Cordyceps

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Cordyceps
- Caterpillar Fungus
- Winter Worm, Summer Herb
- Dong Chong Xia Cao (Chinese)
- Yartsa Gunbu (Tibetan)
- Keera Jhar (India)
- Tochukaso (Japanese)

Latin Name: Ophiocordyceps sinensis (wild), Cordyceps militaris (cultivated)

Category: Medicinal Mushroom

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Lung and kidney tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 1,000 years
• Reserved for Chinese emperors due to rarity, prepared by stuffing into duck and slow-roasting
• Tibetan medicine used it for fatigue, respiratory weakness, and sexual vitality
• Indigenous peoples across Asia and New Zealand (Maori "aweto") used local species for energy support

Modern Uses

• Athletic Performance & Endurance - Enhances oxygen uptake and utilization | Research quality: Moderate
• Key findings: Studies show improved oxygen uptake in elderly volunteers; increases aerobic capacity and resistance to fatigue; Chinese athletes used cordyceps when breaking world records at 1993 National Games

• Source citations: Western Materia Medica II; Hobbs, Medicinal Mushrooms

• Respiratory Support (Asthma, COPD, Bronchitis) - Acts as bronchial dilator and reduces airway inflammation | Research quality: Strong

• Key findings: 81% symptom reduction in asthma patients within 5 days (Beijing Medical University); reduces IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2 inflammatory markers; effective for COPD and chronic bronchitis

• Source citations: Buhner, Herbal Antivirals; Western Materia Medica II

• Immune Modulation - Stimulates T-cells, B-cells, and macrophage activity | Research quality: Strong

• Key findings: Increases interleukin-1 and gamma-interferon; enhances phagocytic activity; increases IgG levels; polysaccharides (CS-1, CS-2) activate immune response

• Source citations: Western Materia Medica II; Hobbs, Medicinal Mushrooms

• Kidney Protection - Supports renal function and protects against drug-induced kidney damage | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Improves creatinine clearance and reduces blood urea nitrogen; reduces nephrotoxicity from aminoglycoside antibiotics; benefits chronic kidney disease patients

• Source citations: Herb-Drug-Nutrient Interaction; Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing

• Sexual Function & Libido - Acts as natural aphrodisiac and supports hormonal function | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: 64.5% improvement in male sexual function vs 31% placebo; increases testosterone production; improves sperm count and motility

• Source citations: Western Materia Medica II; Brighten, Beyond the Pill

• Liver Support - Protects liver function especially after hepatitis | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: 80% improvement in 256 cases of chronic viral hepatitis; improved liver function in all 33 cases of hepatitis B studied

• Source citations: Western Materia Medica II

• Blood Sugar Regulation - May help normalize glucose levels | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Increased glutathione levels and lowered blood glucose in animal studies with induced diabetes

• Source citations: Buhner, Herbal Antivirals; Stewart, Herbs To Treat Diabetes

• Neuroprotection - Protects brain from ischemic injury and supports cognitive function | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Significantly improved learning and reduced memory impairment in mice; protects hippocampal neurons from ischemic injury; reduces oxidative stress markers in brain tissue
• Source citations: Buhner, Herbal Antivirals

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Cordycepin - Adenosine analog with anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antiviral properties
- Polysaccharides (CS-1, CS-2) - Highly branched compounds responsible for immune stimulation
- D-mannitol (Cordycepic acid) - Supports cellular energy and osmotic balance
- Adenosine - Supports energy metabolism and cardiovascular function
- Ergosterol - Precursor to vitamin D2
- Amino acids (glutamic acid, proline, arginine, histidine) - Contribute to sedative effects and overall nutrition
- Vitamin B12 - Essential for nervous system function

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Powder, capsules, or extract
- Amount: 1-3 grams per day
- Frequency: Once or twice daily

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Fruiting body powder
- Amount: 2-9 grams twice daily
- Purpose: Respiratory conditions, immune support, athletic performance
- Duration: Can be used long-term as tonic

High-Dose Protocol (Acute Conditions):
- Form: Powder blended in water or juice
- Amount: 3-4 tablespoons (approximately 15-20 grams) three times daily
- Purpose: Active viral infections, acute respiratory conditions
- Note: Standard U.S. doses of 500-1,000 mg daily are considered insufficient for active disease conditions

Extract Dosage:
- Amount: 1-2 grams twice daily

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: Traditional use up to 50 grams during acute illness
- Warning threshold: Start with lower doses and increase gradually

Bioavailability Notes:
- Some constituents are only extractable in alcohol; tincture form recommended for full spectrum
- Powder taken directly allows stomach acids and bile to extract compounds naturally
- Hot water extraction effective for polysaccharides
- Cultivated C. militaris shows similar activity to wild O. sinensis

How to Take It

Timing:
- Can be taken any time of day
- Morning or early afternoon preferred for energy-enhancing effects
- Can be taken with or without food
- Traditional preparation included adding to soups and stews as medicinal food

Special Preparation Notes:
- Traditional Tibetan/Indian preparation involved soaking in alcohol/water combination
- Can be decocted in water as tea
- Powder can be added directly to smoothies or beverages

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Astragalus - Both support immune function and lung health | Combined effect enhances respiratory protection and energy
2. Reishi - Fellow adaptogenic mushroom | Combined effect provides broader immune modulation and stress support
3. Codonopsis - Traditional pairing in Chinese medicine | Combined effect for fatigue, weakness, and qi deficiency
4. American Ginseng - Complementary adaptogen | Combined effect enhances endurance and adrenal support
5. Lion's Mane - Neurological support | Combined effect for cognitive enhancement and nervous system protection
6. Rhodiola - Fellow adaptogen | Combined effect for athletic performance and stress resistance

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. Other strong immune stimulants - May cause excessive immune activation in sensitive individuals

Drug Interactions:
1. Immunosuppressant drugs - Cordyceps stimulates immune function and may interfere with therapy | Severity: Moderate to Severe
- Includes: azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, mycophenolate, basiliximab, sirolimus, prednisone, and other corticosteroids
2. Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet medications - May affect bleeding risk | Severity: Moderate
- Includes: warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, heparin
3. Hormone-sensitive condition medications - Due to testosterone-stimulating effects | Severity: Moderate
- Use with caution in breast cancer (women) or prostate cancer (men)

Beneficial Drug Interactions:
- Reduces nephrotoxicity from gentamicin and other aminoglycoside antibiotics
- May improve outcomes with cyclosporin A in kidney transplants
- May increase effectiveness of asthma medications

Food Interactions:
- No significant food interactions known

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- Hormone-sensitive conditions (breast cancer, prostate cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis)
- Autoimmune conditions where immune stimulation is contraindicated
- Organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressant therapy
- Active bleeding disorders

Side Effects:
- Generally well-tolerated
- Rare: mild digestive upset, dry mouth
- Very rare: allergic reactions in sensitive individuals

Long-Term Use:
- Traditional use supports long-term safety as a tonic herb
- No significant adverse effects reported with prolonged use
- Can be used continuously as an adaptogenic tonic
- Some practitioners recommend cycling (several weeks on, one week off)

Special Precautions:
- Discontinue 2 weeks before surgery due to potential effects on bleeding and immune function
- Adults only - manufacturers recommend against use in children
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: insufficient safety data, avoid use
- Consult healthcare provider if using asthma inhalers or anticoagulants

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Athletic performance and endurance, respiratory support (asthma, COPD, bronchitis), immune enhancement, energy and fatigue reduction, kidney protection

Secondary: Sexual function and libido, liver support, blood sugar regulation, neuroprotection, cardiovascular support

Sources

Local Library:
- Western Materia Medica II (Wild Rose College of Herbal Medicine)
- WRCHM - Herb-Drug-Nutrient Interaction
- Buhner, Stephen Harrod - Herbal Antivirals
- Hobbs, Christopher - Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide
- Balch, Phyllis - Prescription for Herbal Healing
- Easley, Thomas - The Modern Herbal Dispensatory
- Coffman, Sam - Herbal Medic
- Brighten, Jolene - Beyond the Pill
- Lust, John - The Natural Remedy Bible
- Stewart, Rufus - Herbs To Treat Diabetes
- Moline, Peg - The Doctors Book of Natural Health Remedies

General Knowledge:
- Traditional Chinese Medicine historical records
- Beijing Medical University clinical trials
- Chinese National Games 1993 athletic performance studies