Description
What is Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) for?
In TCM, Cordyceps is considered a ‘for all illnesses’ tonic because of its effects to improve;
energy, appetite, stamina, endurance and sleeping patterns
Cordyceps is also considered beneficial for “tonifying” (supporting the normal function of and strengthening) the lungs, kidneys, gonads (testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands).
According to the Chinese pharmacopoeia, Ben Cao Cong Xin (1757 A.D.) Cordyceps is described to have a warm nature towards the ‘lung meridian and kidney meridian’. It is regarded as effective in ‘replenishing the sperm and bone marrow’, to relieve exhaustion, anaemia, night sweats, cough, or sexual impotence. Cordyceps is also said to benefit cancer and tuberculosis patients, to promote the ‘essence,’ and benefit the ‘vital energy’. The traditional dose of Cordyceps is 6 to 9 grams as a simmered decoction, taken two times daily. This is equal to 1 to 3ml of our tinctures daily.
- Do not exceed the suggested dose
- Take it with your favourite beverage or directly under the tongue
- Only to be taken orally.
- Do not use for infants or children
- Do not use for animals
- Keep out of reach of young children
- Do not use during pregnancy
Suggested Benefits
Learning and Memory
A Chinese research in 2018 suggests that Cordyceps may improve learning and memory impairment.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874985/#:~:text=Our%20findings%20suggest%20that%20Cordyceps,and%20protecting%20the%20nervous%20system.
Cerebral Ischemia (reduced blood flow to the brain)
A Korean study in 2018 suggests that Cordyceps militaris may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the neuroprotection of the hippocampus.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X1830192X
Stamina
An American report in 2001 suggested that Cordyceps may have positive circulatory and metabolic effects during exercise in endurance-conditioned athletes.
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2001/05001/SUPPLEMENTATION_WITH_CORDYCEPS_Cs_4_FERMENTATION.928.aspx
Chronic kidney disease
A Chinese clinical trial in 2019 showed that Cordyceps militaris reduced the severity and progression of kidney failure in people with chronic kidney disease.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6462325/
COVID-19
An Indian clinical trial in 2022 suggested that Cordycepin, a bioactive metabolite of Cordyceps militaris inhibits polyadenylation and may have therapeutic potential against COVID-19.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33225826/
Immuno-modulation
A Korean randomised, controlled trial demonstrated that the extract of Cordyceps is safe and effective for enhancing cell mediated immunity.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6441223/
Exercise performance
An American randomised controlled trial in 2009 suggested that supplementation with Cordyceps improves exercise performance and might contribute to wellness in healthy older subjects (50-75).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20804368/
High-intensity exercise
An American study in 2017 suggested that Cordyceps improves tolerance to high-intensity exercise with chronic supplementation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5236007/
Chronic hepatitis B
A Chinese clinical trial in 2012 demonstrated that Cordyceps could improve liver function, reduce liver inflammation, and decrease hepatic fibrosis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22686076/
Cell-mediated immunity
A Korean trial in 2015 showed that Cordyceps is safe and effective in enhancing cell-mediated immunity in healthy adult males.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26284906/
A bit of history
In ancient China, Cordyceps was scarce and therefore highly valued. In the emperor’s palace, five grams of precious Cordyceps were stuffed into the stomach of a poor duck which was placed in an oven and roasted for several hours. The duck was eaten over a period of 10 days. This method of preparing Cordyceps was believed to be as potent as 50 grams of Panax Ginseng.
