Cordyceps

Cordyceps Sinensis (or Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is the most studied species of cordyceps. Found primarily in South Asia, Europe and North America, the spores of the Cordyceps mushroom naturally infect and invade insects. The mycelium then spreads through their body killing the host, before sprouting a thin stalk-like fruiting body from the corpse which then releases more spores to find more future hosts.

So, why are we talking about an insect invading parasitic fungus? Along with the other medicinal mushrooms we love, Cordyceps has been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems for a wide range of uses, especially for boosting energy and libido, reducing fatigue and also for helping to fight kidney and lung diseases.

Due to its popularity, wild cordyceps is actually becoming quite rare, even now being classified as an endangered species, so it’s actually mass produced in a lab. The cordyceps produced by this method contains all of the same active components as its wild counterpart, and so it’s just as effective but more sustainable which we love.

Boosting Energy and Exercise Performance

Cordyceps increases Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) levels in the body, thanks to it’s high levels of adenosine and amino acids. ATP provides energy to our cells and assists with muscle contraction, nerve impulses, metabolic reactions and chemical synthesis.

Cordyceps can help the body to use oxygen more effectively, reducing fatigue which improves exercise performance, endurance and recovery.

Exercise isn’t the only performance Cordyceps can help with. Having been used traditionally as an aphrodisiac, and even referred to as the “Himalayan V*agra”, it can increase libido and your endurance in this area.

Balancing the Immune System

Like other medicinal mushrooms, Cordyceps is classified as an adaptogen, which means it can help the body to properly moderate and balance natural functions. For the immune system, Cordyceps can potentially help to lower it when it’s overactive (such as in auto-immune diseases) and increase it when it’s weakened or under attack.

In a study of patients suffering from auto-immune thyroid diseases, Cordyceps was shown to aid in balancing pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune cell levels as well as reducing thyroid anti-bodies.

Improving Lung and Kidney Function

Trials on people suffering from asthma showed that Cordyceps reduced inflammation in the lungs as well as improving lung function. Other studies on those suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) showed that it helped to improve lung function as well as shortness of breath.

It’s also been studied on people who received kidney transplants, finding that Cordyceps reduced the number of complications from the transplant, such as rejection and infections, as well as improving kidney and liver function.

For those suffering from kidney damage and chronic kidney disease, Cordyceps has also shown promising results in delaying the progression of disease as well as protecting the kidney from damage from certain medications needed for treatment.

Assisting Cognitive Performance

Along with helping physically, Cordyceps may also help provide a mental boost too. Some studies have shown that cordyceps can help to boost brain circulation, prevent short term memory loss and brain cell damage.

To fully take advantage of all of the amazing health benefits that Cordyceps mushroom has to offer, after extensive research we decided to use full spectrum mushroom powder in our products. Our mushrooms are grown using a unique and specialised process to ensure that all of the beneficial compounds found in each life cycle of the mushroom are fully utilised and bio-available in our formulations. The fermentation process used in growing our mushrooms utilises only organic substrate material and is extended so there is less than 5% substrate in the final product.

Another benefit of Full Spectrum Powders is they contain all of the antiviral and antibacterial extra-cellular compounds that are excreted throughout the lifecycle of the mushroom, in order to protect itself in its environment. These extracellular compounds are not included in mushroom extracts as they are lost in both hot water and alcohol extraction processes.

Find out more about the benefits of full spectrum mushroom powder and our processes here.