Cordyceps doesn’t stop to fascinate. It naturally grows in the mountainous regions of Asia by invading insect larvae and growing out of their body. Folks have been using it for centuries to boost energy and libido. Find out how cordyceps supplements are commercially produced and used and what side effects they can cause. <\/p>\n\n\n
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Cordyceps <\/em>is the name for a group <\/strong>(genus<\/strong>) of fungi<\/strong>, all of which are parasites of various insects or other fungi<\/strong>. There are over 750 species of Cordyceps <\/em>fungi around the world. They primarily grow in South Asia, Europe, and North America [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n With so many mushroom species, it becomes hard to say exactly which one someone is referring to when they talk about \u201ccordyceps.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most well-known and studied one is Cordyceps sinensis<\/em>. In 2007, scientists discovered that this species is unrelated to most of the others and placed it in an entirely new genus (Ophiocordyceps<\/em>). Although its name has been changed to Ophiocordyceps sinensis<\/em>, it is still commonly referred to as C. sinensis,<\/em> or just cordyceps [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cordyceps is no typical mushroom<\/strong>. The way it grows in nature has fascinated scientists for a long time and earned it the nickname <\/strong>\u201ccaterpillar fungus<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Namely, the spores of the fungus infect moth caterpillars. These tiny spores then grow into a large fungal mass called mycelium that spreads throughout the insect body, eventually killing the larvae. A thin stalk called a fruiting body then sprouts from the corpse, releases spores, and continues the cycle [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, the fungus-caterpillar combination is among the most famous traditional Chinese medicines. It has been used for hundreds of years in tinctures and teas to boost libido, reduce fatigue, and fight lung and kidney diseases [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n More broadly, cordyceps is considered a general tonic claimed to increase vitality and longevity<\/a>. Standardized extracts are even used in medical clinics throughout China and some are classified as drugs [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n While C. sinensis<\/em> is by far the most valued and studied Cordyceps <\/em>species, others have also been used for their potential health benefits. Among these, Cordyceps militaris <\/em>is the most well-known and researched one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite their longstanding popularity and use, few clinical trials have been conducted on either C. sinensis<\/em> or C. militaris, <\/em>and no human studies have investigated the other species [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n C<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em> sinensis<\/em> is found exclusively in the Tibetan plateau<\/strong>, the world\u2019s highest plateau that covers most of Tibet and some of the neighboring regions. Its average altitude is astonishing, reaching 4,500 m or 14,800 ft. Cordyceps is an important part of traditional Tibetan medicine and the Tibetan economy. Harvesting of wild C. sinensis <\/em>accounts for nearly 40% of the income in rural Tibet and 9% of the region\u2019s GDP [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n C. sinensis <\/em>caught the attention of the world in 1993, when Chinese long-distance runners broke several world records in the Chinese National Games. Their coach credited their success to a daily tonic containing the fungus [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two most important active components found in both C. sinensis<\/em> and C. militaris <\/em>(and a few other Cordyceps <\/em>species) are cordycepin (3\u2019-deoxyadenosine) and D-mannitol (also known as cordycepic acid) [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cordycepin is very similar to the molecule adenosine<\/a>, which plays a role in helping fall asleep<\/a> and increasing blood flow. Adenosine is also part of ATP, the body\u2019s main energy currency [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n D-mannitol is a sugar alcohol used clinically as a diuretic in people with fluid buildup (edema) due to kidney disorders and to decrease swelling in the brain after trauma or stroke [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other active components found in C. sinensis and C. militaris<\/em> include [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cordycepin<\/strong> has multiple potential effects, including [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n D-mannitol<\/strong> acts as a diuretic, helps maintain the balance between fluids inside and outside cells, and reduces inflammation [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbohydrates in Cordyceps<\/em> may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and cholesterol<\/a>– and blood sugar-lowering effects. They may also help boost the immune system [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because it is adapted to a specific host, geography, and climate, wild C. sinensis <\/em>is scarce and impossible to mass-produce using its natural life cycle. <\/em>This, coupled with increasingly high demand, has led to skyrocketing prices. In 2017, high-quality C. sinensis <\/em>pieces were being sold for more than $63,000\/lb ($140,000\/kg) in Beijing, over 3x the price of gold at the time! [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to overharvesting<\/strong>, wild C<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em> sinensis <\/em>is now classified as an endangered species<\/strong>. To fulfill the demand that can\u2019t be satisfied by harvesting the wild form, artificial cultivation methods have been developed. Thanks to these methods, large-scale manufacturing of both C. sinensis <\/em>and C. militaris<\/em> is now possible [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two main ways to mass-produce Cordyceps<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One involves the fermentation of the fungus in a liquid medium containing yeast, sugar, and other nutrients, set at a specific temperature and pH. Once the mycelium (non-reproductive part of the fungus) has fully grown, it is extracted and purified. This method allows you to grow Cordyceps <\/em>quickly and is popular with Chinese manufacturers [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different strains of wild C. sinensis<\/em> are added in the fermentation process to various products. For example, Cs-4 is a standardized product from a specific strain of C. sinensis<\/em> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other method of producing Cordyceps <\/em>involves growing the mycelium on a solid medium of grain (rice, millet, wheat). This method takes longer and is used by many manufacturers in Japan and the United States [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although it is cheaper to manufacture Cordyceps <\/em>this way, there are issues with the end-product containing high amounts of grain relative to active components. This is because unlike liquid mediums, the grain can\u2019t be separated entirely from the mycelium [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cultured Cordyceps <\/em>mycelium contains the same concentrations of active components as wild Cordyceps, <\/em>making it an effective and affordable alternative <\/strong>[R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\nCordyceps Sinensis vs. Cordyceps Militaris<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Active Components<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Does Cordyceps Work?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cordyceps Supplement Facts, Combinations & Dosage<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Are Cordyceps Supplements Made?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Potential Supplement Combinations<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n