Cordyceps militaris is a visually unique, bright orange medicinal mushroom that has gained considerable attention for its potential health benefits and culinary applications. Cordyceps can be found on every land mass on the planet minus Antarctica, with its highest diversity coming from tropical and subtropical regions of the world especially Southeast Asia. Traditionally used in Eastern medicine, this fungus is now the subject of increasing scientific research, which highlights its diverse bioactive compounds and therapeutic properties ranging from their potential anti-aging, immune modulating properties as well as effects of increased athletic performance. Below is a light summary of key findings from recent publications that showcase cordyceps potential effects on health.
What are Cordyceps militaris Mushrooms?
The popular depiction of Cordyceps from documentaries or tv shows is as a “zombie fungus” that takes over host organisms such as ants or other insects in order to eventually take full control of the host organism’s means of locomotion in order to spread the mushroom’s eventual spores from an as advantageous point as possible for the best opportunity for reproduction. That is the basis of which many cordyceps species maintain their population and reproduce in the wild. However, from our experience, the mass cultivation of cordyceps on an insect substrate is easier said than done.
Instead of insects, our cordyceps are grown on a rice based substrate that has been supplemented with additional nutrients. This allows us to grow our cordyceps efficiently and consistently to provide our customers with high quality product whether that’s pure dried cordyceps or our cordyceps derived extracts.
Now let’s take a deeper look into some of the amazing and interesting health aspects that cordyceps have to offer.
Bioactive Compounds and Mechanisms of Action
Cordyceps militaris contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including cordycepin, polysaccharides, alkaloids, nucleotides, statins and peptides, which all contribute to its therapeutic properties. These compounds have been shown to exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immune-modulating effects.
The effects of Cordycepin and other bioactive compounds have been reinforced by a review published in Foods which suggests that they play crucial roles in the fungus's ability to enhance immune responses, reduce oxidative stress, improve lipid profiles and protect from cellular damage. Notably cordycepin has gained significant interest due to its purported antiviral effect on SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID19. This just scratches the surface as to what cordyceps have to offer.
Immune System Support
One of the most studied benefits of Cordyceps militaris is its ability to boost immune function. Several studies, including one published in Frontiers in Pharmacology have shown that Cordyceps militaris can stimulate both innate and adaptive immunity (Type 1 and Type 2) in animal models. This includes increasing the activity of macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, which play critical roles in defending against infections and tumors. Additionally, the researchers point out that polysaccharides found in Cordyceps militaris have been identified as key agents in modulating immune responses, suggesting potential therapeutic applications in immune-related diseases.
Anti-fatigue and Exercise Performance Enhancement
Cordyceps militaris is renowned for its anti-fatigue properties. Research in the Journal of Dietary Supplements demonstrated that supplementation with Cordyceps militaris could improve exercise performance in healthy athletes by enhancing oxygen utilization and reducing fatigue while increasing overall VO2 max after 3 weeks of supplementation versus the placebo group. Results like this have made Cordyceps a popular supplement among those looking to improve physical endurance and boost recovery. The researchers suggest that the underlying mechanism for this effect may involve the fungus's ability to regulate energy metabolism. It contains compounds that act as a precursor to ATP as well as support overall mitochondrial function, which plays a pivotal role in cellular energy production.
Neuroprotection and Anti-aging Effects
In addition to its immune and exercise benefits, Cordyceps militaris has shown potential as a neuroprotective and anti-aging effects. According to research in Frontiers of Pharmacology, the compounds in Cordyceps militaris, particularly its polysaccharides and alkaloids exhibit antioxidant properties that protect neurons and other cells from oxidative damage and reduce neuroinflammation. It has been suggested in the journal of Food Science and Biotechnology that this could help in the prevention of age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases by helping to mitigate the damages of amyloid-beta proteins in the brain, shown in mice with induced Alzheimer's disease.
Metabolic Health
Cordyceps militaris also holds promise in the management of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions. The review published in Foods highlighted the role of Cordyceps militaris in regulating blood sugar levels, improving lipid profiles, and reducing inflammation associated with metabolic syndrome. Its ability to modulate glucose metabolism and reduce oxidative stress may make it a useful adjunctive therapy in the management of type 2 diabetes according to a study in the journal of Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) as shown in the journal Foods .
Cancer Prevention
Additionally, studies in Integrative Cancer Therapies and the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules have explored its anti-cancer potential, suggesting that Cordyceps militaris can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and enhance the effectiveness of conventional cancer treatments. The alkaloids and polysaccharides found in the fungus are believed to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancerous cells while sparing healthy cells and inhibiting the likelihood of future malignancy.
Sexual Health Benefits
Emerging research also suggests that Cordyceps militaris may offer benefits in improving sexual function, particularly in cases of age-related decline. A study in BioMed Research International explored the use of Cordyceps militaris in enhancing libido and treating erectile dysfunction, suggesting that it may help restore sexual health by increasing circulation and hormone production. Further reinforcing a study in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine where they showed an increase in sperm quality, motility as well as testosterone production in animal models.
How to incorporate Cordyceps into your Diet
Cordyceps can be enjoyed in a variety of ways including teas, extracts and even in cooking. We grow all of our own Cordyceps at our farm in Manitoba, and even make Cordyceps extract which is a ready-to-consume concentrated extract.
Not all Mushroom products are made the same
Lots of mushroom products available on the market are deceiving. Most products in North America that are mushroom powders, coffee or extracts come from two sources: USA grown mycelium on grain, or imported Chinese grown fruit body extracts that may not even have any beneficial compounds left in them after being gamma-ray treated and extracted with high heat. When choosing a cordyceps product, look for products that use organic mushrooms and are free from fillers, mycelium or additives.
Instead, ordering from a mushroom farm like ours you can ensure that all of your mushroom products are made from the highest quality ingredients possible, with a smaller carbon footprint and complete transparency.
All of the products on our website are exactly what they say they are with no fillers or additives. You can be absolutely sure that when you purchase mushrooms from us they are the truest version of themselves.
Whole Dried Cordyceps Mushroom or Powder
We offer 100% whole cordyceps fruiting bodies as a dehydrated product or milled into a powder consisting only of pure Cordyceps mushroom fruitbodies. Both the powder and mushrooms can be mixed into smoothies, oatmeal, soups or teas. For a more robust option, try steeping 2-4g of dehydrated Cordyceps mushrooms in your morning coffee (often marketed as “mushroom coffee”) for a natural brain-boosting start to the day.
Check out our products page to see our variety of mushroom powders available!
Tinctures and Teas
Another option is cordyceps tinctures or teas, which can be easily added to your daily routine. Mushroom tinctures are typically made by extracting the bioactive compounds from the mushrooms using alcohol and water, providing a potent dose of beneficial compounds in a convenient liquid form. These tinctures can be taken directly or added to your beverage of choice.
We make our own mushroom tinctures that are extracted using ultrasonic frequencies for premium quality and maximum potency. All mushroom that are used are grown by us and are free of fillers & never irradiated.
If you're interested in adding Cordyceps to your diet, consider consulting with a healthcare provider if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or have any underlying health conditions to determine the best approach for your individual health.