It’s unlikely that you’ve ever seen a Cordyceps mushroom in the wild, but you may have heard about this unusual fungus. Although they look strange and grow in an odd manner, there are many benefits of Cordyceps mushrooms to help support your well-being.*
In this article, we’ll talk about several of these benefits and how you can take advantage of Cordyceps mushrooms. But first things first: Let’s look at what they are and where they grow.
What Are Cordyceps Mushrooms?
Wild Cordyceps mushrooms, technically Cordyceps sinensis, can be found in the Himalayan foothills of Tibet and Bhutan.
The fruiting body of these mushrooms is small and grass-shaped. In fact, Cordyceps gets its Chinese name, "winter worm summer grass," from its unique appearance.
But how Cordyceps mushrooms grow is, without doubt, the most interesting thing about these fungi. Their spores land and germinate on insects.
Mycelia (roots of the mushroom) begin to grow in the insect, slowly devouring it from the inside. The mushroom then grows its grass-shaped fruiting body (the above-ground part of the mushroom), which is what releases spores to reproduce.
As you can imagine, these Asian, insect-devouring mushrooms are quite rare and, therefore, also very expensive. However, a variety called Cordyceps militaris has been developed for cultivation.
This variety grows on a barley substrate, making it vegan. Plus, research shows that the cultivated variety has similar benefits to the wild variety and “has traditionally been used as an alternative to Cordyceps sinensis in Traditional Chinese Medicine.”*1
The first mention of Cordyceps mushrooms in written records dates to the year 620 AD.
They were traditionally used as a tonic for the lung and kidneys—for respiratory issues, fatigue, and to improve a "weak constitution."*1 Traditional literature also indicates usage for low sexual function, libido, and performance.*1
These mushrooms have also been used for their adaptogenic and immune-supporting properties.* Today, we love Cordyceps mushrooms for many of the same reasons.
Let’s take a look at Cordyceps mushroom benefits and how you can work this mushroom into your health regimen.
Cordyceps Mushroom Benefits
Cordyceps Mushrooms Are Adaptogenic
Cordyceps mushrooms are adaptogens. If you aren’t familiar with adaptogens, they are plants or, in this case, mushrooms that help to normalize the body, especially during times of stress.* They support your body so that it can better cope with whatever stress you’re experiencing.*
This mushroom, like other adaptogens, “assists the body in creating and maintaining balance during times of stress.”*2
Other adaptogens include American Ginseng, Reishi, Eleuthero, Schisandra, Holy Basil, and Ashwagandha.
Cordyceps Mushrooms Provide Antioxidant Support*
Antioxidants are important for overall health, as they minimize cell damage from free radicals, thus also minimizing oxidative stress. Cordyceps mushrooms are a good source of antioxidant support.*
In Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, authors Bao-qin Lin and Shao-ping Li share, “There is increasing evidence that Cordyceps has antioxidant activity...”*3
And, from the results of a study on antioxidation activity, we see that “Cordyceps, in general, possesses a strong anti-oxidation activity in all assays tested.”*4
Cordyceps Mushrooms Support Male Reproductive Health*
Cordyceps’ antioxidant effect also impacts male reproductive health. One study “showed evidence that C. militaris may be able to protect testicles against oxidative damage” from BPA, a plasticizer.*5
But that’s not all that Cordyceps mushrooms do for male reproductive health.* Lin and Li note that both wild and cultivated Cordyceps have been shown to support reproductive activity and help with impaired reproductive function.*3
Meanwhile, the results of an animal study “indicate that supplementation with [Cordyceps militaris] improves sperm quality and quantity in rats.”*6 While this study was performed on rats, Cordyceps are believed to support normal, healthy male fertility in humans.* However, further human clinical studies are needed to confirm this finding.
Cordyceps Mushrooms Support the Immune System*
One of our favorite Cordyceps mushroom benefits is that it supports the immune system in a variety of ways.*
As we mentioned, this mushroom was traditionally used to treat the lungs.* Lin and Li suggest that this is thanks to “immune activation, particularly the promotion of innate immunity.”*3 But the benefits of Cordyceps for the immune system go even further—all the way down to your gut.*
Your gut flora actually has a lot to do with immune health, and there is evidence that Cordyceps sinensis can help regulate intestinal bacteria by improving [gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue], systemic immunity, or both.”*3
Cordyceps Mushrooms Support Healthy Stamina and Energy*
In addition to the general support that Cordyceps provides for overall health, this mushroom is most well-known for promoting healthy energy levels.* It also supports physical stamina, even enhancing “cellular energy in the form of ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate).”*8
This is of interest especially for athletes and older adults. One study administered Cordyceps sinensis to older adults, and both the metabolic threshold and the ventilatory threshold showed signs of increase after 12 weeks.*
The study suggests that Cordyceps sinensis “improves exercise performance and might contribute to wellness in healthy older subjects.”*9
How to Experience Cordyceps Mushroom Benefits
We’ve gone over a few of the wonderful benefits that Cordyceps mushrooms provide. Now the important part is how to work these mushrooms into your daily life.
The easiest way to do so is to take a capsule or use a powder supplement. We’ll look at both options to see what might fit your lifestyle best. But first, let’s dive a bit deeper into where our mushrooms come from.
Source and Quality
Gaia Herbs sources the mushrooms used in our products from North American Medicinal Mushroom Extract (Nammex). Nammex operates Certified Organic growing and manufacturing operations in Qingyuan County China.
This is a remote, mountainous region far from highly populated cities and industrial manufacturing areas, and it is often referred to as the best ecological environment in all of China.
People sometimes question the quality of mushrooms grown in China, but we can assure you that Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of the oldest sources for the use of mushrooms for health purposes.
Gaia Herbs chose Nammex as our mushroom provider because their growing conditions are similar to the mushrooms’ natural habitats.
All of our mushrooms are harvested from their growing substrate, never incorporating any of the growing medium into the final product. This results in a organic supplement that, in the case of our new line of mushroom capsules, is 100% mushrooms and nothing else—no fillers, starch, or grains with guaranteed levels of beneficial beta glucans.* Our mushroom powders and herb and mushroom blend formulas are also free of fillers, starch, and grains.
There is no mycelium in our mushroom products either, as we use only mushroom fruiting bodies. Why? Fruiting bodies have been used for thousands of years in traditional herbal medicine. The concentration of powerful biochemical compounds such as beta glucans is highest in the fruiting body versus the mycelium.
Cordyceps Mushroom Side Effects and Precautions
Remember that before you start using any herbal supplement, you should consult your doctor, especially if you are already taking medications or have a medical condition.
The same rule applies to Cordyceps mushroom capsules or powders. And be advised that Cordyceps are not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation.
Cordyceps Mushrooms for Your Well-Being*
These fungi are yet another gift from Nature to help keep your body in tip-top shape.*
We’ve gone over Cordyceps mushroom benefits and seen that these adaptogenic mushrooms can provide antioxidant support, promote male reproductive health, support your immune system, and help maintain healthy energy and stamina.*
Don’t wait to take advantage of Cordyceps and experience everything that it can do for your overall wellness!*
REFERENCES:
1. Skye Chilton, “Cordyceps Mushrooms: Supplement Types Explained + The Health Benefits,” Real Mushrooms, November 24, 2020, https://www.realmushrooms.com/cordyceps-supplements-guide.
2. Pharmaca, “Adaptogens in Focus: Cordyceps Mushrooms,” Project Wellness, 2013,
3. Bao-qin Lin and Shao-ping Li, “Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects,” chap. 5, 2011, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758.
4. S.P. Li et al. “Anti-oxidation Activity of Different Types of Natural Cordyceps Sinensis and Cultured Cordyceps Mycelia,” Phytomedicine 8, no. 3 (2001): 207-212, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711304700306?via%3Dihub.
5. Jian Wang et al. “Protective Effect of Cordyceps Militaris Extract Against Bisphenol A Induced Reproductive Damage,” Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine 62, no. 4 (2016): 249-257, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19396368.2016.1182234.
6. Ying Chang et al. “Effect of Cordyceps Militaris Supplementation on Sperm Production, Sperm Motility and Hormones in Sprague-Dawley Rats,” The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 36 (2008): 849-859, https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0192415X08006296.
7. Niki Caldwell, “Cordyceps Sinensis: The Functional Mushroom for Immunity, Wellness, and Energy,” NuLivScience, 2018, https://nulivscience.com/blog/cordyceps-sinensis-functional-mushroom-immunity-wellness-and-energy.
8. Hardeep S. Tuli, Sardul S. Sandhu, and A. K. Sharma, “Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Cordyceps With Special Reference to Cordycepin,” 3 Biotech 4, no. 1 (2013): 1-12, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3909570.
9. Steve Chen et al. “Effect of Cs-4® (Cordyceps sinensis) on Exercise Performance in Healthy Older Subjects: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial,” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 16, no. 5 (2010), https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2009.0226.