All About Cordyceps
What is Cordyceps?
Cordyceps is a genus of medicinal, parasitic fungi belonging to the sac fungi family it includes more than 600 species. All of these fungi are endoparasitoids which means the fungi lives inside its prey and eventually kills it while feeding on it to sustain the fungi’s’ growth. Cordyceps prey mainly on insects and arthropods. The name Cordyceps comes from the Latin words; cord which means “cub” and ceps which means “head”. The most popular species is the Cordyceps sinensis which is the short form of Ophiocordyceps sinensis.
Cordyceps sinensis
Cordyceps sinensis is a medicinal fungus that stands out above all the cordyceps. This medicinal mushroom is also known as caterpillar fungus, caterpillar mushroom, winter worm, aweto, chong cao, yartsa gunbu, yatsa gunbu, Yartsa Guenboob, and keera jhar. Its popularity is due to its value as a supplement packed with lots of medicinal benefits.
This species of cordyceps can be found on China, Nepal, Tibet, India, and Bhutan. The name caterpillar mushroom is due to the fact that Cordyceps sinensis is prone to having a parasitic relationship mostly with moths, especially the larva of the ghost moth. The fungus germinates on the larva of the moth and then grows inside the insect until it burst its way out, and in the process preserving the insects’ body. Cordyceps sinensis, for centuries, has been harvested in the Tibetan plateau and the shrub lands of the Himalayas. They are found in abundance in altitudes of 3000 and 5000 meters.
The popularity of this species is largely due to an event that took place during the national games in Beijing. Three athletic runners that broke 5 world records attribute the feat as the result of taking Cordyceps sinensis. This prompted a huge interest for cordyceps in markets of the western world. In Tibet, the harvesting of cordyceps has become a very important source of income for Tibetans. The annual harvest of cordyceps in the Tibetan plateau is estimated to be around 100 to 200 tons. That’s a lot of cordyceps. Because of its great value there has been conflict between villages of fungi harvesters.
In china, the fungus is called “chong cao” and has been used in Chinese traditional medicine since the 7th century, during the reign of the Tang dynasty. It is reputed to have been used by Chinese royalty and elites alongside other Chinese herbal medicines like the popular ginseng.
Why Take Cordyceps?
● Increased Libido and Fertility
Cordyceps can increase the libido or sexual drive in both men and women. Cordyceps has the ability to increase the production of the hormones associated with human sexuality and fertility. Increasing the levels of testosterone in the body, cordyceps not only improves the sexual drive among men but also helps the reproductive organs produce a healthy supply of reproductive cells in both men and women, thus increasing the chance of conception.
● Strengthens the Immune System
Cordyceps helps in revitalizing old cells and promoting cellular activity. This gives the cells a good chance in fighting toxins and other foreign particles inside the body. Cordyceps also helps in achieving a restful sleep that will make for a stronger immune system. The defensive cells of the immune system like the white blood cells or leukocytes are strengthened by cordyceps to help it fight-off common viruses and bacteria. This is why cordyceps is a promising prospect in the fight against dreaded sickness like leukemia. Cordyceps also brings relief to those who suffer from the symptoms of chronic asthma, bronchitis and the common cold. This is achieved by the help of cordyceps in lessening the inflammation of the bronchial walls.
● Anti-Stress
In strengthening the respiratory system, cordyceps helps proper distribution of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, which in turn prevents common symptoms of chronic fatigue, stress and depression. Cordyceps ability to promote good sleep also has a role in fighting stress both physically and mentally.
● Healthy Heart
By taking cordyceps, a healthy blood flow is achieved. This is due to cordyceps chemicals preventing blood pressure to go beyond the normal levels, and by reducing the chance of developing hypertension; it provides good working condition for the heart. The good blood flow induced by cordyceps brings relief to people who experience back pain due to poor blood circulation, also this will make utilization of cholesterol in the blood more efficient and in turn bringing it to normal levels. With all of these benefits that cordyceps provide for the heart and cholesterol levels, the chance for heart attacks and stroke are lessened.
● Healthy Liver and Kidney
Traditional Chinese medicine, for centuries, has been utilizing cordyceps ability to ensure a healthy liver. Symptoms of liver diseases like hepatitis are reduced by reducing inflammation of the organ. If a healthy liver is achieved, overall health improvement is to be expected. This is because the liver will then be able to do its job effectively, jobs like filtering of toxins and unhealthy substances that are very harmful to the body especially if allowed to accumulate for a long period of time. A healthy kidney would also mean that the other organs of the body would be receiving adequate nutrition; this is of course only when one has a healthy diet to begin with.
Cordyceps Supplements
Cordyceps Sinensis supplements are sold and promoted mostly online. They are commonly processed into tablets that are convenient to consume. Things to consider in buying cordyceps supplement: 1.) is it pure cordyceps? One must be careful of those supplements with added extenders that pose as real cordyceps as they will surely not produce the same results that a pure one will. 2.) Has the product been tested in a laboratory? This will also ensure that the cordyceps content is genuine.3.) Is the company offering the product reputable? Always remember to read reviews to see if the specific product you’ll be getting will actually work and if the seller has a good reputation. Lastly, always consult a physician when in doubt of one’s medical conditions like when extremely ill or when expecting a baby. After all, improving one’s health is the desired goal in taking the health supplement.
