Top 5 Medicinal Benefits of Cordyceps Mushrooms

Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus that primarily lives on insects within high elevation areas of the Chinese mountain regions. The Cordyceps has long been used as a medicinal mushroom in Chinese and Tibetan medicine.

While there are over 400 recorded species of Cordyceps, only two of them have garnered attention for their medicinal properties: Sinensis and Militaris.

Trying to find Cordyceps in natural form will be a difficult task, because it is usually only found at elevations of 4500ft or above—making it very difficult to source.

However, since it’s very easy to grow in a laboratory, there’s a constant supply of it in supplement form for anyone to buy.

NusaPure makes a wonderful Non-GMO & Gluten Free supplement called Cordyceps Extract 1000mg

5 Medicinal Benefits of Cordyceps

Cordyceps has numerous beneficial effects on the human body. However, most of the research so far has yielded results from animal or vitro testing, so it’s hard to measure the effectiveness of its medicinal value for humans.

Below is a list of potential benefits that Cordyceps mushrooms can offer us.

1. Reduce Fatigue from Physical Exertion

Research studies using both animals and human trials have provided evidence that Cordyceps has a significant effect on fighting physical fatigue.

One Chinese study done by their Department of Physical Education, researchers looked at the effects of Polysaccharide from Cordyceps militaris using mice in a forced swimming exercise.

The results showed that the fungus could significantly prolong the swimming time of mice before they became fatigued.  The main medicinal benefits were that it:

• decreased serum lactic acid, creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase, malondialdehyde, and urea nitrogen
• increased liver and muscle glycogen
• increased concentrations of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione per-oxidase

Another study using human participants looked at the fitness level (VO2 Max) during and after running using a supplement extract of Cordyceps Sinensis.

Researchers found significant results of anti-fatigue, faster recovery time, and higher energy levels of those taking the supplement during the testing.

The extract powder supplement is called: Cordyceps Cs-4

2. Anti-Aging Effects

Traditional Chinese medicine has long proclaimed that Cordyceps Sinensis is the herb of anti-aging. Scientists now have confirmed these early claims to be true.

For example, one study using mice showed how they lived up to 210 days longer using the supplement Cs-4 (mentioned above) than those receiving a placebo.

Another research study looked at how Cordyceps Sinensis faired against cell damage from free radicals. The results were quite astounding to say the least.

Researchers observed changes to DNA-damaged cells in as fast as 15 minutes with a maximum effectiveness in 45 minutes following an application of CS. Cordyceps antioxidant properties are able to stimulate DNA repair at the molecular level.

Another anti-aging activity of polysaccharides is in its ability to protect the powerhouse of our cells: the mitochondria.

The results of one research study showed that Cordyceps Militaris could actually inhibit mitochondrial injury in mice liver.

The findings indicated that Cordyceps protects the mitochondria by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), stopping cellular swelling, and increasing activities of antioxidases.

It’s fair to say that these findings could potentially be allocated to work effectively for the human body as well. Further research will be able to confirm this.

3. Boosts Brain Function and Sex Drive

The Chinese have used Cordyceps extract to boost brain function and erectile dysfunction among their elderly for centuries. Scientists have confirmed these assumptions in lab studies using mice.

D-galactose (D-Gal) is a main component of brain senescence (brain cell death), which is a main cause of aging issues like memory loss and dementia. Being able to rescue or reverse the accumulation of D-Gal is critical to extending the time period in which our brain functions normally.

One study using Cordyceps Militaris extract measured the effects it would have against mice induced with D-Gal. Findings indicated that the extract significantly increased potent antioxidant activities within the cerebral cortices to counter memory impairment and learning deficiencies within the mice.

Other animal research used Cordyceps Sinensis extract to measure its effects against sexual and senile testicular dysfunction in mice.

One study evaluated the sexual function in rats by measuring penis erection delay, mounting delay, and ejaculation delay. The extract appeared to reduce the delay in erection and mount timing.

Another study investigated senile testicular dysfunction in rats using the effects of cordycepin, an active compound found in Cordyceps Militaris. Findings indicate that there is therapeutic value in using cordycepin to restore aged-related male sexual dysfunction in mice.

A great herbal supplement on the market is by Aloha Medicinals called Cordyceps Supports Energy & Performance

4. Potential Tumor and Cancer Fighting Properties

More recent finding using Cordyceps had increased the focus of researchers toward potential anti-tumor and anti-cancer therapeutic uses.

One research study noted how C. Sinensis and C. Militaris show significant anti-cancer activities my inducing cell apoptosis and modulating the immune system. Using an orally administered cordycepin compound inhibited melanoma cell growth in mice without any adverse side effects.

Another study showed the antitumor effects of Cordyceps extract on mice induced with melanoma cells, lymphoma, and lung cancer. All had positive results of cell apoptosis without any harmful effects like that of chemotherapy.

Cancer is one of the most difficult medical diseases confronting the medical community today. Test tube and animal studies are suggesting that Cordyceps mushroom extracts may have the potential to not only treat various types of cancer, but to also attack the myriad of side effects those undergo during cancer treatments.

5. Positively Affects Cholesterol Levels

Cordyceps may also have a significantly good effect on our cholesterol levels. Several research studies have showed positive total cholesterol (TC) effects from administering Cordycepin compound taken from the extract.

One animal study looked at the hypocholesterolemic effect of cultured mycelia of C. Sinensis within a fermenter. Findings showed changes in the HDL and VLDL +LDL cholesterol levels that consequently decreased the atherogenic value (reducing the chances of excessive fatty plaques building up in arteries).

Another study using hamsters and rats looked at the lipid-lowering effect of cordycepin (3’deoxyadenosine) from Cordyceps militaris. Findings concluded that the fungus extract did indeed have a  lipid-lowering effect by reducing:

• TG
• LDL-c
• VLDL-c
• Serum TC
• TC/HDL-c ratios

TG or Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are a type of fat within our blood. High levels of this TG are associated with a risk of heart disease.

We recommend this supplement for maximum effect: Organic All Natural Cordyceps Mushroom

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Conclusion

More recent studies have validated many of the traditional claims of healers using Cordyceps in China and Tibet for centuries.

While much of the research that has been recorded so far has either been in vitro (test tube) or with animals, there are many ongoing human trials being done.

The top 5 medicinal benefits mentioned above indicate significant potential for C. Sinensis and C. Militaris extract to have serious impact on future medical practice.

From fighting different types of cancer to lowering cholesterol levels, Cordyceps has an abundance of medicinal properties to offer us in order to live a healthier, possibly longer, life.