About
Physical Characteristics
Caps:
Small and elongated, club-shaped
Gills:
N/A
Choosing the Right Products
• If it says C. Sinensis, it should be avoided!:
Cordyceps sinensis is only found in the Tibet as it cannot be cultivated reliably. As such, it commands an impressive price. Anything found online with a reasonable price marked C. Sinensis is almost guaranteed to be fake and should be avoided.
Cognitive Effects
Energy
Cordyceps is believed to enhance energy levels by improving cellular energy production and increasing oxygen utilization. It may help combat fatigue and improve stamina, making it popular among athletes and individuals seeking a natural energy boost.
Calm
Studies have shown that Cordyceps may have positive effects on mood and emotional well-being. It is believed to support a healthy stress response and may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Psychoactive Effects
Euphoric
Induces feelings of happiness or excitement
Perceptual
Changes in time perception, spatial perception, and perception of one's own body
Aroused
Cordyceps affects the body's production of the hormone testosterone according to some studies, which might explain its reputation for increasing sexual desire and physical endurance.
Helps With
Fatigue
Helps in reducing feelings of tiredness and lethargy
High Cholesterol
Aids in lowering levels of bad cholesterol in the body
Stress
Cordyceps has adaptogenic properties, meaning it may help the body adapt to and resist the effects of stress. It is believed to support the adrenal glands, which play a role in regulating stress responses, and promote a sense of calm and overall well-being.
Heart Health
Cordyceps is believed to support respiratory health and may help alleviate symptoms of respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
Inflammation
Cordyceps has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce inflammation in the body. It is believed to support the immune system and promote overall health and well-being.
Injury Recovery
Cordyceps is believed to support the immune system and promote overall health and well-being.
Libido
Cordyceps is believed to support the immune system and promote overall health and well-being.
Diabetes
Cordyceps have been found to have anti-diabetic activity due to their polysaccharides and terpenoids.
Oxidative Stress
Cordyceps may help reduce oxidative stress and protect against free radical damage. It is believed to support the immune system and promote overall health and well-being.
Arthritis
Cordyceps may help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of arthritis. It is believed to support the immune system and promote overall health and well-being.
Fertility
Used for centuries to improve fertility in both men and women. It has been associated with increasing levels of progesterone in women
Endurance
The benefits of Cordyceps militaris on endurance are believed to stem from its ability to increase the body’s production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is essential for delivering energy to the muscles during physical activity. This increased ATP production helps improve stamina and delay fatigue, allowing for enhanced performance during prolonged physical exertion.
Potential Side Effects
Upset stomach
Overconsumption can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort
Dry mouth
Can cause a sensation of dryness in the mouth
Medicinal Chemistry
Look Alike Species
Specie:
Cordyceps ophioglossoides
Edibility:
inedible
Differences:
Cordyceps ophioglossoides has a more elongated, slender fruiting body compared to the stout, club-like shape of Cordyceps militaris.
Specie:
Cordyceps ophioglossoides
Edibility:
inedible
Nutrition Facts (Dried)
Mushroom Ratings
4.3
Based on 4 Reviews
5
★4
★3
★2
★1
★Share your thoughts
If you've consumed this mushroom, share your thoughts with our community
07/26/2024
Josh Shearer
1 person found this helpful
07/10/2024
Josh Shearer
07/26/2024
Josh Shearer
07/26/2024
Josh Shearer
Related Mushrooms
Caterpillar Fungus
Cordyceps Sinensis
4
References
Diversity of Host Species and Optimized Cultivation Practices for Enhanced Bioactive Compound Production in Cordyceps militaris
A review on polysaccharide biosynthesis in Cordyceps militaris
Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production—A Review
Apoptotic effect of cordycepin on A549 human lung cancer cell line
Selective extraction of cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris – optimisation, kinetics and equilibrium studies
Structure and hypoglycemic activity of a novel exopolysaccharide of Cordyceps militaris
Isolation and Assessment of a Highly-Active Anti-Inflammatory Exopolysaccharide from Mycelial Fermentation of a Medicinal Fungus Cs-HK1
Cordycepin for Health and Wellbeing: A Potent Bioactive Metabolite of an Entomopathogenic Medicinal Fungus Cordyceps with Its Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Potential
Impact of different fermentation characteristics on the production of mycelial biomass, extra-cellular polysaccharides, intra-cellular polysaccharides, and on the antioxidant activities of Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr. (strains AG-1, PSJ-1)
Immunological Investigation of Polysaccharides from Fermented Cordyceps Cs-4 in Healthy and Immunosuppressed Mice
Abstract Cordyceps militaris, recognized for its diverse and potent medicinal properties, plays a critical role in herbal medicine. This study investigates the genus Cordyceps, particularly focusing on C. militaris, a species widely utilized in East Asian traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. C. militaris is rich in bioactive compounds, including cordycepin, adenosine, polysaccharides, ergosterol, and mannitol, which contribute to its broad physiological activities. The research aims to explore the diversity of host species in the cultivation of C. militaris and assess their impact on the biological activity and chemical composition of the fungus. The study highlights the variability in the efficacy of bioactive compounds due to different cultivation conditions and host species, emphasizing the need for standardized cultivation practices.
2024
Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) is an edible parasitic fungus with medicinal properties. Its bioactive polysaccharides are structurally diverse and exhibit various metabolic and biological activities, including antitumor, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and anti-atherosclerotic effects. These properties make C. militaris-derived polysaccharides a promising candidate for future development. Recent advancements in microbial fermentation technology have enabled successful laboratory cultivation and extraction of these polysaccharides. These polysaccharides are structurally diverse and exhibit various biological activities, such as immunostimulatory, antioxidant, antitumor, hypolipidemic, and anti-atherosclerotic effects.
2024
Medicinal mushrooms, e.g., Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers.), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst.), Chaga (Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát), Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones and Spatafora), Shiitake (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler), and Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd), are considered new-generation foods and are of growing interest to consumers. They are characterised by a high content of biologically active compounds, including (1,3)(1,6)-β-d-glucans, which are classified as dietary fibre, triterpenes, phenolic compounds, and sterols.
2023
Cordycepin, an active ingredient in the insect fungus Cordyceps militaris, is in a category of compounds that exhibit significant therapeutic activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cordycepin on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle in A549 human lung cancer cells. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of cordycepin on A549 cell growth. Apoptotic effect was observed using cell morphology, DAPI staining, and DNA fragmentation studies.
2022
Cordycepin was separated successfully from Cordyceps militaris using extraction with a mixture of ethanol and water. Optimum temperature, composition of ethanol in water, solvent/solid ratio and pH of solvent were determined by a central composite design (CCD) with respect to extraction yield. The highest yield for cordycepin (96%) was predicted by the regression model and validated by comparison with the experimental results, showing good agreement.
2022
A novel neutral exopolysaccharide (EPS-III) was isolated from culture broth of Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris). The EPS-III was a homogeneous polysaccharide with Mw of 1.56 x 10(3) kDa. The yield of EPS-III from culture broth was 123.2 +/- 3.1 mg/L and the sugar content was 93.32 +/- 0.87%. The backbone of EPS-III was mainly consisted of –>4)-alpha-D-Galp-(1–>, while –>3, 6)-alpha-D-Manp-(1–>, –>4)-alpha-D-Manp-(1–>, –>3)-beta-D-Galp-(1–> and –>3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1–> were distributed in the backbone or in the branch chains. The EPS-III had helix structure when dissolved in weak alkaline solution. It also had branched and intertwined form on the surface. The inhibition of alpha-glucosidase significantly increased as the increase of purity of exopolysaccharides.
2021
The purpose of this work was to fractionate the complex exopolysaccharide (EPS) from a medicinal fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis Cs-HK1 based on the molecular weight (MW) range and to assess the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of different EPS fractions in THP-1 cell culture. The lower MW fraction (EPS-LM-1) showed a much higher anti-inflammatory activity. EPS-LM-1 was identified as a heteropolysaccharide consisting of mannose, glucose, and galactose residues with an average MW of 360 kDa. EPS-LM-1 significantly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses with the effective concentrations for 50% inhibition below 5 microg/mL on a few major proinflammatory markers.
2021
Over the past few years, people have shown confidence and trust in naturally occurring food-based products such as nutraceuticals for the treatment or management of various chronic diseases. Medicinal mushrooms have been proved to be very effective against numerous serious ailments. Cordyceps, some of the most important medicinal mushrooms, have been in use in the traditional Chinese medicine system since a long time ago. They are considered an excellent reservoir of various bioactive components, of which cordycepin is believed to have the most nutraceutical potential. Based on several research reports, cordycepin indicates its nutraceutical values by showing possible therapeutic activity against various diseases by modulating a number of cellular signaling pathways due to its redox behavior.
2020
The mycelial biomass, antioxidant activity and production of extra- and intra-cellular polysaccharides production [EPS, IPS] of Cordyceps militaris strains AG-1, PSJ-1 were evaluated under different submerged liquid culture (SLC) conditions. At 24 0 C mycelial biomass and polysaccharide production of AG-1, PSJ-1 was optimal using PVC media and static culture conditions.
2020
Using fermented cordyceps powder Cs-4 as a substitute for natural cordyceps was benefit for life sciences. Therefore, it is of significance to investigate its main pharmacologically-active ingredients. In this work, fermented cordyceps polysaccharides with different molecular weights were isolated and purified. Various factors (i.e. extraction time, extraction power, and pH value) were investigated to obtain the response surface methodology values to most efficiently extract fermented cordyceps polysaccharides (FCP).
2019