A Brief Overview and History of Cordyceps

The genus Cordyceps, a medicinal mushroom has around 750 different species and is found all over the world, although it is most common in Southeast Asia, North America and Europe.

Cordyceps is considered a powerful medicinal mushroom – it has been well-acknowledged in Chinese and Tibetan medicine for several hundred years and is used to treat a broad range of illnesses. The plant is a rare combination of fungus and caterpillar.

Currently, 35 unique Cordyceps species have been reported to have therapeutic and medicinal properties. Since its discovery, medicinal mushroom extracts have been widely used to provide much richer and more direct medicinal mushrooms benefits, as opposed to consuming medicinal mushrooms directly, such as cordyceps, reishi, maitake etc.

What are Medicinal Mushrooms?

Medicinal mushrooms may be described as macroscopic fungi which are used in the form of medicinal mushrooms extract powder or capsules. Medicinal mushrooms are available in the form of powders and capsules, have been shown to help alleviate and manage many different kinds of health conditions.

The potential benefits of Cordyceps according to current research

Cordyceps benefits have been widely documented in scientific research. However, many centuries earlier, it had been traditionally used by folk healers, for example, to cure as many as 21 different health conditions.

In traditional Chinese medicine, more specifically, Cordyceps has been handpicked and dried for centuries in order to cure everything from kidney disease to low libido and diabetes. For a fact, many people today buy Cordyceps for the libido-boosting benefits alone.

Let’s explore more of Cordyceps’ benefits and what the current research says:

Antioxidant

Antioxidants seems to be the buzzword in modern living because we can’t seem to get enough of this good stuff! They are essentially molecules responsible for protecting healthy cells against ageing and harmful environmental effects.

Anti-inflammatory

Research has shown that when human cells were exposed to Cordyceps, proteins responsible for increasing inflammation in the body were suppressed, thereby leading to reduced inflammation. Thanks to this inflammation suppression, researchers claim that medicinal mushrooms may very well serve as a powerful inflammatory supplement.

Anti-allergic

Medicinal mushrooms made from Cordyceps militaris can help modulate the airway inflammation found in asthma. A mice study revealed how C. militaris can inhibit allergic responses and may be used as a therapeutic agent to cure and manage allergic diseases.

Anti-fatigue

Cordyceps has been known to help the body deliver better energy to working muscles, thereby reducing fatigue and exhaustion.

Anti-bacterial & anti-fungal

This study of Cordyceps shows that it has strong potential for acting as an antibacterial and anti-fungal agent. It also showed the potential for Cordyceps to help eliminate certain kinds of bacteria and fungus in the breast, large lung, colon and cervical region.

What is the difference between Medicinal Mushroom Extracts and Powders?

Mushroom Powders

Mushroom powders are created by dehydrating mushrooms at temperatures that do not entirely break down the chitin, the tough cellular walls of the mushroom that are mostly indigestible, and then grinding them into a powder after they have dried. Mushroom powders can be made up of either the fruiting body (the growing mushroom) or mycelium cultivated on grains.

Mycelium (consider mycelium as the mushroom’s roots) is responsible for absorbing nutrients and releasing enzymes. It functions as a sophisticated system that supplies the mushroom. The myceliated grains are then freeze-dried and crushed into a powder without any extraction procedure.

Mushroom Extracts

We’ve mentioned above that chitin is the tough cellular walls of the mushrooms. Because chitin is sensitive to temperature, heat-treated methods such as Hot Water Extraction can be utilised to break down the chitin. This can be achieved by boiling methods that thoroughly heat the fungus.

After that, the mixture is put through a spray-drier, which utilizes pressured hot air to remove any liquid.

This extraction method allows our natural digestive enzymes to absorb the key nutritional and bio-active components of extracted mushrooms. These bioactive components include proteins, B vitamins, vitamin D, minerals, and important nutrients known as – β-glucans (pronounced beta-glucan), which may be extracted using hot water since they are water-soluble. β–glucans are formed as a result of cellular wall breakdown.

The polysaccharides or Beta-Glucans (beta-D-glucan) is what we’re after, as there’s plenty of evidence that they can have an immune-boosting effect. They are also considered to be one of the key ingredients in mushroom extracts which are directly responsible for the plethora of health benefits.

So, just to recap – powders are ideal if you want to enjoy the benefits of mushrooms in your diet in order to cover some of your daily nutritional intake, although because the cellular walls are still intact, the nutrients are still enclosed in the cell walls. Extracts are best if you’re looking for medicinal value, and they contain β-glucans that are much easier for your body to digest and absorb after being extracted in hot water.

How to use

Cordyceps is often available in capsule, powder, and tablet form. Capsules or pills are a quick and easy method to obtain your daily dose.

There are no universal guidelines for using cordyceps or cordyceps supplements. Cordyceps dose varies depending on the purpose for usage, but most human studies have utilised 1,000–3,000 mg per day, which does not appear to be associated with any typical adverse effects. As a general rule., follow the dose instructions on your cordyceps supplement, or consult a medical practitioner if you have a specific medical condition.

Final Thoughts on Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a famous medicinal fungus that has been used for thousands of years to cure a variety of illnesses.

They are frequently hailed as the world’s most potent superfood, with scientific and anecdotal evidence indicating that they can boost immunity, improve athletic performance and stamina, boost libido, fight inflammation, and promote heart health.

By using an extract rather than powder, you are giving your body more opportunity to fully absorb and digest the benefits.

For more information on Mushrooms, read our blog 'Evergreen: Behind The Label with Irish Botanica'.