Let’s talk about the world’s most valued and popular medicinal mushroom, which has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine: Cordyceps.
Among the 400 species of Cordyceps mushrooms, there are two that are most widely used: Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris. Cordyceps sinensis is apparently the most famous, rare, and expensive fungus, going at a whopping rate of around $20,000 per kg, and it is difficult to grow them in labs. However, the Cordyceps militaris mushrooms grow in many regions of the world (meaning they are less rare) and can also be grown in labs under controlled conditions, making them more affordable at ₹1.5–2 lakh per kg.
In the strict sense of the word, “Cordyceps” is the name of a type of parasitic fungi (sac fungi) that attacks insects. These parasitic fungi attack their host insect and mummify it. The host insect’s tissues are replaced, and long, slender stems (which have been called mushrooms) grow out of the body. These stems are then cultivated, dried, ground into a powder, and used as medicine.
About Cordyceps Sinensis
The Cordyceps sinensis variety is endemic to the Himalayan and Tibetan plateaus. However, it is found in China, Bhutan, Nepal, and India. Other types of Cordyceps mushrooms can grow from a variety of insects, but the Cordyceps sinensis grows mostly from the ghost moth. It’s also known as yarsa gumba, keera jhar, or keeda jadi. In China, Cordyceps sinensis is known as Dn Chón Xià Cao, which means “summer grass, winter worm.” These prized mushrooms can be harvested for only a few weeks, or at most a month or two every year.
They have been considered endangered, and there are multiple checks and balances on their harvesting across countries. Global warming means the conditions aren’t as suitable for the mushrooms to grow as they were earlier. To be clear, it isn’t the ghost moth caterpillars that are endangered, but the mushrooms that grow out of these caterpillars.
About Cordyceps Militaris
However, most Cordyceps supplements available in markets are made from the Cordyceps militaris variety of mushrooms. They have more varieties of host insects, are easier to grow in labs, and provide almost the same health benefits as Cordyceps Sinensis. They both function in a similar way when it comes to controlling their host insects, too.
In the US, Cordyceps militaris goes by the name of “Scarlet Club Fungus” or “Caterpillar Killer.” It is also known as “The Puppet Master” because of how it turns its host literally into a puppet and uses its body to grow.
Why you should include Cordyceps Mushrooms in your Diet?
Here are a few health benefits that Cordyceps mushrooms are known to provide:
- They may Enhance Libido and Overall Sexual Health: Cordyceps sinensis is known as the “Viagra of the Himalayas.” Studies suggest that they may positively affect androgen and testosterone levels in men and increase sperm motility (movement and speed) and overall sperm count. They have been used as aphrodisiacs for both men and women in traditional Chinese medicine.
- They may Help Fight Inflammation: The beta-glucans (fibers) found in Cordyceps are said to help the body fight off free radicals. Free radicals are a type of unstable molecule that can build up in cells and lead to damage to other important molecules like DNA, lipids, and proteins. This may weaken immunity and lead to a whole host of diseases, including cancer and heart diseases.
- They may Improve Exercise Performance and Recovery: Cordyceps are thought to enhance aerobic capacity and respiration. They are used by athletes and sportspeople. If one doesn’t use stimulants like, say, caffeine before working out and instead uses Cordyceps, then their respiratory capacity and stamina can increase. Cordyceps are also said to support a healthy metabolism, increase energy levels, and increase blood flow.
- They may Help With Type 2 Diabetes: When there is an imbalance in sugar levels, it can affect kidney health. So far, the studies have been successful on animals, and more research on humans is needed to see how these mushrooms help maintain healthy sugar levels in humans. In a study done on male Wistar rats in 2004, the results revealed that the fruiting body of Cordyceps (the stem) lessened the diabetes-induced weight loss, polydipsia (abnormally great thirst), and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). These improvements observed in rats suggest that Cordyceps can potentially help with diabetes.
Cordyceps are also said to protect kidney health and have antioxidant effects.
- They may Promote Heart Health: In studies done on animals, Cordyceps mushrooms have been noted to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. It is said that the various compounds present in Cordyceps help with heart health. In China, they are used to help with regular heart rhythm.
- They may Enhance Mood: Cordyceps are said to help relieve occasional stress, though not chronic stress. Some research has been done on the topic, but there isn’t a strong body of evidence to support this benefit. Cordyceps mushrooms are considered a stimulating adaptogen. In herbal medicine, an adaptogen is a natural substance that helps the body adapt to stress. There are two types of adaptogens, stimulating and calming. Cordyceps helps the body adapt to stress by giving it more energy.
In traditional Chinese medicine, cordyceps are also used to treat lung and respiratory issues, night-time urination, anemia, liver-related health issues, and dizziness. They are also used as medicine to prevent aging, weight loss, and weakness.
One should be careful not to take cordyceps without the advice of trained medical practitioners.
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