Chinese cordyceps – what are its remarkable properties?

Cordyceps is a highly prized type of fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine as a folk remedy due to its wide range of health-improving and energy-boosting properties. Chinese cordyceps is becoming increasingly popular in Europe and America, although it is still relatively unknown. Native to the Tibetan Plateau, it is a mushroom with a wealth of properties useful for maintaining nervous balance, improving libido and much more. Let's find out what makes it so renowned.

Cordyceps Sinensis – what is it?

Cordyceps sinensis, as the Latin name for the mushroom goes, comes from the mountainous regions of the Himalayas. It belongs to the family of caterpillar fungi, mushrooms that grow from a type of caterpillar that lives underground and feeds on fungi. When the caterpillar emerges from the ground to become a butterfly, the fungus takes control of it, parasitises it and matures. Eventually, a mature spore emerges from the ground, which becomes a real treasure trove of health.

For thousands of years, Chinese cordyceps has been harvested by hand, dried and used in Chinese medicine to treat fatigue, symptoms of diabetes, asthma, nausea, kidney disease and low sex drive. Dietary supplements containing cordyceps extract are becoming increasingly popular precisely because of their numerous health-promoting properties.

Although many of these studies are limited to animal or laboratory research, there is growing evidence that it also has significant health benefits for us. Its fame came in 1993. The cordyceps mushroom caused a stir at the World Athletics Championships in Germany, where Chinese athletes set new world records in three disciplines, precisely because of cordyceps supplementation.

Chinese caterpillar fungus – properties, effects and uses

Cordyceps is an organism very rich in nutrients and resources essential for the human body. It contains several essential amino acids and significant amounts of protein. In addition, it also contains many vitamins. This fungus contains:

• Vitamins B1, B2, B12
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K

Of course, it is also an excellent source of minerals and trace elements. It contains large amounts of copper, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc and manganese. It also contains some essential fatty acids. Cordyceps sinensis also contains polysaccharides, polyamines, glucosides, saccharides, peptides and sterols.

Its antioxidant, anti-ageing and brain-protective properties, as well as its ability to improve the functioning of the immune system, are useful in:

• Improving physical performance;
• Strengthening the body's immune defences;
• Alleviating the symptoms of certain respiratory diseases
• Anti-ageing effects
• Protection against neurodegenerative diseases
• Increasing libido
• Regulating blood sugar levels
• Weight loss

The latest research on cordyceps also suggests that it may be a potentially effective agent in cancer prevention. The potential of cordyceps to slow tumour growth has attracted considerable interest in recent years.

Cordyceps and diabetes, the cardiovascular system, libido and ageing processes

Most studies on the effects of cordyceps have been conducted in Chinese research centres. The most commonly studied strain in China and worldwide is Cordyceps sinensis CS-4, which appears to have a number of health-promoting properties useful in the treatment of diabetes, supporting the cardiovascular system, sexual activity and counteracting the ageing process. Let's try to understand what makes cordyceps so unique.

• Libido stimulation – the traditional use of Chinese caterpillar fungus in Chinese medicine focused on its aphrodisiac properties. A number of studies have proven that it stimulates the production of steroid hormones, including testosterone. In addition, in women, taking cordyceps increases the level of 17beta-astradiol E2, which is known to improve fertility in women. What is more, it improves libido, stimulating sexual activity and supporting erection. It also helps to increase sperm production and spermatogenesis processes;
• Effect on the cardiovascular system – cordyceps has toning, revitalising and energising properties. All thanks to its excellent richness in vitamins, amino acids and trace elements. In addition to providing energy, it allows for better utilisation of oxygen in the blood and cells. The mushroom improves blood flow in the arteries and lowers cholesterol and other fats. One study showed that cordyceps significantly reduces the risk of heart damage in rats with chronic kidney disease. It is believed that heart damage caused by chronic kidney disease reduces the risk of heart failure, thus limiting its damage. Cordyceps may also have a positive effect on ‘bad’ cholesterol levels, significantly lowering them.
• Anti-ageing effects – historically, cordyceps has been used by elderly people in China to reduce fatigue and increase strength and sex drive. Scientists agree that the high antioxidant content explains the anti-ageing potential of Chinese cordyceps. Antioxidants are particles that fight damaged cells by neutralising free radicals, which can otherwise contribute to disease and accelerated ageing processes.
• Use in the treatment of diabetes – Chinese cordyceps contains a special type of sugar that is helpful in treating diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin or does not respond to this hormone. Interestingly, cordyceps can maintain blood sugar levels within a healthy range by mimicking the action of insulin itself! Several studies in diabetic mice have shown that cordyceps lowers blood sugar levels.

  Chinese cordyceps – what is the dosage?

  The recommended preventive dose ranges from 0.5 to 1 g, while for health problems, it is 3 to 6 g of cordyceps per day. Only in such amounts can its effective health-promoting properties be fully utilised. The first effects are usually felt after a few days.

  We must remember that the dose may be higher if we engage in intensive sports or in order to thoroughly stimulate the immune system. In this case, it is worth taking advantage of its effects by using it as part of a 3-month treatment, with a weekly break every 4 weeks.

  What is the dosage of Chinese cordyceps depending on its form?

  • In tablets – up to 3 per day for tablets or capsules containing 500 mg of the fungus
  • In powder form – 1/2 teaspoon once a day.

  Cordyceps sinensis – what research is worth knowing about?

  As we have already mentioned, research on the properties and effects of Cordyceps sinensis is mainly conducted in its native China. However, cordyceps is now cultivated all over the world, giving the scientific community the opportunity to obtain a wealth of information about this remarkable species of fungus.

  Double-blind placebo-controlled studies conducted in China involving several hundred people showed that cordyceps at a dose of 3 g per day is effective in improving sexual activity, increasing sex drive and preventing erectile dysfunction.

  In turn, three studies conducted between 1995 and 1999 showed that 3 g of Chinese caterpillar fungus per day had good effects in increasing the physical energy of elderly people and those suffering from chronic heart disease. The study, published in 2010, focused on 20 patients aged between 50 and 75. Preliminary data analysis indicated that taking cordyceps significantly improved their physical fitness.

  Further research on the effect of cordyceps on physical performance, this time in people who actively use bicycles, showed that participants receiving 3 g per day of the cordyceps sinensis strain increased their performance by 7% compared to the placebo group, while participants taking placebo tablets showed no improvement in their results.

  Yet another clinical study conducted in China showed that Chinese cordyceps may be helpful in alleviating the complications of many respiratory diseases, including chronic bronchitis and asthma. Other studies related to the effect of the fungus on the kidneys have shown that Cordyceps sinensis protects the structure of the kidneys from the toxic effects of certain drugs (e.g. paracetamol) and stimulates their functioning in patients with renal failure.

  Chinese cordyceps – user opinions and reviews

  Used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, cordyceps sinensis was recognised by the National Medical Products Administration in 2002, becoming a widely used remedy in the United States. Although the number of clinical studies remains small, the scientific community agrees that the use of cordyceps is safe and even recommended in certain pathological conditions. The fungus can be used for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-ageing properties.

  What do the users of cordyceps-based supplements or preparations themselves have to say? On the internet, on social media, or directly under the product tabs of online stores, cordyceps-based products enjoy very good reviews.

  Of course, we must take into account that feedback may vary and should always be taken with a grain of salt, as each body reacts differently to Chinese cordyceps. The fungus may work perfectly for one person and less well for another. Therefore, it is important to test small doses of the supplement before starting full supplementation and not to expect immediate results. It is a good idea to wait at least a few weeks before forming a final opinion on its effectiveness.

  Bibliography

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  ‘Effects of a water-soluble extract of Cordyceps sinensis on steroidogenesis and capsular morphology of lipid droplets in cultured rat adrenocortical cells’ – S-M. Wang, L-J. Lee, W-W. Lin, C-M. Chang, scientific journal Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, John Wiley & Sons, 1998.

  ‘Inhibitory effect of Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris on human glomerular mesangial cell proliferation induced by native LDL’ – W. Zhao-Long, W. Xiao-Xia, C. Wei-Ying, scientific journal Cell Biochemistry and Function, John Wiley & Sons, 2000.

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  ‘Cordyceps sinensis (Berkeley) saccardo: Structure of cordycepic acid’ – R. Chatterjee, K. S. Srinivasan, P. C. Maiti, scientific journal Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, 1957.

  ‘Properties of Cordyceps Sinensis: A review’ – P. X. Chen, S. Wang, S. Nie, M. Marcone, Journal of Functional Foods, Elsevier, 2013.

  Cordyceps sinensis (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease – H. W. Zhang, Z. X. Lin, Y. S. Tung, T. H. Kwan, C. K. Mok, C. Leung, L. S. Chan, scientific journal The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, Oxford, 2014.

  ‘The genus Cordyceps: An extensive review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology’ – O. J. Olatunji, J. Tang, A. Tola, F. Auberon, O. Oluwaniyi, Z. Ouyang, scientific journal Phytotherapy, Inverni & Della Beffa, 2018.