Cordyceps mushroom whole

The caterpillar fungus owes its scientific name to the Greek word kordyle meaning “club,” and the Latin name for “head,” –ceps (Olatunji et al., 2018). The species name sinensis simply refers to its origins in China and militaris means “upright, resembling part of a uniform”.

In Tibet, where Ophiocordyceps sinensis originated, the fungus is also perceived to undergo a metamorphosis between winter and spring, living as a worm during the winter and changing into some kind of grass by the summer.

Research has suggested that cordycepin helps reduce overall levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides in the blood, and has also shown to have anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties.

In Chinese medicine, cordyceps is applied as a general tonic and aphrodisiac, but also to replenish the Kidney, soothe the Lung, stop bleeding, and eliminate phlegm. Cordyceps is commonly suggested by Chinese medicine practitioners to help strengthen the body’s resistance to infections. However, while the fungus has been traditionally used for a very long time in Chinese medicine, particularly as a tonic, it became internationally known after 1993 when Chinese long distance runners broke world records, which they attributed to consumption of Ophiocordyceps sinensis during their training. Due to its immunomodulating action, the caterpillar fungus has gained popularity in recent years for immune disorders and as a support to modern cancer therapies
The traditional use of cordyceps for respiratory symptoms is well known in China. Several human clinical trials appear to confirm the beneficial effects for symptoms of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis.

Cordyceps has a long history of use as an aphrodisiac. Cordyceps may have an beneficial effect on sexual dysfunction, which is attributed to several contributing factors. For example, Ophiocordyceps sinensis has been shown to improve physical vitality, help dilate blood vessels, increase blood flow, and increase the production of testosterone.

Traditionally, cordyceps is consumed as a tea or eaten whole in a soup or on its own. Powdered mycelium and mycelial extracts are available in capsulated or non-capsulated forms with varying dosage information.

Decoction: 1 cup (¼-½ tsp. mycelia powder or crushed mushroom in 10 fl oz water decocted for 15 minutes and steeped for an hour) 2x/day .

Powder: 1.5-3 g for oral use

Soup: 15-30 g stewed together with chicken, duck, or pork.

Safety: suggest that consumption of cordyceps may alter the body’s blood glucose metabolism due to its hypoglycemic effects, which can result in the reduction of oral or injected antidiabetic medications. Cordyceps may potentially modify blood sugar levels, so people with diabetes should seek the guidance of a qualified practitioner and monitor blood sugar levels