Cordyceps: Uses and Effectiveness

Cordyceps has been traditionally used as an age-old medicine and finds reference in the Tibetan medicine and the Chinese medical books. It is quite a rare combination of a fungus and a caterpillar and very hard to get and could be very expensive as well. Traditional healers and the local people of the North Sikkim region use Cordyceps for treatment of 21 ailments. It is also popularly known as Caterpillar Mushroom and Caterpillar Fungus.

Cordyceps is more commonly used for a range of kidney disorders and sexual problems in men. Its uses are amazing and it has lots of potential health applications.

Uses & Effectiveness

Recent studies and research have pointed the following areas where cordyceps has proved its effectiveness:

Athletic Performance. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is a molecule that our body produces. It is an essential component for delivering energy efficiently to the muscles. Cordyceps are known to increase the amount of ATP produced by our body. In a research, where 30 healthy-older-adults participated, some were given synthetic Cordyceps known as CS-4, and others were given placebo pills. Participants who received CS-4 performed much better as compared to others.
There has been significant research presenting evidence showing that administering cordyceps by mouth after or during chemotherapy may improve the quality of life. It also suggests that Cordyceps may even improve one’s tolerance to cancer treatments.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD). When you are receiving standard therapy for CKD, consider taking cordyceps along with it. Research suggests that doing so might help improve kidney function.
Research suggests that cordyceps on its own can help reduce the symptoms of asthma in adults. As cordyceps has been known to reduce inflammation in airways, it is suggested to be a good therapy for asthma.
Kidney damage caused due to the drug amikacin. Taking cordyceps along with amikacin has been shown to reduce kidney damage that is caused by this drug in the older people.
Hepatitis B. There is early evidence that points towards the positive effects of taking cordyceps orally. It potentially improves the functioning of liver in those with Hepatitis B.
Kidney transplant. Taking low-dose of cyclosporine with cordyceps has been shown to improve one-year survival, reduce the risks of infection, and prevent transplant rejection. The results were better when cyclosporine was taken along with cordyceps as compared to taking cyclosporine alone.
Maintain libido. Cordyceps has been traditionally used in several Eastern societies for helping to better maintain sexual function and libido. There have been lab studies and research that does confirm the effects of cordyceps in improving reproductive activity and maintaining libido.