I Took Cordyceps Every Morning and This Happened
Before you get weirded out, hear this: Cordyceps is good for your health!
The hype about cordyceps (and maybe why I said weird) picked up when some fictional works such as the game and television series The Last of Us referenced it in zombie-making. The growing interest in this type of mushroom is fueled by curiosity about its existence and not about what it can do.
But the truth is, cordyceps have had a valuable place in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries because of their many health benefits.
What Is Cordyceps?
Cordyceps is one of the numerous fungi that, quite interestingly, is classified as a parasitic type.
Parasitic fungi feed and live off a living host like a caterpillar’s head instead of plant and animal remains (saprophytic fungi). Some cordyceps may even invade an insect’s brain and modify its behavior by releasing chemicals that make it behave in a zombie-like manner.
It probably explains why some people are appalled by its existence. Don’t worry though, cordyceps are very unlikely to infect people and other animals.
Most of the cordyceps supplements today are grown in laboratories. That’s because natural cordyceps are hard to forage and are therefore expensive. Wild cordyceps can range from $20,000 to $40,000 per kilogram so manufacturers are turning into lab-grown alternatives.
Some of the common species of Cordyceps cultivated for medicine include:
- Cordyceps sinensis
- Cordyceps militaris
- Cordyceps ophioglossoides
- Cordyceps cicadicola
- Cordyceps liangshanesis
- Cordyceps sobolifera
What Happens If You Take Cordyceps Every Morning
I did try taking cordyceps tea myself every morning for a week. One notable change I have noticed is the increased energy throughout the day. It is effective in easing fatigue and stress. It may also be the reason for the sound sleep and relaxed feeling I got despite the hectic work week.
Here’s what I use to regenerate my body during the night and make sure the next day I’m energetic.
Scientifically, cordyceps are known to have the following effects and therapeutic benefits:
Anti-Aging
Cordyceps has abundant polyphenolic acid and flavonoids, which have an important role in its antioxidant capacity. It scavenges the free radicals that may cause cell damage to slow aging and prevent debilitating diseases. Cordyceps supplementation can effectively slow down signs of aging including cognitive decline.
Anti-Cancer
Antioxidant-rich food can slow down, if not prevent, the development of cancer. A published journal in 2021 explored the antioxidant and cytotoxicity of Cordyceps militaris and cited its effectiveness in reducing the malignancy of colorectal cancer cells. Its anticancer effect may also be effective against other types of cancer and tumor formation.
A clinical study conducted on mice also found that cordyceps can reverse the side effects of chemotherapy and enhance recovery.
I wish I’d known earlier what cordyceps does and where to get it from. I could have helped dear people around me… This is the best cordyceps tincture made by one of the top herbalists in America.
Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is an immune response that may sometimes be useful for the body. However, chronic inflammation can cause stress and may trigger other health problems. Cordyceps extract contains special proteins that can suppress inflammation by modulating the body’s immune response.
It can be used against inflammatory conditions like arthritis, IBS and other acute inflammation. And I’m going to use some more herbal remedies against my pains.
If cold weather affects your joints like it does mine, I highly recommend a soothing salve with cayenne. It provides a warming sensation that eases the pain in my knees and joints, taking away all the pain I feel.
Immune Modulation
Cordyceps has a bidirectional immunomodulating effect or potentiating and suppressive immune system effects. Administration of Cordyceps sinensis may boost the immune response to protect the body from infections. It may also suppress it to treat autoimmune diseases and manage the immune system after an organ transplant.
Improve the Gut Health
Intake of cordyceps can regulate the gut microbiota by improving digestive immunity. Hot water extract of Cordyceps sinensis may lower the population of harmful bacteria and increase the growth of good bacteria. It also influences the systemic immune function to improve digestion.
If you’re smoking, eating sweets, or you don’t have a backyard that provides all your food to make sure it’s not sprayed with pesticides… I’d take gut health as a priority. Before taking Cordyceps to aid your gut, make sure it doesn’t suffer of worse conditions.
Help your body heal your gut with remedies like reishi, turkey tail, plantain, and lion’s mane. If you can’t find all ingredients, don’t worry. I’ve got your back! Here’s the most powerful natural blend that helps repair the intestinal tract and restore healthy gut function!
Support the Brain Function
C. militaris and C. sinensis contain bioactive compounds with neuroprotective mechanisms. Cordyceps contain cordycepin, a potent compound with various nutraceutical and therapeutic effects that can modulate the neurotransmitters. It may protect against memory-related neuronal degeneration and improve motor and cognitive functions.
Cordyceps is not the only mushroom that is a brain remedy. Look up Reishi, also called the immortality mushroom. Also, Lon’s Mane. They both are used as companions to cordyceps when it comes to brain aid. And the cherry on top is Lemon Balm, which calms an overactive brain. This is linked to stress reduction and lowering the damage caused by excessive stress and lack of sleep.
You can find them all in this unique bundle in Nicole’s Apothecary. I got it just because it’s a great deal getting all of them at once. I’ll leave a link for you here if you’re interested in brain health.
Manage Diabetes
Cordyceps may mimic the action of insulin to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. A study on diabetic rats revealed that the fruiting body of cordyceps improved diabetic-induced weight loss, polydipsia and hyperglycemia. Initial studies suggest that cordyceps has the potential to be a functional food for diabetics although further studies are needed to validate its effectiveness and risks.
Prevent Blood Clotting
Cordyceps has an antithrombotic effect that reduces the formation of blood clots. It displays antiplatelet activity that prevents the platelet from clumping or any blood clots from growing. The ethanol extract of C. militaris may be used for future studies in developing antithrombotic agents with lesser side effects.
Anti-Fatigue
By improving the blood flow to the organs, cordyceps may boost the energy level. Its anti-inflammatory properties can cause vasodilation of the blood vessels to increase the blood flow to important organs and muscles. Cordyceps also increase the cellular ATP (adenosine triphosphate) at cellular levels. It causes less fatigue and increased energy even under extreme workouts.
Some athletes use acute cordyceps supplementation to improve their stress tolerance and boost athletic performance. However, more studies are needed to validate its effectiveness.
Benefit the Heart
The use of fungi in promoting heart health is increasing and cordyceps is being used as a traditional medicine for arrhythmia. Cordyceps increase the blood flow to the brain and heart, improve microcirculation and stabilize the heartbeat. It can also lower triglyceride and bad cholesterol to improve heart health and prevent related diseases.
If your heart, which literally keeps you alive as you read this paragraph, is not a top priority for your health, then I don’t know what it is. And there are so many heart-related issues such as high cholesterol or high blood sugar that impact your life. Especially in America. Us herbalists are fighting hard to share nature’s remedies that target your heart. Check out more about heart health remedies here.
How to Use Cordyceps
There are various ways of consuming cordyceps but the most popular is supplementation with cordyceps capsule and tincture.
If making a remedy at home is not your cup of tea (literally), then I’ve got an easier solution. Check out this non-GMO, 100% organic Cordyceps Tincture. I don’t usually recommend specific tinctures or apothecaries… but this store actually helped many people. I’ve been scrolling through the reviews and this one caught my eye:
Raw cordyceps can also be eaten or prepared into a soup. Dried cordyceps can be made into a hot water extract by boiling it at different temperature levels.
Because cordyceps is a mushroom, the best way to prepare it to harness both its water and alcohol-soluble compounds is in a dual extraction.
You can also use cordyceps in tea, which you can make at home. Here’s how:
Cordyceps Tea
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 cordyceps fruit bodies
- 1 cup water
Steps
- Place the cordyceps fruit body into the pot of water and boil for about 1 minute.
- Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Pour into a cup and drink.
To Use: Take the cordyceps tea after a meal. You may also eat the fruit body or toss it into soups and other meals. Drink it twice daily for full benefits or take a cup in the morning to energize your day.
There is no consensus on the right cordyceps tea and supplements for humans. Always use it sparingly and in moderation.
Talk to your doctor before taking cordyceps, especially if you have an underlying condition or taking medication for cancer, diabetes and blood clots.
Fantastic information! Looking forward to trying it.
This was a very interesting article and now I’m wondering where would you purchase them for the tea. I would love to try that as a winter tea. If there are any suggestions as to where to purchase a reputable brand I would appreciate that.