ANCIENT WISDOM
CORDYCEPS
(Cordyceps militaris)
For centuries, Cordyceps has been revered as nature’s key to vitality, stamina, and longevity. This extraordinary fungus, found high in the mountainous regions of Tibet and China, has been treasured in traditional medicine for its unparalleled ability to enhance energy, endurance, and resilience.
Cordyceps was traditionally restricted to those who could afford it. Its primary uses were to treat erectile dysfunction, asthmatics, and as a tonic for the elderly and those recovering from long illness.
Used by warriors, monks, and healers alike, Cordyceps was once reserved for emperors and nobility, believed to restore life force and enhance performance in both body and mind. Today, modern science is catching up with ancient wisdom, revealing its powerful benefits for oxygen utilization, athletic performance, and cellular health.
Whether you seek sustained energy, peak performance, or deep recovery, Cordyceps is a true ally in the pursuit of vitality.
LEGENDS OF THE HIMALAYAN GOLD
Cordyceps’ legendary status is deeply woven into the fabric of ancient folklore.
Tibetan herders who noticed that their yaks, after grazing on a mysterious fungus growing from caterpillars, became unusually strong and energetic. Intrigued, they began consuming the fungus themselves and soon experienced newfound vitality and endurance. Word spread to the imperial courts, where Chinese emperors coveted this remarkable mushroom for its supposed ability to grant longevity and enhance vigor.
It was believed that mountain hermits and monks could meditate for days without fatigue, sustained by the mushroom’s mystical energy. Cordyceps has long been celebrated as a sacred gift from nature, bridging the gap between the physical and the divine.
More recently, in the 1993 World Championship Athletics, Chinese runners shattered the 1,500m, 3,000m and 10,000m world records, shocking the athletics world. Their coach credited their endurance to a mysterious supplement: Cordyceps. Whispers of doping swirled, and for a moment, it seemed this natural performance enhancer might be banned from competition.
SCIENCE INFORMATION REVIEW
CORDYCEPS
(Cordyceps militaris)
Welcome to the Fung Shui Cordyceps scientific research page which connects you to our ever evolving library of research and peer-reviewed papers and articles.
The use of Cordyceps is now backed by modern scientific research for their extensive health benefits. The dual extraction method—using both water and alcohol—ensures that all beneficial compounds are extracted, including polysaccharides (immune boosters), cordycepin (anti-inflammatory and energy-boosting), adenosine (supports heart function), and sterols (cholesterol regulators).
Their bidirectional effects make them adaptogenic, meaning they help the body find balance in different systems.
Below we review how Cordyceps supports various aspects of health. Where a reference is provided, you can find the article in the research references towards the bottom of the page in the 'peer reviewed papers and articles' section.
More human trials are needed to further this field of research to more fully understand its efficacy.
ANTI-FATIGUE & ENERGY BOOSTING (INCREASES STAMINA & ENDURANCE)
How It Helps:
Similarly to how Cordyceps help their hosts survive in oxygen poor environments, they are used to enhance athletic performance and endurance by increasing the efficiency of energy metabolism. It boosts energy by increasing oxygen utilization and ATP production, making it popular among athletes and those with chronic fatigue.
Conditions It Helps:
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Low energy levels
• Athletic performance
How It Works:
• Enhances mitochondrial ATP production, increasing energy.
• Improves oxygen utilization, helping with endurance.
Scientific Evidence:
• Improves stamina and reduces fatigue in athletes. [2] Studies in healthy elderly people showed significant increases in aerobic capacity and resistance to fatigue (Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled), and has shown increases in energy output and oxygen capacity. [5] [6]
SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (IMPROVES LIBIDO & FERTILITY)
How It Helps:
Cordyceps is known as a natural aphrodisiac and fertility enhancer can help with hormone balance, libido, and reproductive health. Modern research attributes these effects largely to its bioactive compounds, notably cordycepin.
Conditions It Helps:
• Low libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Fertility issues
How It Works:
• Increases testosterone and estrogen, improving sexual function.
• Improves blood flow to reproductive organs. In males, it has been shown to enhance nitric oxide synthase activity in penile tissue and improved erectile function (evidenced by higher intracavernosal pressure).
It increases steroid hormone production and improves testes morphology, sperm count and quality. [11] [12]
Scientific Evidence:
• Increases sperm quality and ovarian function. [2]
ANTI-CANCER PROPERTIES (SUPPORTS CANCER PREVENTION & TREATMENT)
How It Helps:
The combination of immune-modulating polysaccharides and nucleoside derivatives, Cordyceps is considered to be one of the most powerful mushrooms for heling improve treatment outcomes in cancer.
It has been found to slow cancer growth, kill cancer cells (by inducing Apoptosis) in multiple cancer cell lines. It is also said to prevent tumors from spreading, as well as support the immune system during chemotherapy.
Conditions It Helps:
• Lung, breast, colon, prostate, oral, bladder, melanoma, leukaemia, colorectal and liver cancer
• Supports people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
How It Works:
• Cordycepin (a key compound in Cordyceps) induces apoptosis—a process where cancer cells self-destruct.
• Blocks tumor blood vessel growth, starving cancer cells of nutrients.
• Boosts immune response to fight cancer more effectively.
Scientific Evidence:
• Induces cancer cell death and prevents tumor spread. [3]
• Enhances chemotherapy effectiveness and reduces its side effects. [4]
Due to its ability to increase sex hormones, it might not be appropriate for those suffering from hormone dependent cancers such as prostate and breast.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY (REDUCES PAIN AND SWELLING)
How It Helps:
Chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases, including arthritis, asthma, and digestive disorders. Cordyceps reduces inflammation at its source by blocking inflammatory molecules.
Conditions It Helps:
• Arthritis (joint pain and swelling)
• Asthma and allergies
• Digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
How It Works:
• Blocks NF-κB, the key driver of inflammation in the body.
• Reduces inflammatory chemicals (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6).
Scientific Evidence:
• Lowers inflammation in arthritis, asthma, and gut disorders. [2]
HEART HEALTH (SUPPORTS CIRCULATION & LOWERS CHOLESTEROL)
How It Helps:
Cordyceps helps keep the heart healthy by improving circulation, reducing cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure.
Conditions It Helps:
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart failure
How It Works:
• Increases nitric oxide (NO), which relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow.
• Reduces LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
Scientific Evidence:
• Clinical studies show Cordyceps reduces cholesterol and improves heart function. [2]
MENOPAUSE SUPPORT
Menopause is characterized by estrogen deficiency that can lead to symptoms, metabolic changes, and bone loss. Cordyceps militaris has attracted interest as a natural remedy to support women’s health during menopause. Notably, it appears to exert mild estrogen-like activity. In cell studies, Cordyceps militaris extract activated estrogen receptors and MAPK pathways, indicating phytoestrogenic properties. [14]
Cordyceps militaris supplementation in ovariectomized (OVX) hosts (mimicking menopause) helped counteract metabolic effects of estrogen loss. The hosts showed prevention of excessive weight gain and fat accumulation, improved liver health, and significantly lower triglyceride levels. [14]
Importantly, Cordyceps did not induce uterine growth, suggesting it does not strongly stimulate reproductive tissues (unlike estrogen) thus relieving menopausal symptoms without increasing the risk of estrogen-sensitive conditions. [14]
Beyond metabolism, Cordyceps militaris may benefit postmenopausal bone health. Cordycepin, its key component, prevented bone loss in estrogen-deficient hosts by inhibiting osteoclast (bone-resorbing cell) activity and scavenging oxidative stress. This led to preserved bone microarchitecture and mineral density in OVX hosts. [15]
Collectively, these findings suggest Cordyceps militaris can help alleviate menopause-related issues – acting as a gentle hormone modulator and antioxidant – potentially improving hormonal balance, metabolic profile, and skeletal health in menopausal women.
LIVER PROTECTION (DETOX & FATTY LIVER SUPPORT)
How It Helps:
Cordyceps is hepatoprotective, meaning it helps protect the liver from damage caused by toxins, alcohol, and fat buildup.
Conditions It Helps:
• Fatty liver disease (steatosis)
• Liver detox support including hepatitis.
How It Works:
• Increases glutathione, the liver’s main detoxifier.
• Prevents fat buildup and reduces liver inflammation.
It inhibits fibrosis and reductions in liver enzymes reported for liver conditions.
Scientific Evidence:
• Helps reduce liver enzyme levels, a key marker of liver health. [2]
POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT (PROTECTS CELLS FROM DAMAGE AND AGING)
How It Helps:
Cordyceps is packed with antioxidants that neutralize harmful free radicals—unstable molecules that damage cells and contribute to aging, chronic diseases, and inflammation.
Conditions It Helps:
• Premature aging
• Heart disease
• Neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)
How It Works:
• Boosts glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD), two key antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress.
• Reduces lipid peroxidation, which prevents damage to cell membranes.
Scientific Evidence:
• Protects against cellular damage that leads to aging and disease. [2]
IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT/ANTIVIRAL (BALANCES THE IMMUNE RESPONSE)
How It Helps:
Cordyceps has a bidirectional effect on the immune system, meaning it can either boost immunity when needed (e.g., during infections) or calm it down if it’s overactive (e.g., in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus). It helps your body respond appropriately to threats without overreacting. The nucleoside analogues function as reverse transcriptase inhibitors, inhibiting viral replication meaning it has powerful antiviral properties. [7]
Conditions It Helps:
• Frequent colds and infections
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
How It Works:
• Cordyceps activates immune cells like macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T lymphocytes, which help fight infections.
• If the immune system is too active, it reduces inflammation by lowering levels of inflammatory molecules like TNF-α and IL-6.
Scientific Evidence:
• Increases NK cell activity, which helps fight viruses and cancer.[1] (Frontiers in Pharmacology)
• Reduces autoimmune inflammation by regulating immune responses.[2]
ASTHMA/COPD
In vitro studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory effects of Cordycepin may help impaired lung function from conditions such as COPD and asthma. [7] Immune modulating effects could be beneficial in managing asthma, a condition often linked to immune system dysregulation. [8]
BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL (HELPS WITH DIABETES MANAGEMENT)
How It Helps:
Cordyceps regulates blood sugar levels, increasing hepatic glucokinase, triggering release of insulin and increasing sensitiviey of fells to insulin, making it useful for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.
Conditions It Helps:
• Type 2 diabetes
• Pre-diabetes
How It Works:
• Improves insulin sensitivity, helping cells absorb sugar more efficiently.
• Reduces sugar absorption from food by inhibiting key enzymes.
Scientific Evidence:
• Lowers fasting blood sugar and improves insulin function.[2] . Cordycepin and related nucleoside derivatives appear to play a key role in cordyceps' anti-diabetic action and has been shown to suppress chronic low-grade inflammation associated with diabetes. [9][10].
Its hypoglycemic properties mean that it should be used with caution by those taking insulin - medical advice should be sought.
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