Cordyceps Sinensis
Chinese Name Dong Chong Xia Cao 冬虫夏草
Latin Name Cordyceps sinensis (Berk)
Other Names Chinese Caterpillar Fungus, Cordyceps “Winter worm, summer grass”, Ophiocordyceps sinensis,
Used Part Fruit Bodies
Specification Full Spectrum Extract Powder; Polysaccharides
Category: Medicinal Mushrooms Tags: Kidney, Lung
Cordyceps sinensis is considered a medicinal mushroom that increases energy, stimulates the immune system, and acts as an overall tonic to the body. It is one of the more famous Chinese herbs, but has only gained attention in the West over the last few decades.
Brief History
There are fossils that indicate the action of cordyceps has been present in nature for over 48 million years! In ancient China, cordyceps was always referred to as “the animal that turned into a plant and back to animal again,” but it wasn’t till a group of yak herders witnessed its effects on their herd that it was considered for human consumption. These herders saw that after their yaks had consumed the vegetation containing this fungus, not only were they stronger, more resistant to the high altitudes, healthier, and lived longer, but their mating had become more productive and frequent. After putting two and two together, one brave herdsman experimented for himself, and after seeing the remarkable effects cordyceps had on their stamina, immune functions, and sexual drives, it spread like wildfire and became the hottest herbal commodity in the country.
Cordyceps is one of the oldest Chinese remedies to boost the immune system, fight disease and fatigue, promote more energy, and induce vitality! This herb increases the natural killer cells in your body that help to treat, protect, and prevent harmful activity in the body- whether it be from sickness, disease, stress, free radicals, or other environmental pollutants. The polysaccharide content is also a key factor in not only the strengthening of the immune system, but also the powerful anti-oxidant properties, which in turn, help to slow oxidation and aging of the body. Cordyceps is highly effective in attacking the pathogens that take harmful action on your immune system. It is a leading herb for its energy supplementation, with no contradictions like those you would get with herbs like ginseng. Cordyceps is used as an energy tonic, for sustainable and lasting natural energy, without affecting the heart, as it is used in some cases to nurture and treat the heart. This is truly indicative of cordyceps amazing adaptogenic qualities, making it one of the safest and most effective herbs on the planet, providing absolutely no side effects, as it is naturally non-toxic.
In the 1993 Summer Olympics in Beijing, nine world records were broken in the women’s track and field, all by the Chinese team. This was record-breaking in and of itself, so naturally, they were issued urine tests to ensure the use of steroids or other illegal athletic enhancers were not present. To much disbelief, it was an all-natural win, and when the coach was questioned as to how her team managed to accomplish such a feat, she replied it was due to their “rigorous training schedule, their passionate commitment to track and field, and a secret elixir made from Cordyceps. Now what does that tell you? Energize and Revitalize with ATP: (adenosine tri-phosphate) Recent research has confirmed that consuming cordyceps can be seen to increase both cellular ATP and oxygen utilization. ATP is the molecule that releases energy into our cells. Though we get our energy from proteins and different food sources we ingest, without ATP, the energy would be useless. With more cellular ATP and better oxygen utilization, you are provided with more fuel to burn and more oxygen to fuel it. These harmoniously combine to provide amazing results in physical performance. For athletes or anyone who is physically active, this provides an upgrade in your exercise. This could affect your day-to-day alone, providing more natural and usable energy, making cordyceps a leader in fatigue fighting.
Sex Cells
When the tribe’s people from Nepal and Tibet took their herds to the high mountains to graze in spring, they noticed after consuming this fungus, their goats and yaks were chasing each other around in a playful manner and “lustful intent.” After personal investigations ensued, very similar effects had been drawn from the tribe’s people as well. Cordyceps has been seen to increase more arterial blood flow, allowing the kidney yin chi to flow and helping to build the yang jing, or sexual essence. It has been used for centuries in China as a sexual tonic. Researches have determined that cordyceps stimulates activity in the body similar to that of natural sex hormones in both men and women.
Cordyceps is truly a comprehensive and diverse tonic herb. It’s been shown to increase lung function, through both altitude stress-resistance and general oxygen utilization; nourish the kidney, by increasing 17-hydroxy-corticosteroid and 17-ketosteroid levels and SOD levels, which help prevent the cells from oxidation (or aging) Beyond the physical connection to these organs, cordyceps adopts a more efficient circulation of chi throughout your whole body, which can be seen in an increase in brainpower, a strengthening to your skeletal system, a greater efficiency in healing, a resistance to stress and environmental pollutants, and an all-around attributing factor to your longevity.
TCM Tradition
Taste & Property
Sweet, Warm
Organ Meridians
Lung, Kidney
TCM Functions
Tonifies the Kidneys, strengthens Yang and augments Jing
– Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence, and sore and weak lower back and lower extremities
– Kidney Jing Deficiency
– Kidney Yin Deficiency
Nourishes Lung Yin, transforms Phlegm and stops bleeding
– Lung Yin Deficiency with chronic cough and wheezing
– Consumptive coughs with Blood-streaked sputum
– Asthma due to Kidney and Lung Deficiencies
Supplement Facts:
Ingredients: 20:1 Cordyceps Mushroom Extract*
Other Ingredients: None
Container Size: 3.6 oz. | 100 grams
Serving Size: 1/4 - 1 teaspoon
Directions: Add 1/4 – 1 teaspoon to 8 oz of hot water. Mix and enjoy.
* This powder is a CONCENTRATED EXTRACT, this means that the active constituents are extracted from the herb and then concentrated to a 20:1 ratio. The ratio means that 20 pounds of whole herb is concentrated down into one pound of extract.
The information on this website is not intended to replace the advice of your health practitioner. If you believe you are experiencing a medical or health problem please seek the assistance of a qualified health professional.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.