冬虫夏草是麦角菌科真菌冬虫夏草菌Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc.寄生在蝙蝠娥科昆虫幼虫上的子座及幼虫尸体的复合体。作为一味传统的名贵中药，冬虫夏草具有调节免疫系统功能、抗肿瘤、抗疲劳等多种药理作用。冬虫夏草的掺伪现象严重，综述冬虫夏草的鉴别方法，为快速、准确地对其进行鉴别提供参考。

Cordyceps is a complex of Cordyceps sinensis from Clavicepitaceae fungi parasitized in stroma and body Hepialidae insect larvae. As a traditional and rare Chinese herbal medicine, Cordyceps has several biological activities and pharmacological effects such as adjusting human immunity, antitumor, and anti-fatigue. Because of adulterations and counterfeit drugs, this paper reviews the identification methods for Cordyceps to provide the references for better and accurate distinguishment of the true from the false.