- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- High Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas, at 3,000 to 5,000 metres. Ophiocordyceps sinensis
- Other names
- Cordyceps
Asia · Mushroom · № 147
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis)
Mushroom · Asia
Caterpillar fungus (cordyceps)
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis)
A fungus that parasitises caterpillars. Used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine for fatigue, lung complaints and low libido. Studies are small and there is no convincing evidence.
Safety notes
Genuine wild cordyceps is overharvested and often adulterated or weighted with lead. May interact with blood thinners and immunosuppressants.
Cautions by tradition (3)
- Herbs for viral infections: Not with autoimmune diseases, bleeding disorders, in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
- Chinese food therapy: Wild cordyceps is expensive and often counterfeited: buy cultivated material from a reliable source.
- Chinese materia medica: Caution with external diseases. Wild cordyceps is expensive and often counterfeited.
Preparation
The whole dried organism (caterpillar with fruiting body) in soup or decoction; supplements usually contain cultivated mycelium. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
According to tradition, Tibetan herders discovered it when their yaks became energetic after grazing. Harvesting has become a major source of income in Tibet and Nepal, and prices can exceed that of gold.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Energy tonic, strengthens lungs and kidneys, anticancer, antibacterial; for asthma, bronchitis, persistent cough, irregular menstruation, weakness and exhaustion.
Preparation and amount
1 g extract or up to 9 g raw mushroom twice a day; traditionally cooked with duck or in chicken soup.
Herbs for viral infections
Attributed effects
Supports the immune system (nucleosides, polysaccharides); especially against hepatitis B; further for kidney disease, anaemia, irregular heartbeat, weakness, wasting; aphrodisiac.
Preparation and amount
Tablet, capsule or in food; standard 5–10 g a day.
Caution: Not with autoimmune diseases, bleeding disorders, in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
Chinese food therapy
Attributed effects
Regarded as a powerful restorative in anaemia, fluid loss, exhaustion and muscle pain; supports immunity, slows signs of ageing, combats listlessness and supports the liver. With yam extra strengthening; also for growing children and the elderly.
Caution: Wild cordyceps is expensive and often counterfeited: buy cultivated material from a reliable source.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, warm
- Meridians
- lung, kidney
Attributed effects
Strengthens the kidney yang and nourishes the lung yin in impotence, a weak lower back and knees and chronic cough with blood in the phlegm. Mild enough for long-term use.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 6–12 g a day, usually in a decoction. Traditionally cooked with duck.
Combinations
- With sha shen, bei mu and donkey-hide gelatin for blood in the phlegm
Caution: Caution with external diseases. Wild cordyceps is expensive and often counterfeited.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionPowder and kitchen