The Herb Hound: CORDYCEPS

CORDYCEPS: Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris, Cordyceps cardinalis, Cordyceps Pseudomilitaris, Cordyceps heteropoda, Cordyceps pruinosa, Cordyceps bassiana, etc.

Also known as: club head mushroom, caterpillar fungus, keera jhar, aweto, yartsa, gunbu, chong cao, dong chong xia cao, etc.

Parts used: fungus, mycelium

Systems/organs affected: immune, respiratory, reproductive, cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous, adrenal

Properties: anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antioxidant, adaptogenic, aphrodisiac, adrenogenic, antibacterial, anti-asthmatic, antitussive, antipyretic, cardiotonic, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, insecticidal, mitochondrial, nervine, hepato-protective, bronchial regulator, anti-mutastic, hypo-lipidemic, mucolytic, hypoglycemic, antitumor, etc.

CORDYCEPS is a member of the Ophiocordyceps (endoparasitoids) family. While we Americans refer to it as the ‘club mushroom’ it is actually a type of parasitic fungus. This type of fungus invades its hosts body and replaces the hosts tissue with its own. There are roughly between 140 to over 600 species of cordyceps depending on the person you talk to but ALL of them feed on insects of some sort (caterpillars, beetles, moths, bees, ants, cockroaches, centipedes, spiders, butterflies, locusts, grasshoppers, cicadas, etc.) For instane, cordyceps sinensis feeds on caterpillars (specifically the ghost moth) via spores which invade the caterpillar and sprout active mycelia (basically is sends out runner of branches like plants do) that spread through the host body and eventually kill the host which mummifies. These runners fill the corpse and the ‘mushroom’ sprouts out from the head of said corpse the following year. This particular species is found on the Tibetan plateau and the Himalayas. It is hand gathered by locals and ghastly expensive (roughly $1500-2000 a pound).

In some places (like China), the mycelium is grown in vats similar to how penicillin is produced or here in the west where it is typically grown in grain. Most commercial cordyceps on the market is grown rather than harvested in the wild. According to studies though, all varieties seem to work similarly when it comes to medicinal applications. However, each also offer unique applications depending on the insect, grain or vat they were harvested from. This fungus should be looked at as a medicinal food rather than a drug as the amount needed for acute conditions is much larger compared to drugs usually administered in minute doses. The Chinese often add cordyceps to soups and/or stews as well as decocting it and consuming it as a tea. The Tibetans and Indians (from India) make an alcoholic drink from it (which upon further research is the only way some of the medicinal components within cordyceps can be extracted).

Cordyceps tend to be orange to brown in color and look like a tiny club, more narrow at the bottom and wider at the top. They generally are about 5-7 inches tall and are wrinkled along the sides. Some cordyceps have a cap (like a mushroom) but are rare. Those found here in the states are cordyceps militaris, which is found mostly I the Rockies between 8-10,000 feet and is more orange than brown. Cordyceps sinesis is found between 10-16,000 feet and on prairies rather than forests and this variety is more brown in color. Cordyceps cardinalis is found in the southern Appalachians (as well as Japan) and is closely related to the militaris variety. Militaris is the one most used in this country for medicinal purposes even though the sinensis variety is considered more potent. Most of the cordyceps species is found in Asia but it is gaining popularity around the globe.

Cordyceps is simply amazing in its applications. Several studies (most of them done in Asian countries and not translated into English yet) have proven its efficacy in cancer, immune issues, cardiovascular problems, energy level complaints, respiratory issues and sexual dysfunction to name a few. It contains a component called cordycepin which was found to suppress bladder and prostate cancer cells and keep them from reproducing. It was also found to inhibit the breakdown of sphingomyelin (a type of lipid that makes up most of the fat in cell membranes) especially in the brain and nervous system. It is strongly protective of neural cells in general.

In vitro studies have shown that cordyceps is a powerful immunoadaptogen which means it gives the immune system exactly what it needs when it needs it. So if the immune activity is too low it will boost it or if it is too high it will reduce the activity. This alone makes it an herb to keep handy. Studies have also shown that it regulates inflammation in the bronchials, inhibits the process that causes the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and stimulates the production of ATP (energy) in the cell. Cordyceps has also proven to be extremely protective of renal tubular epithelial cells (the cells that line the renal tubes) which holds promise in regards to suppressing diabetes.

One study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2010) found that cordyceps sinensis improved the overall health of older patients as well as increasing their stamina during exercise. Other similar studies found that because it boosts the body’s supply of ATP within the cells it physically increases one’s ability to endure more challenging exercise regimens. A study done at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology found that cordyceps helped athletes extend the time of intense exercise they were able to endure. (This would definitely be of benefit for those with chronic energy issues).

According to the Department of Analytical Chemistry (located at the Academy of Chinese Sciences in Beijing), cordyceps plays a role in energy, protein and choline metabolisms. It was found that subjects (mice) supplemented with cordyceps over a period of eight weeks had a significant drop in liver disease, metabolic issues and heart damage.

Cordyceps also contains two very important components that have been found to help control insulin (3-deoxyadenosine and d-mannitol cordycepin). In animal studies it was found to combat hypoglycemia in both normal and diabetic mice. (Seeing the rising level of diabetes in this country-this is one item that should be seriously considered).

A Chinese study done in 2011 found that cordyceps could inhibit renal fibrosis. This was later verified by a 2014 study published in Phytomedicine which found that the sterol Ergosterol peroxide was the major constituent within cordyceps responsible for this action. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24095053) It has also been proven to stimulate the body to produce and/or balance stress hormones (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed16141547), to increase the productions of glutathione and SOD (two VERY powerful antioxidants) (www.ncbi.nlm.nihi.gov/pubmed/24047103), to help with asthma, COPD, renal failure, lupus, impotence, sexual dysfunction and/or lack of libido, brain disorders and OH SO MUCH MORE.

Cordyceps was believed to have originated over 5000 years ago with Chinese medicine. Several ancient texts refer to using it to ‘cure’ dozens of diseases either by itself or in combination with other herbs. Early Hindu, Chinese and Christian works believed it to be the answer to longevity and immortality. Sikkim healers (Himilayas) use it, “for all illnesses as a tonic because they claimed that it improved energy, appetite, stamina, libido, endurance and sleeping patterns.”

Most supplements with cordyceps here are between 500-1000 mg but for chronic issues most experts say that up to 10 grams once or twice daily is believed to be safe. (Follow the advice of a qualified herbalist please). Some references I have found stated that if a person is merely trying to boost their immunity to prevent future illnesses from occurring that taking it once or twice a week is enough to be sufficient. Cordyceps has been found to be effective against the flu, herpes simplex 1, HIV, hepatitis B, MRSA, candida, clostridium (colon bacteria), plasmodium (a parasitic protozoa that can cause malaria), strep, tuberculosis and various cancers (breast, lung, melanomas, thyroid, bladder, prostate, kidney and leydig cell tumors (sex cord-stromal tumors involving ovarian and testicular cancers) etc.)

The Herb Hound

Friday, June 8, 2018

CORDYCEPS

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