Cordyceps beginning its growth from an insect.

Year     Price increase    Price/kg (Yuan)
1980s         1,800
1997     (incl. inflation)    8,400
2004     429% (incl. inflation)     36,000
2005         10,000–60,000

Although in vitro and animal models provide preliminary support for some of the traditional medicinal uses, there are no clinical studies demonstrating health benefits in humans.