Cordyceps Mushroom, Benefits as an Energy Tonic

Often compared to that of ginseng for its restorative qualities, it is revered as a "Chi" building herb with effects that "activate life energies."

Also known for revitalizing the sex glands and reproductive system, the mycelium is considered a potent aphrodisiac and top tonic for increasing one's sex drive. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is also recognized to be particularly nourishing to the lungs and kidneys. It supports recovery from adrenal depletion and is shown to increase lung capacity as well as oxygen utilization, making it a great tonic for improving athletic performance and aerobic workouts.

It made its claim to fame in 1993 during the Track and Field National Games in Beijing China when women athletes using the mushroom broke consecutive world track records. After being negatively tested for anabolic steroid use, the team coach revealed that they were consuming daily elixirs of cordyceps mushroom as a nutritional regimen. (Source)

Cordyceps contains immune supporting polysaccharides, like beta-glucans and CO-1, plus the compound called "cordycepin", which is unique to this mushroom variety. Other active ingredients include ergosterol, cordycepic acid and various other nucleosides, like adenosine.

The original wild version (Cordyceps sinensis), also called "caterpillar fungus", is quite different than other types of medicinal mushrooms in that it germinates from the mummified body of various insects, growing as elongated blade-like mycelium rather than the usual mushroom cap varieties.

Today, however, wild cordyceps mushrooms are rare and extremely expensive. In 1972, Chinese mycologists isolated a wild strain called cordyceps Cs-4 and were able to successfully grow it using both a liquid-culture and a grain substrate.

There are some cordyceps varieties today that are produced using silk worm larvae, but most higher quality cordyceps mycelium extracts, powders and whole dried pieces that are being sold today are grown organically on brown rice substrate, not on caterpillars or other insect bodies. 

These cultivated versions are extremely concentrated, possessing close to the same health enhancing attributes as wild varieties because they are grown using wild spores, either of the Cordyceps militaris or Cs-4 sinensis species. 

1) Energy Tonic and Restorative
2) Contains the Nucleosides Adenosine and Cordycepin
3) Supportive to Kidney Functions
4) Cordyceps as a Sexual Tonic and Aphrodisiac
5) Immune System Potentiator
6) Supports Lungs and Respiratory System

C. sinensis is a highly revered athletic tonic for its revitalizing effects on physical stamina, encourage increased lung capacity and promoting a performance-enhancing outcome. It is often used by holistic bodybuilders in protein shakes as a pre-workout energy booster.

In Chinese herbalism cordyceps is considered extremely beneficial as a major Chi tonic herb, one of the 3 treasures in TCM. The dried mushroom is often used in herbal formulas and can be blended with other energy adaptogens like astragalus, ginseng, maca, rhodiola and ashwagandha for increased effectiveness.

Cordyceps has long been consumed by Himalayan mountain peoples, like the Mykot tribe, for increasing their energy output and endurance levels needed for high altitude activities.

In addition, both C. sinensis and C. militaris contain unique medicinal components such as specific nucleosides called cordycepin and adenosine. These active ingredients have been proven to play a key role in increasing ATP production and are additionally useful to the cardiovascular system, helping to regulate blood pressure. (Source) 

ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the intracellular energy source for your muscles. It is a biochemical process known among professional bodybuilders and athletes because it helps increase strength and sustain endurance levels. 

In one double-blind study analyzing the effect cordyceps has on exercise performance it "suggests that supplementation with Cs-4 (C. sinensis) improves exercise performance and might contribute to wellness in healthy older subjects." 

Another study showed "an increase in the ratio of ATP to inorganic phosphate in treated mice representing an increase in cellular energy state." A second study using "water-soluble extracts of Cs-4 also showed an increase of 45–55% in ATP:Pi ratios." (Sources)

Nucleosides are one of the major ingredients in C. sinensis that account for a wide range of immunological actions and health benefits. Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is one of the adaptogenic substances in cordyceps that has been discovered to encourage immune modulating effects.

Cordyceps is the top medicinal mushroom often prescribed by Chinese herbalists for kidney yin deficiency and is commonly referenced as a "kidney jing tonic." Jing is one of the three treasures in TCM that is considered the energy foundation or "root of vitality" for the entire body.  It is stored specifically in the kidneys as well as the adrenals and sex glands. 

Regular supplementation can greatly assist many modern day people living a fast paced lifestyle who are inadvertently draining this Jing energy backup system. Additionally, stressing the kidneys and adrenals with the overuse of caffeinated drinks and other stimulants can be especially depleting to our deep energy reserves over a period of time, resulting in adrenal exhaustion and various autoimmune disorders. 

Cordyceps mushroom extracts are powerful adaptogens and kidney tonics that help to build and restore energy as well as replenish the deeper immune defenses located in the bone marrow reserve.

It is an excellent adjunct to use with other energy supporting superfoods and is specifically recommended by many herbalists for those in recovery from debilitating conditions. Studies with elderly populations who suffered from excessive fragility show a significant increase in energy, appetite as well as improved physical and mental capacity.

"Fatigue, impotence, joint and back pain, even ringing in the ears are all symptoms of degenerative kidney health. It has been shown that much of cordyceps kidney enhancing potential comes from its ability to increase 17-hydroxy-corticosteroid and 17-ketosteroid levels. (Zhou et al 1998)" On the Trail of The Yak Ancient Cordyceps in the Modern World (*)

Along with its effects as an energy promoting restorative, C. sinensis is also concurrently a powerful and very well known aphrodisiac that enhances libido and is revitalizing to the sex glands in both men and women.

Indigenous Tibetan Mykot yak herdsmen were thought to be one of the first to discover the sexual rejuvenating properties of the mushroom when they noticed that their free roaming herds would instinctively migrate to higher elevations to graze on fields of grass and cordyceps. This induced a mating frenzy that was later realized to be the result of consuming quantities of the fresh mushroom. 

"Evidence shows that C. sinensis and C. militaris can improve reproductive activity and restore impaired reproductive function."  (*)

Research reveals that many of the polysaccharides and nucleosides found in the mushroom work specifically as immune system potentiators and possess strong antioxidant and antiviral activity.  Some of these primary myco-nutrients include beta glucans, like CO-1, and the nucleoside cordycepin (3’deoxyadenosine).

The beta-glucan constituents help to increase the production of interleukins, interferons and antibodies by the activated immune cells. Currently, there are more than 10 identifiable nucleosides and their related components found in cordyceps mushroom.

Along with the kidneys, C. sinensis is also a revered lung tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is thought to increase the flow of Chi, which is associated with the air element. When there is more Chi and unhindered oxygen uptake, there is an increase in energy as a result.                    

Many of the mushroom's effects on the lungs are believed to stem from its ability to improve efficient oxygen utilization. C. sinensis is helpful for professional sport athletes for this reason and helps to increase athletic performance and endurance levels.

D-mannitol, also called cordycepic acid, is recognized to play a major role in alleviating conditions such as bronchitis or asthma as are its anti-inflammatory components. It is a Chinese prescribed remedy for such health issues and has been used extensively as a preventative for altitude sickness in high mountain regions.

In a study entitled "Anti-asthmatic activities in mycelial extract and culture filtrate of cordyceps sphecocephala J201" it was shown that "the mycelial extract and culture filtrate of C. sphecocephala, indicated that the extracts reduced the undesirable immune responses and/or cytokine expression exhibited in asthma." 

Most high quality cordyceps are grown using wild spores from either the sinensis or militaris species.

1. Dried Mushrooms - Used in water decoctions that are simmered for 20 minutes or longer.
2. Dried Powder Form - The powder should be brewed as a tea decoction and not eaten as a straight powder.
3. Powdered Extract or Capsules - These are hot water extracts that are in powder form or encapsulated.
4. Special Formulations - Some brands include various other mushroom compounds in their product, like the spores and mycelium biomass as well as the whole mushroom extract.
5. Liquid Extracts - This is an alcohol based liquid of the tinctured mushroom fruiting body.
   

Powdered or liquid extracts can be added to teas, beverages or blended drinks.  It is best to take the mushroom twice a day in the morning and afternoon.  Because of its energizing effects it is best to avoid in the evening or before sleep.  All raw medicinal mushrooms (dried or fresh) need to be simmered to release their beneficial myco-nutrients.

Try using cordyceps with other kidney Jing aphrodisiacs like tongkat ali, eucommia, cistanche, he shou wu and schizandra.