The cordycepins in the cordyceps mushroom also appear to be toxic to leukemia cells. Cordyceps is considered safe for short-term use. Some users may experience mild side effects, including stomach ache, nausea, diarrhea, or dry mouth. 7 Symptoms typically resolve once the treatment is stopped.
This begs the query “Are cordyceps edible?”
Cordyceps ( Cordyceps sinensis) Cordyceps is also considered to be a lung tonic and, like reishi, has adaptogenic properties. Other edible mushroom benefits for cordyceps are that it energizes both the body and mind and is, thus, better consumed in the morning. This may be helpful for athletes or those who need a kickstart.
Is Cordyceps safe to take?
When taken by mouth: Cordyceps is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken appropriately, short-term. It might cause mild side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort.
The next thing we wanted the answer to was, is wild Cordyceps sinensis in all of these supplements?
True, wild Cordyceps sinensis (shown above) is not in 99.9% of Cordyceps supplements because of its exceptionally high price tag. In fact, wild Cordyceps sinensis costs over $20,000 per kilogram, making it the most expensive mushroom in the world. They are almost exclusively sold in Asia and rarely make it into the North American market.
What are cordyceps mushrooms?
Cordyceps mushrooms are parasitic fungi that include over 400 different species. They grow all over the world in countries like China, Japan, India, the United States, Australia, Peru, Bolivia, and many more. They typically infect insects and arthropods, with each species of Cordyceps infecting a very specific bug.
Can you buy Cordyceps sinensis mushrooms?
In the 1980s, when wild Cordyceps sinensis was gaining in popularity and the price tag kept climbing, scientists in China set out to cultivate this fungus. Many tried and many failed. Still to this day, there is no affordable cultivated version of this mushroom.
Cordyceps mushrooms, in particular, have an extensive history in some parts of Asia and have long been used medicinally in these areas. Today, they can be found around the world but are especially common in North America, Asia and Europe.
You could be wondering “What are the different types of Cordyceps mushrooms?”
The cordyceps mushroom has been a staple of Chinese medicine for millennia. Usage of these fungi is increasing as its proponents cite a host of possible health benefits. There are approximately 400 different cordyceps species. However, two specific species are now the focus of detailed research: Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris.
What are Ophiocordyceps sinensis mushrooms?
Cordyceps sinensis mushrooms, now technically called Ophiocordyceps sinensis, is one part caterpillar and one part stroma.
What are the health benefits of a Cordyceps mushroom?
Cordyceps is a type of medicinal mushroom said to offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, cordyceps is available in the United States as a dietary supplement.
Another popular question is “What are the effects of Cordyceps on cancer?”.
The effects of Cordyceps on leukopenia and tumor growth in humans is unknown, so health experts can’t currently draw conclusions. Test-tube and animal studies suggest Cordyceps may have the potential to treat cancer, as well as some side effects of cancer treatments.
Where do Cordyceps come from?
The most well-known species of Cordyceps mushrooms is Cordyceps sinensis (now known officially as Ophiocordyceps sinensis), which infects the caterpillar of the Hepialus moth. It mainly grows at high elevations in Tibet and the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai and Gansu.
Cordyceps is a fungus that grows out of the larval body of an insect at altitudes about 3800m to create a powerfully healing medicinal mushroom (though not technically a mushroom, most practitioners classify it under that heading). Mother Nature is truly incredible!