Two different strains of Cordyceps sinensis are placed at two different locations in a medium containing purified rattle snake venom and the two strains are allowed to grow until they meet in a boundary zone where a hybrid strain is formed due to exchange of genetic material. The hybrid strain is allowed to grow and is harvested and can be analyzed for the presence and quantity of desired medicinal substances. The amount of N.sup.6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine in a Cordyceps sinensis strain or product sample is a reliable indicator of the overall health benefiting qualities of the strain or sample.Strains of Cordyceps sinensis, are grown in a substrate at 20 to 22.degree. C. at sea level atmospheric pressure for 28 to 30 days in diffuse light, and thereafter in an atmosphere containing approximately 50% of oxygen of the sea level atmosphere, at approximately 3.degree. C. with exclusion of light, for approximately 15 to 20 weeks to provide a Cordyceps sinensis product that has the characteristic analytical signature of wild Cordyceps sinensis and includes substantial quantities of the health benefiting compounds of the strain found in the wild.