It seems that these days, everyone’s talking about functional mushroom supplements. Of these, Cordyceps mushrooms are among the most interesting. It’s a genus consisting of more than 400 different species of fungi that occur around the world, and they’re definitely different to the average mushroom you find on the shelves of your greengrocer or supermarket. That’s because of their life cycle which, in the wild, begins when Cordyceps spores infect a living insect. Each Cordyceps has its targeted species, and once the infection has occurred, fine fungal threads begin to grow throughout the body of the host. When the insect, rather predictably, dies, the fungus produces a fruiting body or mushroom which releases its spores to give birth to a new generation of insect-eating fungi. You may be wondering how on earth people started eating Cordyceps mushrooms and what possible benefits they could have been hoping to get from doing so. In this article, we’ll answer your questions about one of the weirdest and most wonderful functional mushroom supplements you can ever hope to find. Cordyceps Benefits: The History Traditionally, Cordyceps sinensis was the species that everyone wanted. It only occurs at high altitudes in Tibet and certain parts of China, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. The mushroom, together with the dried up remnants of its host, a caterpillar, is still prized today, but is beyond the reach of most due to its rarity. It still has to be gathered in the wild, and although scientists are working on cultivating it, the method is nowhere near ready for commercial scale production. Instead, modern Cordyceps supplements are most often based on a very near relative of Cordyceps sinensis known as Cordyceps militaris. We first find written records of the use of Cordyceps mushrooms in manuscripts dating back to AD 620. At the time, Chinese doctors used it as a kidney tonic and to combat tiredness, respiratory problems, and issues with sexual function. It was seen as a “jing” tonic, meaning that it had positive effects on both yin and yang energies. The Sikkim in Tibet is recorded as recommending it for “all illnesses” and as a general tonic. More recently, China has approved 50 different medicines based on Cordyceps mushrooms since 2022, albeit using a rather different set of principles to those we apply to research in the West. In the Far East, Cordyceps is used to promote vigour and vitality of both body and mind, but research based on the type of evidence admissible in western medicine is still underway. What Alternatives to Cordyceps Sinensis are Used? If you spotted the fact that worldwide popularity is likely to mean using an alternative Cordyceps to the traditional one, you’re absolutely right. While Cordyceps sinensis can’t be cultivated on a commercial scale, Cordyceps militaris certainly can be. Instead of cultivating it on real live worms, it’s grown in laboratories on a “cultivation base.” As a result, this has become widely used in health supplements both in China and the West. And, instead of using the mushroom itself, extracts are more commonly used. So, you can experience the Cordyceps mushrooms without having to eat the worms! Does Cordyceps Have any Possible Health Benefits? Many people believe that the Cordyceps mushroom may support their exercise programme. It’s possible that its nutritional profile could help to reduce fatigue and boost energy levels, and it certainly contains antioxidants that may help with post-exercise recovery. However, according to the results of a study on cyclists, Cordyceps won’t make any difference to your sporting performance if you’re already fit. Other Cordyceps health benefits may be harder to pin down. For example, it’s believed that they can boost immunity and fight inflammation, but measuring the illnesses that people don’t pick up seems like a tall order. Nevertheless, Cordyceps are rich in antioxidants that are believed to benefit immunity, as well as helping you to cope and adapt during times of stress. It has also been suggested that Cordyceps supplements could support your adrenal glands and help to mitigate the effects of stress on your body. Research into the benefits of Cordyceps mushrooms is still in its infancy with no sure-fire results to indicate its use as a medicine yet. However, its nutritional profile is enough to popularise it as a nutritional supplement, and good nutrition helps us to stay healthy. Loyal users also rate the fact that although commercially available Cordyceps is lab-grown, it’s still a natural product. We know that possible health benefits of Cordyceps are linked to nutrition, and since it contains B Vitamins and Vitamin K as well as amino acids and specialised carbohydrates, it seems likely that there are many reasons to add it to your daily routine. Using Cordyceps Mushrooms If you’d like to use Cordyceps mushrooms, you should definitely do your homework to be sure they come from a reputable source. Once you’re satisfied that you’re using a credible supplier, experts recommend to take it at a busy time when your body needs to relax and you’re hoping to reduce fatigue. So, a serving in the morning, or at least half an hour before a workout would be optimal. Although there isn’t a lot of research into the safety of Cordyceps mushrooms, they are widely used in the Far East, and have been used for many centuries. However, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, ill or using medications, it’s always wise to consult your doctor about your choice of supplements - even if they’re just “normal” vitamin supplements. Will Cordyceps mushrooms benefit you? Perhaps they will! At the very least, you’ll have found an interesting source of natural nutrition that may help you to feel more energetic and a useful support to help you cope with your busy day. Is there more to them? We look forward to further research into Cordyceps mushrooms and their many purported benefits. Grass & Co. and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. The information and products presented on this site are not intended for medical use nor do they make any medical claims. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programmes. More about functional mushrooms