Cordyceps 101

Cordyceps is a type of fungi that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in Sikkim, a state in northeast India, for centuries. As cordyceps comes into the mainstream of wellness, scientists are researching its potential health benefits.^1,2

Cordyceps, also known as the “caterpillar mushroom” is a parasitic fungus that grows on the larvae of insects. Cordyceps sinensis is the most widely studied species of this type of fungi. In Sikkim, traditional healers recommend it for 21 maladies. They believe that it promotes longevity and supports sleeping patterns, appetite, energy, endurance, stamina, and libido.^1,2

Researchers have begun to explore the potential benefits of Cordyceps sinensis through in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as in some clinical trials with volunteer athletes as subjects. Studies have revealed that cordyceps can offer support to multiple body systems, including the immune, renal, hepatic, and cardiovascular.^1,2

Traditionally, cordyceps has been used to support the body against a wide variety of conditions. Today, with traditional use as their guidelines, scientists are doing research to determine how cordyceps interacts with and supports the many different body systems.²

In traditional medicine, elderly individuals take cordyceps to increase their energy, strength, and sex drive. Now, researchers are exploring the possible anti-aging properties of cordyceps due to its antioxidant content.²

One study explored the effects of cordyceps on mice and castrated rats. The researchers found that cordyceps support brain function and antioxidant enzyme activity of mice with age-related deterioration. It also promoted sexual function in castrated rats. Both results suggest that cordyceps could have anti-aging applications.³

In another study with human subjects, six healthy adults received different concentrations of cordyceps extract. Researchers performed several tests both before and after the subjects took the cordyceps extract to determine if it had an impact on DNA damage caused by oxidative stress. They found that the subjects who took the highest concentration of cordyceps extract had a significant decrease in the number of cells with this type of DNA damage. The researchers concluded that cordyceps may be able to stimulate DNA repair, suggesting it may have anti-aging properties.⁴

Traditional healers who use cordyceps have long believed that it supports energy, endurance, and stamina. Scientific studies on both animals and humans are examining the impact of cordyceps on exercise endurance.²

One study examined the effects of polysaccharide from cordyceps on the physical fatigue animals experienced in a forced swimming test. For 28 days, mice received either a control or a low, medium, or high dose of the polysaccharide from cordyceps. After that time period, the mice were given a forced swimming test, in which swimming time and other biochemical markers were measured.⁵

The researchers learned that the polysaccharide from cordyceps significantly increased how long the mice could swim. The other biochemical markers were also improved in the mice taking the polysaccharide. This study suggests that cordyceps could have anti-fatigue effects and support exercise endurance.⁵

There is evidence that cordyceps could also be supportive of heart health. It contains adenosine, a compound that has heart-protective properties. In fact, cordyceps is approved in China as a treatment for arrhythmia!⁶

A study on rats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) demonstrated that cordyceps decreased the incidence of heart and liver injury in the rats receiving it. Heart and liver injury are common in those with chronic kidney disease. And heart injuries caused by CKD may cause heart failure. So seeing a decrease in these types of injuries in rodent subjects suggests promising possibilities for heart health.⁷

Other animal studies have shown that cordyceps may help to support cholesterol levels by decreasing “bad” (LDL) cholesterol. While the results from these studies are encouraging, research on humans is necessary to definitively determine cordyceps’ advantages for heart health.⁸

Additional research indicates that cordyceps may be helpful in fighting inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can lead to health issues like cancer or heart disease. Several studies have demonstrated that the exposure of human cells to cordyceps leads to the suppression of inflammation-causing proteins. And one study found that cordyceps was effective when used topically to treat skin irritation in mice.^9,10

While these existing studies present exciting possibilities, cordyceps’ anti-inflammatory effects still need to be tested on humans.

Naturally-occurring cordyceps is rare because of over-harvesting and habitat restriction. A survey conducted in 2007 revealed that cordyceps production had decreased by 95% over the previous 25 years. Because it is so rare and difficult to produce, natural cordyceps is incredibly expensive.¹¹

For these reasons, most commercially available cordyceps are grown in labs. To ensure that a cordyceps supplement is safe, research options that are pure and uncontaminated.¹¹

Since there is limited research on the effects of cordyceps on humans, there is not an official dosage recommendation. As with any new supplement you’re considering taking, discuss it with your doctor to learn how it could interact with any medicines or supplements you already use.

Cordyceps is found in Sikkim, a state in northeast India, at altitudes above 3,800 meters. Sikkim is bordered on different sides by Tibet, Bhutan, and Nepal.²

Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus. It grows by attaching to the larvae of insects. When the fungus attacks its host, it eventually replaces its tissue with its own. However, naturally grown cordyceps is difficult to harvest and in short supply, making it extremely expensive. Most commercially available cordyceps has been grown in a lab.²

Cordyceps sinensis is one species of the fungus cordyceps. It has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in Sikkim, India for centuries. Traditionally, cordyceps has been used to promote longevity and support sleeping patterns, appetite, energy, endurance, stamina, and libido. Scientists are now researching cordyceps’ potential benefits for exercise endurance, anti-aging, and the immune, renal, hepatic, and cardiovascular systems.^1,2

Sources:

1. Ng, T., & Wang, H. (2010, February 18). Pharmacological actions of Cordyceps, a prized folk medicine. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1211/jpp.57.12.0001
2. Panda, A., & Swain, K. (2011, January). Traditional uses and medicinal potential of Cordyceps sinensis of Sikkim. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121254/
3. Ji, D., Ye, J., Li, C., Wang, Y., Zhao, J., & Cai, S. (2009, January). Antiaging effect of Cordyceps sinensis extract. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18803231/
4. Vasiljevic, J. D., Zivkovic, L. P., Cabarkapa, A. M., Bajic, V. P., Djelic, N. J., & Spremo-Potparevic, B. M. (2016, June). Cordyceps sinensis: Genotoxic Potential in Human Peripheral Blood Cells and Antigenotoxic Properties Against Hydrogen Peroxide by Comet Assay. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27433838/
5. Xu, Y. (2016). Effect of Polysaccharide from Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes) on Physical Fatigue Induced by Forced Swimming. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28094746/
6. Yan, X., Zhang, Z., Yao, H., Guan, Y., Zhu, J., Zhang, L., . . . Wang, R. (2013, November). Cardiovascular protection and antioxidant activity of the extracts from the mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis act partially via adenosine receptors. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23192916/
7. Liu, X., Zhong, F., Tang, X., Lian, F., Zhou, Q., Guo, S., . . . Zhang, N. (2014, May). Cordyceps sinensis protects against liver and heart injuries in a rat model of chronic kidney disease: A metabolomic analysis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4814030/
8. Gao, J., Lian, Z., Zhu, P., & Zhu, H. (2011, June). Lipid-lowering effect of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) from Cordyceps militaris on hyperlipidemic hamsters and rats. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21882527/
9. Park, S., Jung, S., Ha, K., Sin, H., Jang, S., Chae, H., & Chae, S. (2015, December 5). Anti-inflammatory effects of Cordyceps mycelium (Paecilomyces hepiali, CBG-CS-2) in Raw264.7 murine macrophages. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371127/
10. Won, S., & Park, E. (2004, December 10). Anti-inflammatory and related pharmacological activities of cultured mycelia and fruiting bodies of Cordyceps militaris. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15619578/
11. Lin, B., & Li, S. (2011). Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/