriced ingredient in all of Chinese medicine. It sells for more per gram than gold. And a 2017 study published by Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers found that Cordyceps sinensis lacks the genetic machinery to produce cordycepin — the very compound most people assume they're paying for (translated from Chinese).

Cordyceps flower, meanwhile, produces cordycepin abundantly. It's cultivated indoors on grain substrates, available year-round, and costs about the same as dried shiitake mushrooms. Chinese home cooks — especially in Guangdong and Hong Kong — have known this for years, which is why cordyceps flower soup (虫草花汤) has become one of the most popular everyday medicinal soups in southern China.

This guide covers 7 soup recipes using cordyceps flower, the real science behind its bioactive compounds, how it compares to wild cordyceps, and practical sourcing and preparation tips.

Cordyceps Flower vs. Wild Cordyceps: What You're Actually Getting

The terminology is confusing because the Chinese market deliberately blurs the lines. Let's clarify.

Three Different Things

Name	Chinese	Scientific Name	Source	Price/kg	Contains Cordycepin?
Wild Cordyceps	冬虫夏草	Ophiocordyceps sinensis	Wild, Tibetan Plateau	$20,000–40,000+	No (translated from Chinese)
Cultivated Cordyceps (Pupa Cordyceps)	蛹虫草/北冬虫夏草	Cordyceps militaris	Lab-cultivated on silkworm pupae	$100–400	Yes, high levels
Cordyceps Flower	虫草花	Cordyceps militaris (fruiting body only)	Lab-cultivated on grain substrate	$15–40	Yes

The China Digital Science and Technology Museum published an article stating directly: "Cordyceps flower, with efficacy not inferior to Cordyceps sinensis" (虫草花，功效不输冬虫夏草) (translated from Chinese).

The Cordycepin Discovery That Changed Everything

In 2017, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences published a landmark finding: Cordyceps sinensis (the wild, expensive one) genetically lacks the gene cluster needed to synthesize cordycepin and pentostatin. These are the bioactive compounds most commonly cited as the reason for consuming cordyceps products. The conclusion was stark — if you're buying wild Cordyceps specifically for cordycepin, you're paying a massive premium for something that isn't there (translated from Chinese).

Cordyceps militaris (the affordable cultivated species that gives us cordyceps flower), on the other hand, possesses this gene cluster and actively produces both cordycepin and cordyceps polysaccharides.

What Cordyceps Flower Contains

According to the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Museum (translated from Chinese):

• Cordycepin (虫草素): An adenosine analog with demonstrated anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiviral properties in lab studies
• Cordyceps polysaccharides (虫草多糖): Complex carbohydrates that support immune function
• Cordycepic acid (虫草酸): Also known as D-mannitol, supports kidney function and reduces swelling
• Proteins and amino acids: Including all essential amino acids
• Trace minerals: Selenium, zinc, iron, manganese
• Carotenoids: The orange pigment in cordyceps flower — these are antioxidant compounds

TCM Properties

• Nature (性): Warm (温)
• Flavor (味): Sweet (甘)
• Meridian entry (归经): Lung (肺) and Kidney (肾)
• Functions: Tonify the kidneys and benefit the lungs (补肾益肺), stop bleeding and transform phlegm (止血化痰), strengthen the body and resist fatigue

For more on the TCM understanding of kidney health and tonification, our body constitution guide covers the relevant patterns.

How to Handle Cordyceps Flower Before Cooking

Cordyceps flower requires minimal preparation, but there are a few important rules that Chinese cooking sources emphasize (translated from Chinese):

1. Don't soak — just rinse lightly. The orange surface contains natural spore powder rich in carotenoids and cordycepin. Soaking washes these off. A quick rinse under running water for 10 seconds is enough to remove any surface dust.

2. Don't overcook. Unlike many TCM herbs that need long extraction, cordyceps flower's beneficial compounds are relatively water-soluble. Add it to soups that will simmer for 1.5–2 hours total. If added too early to a very long-cooking soup (3+ hours), it can become mushy and lose its pleasant texture.

3. The golden rule: All ingredients go in together at the start (except goji berries, which go in during the last 10 minutes). Start with cold water, bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat.

4. Season simply. Salt at the end only. The natural sweetness of cordyceps flower, combined with meat and other ingredients, should carry the flavor. Soy sauce, heavy spices, or complicated seasonings mask the delicate taste.

Recipe 1: Cordyceps Flower and Pork Rib Soup (虫草花排骨汤) — The Classic

This is the most popular cordyceps flower soup in Cantonese home cooking — simple, satisfying, and the best introduction to the ingredient.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Chinese	Amount	Purpose
Pork ribs	排骨	500g	Base protein, tonify qi
Cordyceps flower	虫草花	30g	Tonify kidneys, benefit lungs
Dried scallops (conpoy)	瑶柱	4–5 pieces (optional)	Umami, nourish yin
Goji berries	枸杞	1 tablespoon	Nourish liver/kidney
Ginger	生姜	3–4 slices	Warm middle, reduce gamey taste
Water	清水	1.5–2 liters	—
Salt	盐	To taste	—

Method

1. Wash pork ribs, cut into segments. Blanch in boiling water with ginger for 3 minutes. Remove, rinse under cold water to remove scum and impurities.
2. Lightly rinse cordyceps flower. Rinse dried scallops.
3. Place ribs, cordyceps flower, dried scallops, and ginger in a clay pot or heavy pot.
4. Add cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
5. Skim any foam that rises.
6. Reduce to the lowest possible heat. Simmer for 2 hours.
7. In the last 10 minutes, add goji berries.
8. Season with salt before serving.

Result: A golden-orange broth with a naturally sweet, slightly earthy flavor. The cordyceps flower pieces will be tender but still have a pleasant chew.

This recipe was among the most viewed on Xiachufang (下厨房), one of China's largest recipe platforms (translated from Chinese). For more Cantonese soup traditions, see our best Cantonese herbal soup recipes.

Recipe 2: Cordyceps Flower Chicken Soup (虫草花炖鸡汤) — Deep Nourishment

Chicken is considered warmer and more tonifying than pork in TCM, making this combination particularly good for people recovering from illness or dealing with fatigue.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Chinese	Amount	Purpose
Half chicken (or 4 drumsticks)	鸡	~600g	Tonify qi and blood
Cordyceps flower	虫草花	30g	Tonify kidneys, benefit lungs
Red dates	红枣 (去核)	6 pieces, pitted	Tonify qi, harmonize
Chinese yam (dried)	淮山 (huái shān)	20g	Strengthen spleen, tonify kidney
Ginger	生姜	3 slices	Warm, harmonize
Water	清水/开水	1.5 liters	—
Salt	盐	To taste	—

Method

1. Cut chicken into pieces. Blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes. Rinse.
2. Rinse cordyceps flower, red dates, and Chinese yam.
3. Place all ingredients (except salt) in an electric slow cooker or clay pot.
4. Add hot water (using hot water from the start creates a clearer broth).
5. If using a slow cooker: cook on low for 3–4 hours or high for 2 hours.
6. If using stovetop: bring to a boil, then simmer on the lowest heat for 2–2.5 hours.
7. Season with salt before serving.

According to Baidu Baike, this preparation method — slow-cooking with boiling water in a covered pot — maximizes the extraction of cordyceps flower's beneficial compounds while maintaining a clear, aromatic broth (translated from Chinese).

For more chicken-based medicinal soups, see our black chicken herbal soup recipe and astragalus chicken soup.

Recipe 3: Cordyceps Flower and Chinese Yam Lean Pork Soup (虫草花淮山瘦肉汤) — Spleen Strengthening

This lighter soup is ideal for people with weak digestion who still want the benefits of cordyceps flower.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Chinese	Amount	Purpose
Lean pork	瘦肉	300g	Nourish yin, gentle protein
Cordyceps flower	虫草花	20g	Tonify kidneys, benefit lungs
Fresh or dried Chinese yam	淮山	150g fresh or 30g dried	Strengthen spleen, tonify qi
Lotus seeds	莲子	20g	Calm spirit, strengthen spleen
Goji berries	枸杞	10g	Nourish liver/kidney
Water	清水	1.2 liters	—

Method

1. Cut lean pork into large chunks. Blanch briefly, rinse.
2. If using dried Chinese yam and lotus seeds, soak for 10 minutes. If using fresh yam, peel and cut into chunks.
3. Rinse cordyceps flower.
4. Combine pork, cordyceps flower, Chinese yam, and lotus seeds in a pot.
5. Add water, bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
7. Add goji berries in the last 10 minutes.
8. Season with salt.

This recipe was featured on UrbanLife HK as part of an 11-recipe cordyceps flower soup collection (translated from Chinese). The lotus seeds add a calming element — for more on lotus seeds in TCM food therapy, see our dedicated guide.

Recipe 4: Cordyceps Flower and Corn Rib Soup (虫草花玉米排骨汤) — Family Friendly

This is the "gateway" cordyceps flower soup — the one you make when someone in the family doesn't like "medicine-y" tasting food. The corn sweetness completely dominates the flavor.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Chinese	Amount	Purpose
Pork ribs	排骨	400g	Base protein
Cordyceps flower	虫草花	20g	Tonify kidneys, benefit lungs
Fresh corn	玉米	2 ears, cut into sections	Sweet flavor, strengthen spleen
Carrot	胡萝卜	1 medium, chunked	Nourish blood, benefit eyes
Ginger	生姜	3 slices	Warm, harmonize
Water	清水	1.5 liters	—
Salt	盐	To taste	—

Method

1. Blanch ribs, rinse. Cut corn into 3cm sections.
2. Rinse cordyceps flower. Chunk the carrot.
3. Combine everything in a pot. Add water.
4. Bring to a boil, skim foam, reduce to low heat.
5. Simmer for 1.5–2 hours.
6. Season with salt.

A YouTube video demonstrating this recipe calls it a "beauty and nourishing soup" (美容養顏湯), noting that the combination of cordyceps flower's carotenoids with the carrot's beta-carotene makes it particularly beneficial for skin and eye health (translated from Chinese).

Recipe 5: Cordyceps Flower Duck Soup (虫草花老鸭汤) — Summer Cooling

In TCM, duck is cool in nature (unlike chicken, which is warm). This makes cordyceps flower duck soup ideal for summer — the cordyceps flower's warming nature is balanced by the duck's cooling properties.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Chinese	Amount	Purpose
Duck (half or quarter)	老鸭	~500g	Cool nature, nourish yin
Cordyceps flower	虫草花	30g	Tonify kidneys, benefit lungs
Solomon's seal	玉竹	15g	Nourish yin, moisten dryness
Red dates	红枣	4–5 pieces	Tonify qi, harmonize
Ginger	生姜	4–5 slices	Counteract duck's gamey flavor
Rice wine	料酒	1 tablespoon	Remove gamey taste, promote circulation
Water	清水	2 liters	—

Method

1. Cut duck into pieces. Blanch for 3–5 minutes (duck produces more scum than chicken). Rinse thoroughly.
2. Rinse cordyceps flower and herbs.
3. Place everything in a pot with cold water.
4. Bring to a boil, add rice wine, skim foam aggressively.
5. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 2.5–3 hours. Duck requires longer cooking than chicken or pork.
6. Season with salt.

We have a dedicated cordyceps flower duck soup recipe with more detailed variations and seasonal adjustments.

Recipe 6: Cordyceps Flower and Snow Fungus Sweet Soup (虫草花雪耳木瓜汤) — Beauty Dessert

This crosses the line from savory soup into sweet dessert territory — a Cantonese-style sweet soup (糖水) with beauty benefits.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Chinese	Amount	Purpose
Cordyceps flower	虫草花	15g	Tonify kidneys, antioxidant carotenoids
Snow fungus (Tremella)	雪耳/银耳	1 piece (~10g dried)	Nourish yin, moisten skin
Ripe papaya	木瓜	Half, cubed	Nourish stomach, aid digestion
Rock sugar	冰糖	20–30g	Moisten, sweeten
Water	清水	1 liter	—

Method

1. Soak snow fungus for 30 minutes. Remove the hard base. Tear into small pieces.
2. Rinse cordyceps flower.
3. Combine snow fungus and cordyceps flower in a pot with water.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer for 45 minutes until the snow fungus is soft and the liquid is slightly viscous.
5. Add papaya cubes and rock sugar. Cook for 15 more minutes.
6. Serve warm or chilled.

For more on snow fungus and its remarkable moisture-binding properties, see our guide on white fungus (yin er) in TCM food preparation. This sweet soup also pairs well with our collection of Chinese medicinal desserts.

Recipe 7: Cordyceps Flower and Lotus Root Lean Pork Soup (虫草花莲藕瘦肉汤) — Autumn Special

Lotus root (莲藕) is one of autumn's signature ingredients in Chinese food therapy. Combined with cordyceps flower, this soup specifically targets autumn dryness and supports lung and kidney health during the seasonal transition.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Chinese	Amount	Purpose
Lean pork	瘦肉	250g	Nourish yin
Cordyceps flower	虫草花	20g	Tonify kidneys, benefit lungs
Lotus root	莲藕	1 section (~200g)	Clear heat, nourish blood, generate fluids
Red dates	红枣	4 pieces	Tonify qi
Ginger	生姜	2 slices	Warm middle
Water	清水	1.2 liters	—

Method

1. Blanch pork, rinse. Peel and slice lotus root into rounds.
2. Rinse cordyceps flower and red dates.
3. Combine everything in a pot. Add water.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer for 1.5–2 hours.
5. Season with salt.

This recipe was included in a HK01 collection of 11 cordyceps flower soup recipes specifically for autumn immune support (translated from Chinese). For more autumn-specific food therapy, see our guide to autumn TCM foods for moistening the lungs.

Buying Cordyceps Flower: Quality Guide

What Good Cordyceps Flower Looks Like

• Color: Bright golden-orange. This indicates high carotenoid content. Avoid pale, washed-out specimens (old or poorly cultivated) or unnaturally red ones (possible artificial coloring).
• Length: 3–8cm is typical for good quality. Very short broken pieces suggest rough handling.
• Smell: Mild, pleasant, slightly mushroom-like with a faint sweetness. No musty, sour, or chemical odors.
• Texture: Dry and slightly flexible. Should not crumble to dust when handled.
• Spore powder: A fine orange-yellow powder on the surface is a good sign — it means the product hasn't been overly washed during processing.

Storage

• Sealed container in a cool, dry place
• Refrigeration extends shelf life to 12+ months
• Freezer storage works for long-term (6+ months unopened)
• Avoid exposure to moisture — cordyceps flower absorbs water quickly and can develop mold

Price Expectations

• Standard grade: $15–25 per kilogram ($1.50–2.50 per 100g)
• Premium grade: $30–50 per kilogram
• Bulk (wet markets in China/HK): As low as $8–12 per kilogram

For comparison, wild Cordyceps sinensis runs $20,000–40,000+ per kilogram — making cordyceps flower roughly 1,000 times cheaper for a product that contains bioactive compounds the expensive version lacks (translated from Chinese).

For sourcing TCM ingredients, see our best Chinese herb shops guide.

Who Benefits Most from Cordyceps Flower Soup?

Based on TCM principles and the ingredient's properties (translated from Chinese):

Ideal For

• People prone to respiratory issues: Cordyceps flower enters the Lung meridian and is traditionally used for chronic cough, asthma support, and general lung health
• Fatigue and recovery: The qi and yang tonifying properties make it suitable for post-illness recovery and chronic fatigue
• Kidney yang deficiency: Symptoms include cold lower back, frequent urination, low libido, and general coldness. See our yang deficiency guide
• Immune support: Cordyceps polysaccharides have demonstrated immunomodulatory effects in laboratory studies
• Athletes and active people: Traditional use for endurance, stamina, and exercise recovery
• Elderly individuals: Gentle enough for regular consumption, supports lung and kidney function

Use with Caution

• People with yin deficiency and heat signs: Cordyceps flower is warm in nature. If you experience night sweats, hot palms, dry mouth, and a red tongue with little coating, consume in moderation or pair with cooling ingredients like duck or snow fungus
• Acute fever or infection: Warming herbs should be avoided during active infections with fever
• Autoimmune conditions: Because cordyceps flower modulates immune function, consult your healthcare provider if you have an autoimmune condition or are on immunosuppressive medication

Cordyceps Flower in the Broader TCM Tonic Framework

Cordyceps flower occupies a specific niche in TCM's tonic hierarchy. Understanding where it fits helps you decide when and how to use it (translated from Chinese).

The Four Categories of TCM Tonics

1. Qi tonics (补气): Astragalus, ginseng, codonopsis — these boost energy and immune function. See our qi-building foods guide.
2. Blood tonics (补血): Dang gui, red dates, goji berries — these nourish blood and improve circulation. See our blood deficiency guide.
3. Yin tonics (补阴): Snow fungus, lily bulb, Solomon's seal — these moisten and cool. See our yin deficiency guide.
4. Yang tonics (补阳): Cordyceps flower, du zhong, walnuts — these warm and invigorate. See our yang deficiency guide.

Cordyceps flower is primarily a yang tonic that specifically targets the Kidney-Lung axis. This makes it most valuable for people who run cold, fatigue easily, have weak lungs (chronic cough, shortness of breath), or show signs of kidney yang deficiency (cold lower back, frequent urination, low vitality).

Synergistic Pairings

The most therapeutically effective cordyceps flower soups combine it with ingredients from complementary tonic categories:

• Cordyceps flower + astragalus (qi tonic): Boosts both yang and qi, ideal for immune support and fatigue
• Cordyceps flower + goji berries (blood/yin tonic): Balances the warming nature with yin nourishment, preventing over-heating
• Cordyceps flower + Chinese yam (qi/yin tonic): Strengthens the spleen for better absorption of nutrients, supporting digestion while tonifying
• Cordyceps flower + red dates (qi/blood tonic): Harmonizes the formula and adds sweetness

Weekly Rotation Suggestion

Rather than eating cordyceps flower soup every day, TCM practitioners recommend rotating it with other tonic soups throughout the week. A sample weekly rotation might look like:

• Monday: Cordyceps flower and pork rib soup (yang/qi tonic)
• Wednesday: Snow fungus sweet soup (yin tonic) — see our white fungus guide
• Friday: Astragalus chicken soup (qi tonic)
• Sunday: Black chicken herbal soup (blood/yin tonic)

This rotation ensures balanced nourishment across all four tonic categories, which is the gold standard in TCM dietary therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cordyceps flower a scam or knockoff version of real cordyceps? Neither. It's a different product from a related (but distinct) organism. The confusion arises because both are marketed using the word "cordyceps" (虫草). Cordyceps flower (from Cordyceps militaris) is a legitimate, scientifically studied ingredient with its own distinct profile of bioactive compounds. The Chinese Academy of Sciences research showing that wild Cordyceps sinensis lacks cordycepin — while Cordyceps militaris produces it — means cordyceps flower may actually deliver more of the specific compound consumers are seeking (translated from Chinese).

How often should I include cordyceps flower in my diet? In Cantonese food therapy tradition, 1–2 times per week is a common frequency for cordyceps flower soup during autumn and winter. Daily consumption in small amounts (10–15g) is practiced by some health-conscious individuals but isn't necessary for general wellness. The key is consistent, moderate intake over time rather than occasional large doses.

Can vegetarians use cordyceps flower? Yes. Cordyceps flower itself is a fungus (mushroom), not an animal product. While traditional soup recipes pair it with meat, vegetarian versions using firm tofu, mushroom broth, and root vegetables work well. The water-soluble compounds in cordyceps flower extract into broth regardless of whether the broth base is meat or vegetable.

Does the cooking liquid turn orange — is that safe? Yes, and it's actually desirable. The golden-orange color comes from natural carotenoids (the same class of pigments found in carrots and sweet potatoes). A deeply golden broth indicates good-quality cordyceps flower that hasn't been over-rinsed. The color is completely natural and safe.

Can I use cordyceps flower in stir-fries and other dishes, or only soup? While soup is the most traditional and effective extraction method, cordyceps flower is versatile. Chinese cooking sources describe 8 different preparation methods including stir-frying with eggs, steaming with chicken, adding to congee, and even cold-dressed salads. However, soup remains the best method for extracting water-soluble compounds like cordycepin and polysaccharides (translated from Chinese).

Cordyceps Flower in Cantonese Food Therapy Culture

Understanding why cordyceps flower soup became so popular requires understanding Cantonese soup culture (煲汤文化). In Guangdong Province and Hong Kong, daily soup drinking isn't just a meal component — it's a health practice. Cantonese families typically prepare a pot of slow-simmered soup (老火汤) at least 4–5 times per week, adjusting ingredients based on season, weather, family members' health conditions, and the specific needs of that day (translated from Chinese).

Cordyceps flower fits perfectly into this tradition because:

• It's affordable enough for daily use. Unlike ginseng, bird's nest, or wild cordyceps, you can use cordyceps flower as freely as you'd use dried mushrooms.
• It's mild enough for the whole family. Its sweet, neutral flavor appeals to children who reject bitter medicinal herbs.
• It's visually appealing. The golden-orange color of the broth signals "nourishment" in Chinese food psychology.
• It requires minimal preparation. A quick rinse is all it needs — no soaking, no crushing, no cheesecloth wrapping.

The Guangdong Soup Network (广东煲汤网), one of the most comprehensive Cantonese soup recipe sites, maintains an entire category dedicated to cordyceps flower soups, reflecting its central role in the regional dietary therapy canon (translated from Chinese).

Sources

• China Digital Science and Technology Museum: "虫草花，功效不输冬虫夏草" (translated from Chinese) [https://www.cdstm.cn/gallery/media/mkjx/xgbnysdw_6453/201908/t20190823_922481.html]
• Zhihu: "冬虫夏草：你才有虫草素，你全家都有" (translated from Chinese) [https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/413154394]
• Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Museum: "药用真菌系列——虫草花" (translated from Chinese) [https://bowuguan.bucm.edu.cn/kpzl/zyyzs/10671.htm]
• Sohu: "虫草花，做法可不止煲汤这么简单" (translated from Chinese) [https://www.sohu.com/a/573993855_120885134]
• Sohu: "教您10款不同食材的虫草花汤做法" (translated from Chinese) [https://www.sohu.com/a/601097900_120972513]
• UrbanLife HK: "蟲草花湯功效｜11款蟲草花食譜" (translated from Chinese) [https://urbanlifehk.com/article/73032/]
• HK01: "蟲草花湯水合集 補肺益腎平民補品" (translated from Chinese) [https://www.hk01.com/教煮/545212/]
• Xiachufang (下厨房): "虫草花排骨汤" (translated from Chinese) [https://m.xiachufang.com/recipe/104190488/]
• Baidu Baike: "虫草花炖鸡汤" (translated from Chinese) [https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E8%99%AB%E8%8D%89%E8%8A%B1%E7%82%96%E9%B8%A1%E6%B1%A4/8903382]
• Guangdong Soup Network: "虫草花煲汤" (translated from Chinese) [https://www.guangdongbaotang.com/chongcaohuabaotang/]
• Wikipedia Chinese: "虫草花" (translated from Chinese) [https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hans/%E8%9F%B2%E8%8D%89%E8%8A%B1]
• People's Daily Health: "冬虫夏草既不保健，更不抗癌" (translated from Chinese) [http://health.people.com.cn/n1/2018/1125/c14739-30419826.html]

— The Yao Shan Guide Team