From Nature to Nurture — Our NutriCeps Promise

Medicinal Benefits of Cordyceps Militaries

2/6/20252 min read

Cordyceps militaries is a fungus that grows on caterpillars in the high mountains of China. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat a variety of health conditions, including respiratory problems, kidney problems, sexual problems, and anemia.

In the past few years, cordyceps has gained a lot of popularity as a dietary supplement. People believe that it offers various health benefits, such as:

  • Improved athletic performance

  • Increased energy levels

  • Reduced fatigue

  • Enhanced immune system function

  • Improved lung function

  • Reduced inflammation

  • Slowed aging

What are the reasons behind Cordyceps’ reputation as a superfood?

Cordyceps has gained a reputation as a superfood due to several reasons. It is believed to offer various health benefits, such as improved athletic performance, increased energy levels, enhanced immune system function, reduced inflammation, and potential anti-aging effects. These qualities have contributed to its status as a sought-after dietary addition for overall well-being.

Now, if you’re convinced that cordyceps should be part of your daily health routine, there are two ways to consume it. For the adventurous individuals, Cordyceps Munchables by Dragon Herbs are an option.

These dried cordyceps can be enjoyed as a crunchy snack or infused in hot water for a tonic-like drink. Alternatively, for those who prefer a simpler approach, cordyceps supplements are available in various herbal blends, such as Adaptogen Energizer.

Cordyceps is a medicinal ingredient that is used in medicines

Cordyceps, a type of medicinal mushroom, has a long history of use in Asia for its therapeutic properties. It is known as “winter-worm summer-grass” because it grows parasitically on insects and spiders during winter and forms fruiting bodies in summer. Cordyceps can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia, including the subalpine regions of the Himalayas in India.

In western Nepal, Cordyceps sinensis is traditionally used to treat various ailments such as diarrhea, headache, cough, rheumatism, and liver disease. It has gained popularity and is often referred to as “Himalayan Viagra” or “Himalayan Gold” due to its perceived value. However, the large-scale collection of wild Cordyceps is challenging as it requires specific conditions for growth and has a small size.

In recent years, there has been a significant decrease in the wild occurrence of Cordyceps due to exploitation. Efforts are being made to cultivate it artificially using fermentation techniques. Cordyceps contains pharmacologically active compounds, including Cordycepin, which has received considerable attention due to its wide-ranging biological activity. It affects biochemical and molecular processes such as purine biosynthesis, DNA/RNA synthesis, and mTOR signaling

Potential Benefits of Cordyceps Based on Early Research

  • Kidney damage caused by the drug amikacin

  • Asthma (reducing symptoms in adults, but inconclusive results in children)

  • Chemotherapy (improving quality of life and treatment tolerance)

  • Kidney damage caused by the drug cyclosporine (in kidney transplant patients)

  • Hepatitis B (improving liver function, but potentially less effective than other herbs)

  • Decreasing fatigue

  • Cough

  • Bronchitis

  • Breathing disorders

  • Heart arrhythmias

  • High cholesterol

  • Liver disorders

  • Dizziness

  • Weakness

  • Ringing in the ears

  • It is important to acknowledge that further research is necessary to determine the efficacy of cordyceps for these particular purposes. Moreover, individuals should be aware that cordyceps may have potential side effects, including exacerbation of symptoms in autoimmune diseases, heightened risk of bleeding during surgical procedures, and slower blood clotting in those with bleeding disorders.