Description

Cordyceps mushroom powder 50 grams

Cordyceps mushroom is the best kept secret amongst high performance athletes. It is a unique energy booster that works to increase oxygen utilization and ATP synthesis while supporting endocrine and adrenal function. Helping to buffer us against burnout while giving us a much needed energy boost. Our Cordyceps powder is gently activated, softening the cell walls of the mushrooms to enhance bioavailability for maximum absorption. Here at Harmonic Myology believe in the benefits of wholefood supplementation, providing you with the full range of compounds, just as nature intended.100% Cordyceps militaris mushroom powder – 50 grams.*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Medicines Control Council. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Medicinal Properties Of Cordyceps

Cordyceps is most valued for its ability to improve stamina, strength, and overall athletic performance. It is also highly prized and mystified in Chinese folklore as a potent aphrodisiac. Aside from this, studies are suggesting it could have many health benefits and could help against a wide variety of illnesses.

Research Highlights

Cordyceps Could Help Improve Physical Performance

• Cordyceps could improve oxygen uptake or aerobic capacity in elderly individuals  It could also help resistance to fatigue from exercise. (Yi, 2004)
• Supplementation with cordyceps could improve exercise performance and contribute to well-being in healthy elderly individuals. (Chen, 2010)
• Supplementation with cordyceps may improve tolerance to high-intensity exercise. The study also found that benefits may be improved when taken regularly over long periods. (Hirsch, 2016)

Cordyceps Could Have Antiaging Properties

• Cordyceps may have anti-aging properties. It can improve brain function and antioxidative enzyme activity in mice with d-galactose-induced senescence. It can also promote sexual function in castrated rats.  (Ji, 2009)
• Cordyceps have protective anti-inflammatory effects on the mitochondria which could have anti-aging properties. (Li, 2010)
• Cordyceps have high anti-oxidative properties and could promote the health of the immune system. (Xiao, 2012)
• Mice fed diets supplemented with Cordyceps had significantly longer life spans. (Tan, 2011)

Cordyceps Could Have Anti-Tumor Effects

• Cordyceps extracts showed anti-tumor effects when exposed to lung cancer (Bizzaro, 2015) and colon cancer cells (Lee, 2015).
• Cordyceps have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties on cancer cell cultures. This study tested it on human cancer cell lines including colon (colon 205), prostate (PC-3), and hepatoma (HepG2) cells. (Rao, 2010)
• Tumor-bearing mice receiving cordyceps supplements lived significantly longer than any other groups without them. (Yamaguchi, 1990)

Cordyceps Could Help Against Diabetes

• Cordyceps reduced the diabetes-induced weight loss, polydipsia, and hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. (Lo, 2004)
• Cordyceps was shown to help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol in diabetic mice. (Liu, 2016 – Yu, 2015)

Cordyceps May Be Good For The Heart

• Cordyceps helped reduce the negative impacts on the health of the heart and liver in mice with chronic kidney disease. (Liu, 2014)
• Cordyceps may protect the heart from injury via enhanced adenosine receptor activation. Adenosine is one of the natural compounds found within Cordyceps that offers health benefits. (Yan, 2013)
• Mice fed diets supplemented with Cordyceps displayed lower levels of LDL or “Bad Cholesterol”. (Koh, 2003)

May Help Improve Immune Functioning

• Hot water extracts of Cordyceps activate macrophages and stimulate the intestinal immune system in mice. The study suggests that it likely has systemic benefits for the immune system. (Koh, 2001)

Other Potential Health Benefits

• Cordyceps may have antidepressant like effects (Guo 2010 – Nishizawa, 2007)
• Cordyceps extracts may help improve sleep (Uchida, 2016)

Cordycepin, Adenosine, And Other Active Compounds

The medicinal properties of Cordyceps are largely linked to the active compounds called Cordycepin and Adenosine. These are found within the mycelium and mushrooms of Cordyceps militaris and Ophiocordyceps sinensis.

• Adenosine is a nucleoside that plays various important roles in the biology of animals. It forms the backbone of ATP (molecules that provide energy for cellular function), it’s a derivative of the nucleotide adenine, and it reacts with receptors in our brains that make us sleepy. That’s just to name a few.
• Cordycepin affects our body because it is structurally very similar to Adenosine. Since many enzymes cannot differentiate between Adenosine and Cordycepin, it results in a wide variety of biochemical reactions that are not fully understood.

Studies analyzing the chemical composition of both cordyceps species show that they have very distinct levels of these compounds (Yue, 2006). While Adenosine is present in both species, Cordycepin is only present in significant quantities within Cordyceps militaris. While mycelium from Ophiocrodyceps sinensis does have a tad more Cordycepin than the fruiting bodies it still only occurs in negligible quantities (Zhou, 2009)). On the other hand, Ophiocordyceps sinensis does have a higher quantity of Adenosine.

Other Chemical Components

• Beta-glucans are polysaccharides responsible for many of the properties of medicinal mushrooms. They exhibit immunomodulatory effects and help against a variety of chronic illnesses. Analysis suggests that about 3-8% of the total weight of dried Cordyceps are polysaccharides (Liu, 2016).
• Cordycepic Acid is sugar-alcohol also known as D-Mannitol. Mannitol is widely used in pharmaceuticals, natural medicine, and occurs in various edible mushrooms/plants. It is known to have anti-tumor effects and help in the prevention of cerebral hemorrhaging. It is often used to help reduce swelling around the eyes in cases of glaucoma. It also inhibits a wide range of bacteria.
• Ergosterol is a chemical precursor to Vitamin D with various medical applications.
• Amino Acids are a key component of Cordyceps fruiting bodies. They contain about 30% crude protein and produce more than 15 different amino acids.

Is Cordyceps Safe?

Cordyceps is considered safe and a low-risk medicinal supplement. While there have been no in-depth studies investigating the risks of Cordyceps in humans, animal studies using high doses (4-5x the recommended dose) over long periods have not shown any health consequences. If you have a serious illness consult your primary care physician before taking Cordyceps. The effects of Cordyceps during pregnancy are not yet known.

Wild harvest Ophiocrordyceps sinensis has been known to contain high levels of arsenic. In tested products of Ophiocordyceps sinensis, the arsenic content is 4.4-9.9 mg/kg, making it a high-risk product. For this reason, the Chinese State and Food Organization removed this species from the health food category.

Cordyceps In Traditional Chinese Medicine

Ophiocordyceps sinensis has a deep history in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). There are reports of the use of other Cordyceps species but the latter mentioned is by far the most documented.

While many uses of Cordyceps in TCM correspond with modern studies, there is still a lot of mysticism revolving around this medicine. Traditional use of Cordyceps in China dates back at least 1000 years.  The oldest document mentioning dates back to 846 AD and was written by Chinese naturalist ​​Duan Chengshi. According to Chinese folklore, Cordyceps was commonly made into a special blend containing ginseng and deer antler.

In TCM Cordyceps is considered sweet in taste and neutral in nature.  It can replenish the kidneys and soothe the lungs. It is also said to stop bleeding and eliminate phlegm. It is unique when compared to other natural medicines in that it is regarded as a tonifying herb with both Yin and Yang properties. It is commonly used for disorders such as hyperglycemia, respiratory diseases, fatigue, renal failure, and heart disease.

Traditionally Cordyceps is either consumed via simply decocting in boiling water or in the form of functional foods. These include meat stews with a variety of ingredients and even dishes like “Cordyceps Stuffed Duck”. Cordyceps were also placed in rice wine and left to infuse several days before consuming.

How To Use Cordyceps Mushrooms

Cordyceps can be consumed in a variety of different forms and may be used distinctly depending on what you are using them for. The effects of Cordyceps are effective and noticeable within one or two hours of consuming a single dose. For more prolonged effects and to treat certain chronic conditions it may be best to consume cordyceps daily.

Trying to treat serious illnesses with cordyceps alone is not recommended. Cordyceps should be used as part of a holistic treatment that if necessary incorporates changes into your diet and general lifestyle.

• Athletes hoping to use Cordyceps to improve performance should consider taking Cordyceps before work and after exercise. Before exercising to help improve energy levels and reduce fatigue, and after to help with the post-workout recovery.
• Those hoping to use Cordyceps to treat other conditions can take Cordyceps twice a day (morning and evening doses) for maximum effect. While Cordyceps is considered energizing it is not known to negatively affect the quality of sleep.

Choosing High-Quality Cordyceps Product

There are many different types of Cordyceps products that are sold commercially. These can be made with a variety of different raw materials or processed in different ways. Because of this, they can have different quantities of the desired medicinal components and thus vary in their effectiveness.

• The best way to ensure that your cordyceps product will be effective is to purchase it from a trusted and reputable producer.
• Those who can provide laboratory analysis of their products tied to batch numbers can assure that their products contain high quantities of Cordycepin and other select compounds.
• Products made from 100% fruiting bodies are the most guaranteed for potency. Mycelium products can also be effective but it depends on the product.
• This being said, smaller grassroots producers from your area may also be providing quality products. Make sure to inquire about how they source their raw materials and undergo the processes for their products.
• For the most potent Cordyceps supplements, check out two of our articles:
  • The best Cordyceps supplements in the US and Canada
  • The best Cordyceps mushrooms in Australia

The Raw Materials

Ophiocordyceps sinensis

• Products claiming to use this species may either be using the wild-harvested mushroom or cultivated mycelium.
• The most expensive products are made from wild-harvested cordyceps but make sure to check the packaging for clarification.
• Cultivation of mycelium for this mushroom is typically done in a liquid broth. This broth is then filtered leaving only 100% pure mycelium with no grain or extra filler. A special strain of this species commonly named CS-4 is what is used for the cultivation of high-potency mycelium.
• Genetic analysis done on some Cordyceps mycelium products show that many of these did not contain cordyceps! (Zhang, 2017)
• Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a highly protected and endangered species. While harvesting is being regulated in many localities, its overexploitation has affected its abundance. For this reason, cultivated varieties are regarded as more sustainable.

Cordyceps militaris

• Products made with this species are usually more economically accessible and made from cultivated fruiting bodies.
• Cordyceps militaris fruiting bodies are cultivated with a specialized technique in a nutrient-rich medium. The cultivation process is more technical than that of other mushrooms but recent advances have made it more accessible to amateur cultivators.
• Some products may use mycelium that is either grown in liquid broth or on grain. Cordycep products grown on grain are not recommended due to low fungal biomass content.
• This species contains the same medicinal components found in the wild-harvested variety and is generally just as effective regardless of the price difference.

Cultivated vs Wild Cordyceps Mushrooms

While the wild-harvested Cordyceps are highly valued and esteemed in Chinese Folklore, there is no evidence suggesting that they are more effective than cultivated varieties. Low to negligible levels of Cordycepin in wild-harvested specimens suggest their effects may be more limited than cultivated alternatives. Aside from this, high levels of arsenic, high cost, and environmental impact are all factors that dissuade many from consuming the wild-harvested Cordyceps.

For these reasons, Cordyceps militaris is recommended for those who are starting to consume cordyceps for the first time. For those wanting to try Ophiocordyceps sinensis, cultivated mycelium products can be a good option.