What is cordyceps? Its properties and benefits
Cordyceps is a parasitic mushroom found around the world. Some rare species can withstand extreme conditions and grow at high altitude, particularly in the Himalayas across China, Nepal, Tibet, and India. According to legend, a shepherd first discovered these mushrooms after noticing his animals became more energetic after eating them. Thanks to its long-standing reputation around energy and vitality, cordyceps has been prized in Asia for centuries and is sometimes called "brown gold."
How It's Used
The daily amount depends on the specific product and its concentration, capsule products are typically taken at 1–2 capsules a day. Many people take it around 30 minutes before meals, or afterward if they have a sensitive stomach.
Some take a first dose in the morning and a second around midday, since cordyceps is traditionally associated with energy, and an evening dose might interfere with sleep for some people.
Cordyceps can be combined with other mushrooms, such as chanterelles or red fly agaric. People who want to use it regularly often do so over several months at a time, followed by a break.
Biological Description
Cordyceps belongs to the Clavicipitaceae family and looks like a caterpillar, which is why it's called "Dong Chong Xia Cao" in China, translating to "insect in winter, plant in summer." The fungus is a parasite on insects, entering their bodies and gradually taking over the host.
Where Cordyceps Grows
This fungus grows at altitudes of 3,000 to 5,000 meters in the Himalayas, particularly in Tibet and Sikkim, parasitizing butterflies, dragonflies, and ants. The spore first infects the insect, then develops inside its body, gradually replacing its internal tissue. Once the insect dies, the fungus emerges from its body and releases spores.
Varieties of Cordyceps
There are more than 750 species of cordyceps. The best known are:
- Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, known for its distinctive way of infecting ants.
- Cordyceps sinensis is the most sought-after species, rare and traditionally highly valued.
- Cordyceps militaris is an alternative that can be cultivated.
What's in Cordyceps
Cordyceps contains a range of compounds, including:
- essential amino acids
- vitamins (E, C, K, B-group)
- minerals (iron, copper, zinc, calcium)
- antioxidants
- polysaccharides
What the Research Actually Shows
Formal scientific research into Cordyceps sinensis began between 1980 and 2000. Clinical data on its effects in humans still isn't extensive enough to draw firm conclusions, but the results so far, along with animal and in vitro studies, have given researchers reason to keep investigating.
One recurring area of research is cordyceps' effect on physical endurance and oxygen uptake during exercise (VO2max). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Chinese researchers looked at the effect of Cs-4 (a fermentation product derived from a specific Cordyceps sinensis strain) on physical endurance in healthy older adults. Thirty-seven participants took either 3g of Cs-4 daily or a placebo for six weeks. Performance was measured before and after using a cycle ergometer, with VO2max tracked via metabolic testing. The results pointed to improved aerobic capacity, ventilatory function, and fatigue resistance in the Cs-4 group.
A separate randomized trial from 2017 found that Cordyceps militaris increased tolerance to intense exercise after both short-term and longer-term use. In another study, young adults saw their VO2max increase by around 11% compared to a placebo group after three weeks of taking a mushroom blend containing cordyceps. That said, more recent research suggests the effect is more limited in professional athletes specifically, which points to a need for more research to understand exactly how cordyceps influences physical endurance.
Note: this research looks at physical performance in healthy individuals. Cordyceps is not a medicine, and it is not a treatment for cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, or autoimmune conditions. If you have an existing health condition, have had an organ transplant, or are undergoing medical treatment, talk to your doctor before taking cordyceps or any other supplement.
User Experiences
Beyond the exercise-performance research, plenty of people who've used cordyceps supplements report their own experiences: more energy, less fatigue, an improved mood. These are personal accounts, not scientifically established effects.
Forms and Ways to Use Cordyceps
Unlike ordinary culinary mushrooms, cordyceps isn't eaten as food, it's used in various supplement forms instead.
Fresh or Dried Cordyceps
In its natural form, fresh or dried cordyceps can be found in Asian grocery stores. It's typically consumed as a drink, a decoction, or mixed into juice.
Cordyceps Powder
Cordyceps powder can be mixed into water, tea, or food. The flavor can be fairly strong.
Tablets and Capsules
Today, cordyceps is most commonly taken as tablets or capsules. When choosing a product, it's worth paying attention to quality, composition, and whether it contains a meaningful amount of active compounds like adenosine and cordycepic acid, as well as the manufacturer's reputation.
Lab-Grown Cordyceps
Growing demand for cordyceps has led to new cultivation methods, including CS-4, produced in controlled settings designed to mimic natural growing conditions.
Cordyceps at Muhomornya
Convenient forms of cordyceps in our shop include capsules and cordyceps powder.
Cordyceps Militaris Capsules
This supplement contains cordyceps mycelium and fruiting body extract. Order cordyceps mushroom capsules from our online store.
Ground Cordyceps Powder
We offer this product as part of a natural routine for people who are regularly physically active, particularly those managing mental or physical fatigue.
Cordyceps is cultivated on a grain substrate, which makes it a fully plant-based, vegan-friendly product.
