What is Cordyceps used for?
Cordyceps are used to treat various medical conditions such as:
● Cough
● Chronic bronchitis
● Respiratory disorder
● Kidney disorder
● Nighttime urination
● Anemia
● High Cholesterol
● Liver disorder
● Dizziness
● General weakness
● Unwanted weight loss
● To treat opium addiction
● Control of Blood glucose level
Cordyceps is used for their health benefits such as:
● Strengthening of the immune system
● To improve athletic performance
● To reduce the effects of aging
● As a stimulant
● Tonic
● Increase stamina and recover from stress
● Reduce fatigue
● May offer Anti-tumor effects
● To improve heart health
Can Cordyceps treat breast cancer?
Recently obtained evidence suggests that Cordyceps can be used for the treatment of breast cancer because it can kill and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
A study performed by scientists in Korea demonstrated that ethanol extract of Cordyceps was able to stimulate tumor-specific cells in the body causing the death of breast cancer cells. The study further found that Cordyceps can stimulate the body’s own immune system to attack cancer cells as well can induce cell death in cancer cells themselves.
In another study performed in a lab in Korea, the scientist showed that Cordyceps extract can also inhibit the rapid growth of breast cancer cells, and thus has the potential to treat breast cancer.
Can Cordyceps Sinensis be used for the treatment of lung cancer?
According to recent studies, Cordyceps Sinesis shows potential for the treatment of lung cancer because it can inhibit tumor growth.
In a study, the effectiveness of Cordyceps along with other anticancer drugs to treat lung cancer was assessed. The study showed that the cancer cell viability was significantly decreased when the patient was treated with the combination of Cordyceps and anticancer drug than the anticancer drug alone. The study concluded that Cordyceps extract has the potential to inhibit tumor growth and can be used in conjunction with other anticancer drugs.
In another case, when a stage IV lung cancer patient cancer was treated with extract of Cordyceps Sinensis along with other drugs and extract, the quality of patient life improved as well the tumor size also decreased.
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Are Cordyceps useful for the treatment of autoimmune disease?
Due to its inhibitory effect on the immune system, Cordyceps can be used in the treatment of autoimmune disease and suppress the immune system after organ transplant.
A study was performed by researchers in rats to determine the occurrence of heart rejection after transplantation. The study demonstrated that when extract of Cordyceps was used along with a lower dosage of the usual drug, the rejection of organ decreased. Also, the extract decreased the activity of cells that kill foreign cells.
Does Cordyceps offer any benefits for the lungs?
Cordyceps offers the following benefits for the lungs:
● Improved lung function
● Improved quality of life
● Alleviate symptoms of various lung disorders
● Beneficial in asthma
● Increased lung efficiency
● Anti-inflammatory effect
● Treatment of lung illness
In traditional Chinese medicines, Cordyceps are being used for centuries for their various lung-related benefits, thus the Chinese have promoted Cordyceps as guardian of respiratory health.
Can Cordyceps be used for COPD treatment?
Cordyceps can be used for COPD treatment because it can relax and open airways, and improve lung efficiency.
Various studies performed to evaluate the effectiveness of Cordyceps to treat COPD shows that Cordyceps may be a promising candidate for the treatment of COPD.
During the studies, patients suffering from COPD treated with different forms of Cordyceps such as extract and formulas showed improvement in lung function, endurance, and lung efficiency. Oxygen concentration, exercise capacity, and improvement in quality of life. Further, the use of Cordyceps did not result in any adverse reactions or events in treated patients.
Even doctors, practicing in lung diseases have recommended patients to include Cordyceps in the COPD treatment for their various lung benefits.
Does Cordyceps affect dopamine levels?
Cordyceps can affect dopamine levels because it can increase the activity of the dopamine system.
Studies performed in animals demonstrate that Cordyceps can be useful for boosting the dopamine system in the brain. The improved function of the dopamine system could be helpful in the treatment of depression and fatigue.
Another study performed in rats shows that Cordyceps can increase the functioning of the dopamine system, and cordyceps can be useful to prevent nerve damage in neurodegenerative disease.
In another study, scientists found that cordyceps produced effects similar to anti-depressant drugs, and cordyceps reduced depression-like symptoms in rats.
However, most of the studies were conducted using animal models, to substantiate the claim further studies in human and clinical trials are required.
Does Cordyceps mushroom offer any mental benefits?
Cordyceps mushroom may offer the following mental benefits:
● Anti-depressant like effect
● Increased functioning of the dopamine system
● Fight mental fatigue
● Increased alertness
● Improved focus
● Increased cognitive performance
● Increased mental clarity
● Improved productivity
● Minimize mental effects of aging
● Decrease effects of age-related cognitive decline
● Stabilize mood and emotion through hormone regulation
● Protect brain health
● Protects nervous system
● Removes dangerous oxygen free radicals
What is the best time to take Cordyceps?
The best time to take Cordyceps is in the morning because it provides energy and boosts performance. The improved performance can be beneficial during the day.
Cordyceps provides nutrition and foundational support, so taking them often or regularly is more important than the time. Also, it is important to consider why you are considering consuming Cordyceps? The best time can be associated with the intended purpose.
Can I take Cordyceps before bed?
It is not advisable to take Cordyceps before bed because Cordyceps is known to increase energy and ATP production. However, some people suggest taking Cordyceps to improve sleep since it helps recover and improves cellular function.
So taking Cordyceps can keep you awake during the night. Taking Cordyceps can reset the circadian rhythm. It offers a more energizing effect when taken after a good night’s sleep. Cordyceps usage is linked to increased stamina and performance, so taking it in the morning is more beneficial.
How to take Cordyceps?
How to take Cordyceps will depend on the form you are consuming since it is available in a variety of forms. Cordyceps can be taken in different forms such as:
- Tea
- Capsule
- Tincture
- Hot water extract
- It can be consumed as a dry powder
- Cordyceps can be consumed as a whole
Dried and whole Cordyceps can be used to make tinctures that can be consumed in the morning. And powder and extract can be consumed in the form of a capsule or tablet.
The way to take Cordyceps can be associated with the intended use.
- For medicinal benefits- Tablet, capsule, powder
- For health benefits- Tea, Tincture, as a whole
Should I take Cordyceps with or without food?
Cordyceps can be taken with food, there are no guidelines suggesting if one can take it with or without food. The cordyceps themselves are consumed as food, in the form of soup. But, Cordyceps is usually not added to other food items or recipes due to their intense and unpleasant taste.
How does Cordyceps work?
Cordyceps work by stimulating certain cells and systems within the body. For example, it improves the immune system by stimulating cells that fight infection, for brain health Cordyceps work by improving the functioning of the dopamine system.
For the anti-tumor activity, it works by attacking cancer cells, causing the death of cancer cells, inhibiting tumor growth.
For lung-related benefits, Cordyceps work by dilating airways, thus increasing lung efficiency, endurance and improving general lung functioning.
It increases the capacity of the lungs thus increasing endurance, athletic performance, and stamina.
Cordyceps work on different systems of the body utilizing different pathways, increasing or decreasing the release of certain chemicals in the body.
How long does it take for Cordyceps to work?
Cordyceps takes from about 24 hours to 2-4 days to work.
If Cordyceps is taken as an extract, it starts working immediately due to the water-soluble part. If consumed as a whole the body takes about 24 hours to completely absorb the water-soluble part, after that you can expect to see results. But the fat-soluble part takes longer to absorb, about 2-4 days. So, if the benefits are based on the fat-soluble part, the Cordyceps can take longer to work.
But, some of the expected effects require accumulation of the required Cordyceps ingredients in the body, for those effects it may take even longer.
Since Cordyceps offers a long list of benefits and it takes different pathways to achieve different benefits, the time required to achieve those benefits can vary.
For how long does Cordyceps stay in your system?
The water soluble part of Cordyceps will stay in the system for about 24 hours, and the lipid-soluble part stays for about 2-4 days in the system.
The majority of Cordyceps extract is highly water-soluble, so most of the Cordyceps will leave your system within 24 hours. Compounds such as amino acids and Corycepin present in the Cordyceps are water-soluble.
Some components of Cordyceps such as fatty acids are lipid-soluble, which can remain in the system for a longer period of time.
What is the dosage for Cordyceps powder?
Some commercial manufacturers suggest taking a dosage of about 2 grams of cordyceps powder per day.
There is no specific dosage suggested for taking Cordyceps, but most of the scientific studies have used dosage between 1000-3000 mg/ per day.
The exact dosage of Cordyceps will depend on the physical characteristics of the consumer as well as the form of Cordyceps being consumed.
Cordyceps in extract form will require a much smaller dosage as compared to the whole or in powdered form.
However, there are no studies or guidelines suggesting the exact dosage of Cordyceps.
What is the dosage of Cordyceps for the treatment of ED?
There is no dosage of Cordyceps are suggested yet for the treatment for ED, however, a study done on rats used a dosage of 32 mg/kg of Cordyceps for ED.
The studies relating to the effects of Cordyceps on sexual function are still lab-based, and no animal or human trials have been performed as of now. It is only hypothesized that Cordyceps can help treat erectile dysfunction.
Studies suggest that Cordyceps might help treat erectile dysfunction. During the study, researchers found that the extract of Cordyceps stimulates the release of certain chemicals in the body, that might be responsible for improving blood flow to the sexual organ. Hence, Cordyceps could potentially help treat erectile dysfunction in men.
What is the effect of Cordyceps on the thyroid?
Cordyceps can help treat underactive thyroid glands. Studies show that in a thyroid autoimmune disease, the body produces anti-thyroid antibodies, which can damage thyroid glands resulting in an underactive thyroid. The study was performed using commercially available Cordyceps capsules, study showed that Cordyceps lowered the levels of anti-thyroid antibodies, thus protecting thyroid glands from damage.
The study suggests that Cordyceps can be used along with the other thyroid hormone replacement medication.
Cordyceps are also rich in selenium, which is known to reduce levels of ant-thyroid antibodies.
Cordyceps can be helpful in disorders related to the thyroid such as Graves and Hashimoto.
Does Cordyceps lower blood pressure?
Cordyceps can help lower blood pressure because it can relax blood vessels and relieve hypertension.
Research suggests that Cordyceps could be helpful to lower blood pressure. It is believed that the potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of Cordyceps can offer cardioprotective benefits. This coupled with the vasodilation effect of Cordyceps can help with hypertension.
These benefits are attributed to the compound called cordycepin, having a similar structure to adenosine. The structural similarity with Adenosine is believed to be the reason for relaxation of blood vessels, improving blood circulation, and lowering of blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
What are the side effects of Cordyceps?
Cordyceps are considered safe for short-term usage. But, some users may experience side effects such as
● Stomach ache
● Nausea
● Dry mouth
● Diarrhea
Cordyceps may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to yeast and mold.
There are not many studies evaluating the long-term safety of Cordycepsm, however, given its long history of usage, the short-term use is considered generally safe.
Sources
This article makes use of information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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