ANCIENT WISDOM
CORDYCEPS
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 potential for oxygen utilisation, athletic performance, and cellular health.
Whether you seek sustained energy, peak performance, or deep recovery, Cordyceps could be 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
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 (potential for supporting a balanced inflammatory response and energy levels), 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. This page is not medical advice. The UK has recently classed Cordyceps militaris as a 'novel food' and not suitable for human consumption because they didn't gather enough records of information for consumption prior to 1997.
FATIGUE & ENERGY (STAMINA & ENDURANCE)
Similarly to how Cordyceps can help their hosts survive in oxygen poor environments, they are used to for their potential to support athletic performance and endurance by increasing the efficiency of energy metabolism. It has been studied for its potential to boost energy by increasing oxygen utilisation and ATP production, making it popular among athletes and those with chronic fatigue or low energy levels.
• Traditionally used to enhance mitochondrial ATP production, increasing energy.
• Potential to improve oxygen utilization, helping with endurance.
Scientific Evidence:
• Scientific research indicates an improvement in stamina and reduction of 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 (LIBIDO & FERTILITY)
Cordyceps is known as having potential as a natural aphrodisiac and fertility enhancer and may help with hormone balance, libido, and reproductive health. Modern research attributes these potential effects largely to its bioactive compounds, notably cordycepin.
As an adaptagen it may increase testosterone and estrogen, improving sexual function.
Studies indicate that it may improve blood flow to reproductive organs. In males, it has been shown to potentially enhance nitric oxide synthase activity in penile tissue and improved erectile function (evidenced by higher intracavernosal pressure).
It is also researched for it's potential ability to increases steroid hormone production and improve testes morphology, sperm count and quality as well as ovarian function. [11] [12]
ONCOLOGY RESEARCH (PREVENTION & TREATMENT)
The combination of immune-modulating polysaccharides and nucleoside derivatives make cordyceps be researched as one of the most powerful mushrooms improving treatment outcomes.
It has been researched for it's ability to slow uncontrolled cell growth, kill unwanted cells (by inducing Apoptosis) in multiple unwanted cell lines. It is also said to prevent tumors from spreading, as well as support the immune system during chemotherapy.
Researched bodily locations:
• Lung, breast, colon, prostate, oral, bladder, melanoma, blood cells, colorectal and liver
• Supports people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.
Further research potential findings:
- Cordycepin (a key compound in Cordyceps) induces apoptosis—a process where unwanted cells self-destruct.
- Blocks tumor blood vessel growth, starving unwanted cells of nutrients.
- Boosts immune response to fight unwanted cells more effectively.
Scientific Evidence:
• Potentially induces unwanted cell death and prevents tumor spread. [3]
• May enhance chemotherapy effectiveness and reduces its side effects. [4]
Due to its ability to increase sex hormones, studies indicate that it might not be appropriate for those suffering from hormone dependent cancers such as prostate and breast.
INFLAMMATION, PAIN AND SWELLING
Chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases, including arthritis, asthma, and digestive disorders. Cordyceps has been researched for its potential ability to reduce inflammation at its source by blocking inflammatory molecules.
Conditions that research indicate that it may help:
• Arthritis (joint pain and swelling)
• Asthma and allergies
• Digestive disorders like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis
How It might work:
• Blocks NF-κB, the key driver of inflammation in the body.
• Reduces inflammatory chemicals (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6).
• Lowers inflammation in arthritis, asthma, and gut disorders. [2]
HEART HEALTH (CIRCULATION & CHOLESTEROL)
How It might helps:
Research suggests Cordyceps may assist in keeping the heart healthy by improving circulation, reducing cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure.
Studies indicate how it might work:
• Increase 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 may contribute to a reduction in cholesterol and improvement in heart function. [2]
MENOPAUSE
Menopause is characterized by estrogen deficiency that can lead to symptoms, metabolic changes, and bone loss. Cordyceps militaris has attracted interest from research fields as a possible natural remedy to support women’s health during menopause. Notably, it studies indicate that it appears to potentially exert mild estrogen-like activity. In cell studies, Cordyceps militaris extract activated estrogen receptors and MAPK pathways, indicating potential phytoestrogenic properties. [14]
Cordyceps militaris supplementation in ovariectomized (OVX) hosts (mimicking menopause) showed potential in helping counteract metabolic effects of estrogen loss. The research indicated that the hosts showed potential in 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 potentially relieving menopausal symptoms without increasing the risk of estrogen-sensitive conditions. [14]
Research indicates that 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 research findings suggest Cordyceps militaris may 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 (DETOX & FATTY LIVER SUPPORT)
Scientific research suggests Cordyceps is hepatoprotective, meaning it may help protect the liver from damage caused by toxins, alcohol, and fat buildup.
Studies indicate how it might work:
• Increases glutathione, the liver’s main detoxifier.
• Prevents fat buildup and reduces liver inflammation.
It has the potential to inhibit fibrosis and reductions in liver enzymes reported for liver conditions.
Scientific Evidence:
• Potential to help reduce liver enzyme levels, a key marker of liver health. [2]
ANTIOXIDANT (CELL DAMAGE AND AGEING)
Research has indicate that Cordyceps is potentially packed with antioxidants that neutralise harmful free radicals—unstable molecules that damage cells and contribute to ageing, chronic diseases, and inflammation.
Conditions it has been studied for:
• Premature ageing
• Heart disease
• Neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)
How it might work:
• 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:
• Potential to protect against cellular damage that leads to ageing and disease. [2]
IMMUNE SYSTEM RESPONSE
Studies indicate that Cordyceps may have a potential bidirectional effect on the immune system, meaning it may 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 has been studied for it's potential ability to help the body respond appropriately to threats without overreacting. The nucleoside analogues function as reverse transcriptase inhibitors, inhibiting viral replication meaning it has potential powerful properties for some viruses. [7]
Research into conditions it may help:
• Frequent colds and infections
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
How studies suggest it might works:
• Cordyceps activates immune cells like macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T lymphocytes, which may support the body to 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 research indications:
• Increases NK cell activity, which helps fight viruses and unwanted cell growth.[1] (Frontiers in Pharmacology)
• Reduces autoimmune inflammation by regulating immune responses.[2]
ASTHMA/COPD
In vitro studies have shown that possible effects of Cordycepin to support a balanced inflammatory response 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 (DIABETES MANAGEMENT)
Cordyceps has been researched for its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, indicating a potential increase in hepatic glucokinase, triggering release of insulin and increasing sensitiviey of fells to insulin, possibly making it useful for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Research has indicated how it might work:
• Potential to improve insulin sensitivity, helping cells absorb sugar more efficiently.
• Possible reduction in sugar absorption from food by inhibiting key enzymes.
Scientific Evidence:
• Potential to lower fasting blood sugar and improve insulin function.[2] . Cordycepin and related nucleoside derivatives appear to possibly play a key role in cordyceps' anti-diabetic action and has been shown to potentially 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.
THE BIOHACKER STACK
Radically transform your life with our carefully created Biohacker Stack. Designed for those who demand more from their mind and body, this set combines nature’s most powerful adaptogens and nootropics to optimise focus, energy, performance and recovery— all in one effortless and game changing routine.
Crafted with premium, organic ingredients, each product in the Biohacker Stack is dual extracted, 1:3 ratio and fruiting body only. It works synergistically to enhance cognitive clarity, support immune resilience, and elevate your performance, whether you’re conquering the gym, bossing the boardroom, or just getting better all round.
"An incredible gift to yourself or a loved one"
Raphael Rampello - Fung Shui customer