A Friendly Guide To Cordyceps Mushrooms

The Health Benefits of Cordyceps

So we know that Cordyceps is powerful… but what can it actually do for us? Both anecdotal reports and hard scientific evidence show that compounds within Cordyceps mushrooms can improve our well-being in a number of different ways.

What is Cordyceps?

Cordyceps is actually a genus of mushrooms, and the term has been used to refer to a number of different species- most commonly Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris. These not your traditional cap and stem mushrooms – and have many unique characteristics. Known as a “sac fungi”, or “ascomycete”, they are related to other famous fungi such as the morel and the truffle. The Cordyceps fruiting body is actually known as an “ascocarp”- but for our purposes, we can just refer to it as a mushroom! It is usually a long skinny fruiting body extending from the host, but can also be club-shaped. Cordyceps mushrooms are parasitic, meaning that they need a living host which will eventually be killed by the fungus. The host is typically an insect or, tree, or even another fungus. Cordyceps are found all over the world, but are most commonly found in Asia, with the highest density of species found in tropical rain forests. The traditional Cordyceps Sinensis grows naturally on caterpillars high in the mountains of China.  

Different Types of Cordyceps

There are hundreds of different species of Cordyceps found all over the world. There are two main species, however, that are of interest for human consumption- Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris. There is also an effective version of Cordyceps mycelium grown in large liquid vats known as CS-4 that is worth learning about.

Cordyceps Sinensis

Cordyceps sinensis is the most well known species, famous for its powerful medicinal properties. When people use the term “Cordyceps” they are often referring to sinensis. It is commonly called the caterpillar fungus, due to the fact that it uses the insect as a host before eventually fruiting from its head. You can clearly see the caterpillar in images of harvested sinensis.

Cordyceps sinensis is found in Asia, tucked in between the Himalayas on the Tibetan plateau. The fruiting body of the fungus has evaded attempts at successful commercial cultivation and is therefore highly prized. It is getting harder and harder to find, causing conflicts in the areas where it is harvested and bringing the price up to insane valuations. For example, the price has risen from about $5 per gram in the late ‘90s to upwards of $72 per gram today! If you find a supplement that claims to include C. sinensis, it is most likely just not true. The demands for supplemental Cordyceps today are just too high to rely on wild harvested Cordyceps sinensis- and using the fungus in this way is unsustainable both ecologically and economically.

Cordyceps Mycelium Cs-4

Cordyceps sinensis mycelium can in fact be cultivated as a way to get the benefits of the mushroom without the astronomical cost and high ecological impact of wild harvesting the fruiting bodies. There is a lot of research to show that this mycelium, known as Cs-4, does indeed contain the same active compounds as the wild Cordyceps fruiting body- if grown properly. There are a couple of different ways you can produce cordyceps mycelium- with the two methods yielding massively different results.  

Cs-4 Grown as Liquid Culture

The best way to produce Cs-4 (really the only way to do it right) is to grow the mycelium in a nutrient-rich liquid culture. Picture large fermentation tanks, with the strands of mycelium suspended in a liquid, rapidly growing and expanding. Once the mycelium has expanded as much as it can, it is pulled out of the liquid, dried, and pulverized into a powder that is 100% pure mycelium. Producing Cs-4 in this manner will ensure that the end product has a compound profile that is similar to that of wild harvested fruiting bodies.  

Cs-4 Grown as Mycelium on Grain

A cheaper, but way less effective way to produce Cs-4 is to grow the mycelium out on grain, similar to the production of grain spawn as done in commercial mushroom farming operations. Once the mycelium has colonized the grain, the grain is pulverized and dried- without first separating the mycelium from the grain! This results in an end product that is mostly starch, not anything closely resembling pure mycelium. Of course, there will still be most of the same beneficial compounds as in the pure mycelium, but in significantly lower concentrations. Supplement producers that use this method of cultivation usually don’t list the actual amount of beneficial compounds on the product. You can spot this by watching out for “myceliated brown rice” or something similar in the supplement facts.

Evidence and Research

So, fair enough- Cordyceps seems to be used widely in order to improve health in a number of different ways. But what are some actual examples? What evidence is there to back this up?  

Traditional Use

Cordyceps mushrooms are highly sought after by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, with recorded use of the fungus going back over 500 years! It has been used as a treatment or aid for an incredible variety of ailments; from kidney and lung problems to cancer and heart disease. Often, it is used as a way to stimulate the immune system, allowing the body to heal itself. Cordyceps sinensis is thought of as having a good balance of yin and yang, due to the fact that it is half caterpillar and half fungus.

Improving the Immune System

Like many other medicinal mushrooms, Cordyceps contain high levels of Beta-D-Glucans, a compound shown to act as a “biological response modifier”. When the immune system is overreacting, as is the case with allergies and other auto-immune diseases, Cordyceps can help calm it down. On the other hand, if the immune system is weak, the mushroom can have the opposite effect, kicking the immune system into gear to help fend off disease. Several studies have been done which show this to be true for Beta-D-Glucan containing mushrooms in general and Cordyceps in particular. This ability to “modulate” the immune system can also have other effects, such as reducing tumor growth. Studies have shown that Cordyceps extracts have a toxic effect on tumor cells, while at the same time, not damaging healthy cells.  

Another study set out to show the effect of Cordyceps on physical endurance by giving a supplemental dose to rats over a period of 15 days and monitoring their ability to swim. The study showed that the group using cordyceps was able to increase their swim times by upwards of 20 minutes- a substantial improvement. Cordyceps has also shown to help people with chronic fatigue syndrome and depression. This could very well be linked to increased delivery of oxygen, the same reason why cordyceps helps increase stamina and endurance.

Cordyceps for ATP and Energy Production

ATP is the base unit of energy in the body. It is the currency which your body uses in order to carry out any function at the cellular level. Without ATP, you wouldn’t move. Adenosine, a precursor to ATP is found in high levels in Cordyceps militaris. By increasing the availability of adenosine, Cordyceps can help overall ATP production, allowing for increased energy production. This has the potential to give athletes and weightlifters that extra boost of energy during exercise.  

Cordycepin

Cordycepin is a derivative of adenosine, known to be toxic to some cancer cells while also showing antidepressant effects. Although it is now produced synthetically, it was initially extracted from Cordyceps militaris. There are currently active clinical trials using cordycepin to fight leukemia.  

Cordyceps Supplements

Of course, with all the incredible reported and well researched benefits of Cordyceps, many forms of Cordyceps supplementation are available. There can be a lot of misleading information in this regard, so be sure to carefully read what you are actually getting when looking at supplements, and do your best to find a reputable supplier.  

How Supplements are Made

Generally, Cordyceps supplements will either be made from Cordyceps sinensis mycelium, known as Cs-4, or commercially cultivated Cordyceps militaris. If it’s Cs-4, the mycelium is grown in large fermentation tanks before being dried and pulverized. The end result is a 100% pure mycelium product that is very similar to actual C. sinensis in terms of chemical make-up and quantity of beneficial compounds. The only problem with Cs-4 is that it can be hard to be sure that you are getting what you think you are getting, as identification without actually fruiting the mushroom can be difficult. Ensure your source of Cs-4 is from a reputable supplier. If the supplement is Cordyceps militaris, this likely means that the actual fruiting body was grown and harvested. Often, the fruiting body will then go through a hot water extraction drawing out the beneficial compounds, before finally being spray dried to produce a fine mushroom extract powder.  

Things to Look Out For

Often, when cordyceps supplements are produced in the USA, the mycelium is grown out on grain such as brown rice or rye. This grain is then pulverized and turned into a dry powder, and the mushroom is never fruited. Unfortunately, unlike C. militaris fruiting body or 100% pure Cs-4 mycelium, the end result of mycelium on grain is a product that can be as high as 65% starch. This is because the Cordyceps mycelium fails to fully break down the grain, resulting in a large percentage of grain in the final product. It is usually obvious if this technique is used, as the ingredients list will show the presence of “myceliated brown rice” or similar.

For the most part, if your supplement claims to use C. sinensis, you are likely getting a mycelium on grain product. Even C. militaris supplements can be misleading. Be sure to check your package or even follow up with the supplier to ensure that you are not getting a high starch product.  

FreshCap Cordyceps

FreshCap mushrooms now sells a 100% pure Cordyceps militaris extract supplement. We use nothing but the whole mushroom fruiting body in our supplements, and all the beneficial compounds are analytically tested for. That is rare in a mushroom supplement!

Ways to Consume Cordyceps

Cordyceps supplements will come in either a powder form or a pill form. The powders can easily be added to smoothies, protein shakes, or even coffee or tea. The taste is pretty mild, and won’t have a huge impact on the enjoyment of your beverages either way. A serving of 1 gram of Cordyceps powder is typical, but check the package to see what is recommended for your particular supplement.

Potential Side Effects

Like any other powerful medicinal supplement, cordyceps can have potential negative side effects. You may want to consult your doctor before taking any supplement, and cordyceps is no exception. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it would be best to stay on the safe side and avoid cordyceps altogether. Other potential complications can arise from people who suffer from auto-immune diseases. Although Cordyceps is thought to be an immune modulator, it is possible that its effect on the immune system could worsen certain conditions. If you have any doubts, talk to a doctor or qualified medical professional before undergoing any supplementation regime.  

Cordyceps For the Win!

With the ability to boost your immune system, increase your energy and stamina and a host of other benefits, it’s no wonder why cordyceps mushroom supplementation has exploded in popularity in recent years. Getting the right supplement from a reputable supplier could potentially yield incredible positive effects on your overall vitality. It just might be right for you. References:

1. Tuli, Hardeep Singh & Sandhu, Sardul & Sharma, Anil. (2013). Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Cordyceps with special reference to Cordycepin. 3 Biotech. 4. 10.1007/s13205-013-0121-9. (read...)
2. Chen, Steve & Li, Zhaoping & Krochmal, Robert & Abrazado, Marlon & Kim, Woosong & Cooper, Christopher. (2010). Effect of Cs-4 (R) (Cordyceps sinensis) on Exercise Performance in Healthy Older Subjects: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 16. 585-90. 10.1089/acm.2009.0226. (read...)
3. D Vasiljevic, Jovana & Zivkovic, Lada & Cabarkapa, Andrea & Bajic, Vladan & Djelić, Ninoslav & Spremo-Potparevic, Biljana. (2016). Cordyceps sinensis: Genotoxic Potential in Human Peripheral Blood Cells and Antigenotoxic Properties Against Hydrogen Peroxide by Comet Assay. Alternative therapies in health and medicine. 22. 14-21. (read...)
4. Chen, Steve & Li, Zhaoping & Krochmal, Robert & Abrazado, Marlon & Kim, Woosong & Cooper, Christopher. (2010). Effect of Cs-4 (R) (Cordyceps sinensis) on Exercise Performance in Healthy Older Subjects: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 16. 585-90. 10.1089/acm.2009.0226. (read...)
5. Hsu, Chia-Hsiu & Sun, Hai-Lun & Sheu, Ji-Nan & Ku, Min-Sho & Hu, Chun-Ming & Chan, You & Lue, Ko-Huang. (2008). Effects of the Immunomodulatory Agent Cordyceps militaris on Airway Inflammation in a Mouse Asthma Model. Pediatrics and neonatology. 49. 171-8. 10.1016/S1875-9572(09)60004-8. (read...)
6. Manabe, N & Azuma, Y & Sugimoto, M & Uchio-Yamada, Kozue & Miyamoto, M & Taketomo, N & Tsuchita, H & Miyamoto, Henry. (2000). Effects of the mycelial extract of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on in vivo hepatic energy metabolism and blood flow in dietary hypo ferric anaemic mice. The British journal of nutrition. 83. 197-204. 10.1017/S0007114500000258. (read...)