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Cordyceps
Cordyceps is a genus of ascomycete fungi, which includes around 400 species. Most of these are native to Asia, and can be found in the continent’s tropical forests. Some species have impressive pharmacological properties, along with a long history of medicinal use in Tibet and China.
All species of Cordyceps are endoparasitoids, meaning they develop inside the body of its host, usually insects. The Cordyceps fungus attacks the host, then the mycelium (thread-like vegetative part) replaces the host’s tissue. Some species of Cordyceps can even affect the host’s behavior (did someone say zombie?), causing them to relocate, or climb a tree for instance. Anything that ensures a more optimal environment to grow in.
The two most common species are C. sinensis and C. militaris. However, after further analysis, C. sinensis was reclassified as belonging to the Ophiocordyceps genus, thus becoming O. sinensis. I certainly don’t blame you if your head is spinning at this point, what with the combination of a zombie fungi and too much geek speak. But now that the science (and science fiction) portion of this chapter is finished, we can continue with the incredible benefits of Cordyceps. (And Ophiocordyceps, if you’ve been paying attention.)
Cordyceps Benefits
In 1993, a team of Chinese runners obliterated world records at an important competition. When asked about it afterward, the coach attributed their successful performance to the consumption of Cordyceps. Cordyceps is still popular today among athletes to boost performance and increase stamina.
However, you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from Cordyceps supplementation. It’s a wildly popular supplement with China’s aging population, as it restores vigor and vitality, and helps relieve fatigue.
This 2010 study examined the effects of Cordyceps sinensis on exercise performance in healthy elderly subjects.[21] The double-blind, placebo-controlled study consisted of 20 volunteers age 50-75, who were given a 333 mg dose of C. sinensis three times a day for 12 weeks. As a group, their anaerobic threshold increased on average 10.5%, while their ventilatory threshold increased 8.5%. No changes were shown in the placebo group.
Cordyceps benefits are numerous and include …
- Inflammation reduction
- Heart protection
- Improved respiratory function
- Normalization of cholesterol levels
- Improved immune function
- Anti-aging effects
- Reduction in fatigue
- Increased energy and stamina
- Improved athletic performance
- Treatment for sexual dysfunction
- Improvement in brain function
One extremely important Cordyceps benefit is its ability to improve respiratory function, which helps deliver more oxygen to cells and tissues. A 2013 study on Cordyceps ability to activate human lung epithelial cells discovered that this fungi increased antioxidant genes and antioxidant enzymes.[22] Both of which helped to facilitate better oxygenation, oxygen delivery, and glucose transport. And oxygen is vitally important for cellular health, and perhaps the number one key to overall health.
Continuing with lung health, one recent study looked at the effects of Cordyceps sinensis on lung cancer.[23] Researchers discovered that an extract of C. sinensis limited cancer cell proliferation and even induced cancer cell death. Studies involving Cordyceps effects on other types of cancers have reported similar results.
Cordyceps benefits the immune system by increasing natural killer cell activity. Natural killer cells provide rapid response to viral-infected cells and tumor formation. They can recognize stressed cells and provide a fast immune reaction.
This 2010 study confirms Cordyceps role in this by concluding that Cordyceps positively stimulated activation of natural killer cells.[24] Researchers also recommended it as an effective treatment for autoimmune diseases, of which there are around 80.
Numerous studies have been done Cordyceps role in treating sexual dysfunction, as it’s had a long history of use in this area. Cordyceps militaris effect on sperm production in rats has shown improvement in both sperm quality and quantity.[25] While studies have shown that Cordyceps sinensis significantly increased testosterone levels.[26]
If there’s anything worse than getting old, it’s getting prematurely old. So perhaps the greatest benefit of Cordyceps can be found in its anti-aging effects, which numerous studies support.[27] One such study on these effects conducted on (you guessed it … rats!) showed improvements in brain function, antioxidant enzyme activity, and sexual function.
I will conclude with a quote from one of my favorite natural health writers and practitioners, and author of a book (Spontaneous Health) that opened my eyes to an entirely new way of thinking about health.
Cordyceps is one of my favorite treatments for a natural energy boost and I highly recommend it to my patients who struggle with low mood and compromised overall vitality.
Dr. Andrew Weil
Cordyceps Uses
Unless you really want to grow cordyceps, and there’s a huge shortage of reliable information on that, you’ll want to instead focus on finding a quality supplement, either in pill or powder form. Just be sure you’re getting either C. sinensis (also now known as O. sinensis, remember?) or C. militaris.
Check out this video, as John Houser, a certified natural health professional and herb specialist, talks about two of his favorite super herbs. Cordyceps is obviously one of them. But the other is rhodiola, which may be even more amazing than cordyceps. The video is only about four minutes, so you’ll learn a little about each in a short amount of time.
If interested in trying cordyceps, Lost Empire Herbs has it in powder form. And, of course, they have a lot more information on this super mushroom.