Cordyceps Extract contains 40% Polysaccharides
Natural Antioxidant properties!

 Therapeutic Applications Indications and Usage

The range of therapeutic uses claimed for Cordyceps species is far reaching; In Traditional Chinese Medicine Cordyceps has been used to treat conditions including respiration and pulmonary diseases, renal, liver, and cardiovascular diseases, hypo sexuality, and hyperlipidemia. It is also used in the treatment of immune disorders and as an adjunct to modern cancer therapies (chemotherapy, radiation treatment, etc.).

Many also believe it to be a medicine for the treatment for impotence, acting as an aphrodisiac in both men and women. Cordyceps is often prescribed for the elderly to ease general aches and pains. Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine also recommend the regular use of Cordyceps to strengthen the body’s resistance to infections, such as colds and flus, and to generally improve the homeostasis of the patient. Cordyceps is traditionally most often used in the treatment of health issues related to or stemming from the kidneys and the lungs. For example, it is used to ease a range of respiratory ailments: cough and phlegm, shortness of breath, bronchial discomfort, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. Science is attempting to confirm the efficacy of Cordyceps for most of its traditional uses; however, most medical studies regarding its efficacy remain incomplete. Today in the West, Cordyceps is most widely used by two groups of people: athletes and the elderly.

This product is pure nutrition; no fillers, additives or synthetic chemicals.  

The gelatin capsule complies with the requirements published in:

The United States Pharmacopoeia (USP); XXIV / National Formulary (NF) 19
The European Pharmacopoeia (EP); 3rd Edition

Kosher and Halal certified

Antioxidant properties
Dosage: 200 mg/kg
2 to 4 grams per day.

350mg Dosage

Minimum dosage: 1-3 capsules per day (24 hours).

Therapeutic dose: 6-12 Capsules per day eaten with food.

800mg Dosage

Minimum dosage: 1capsule per day (24 hours).

Therapeutic dose: 3-5 Capsules per day eaten with food.

DOSAGE

Clinical trials have been conducted using 3–4.5 grams of Cordyceps sinensis per day, except in cases of severe liver disease, where the dosage has usually been higher, in the range of 6–9 grams/day.

There are some practitioners who keep their cancer patients on 30–50 grams of Cordyceps per day. While this may seem excessive, the clinical results seen with this treatment regimen are promising, and Cordyceps related toxicity has never been reported. It has been traditionally taken in tea or eaten as whole, either by itself or cooked with a variety of meats.

Safety Profile
Contraindications: none known.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine Cordyceps Sinensis is suitable for both men and woman of all ages, Benefits are found in all age groups depending upon the health of the individual health.

TOXICITY
Cordyceps has proven to be a nontoxic fungal substance with wide-ranging physical and chemical effects on the body. No human toxicity has been reported, and animal models failed to find a median lethal dose. Mice were injected at up to 80 g/kg per day, with no fatalities after seven days. Wang and Zhao, unpublished report; Xu, unpublished report).

Altitude Sickness
Dosage: 1000 mg per day

Inhabitants in the high mountains of Tibet and Nepal consume Cordyceps, claiming that it gives them energy and offsets the symptoms of altitude sickness. The proposed reason for the alleged increase in energy is an increase in cellular ATP, increased oxygen availability has been posited as the primary agent in combating the effects of altitude sickness. In a placebo-controlled clinical study of elderly patients with chronic fatigue, results indicated that most of the subjects treated with C. sinensis reported a significant clinical improvement in the areas of fatigue, cold intolerance, dizziness, frequent nocturia, tinnitus, hypo sexuality, and amnesia, while no improvement was reported in the placebo group.

Cancer Fighting Capabilities
Without chemotherapy: cancer patients 30–50 g of Cordyceps per day.

With chemotherapy: In one study of 50 patients with lung cancer who were administered Cordyceps sinensis at 6 g/day in conjunction with chemotherapy, tumors were reduced in size in 23 patients. A trial involving cancer patients with several different types of tumors found that Cordyceps, taken over a two-month period at 6 g/day, improved subjective symptoms in the majority of patients. White blood cell counts were kept at 3000/mm3 or higher.

In 2003, Hwa-seung YOO wrote, “Cordyceps has been used as a medicinal staff in oriental medicine for patients suffering from cancer. It also has been used for cancer patients in East-West Cancer Center of Daejeon University Oriental Hospital and it has been shown to have clinical efficacy. It has been known to have immunomodulatory function, antitumor and immunoenhancing activities.

This present study aimed to elucidate the effects of Cordyceps on cancer by antiangiogenesis and metastasis. In this study, Cordyceps has some cytotoxic potency for HUVEC and HT1080 cell in vitro. It shows Cordyceps has antiangiogenic effects on HUVEC, and antitumor effects on HT1080. Cordyceps reduced MMP-2 gene expression in HT1080 cells in proportion to concentration and time. Expression of MMP-2 is strongly correlated with tumor invasion and metastasis in a variety of cancer. So we can suggest Cordyceps has antiangiogenic and antitumor effects by reducing MMP-2. In order to investigate the antiangiogenesis mechanism of Cordyceps, we studied the effects on VEGF, VEGFr, bFGF, bFGFr, eNOS, G-CSF mRNA expressions in HUVEC. Cordyceps reduced bFGF gene expressions in HUVEC. These results suggest that Cordyceps has antiangiogenic effect by reducing bFGF expressions. In experiments assessing the inhibitory effects on capillary tube formation, Cordyceps inhibited tube formation of endothelial cells. These results imply that Cordyceps inhibits angiogenesis by preventing tube formation of endothelial cell. In experiments assessing the inhibitory effects on wound healing, Cordyceps inhibited wound healing process in dose-dependent manner. These results show that Cordyceps inhibits angiogenesis by preventing HUVEC forming. In order to investigate the antitumor effects of Cordyceps in vivo, we excise tumor growth assay. Cordyceps inhibited tumor growth compared with control group. Based on these results, it could be concluded that Cordyceps has significant properties on antiangiogenesis and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that CME is a good candidate for diseases associated with angiogenesis.”

A possibly valuable therapeutic application of Cordyceps is in the treatment for cancer, as an adjunct to chemotherapy, radiation, and other conventional and traditional cancer treatments.

Cordyceps sinensis induces apoptosis (suicide cell). The ability to induce apoptosis has been identified and utilized in successful cancer chemotherapeutics (Hu and Kavanagh, 2003).

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadebosine), the main bioactive component in fungi of the genus Cordyceps, was first isolated from the culture filtrates of Cordyceps militaries. Reported biological activities of cordycepin include: inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis; enhancement of cell differentiation; restructuring of cytoskeleton in cells;
In VitroAntitumor activity reported by Ying Jie SUN et al in 2003on the following cancers:

• Leukemia
• Bladder
• Colon
• Lung Carcinoma
• Fibroblastoma

Yang et al. 2003 described the ability of the previously isolated polysaccharide from Cordyceps sinensis termed H1-A (Yang et al., 1999) to induce apoptosis through inhibiting phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL.

Finally, there are reports of direct cytotoxic activity (Nakamura et al., 1999; Kuo et al., 1994; Sato, 1989). However, these studies report inhibition at the phenomena level and do not address specific mechanisms. Yet it is interesting that cordycepin, a compound originally isolated from the Cordyceps sinensis relative Cordyceps militaris (Cunningham et al., 1950), is known to exert cytotoxic effects through nucleic acid methylation (Kredich, 1980). While isolation of this single active compound may set the stage for work to identify molecular mechanisms of action, the actual presence of cordcycepin in Cordyceps sinensis has been difficult to confirm. Cordycepin has been shown to be present in Cordyceps sinensis through nuclear magnetic resonance (Chen and Chu, 1996).

• Reported apoptotic effects of Cordyceps sinensis
• Reported function Model Dose Reference
• Antitumor activity Mouse Not stated Zang et al. (1985)
• Antitumor activity Mouse 5.0 g/kg Xu et al. (1992)
• Cell proliferation stimulation Cell culture 10 _g/mL Chen et al. (1997)
• Cytotoxic activity Cell culture 2.0 _g/mL Kuo et al. (1994)
• Cytotoxic activity Cell culture 500 _g/mL Sato (1989)
• Cytotoxic activity Cell culture 10 _g/mL Nakamura et al. (1999)
• Metastasis inhibition Mouse 100 mg/kg Nakamura et al. (1999)
• Anticytotoxic activity Mouse 150 mg/kg Yu et al. (1993)
• Antioxidant activity Mouse 50 mg/kg Yamaguchi et al. (2000b)
• Antiproliferation activity Cell culture 100 g/mL Zhao Long and Xiao Xia (2000)
• Cell proliferation inhibition Cell culture 10 g/mL Chen et al. (1997)
• Cell proliferation inhibition Human adult 71 g/mL Kuo et al. (1996)
• Cell proliferation inhibition Human adult 40 g/mL Lin et al. (1999)
• Cell proliferation inhibition Mouse 1.0 % of diet Lin et al. (1999)
• Gene expression inhibition Rat 0.5mL per animal Shahed et al. (2001)
• Hemolysis inhibitory activity Cell culture 1.5 mg/mL Li et al. (2001)
• Lipid peroxide formation inhibition Cell culture 5.0 mg/mL Li et al. (2001)
• Natural killer cell inhibition Human adult 12.9 g/mL Kuo et al. (1996)
• Radical scavenging effect Cell culture 5.0 mg/mL Shahed et al. (2001)
• Radical scavenging effect Cell culture 0.08 mg/mL Li et al. (2001)
• Tumor necrosis factor inhibition Human adult 2.7g/mL Kuo et al. (1996)

 Apoptosis Induced Within 6-8 Hours of Application

In 2004, Qiaoxia Zhang studied the extract of Cordyceps Sinensis.  The Cordyceps extract showed the most potent cytotoxic effect against the proliferation of human premyelocytic leukemia cell, with an ED50 V 25 Ag/ml for 2-day treatment. The Cordyceps extract induced the characteristic apoptotic symptoms in the HL-60 cells, DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation, occurring within 6–8 h of treatment at a dose of 200 Ag/ml. The activation of caspase-3 and the specific proteolytic cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase were detected during the course of apoptosis induction. These results suggest that the Cordyceps mycelium extract inhibited the cancer cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis.

Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Cordyceps sinensis, has demonstrated remarkable antitumor activities in several in vitro and in vivo studies (Yamaguchi et al., 1990; Bok et al., 1999; Huang et al., 2000). Cordyceps has also been recommended for cancer prevention and treatment or as an adjuvant drug of cancer chemotherapy (Zhu et al., 1998; Ji, 1999). In most cases, the antitumor effects of Cordyceps and its beneficial effect to cancer therapy have been attributed to its health-protecting and immunomodulatory functions. Recently, a sterol compound H1-A isolated from Cordyceps has been shown to inhibit autoimmune disease in MRL lpr/lpr mice, and promote apoptosis and to suppress the proliferation of human mesangial cells (Yang et al., 1999, 2002).

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), HT1080, and B16-F10 cells were used to evaluate the effects of Cordyceps extract on angiogenesis and tumor growth. DNA fragments, angiogenic related gene expressions, capillary tube formation, wound healing in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo were measured. Cordyceps extract inhibited growth of HUVECs and HT1080. Cordyceps extract at 100 mg/l and 200 mg/l reduced 72-kDa gelatinase (MMP-2) gene expression in HT1080 cells by 6.0% and 22.9% after 3 h and by 14.9% and 32.8% after 6 h treatment. Cordyceps extract at 100 mg/l and 200 mg/l also reduced bFGF gene expression in HUVECs by 22.2% and 41.3%. Cordyceps extract inhibited tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Cordyceps extract repressed the growth of B16-F10 melanoma cells in mice, compared with the control group (Yoo et al. 2004).

Several polysaccharides and polysaccharide–protein complexes have been isolated from fungi (mushrooms) and are being used as a source of therapeutic agents (Ooi & Liu, 2000). A number of b-glucans having (1/3)- and (1/6)- linkages (Kitamura et al., 1994; Sasaki & Takasuka, 1976; Wasser & Weis, 1999) and a-glucans (Whistler, Bushway, Singh, Nakahara, & Tokuzen, 1976) with (1/4)-linkages are widely used as antitumor and immunomodulation agents.

Cordyceps kill human leukemia cells

Haemi Lee in 2005  “Cordyceps is a traditional herbal ingredient frequently used for tonic and medicinal purposes in eastern Asia. The hot water extract of its cultivated fruiting bodies demonstrated a potent cytotoxic effect against the proliferation of the human premyelocytic leukemia cell HL-60, with an IC50 of 0.8 mg/ml for a 12-h treatment. It induced the characteristic apoptotic symptoms in the HL-60 cells, including DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation, occurring within 12—16 h of treatment at a dose of 1 mg/ml. The activation of caspase-3 and the specific proteolytic cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase were detected during the course of apoptosis induction. These results indicate that the hot water extract of Cordyceps fruiting bodies inhibited cancer cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3, and that the Cordyceps extract may therefore have therapeutic potential against human leukemia. The recent scientific evaluation of Cordyceps sinensis has confirmed the efficacy of this extract in the treatment of cardiovascular and endocrine disorders, in immune enhancement, in hepatic protection, in the inhibition of tumor growth, and in relieving fatigue and stress.”

Anti-HIV Drug
Dosage: 3 to 4 1/2 g twice daily

Dideoxyadenosine is a naturally occurring antiretroviral drug found in Cordyceps, which is marketed as a major anti-HIV drug under the name Videx and Didanosine, as well as 30-deoxyadenosine. Cordyceps have been used to lower the dosage of antiretroviral drugs.

Lung Ailments
Dosage: 3 capsules twice daily.

Chinese medicine has characterized Cordyceps sinensis as a guardian of respiratory health for more than a thousand years. Human respiratory trials conducted using Cordyceps have demonstrated the effectiveness in treating of the following diseases:

• Asthma
• COPD
• Bronchitis

Mice Oxygen Study

The Cordyceps reputation for protecting the lungs is believed to stem from its ability to promote enhanced oxygen utilization efficacy. In environments lacking sufficient oxygen, mice treated with Cordyceps were able to survive up to three times longer than those left untreated, demonstrating a more efficient utilization of the available oxygen.

Asthma Increasing Airflow to the Lungs
Typical doses of cordyceps are 3-9 grams daily

This provides support for the long history of Cordyceps use in preventing and treating altitude sickness. Extracts of Cordyceps sinensis have been shown to inhibit tracheal contractions, which is especially important in asthma patients because it allows for increased airflow to the lungs. In addition, its anti-inflammatory properties may prove to bring further relief to asthma patients whose airways become obstructed due to an allergic reaction resulting in the swelling of the bronchial pathways.

Asthma Improved by 81.3%

In a trial conducted at the Beijing Medical University involving 50 asthma patients, symptoms among the group treated with Cordyceps were reduced by 81.3% within an average of 5 days, whereas among those treated with conventional antihistamines, the rate of symptom reduction averaged only 61.1%, and it took an average of 9 days for symptoms to subside.

Effects on the Respiratory System

One of the most interesting effects of Cordyceps on the respiratory system includes expectoration and cough.  In a study by Wan F, et al, Cordyceps extract increased tratracheal secretion resulting in facilitating expectoration.  Along with increases in secretion, Cordyceps also has been shown to have an antitussive function.  Treatment with Cordyceps in ammonia-induced mice significantly prolonged the cough-latent period by about 5 times longer and cough frequency decreased.

In 1995 Han reported that the vast majority of patients with various respiratory diseases, including bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and cor pulmonale, showed significant improvement after being treated with Cordyceps.

Cardiovascular Health
Typical doses of cordyceps are 6-9 grams

Jia-Shi Zhu stated in 1998, “Clinicians in China have recommended Cordyceps for the treatment of refractory hyperlipidemia. Studies have suggested that natural Cordyceps and its mycelial fermentation products can regulate the metabolism of blood lipids, control hyperlipidemia, and act against the formation of atherosclerosis.”

When normal rats were treated with Cordyceps for 1 week, serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly reduced (Xu and Zhang, 1985).  In addition to reducing serum total cholesterol and lipoprotein, Cordyceps can also interrupt the formation of atheromatous plaque in the aorta and inhibit thrombosis on the surface of experimentally injured endothelia of arteries (Bao, 1995; Yue et al., 1995).

After being administered a polysaccharide purified from Cordyceps, serum triglyceride was significantly reduced in normal mice. Three hours after the polysaccharide treatment, total cholesterol was lowered by 16% in normal mice and 23% in streptozocin induced mice. These results suggest that in conjunction with other natural bioactive components in Cordyceps, the polysaccharide may play an important role in reducing blood lipids and glucose (Jia-Shi Zhu, 1998).

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 273 patients with hyperlipidemia, a significant reduction of TG was found with controls after only 1 month of treatment with Cordyceps (Shao et al., 1990).

Added to the effects of Cordyceps in reducing oxidative stress and its ability to reduce blood viscosity in clinical studies (Che and Lin, 1996), the changes observed in blood lipids indicate that Cordyceps may well produce beneficial effects in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular diseases.

In a clinical trial by Tang and Jiang in 1994, 38 elderly patients with intractable arrhythmias were treated with Cordyceps.  The majority diagnosed with superventricular arrhythmia, ventricular arrhythmia, or complete blockage of the right branch experienced complete or partial recovery of their ECG.

In 1995, the benefits of long-term use of Cordyceps were tested, by Chen, in 64 patients with chronic heart failure. Echocardiography demonstrated a significant reduction in the heart rate and a significant increase in the cardiac stroke volume and cardiac index. The shortness of breath-fatigue index was also significantly increased.

Dilation of arteries/isolated arteries by Cordyceps has been documented, including dilation of aorta, coronary arteries, cerebrovasculature, and peripheral arteries.

Hyperglycemia Diabetics

Dosage: 3 g/day

Preclinical and clinical data: Therapeutic applications of Cordyceps and its extracts are hypothesized to be centered primarily on the key effects of increased oxygen utilization, increased ATP production, and the stabilization of blood sugar metabolism.

Cordyceps research has shown that polysaccharides are effective in regulating blood sugar. Alteration of the body’s blood glucose metabolism, in patients consuming Cordyceps, often results in the reduction of oral or injected antidiabetic medications.

Fatigue
Volunteers that took 3 gram of Cordyceps a day

Inhabitants in the high mountains of Tibet and Nepal consume Cordyceps, claiming that it gives them energy and offsets the symptoms of altitude sickness. The proposed reason for the alleged increase in energy is an increase in cellular ATP, as previously mentioned; likewise, increased oxygen availability has been posited as the primary agent in combating the effects of altitude sickness. In a placebo-controlled clinical study of elderly patients with chronic fatigue, results indicated that most of the subjects treated with C. sinensis reported a significant clinical improvement in the areas of fatigue, cold intolerance, dizziness, frequent nocturia, tinnitus, hyposexuality, and amnesia, whereas no improvement was reported in the placebo group. Another study involving healthy elderly volunteers, with an average age of 65, tested the output performance and oxygen capacity of subjects while exercising on stationary bicycles. A portion of the volunteers consumed C. sinensis for 6 weeks, whereas others consumed a placebo. The results demonstrated that the Cordyceps group had a significant increase in energy output and oxygen capacity over the placebo group after 6 weeks.

Mouse Swim Test

Among the simplest and most reliable tests used to determine a compound’s ability to increase the energy output of a subject or decrease fatigue is the mouse swim test. In this test, two groups of mice (or other animals) are used. One group receives a standard diet, whereas the other receives the same diet, with the addition of the test compound. In this case, the test compound is Cordyceps. After a period of time, the two groups are put into a steep-sided container filled with water, from which escape is not possible. In this way, the animals are forced to swim. The time-to-exhaustion is measured for the two groups, and the results are compared and contrasted. If the group receiving the test compound swims longer than the group on the standard diet without the test compound, then it has been determined that they had increased energy output/ decreased fatigue, when compared to the control group. Trials of this nature have been conducted using Cordyceps as the test compound and have invariably shown the use of Cordyceps to significantly increase the time-to-exhaustion in laboratory animals over their control groups.

Elderly Human Stationary Bicycles Performance Test

Another study involving healthy elderly volunteers, with an average age of 65, tested the output performance and oxygen capacity of subjects while exercising on stationary bicycles. A portion of the volunteers consumed Cordycepssinensis for six weeks, while others consumed a placebo. The results demonstrated that the group that consumed Cordyceps had a significant increase in energy output and oxygen capacity over the other group after six weeks.

In placebo-controlled clinical trials (Cao and Wen, 1993; Zhang et al., 1995), Cordyceps was orally administered to elderly patients with asthenia (Lack of energy and strength). In association with the majority showing clinical, subjective improvement, there was a significant increase in red blood cell Superoxide dismutases (SOD) activity in the patients treated with cordyceps, which was significantly better than that of the placebo group. Associated with the increases of SOD, concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde were significantly decreased in Cordyceps treated elderly patients, whereas there was no significant change in the control group.

Fountain of Youth
Dosage: 2-3 grams per day

The legendary Chinese beauty Yang Kue-fei (719-756 A.D.) also took Cordyceps regularly, crediting the rare mushroom as her fountain of youth. Today, this is just one of the actions credit to Cordyceps Sinensis.  Published by  CordycepSingapore.com 2010. Cordyceps is used to rebuild the kidney and to remove lung inflammation, used for the treatment of fatigue, night sweating, hyposexualities, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, asthenia after severe illness, respiratory disease, renal dysfunction and renal failure, arrhythmias and other heart diseases, and liver disease (Zhu et al., 1998). Recent studies have demonstrated its multiple pharmacological actions-such as anti-oxidation activity (Yamaguchi et al., 2000a; 2000b; Li et al., 2001b), potentiating the immune system (Liu et al., 1992; Xu et al., 1992) and anti-tumor activities(Ohmori et al., 1986; Yoshida et al., 1989; Chen et al., 1997) just to name a few of the actions.

Heart Disease and Stroke

Cordyceps has been used traditionally to treat patients with heart disease and those recovering from stroke. In studies of patients suffering from chronic heart failure, the long-term administration of Cordyceps, in conjunction with conventional treatments digoxin, hydrochlorothiaside, dopamine, and dobutamine promoted an increase in the overall quality of life. This included general physical condition, mental health, sexual drive, and cardiac function, compared to the control group.

Heart Ailments
Typical doses of cordyceps are 6-9 grams

In China Cordyceps are used in stabilize, heartbeat and correcting heart arrhythmias e.g. Atrial fibrillation (AF).
Cordyceps’ complete mechanism is not fully understood controlling arrhythmias is unknown; it is thought to be at least partially because of the presence of adenosine, of which Cordyceps often has a significant quantity, along with deoxyadenosine, related adenosine-type nucleotides (Nucleotides are molecules that, when joined together, make up the structural units of RNA and DNA.), and nucleosides (Nucleosides are glycosylamines consisting of a nucleobase (often referred to as simply base) bound to a ribose or deoxyribose sugar via a beta-glycosidic linkage. Examples of nucleosides include cytidine, uridine, adenosine, guanosine, thymidine and inosine.). It has been shown that these compounds have an effect on coronary and cerebral circulation. While no single drug or herb is equally effective in all patients, it appears rare for a patient’s arrhythmia to remain unaffected by the addition of Cordyceps to the treatment regimen.

High Cholesterol / Hypercholesterolemia
Dosage:  9 g daily

While hypercholesterolemia is not typically considered a disease, it is a clear indicator of metabolism dysfunction and an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk.

In both human and animal studies, administration of Cordyceps has been associated with cholesterol and triglyceride reduction and an increase in the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol.

Hypoglycemic Effect
3 g/day

Another area of particular interest is the effect of Cordyceps on the blood glucose metabolism system. Cordyceps has been tested on animals and humans to investigate its potential as an agent in blood sugar regulation. In one randomized trial, 95% of patients treated with 3 g/day of Cordyceps sinensis saw improvement in their blood sugar profiles, while the control group showed only 54% improving with treatment by other methods.

In animal studies, isolated polysaccharides have been shown to improve blood glucose metabolism and increase insulin sensitivity in normal animals, to lower blood sugar levels in genetically diabetic animals, and to positively affect blood sugar metabolism in animals with chemically induced diabetes.

The common thread throughout all these trials is the increase in insulin sensitivity and hepatic glucose regulating enzymes, glucokinase and hexokinase.

In one unpublished trial conducted on nondiabetic patients treated with 3 g/day of Cordyceps, it was found that blood sugar levels vary throughout the day; the increase in blood glucose levels after eating and the dropping of glucose levels between meals were significantly dampened in the Cordyceps group. This indicates an increase in the efficiency of the blood sugar regulation mechanism. Furthermore, it was found that the subjects who happened to be alcoholic tended to lose their desire for alcohol within 48 hr after the commencement of this study. Subsequent unpublished and ongoing studies have confirmed this effect of reduction in alcohol craving. Further research into this area is clearly needed.

Immune Stimulating Properties
Dosage: 3 to 4 1/2 g twice daily.

The isolation and purification of a D-glucan from the fruit Cordyceps was studied. The result of this study introduces Cordyceps sinensis as a possible valuable source for (1/4), (1/6)-D-glucan which helps to exhibit unique immune stimulating properties (P.K. Raveendran Nair, Rodriguez, Ramachandran, Alamo, Melnick and Escalon, 2004).

Immune System

Several studies of Cordyceps have focused on natural killer (NK) cells. An in vitro study demonstrated that Cordyceps was capable of enhancing the activity of NK cells in normal individuals and in leukemia patients (Liu et al., 1992). Cordyceps was also shown to prevent decreases of natural killer cell activity in immune-suppressed mice and to reduce the formations of lung tumor colonies. Similar studies by Xu and Peng (1998), Xu et al. (1992), and Kuo et al. (1996) all reported that Cordyceps increased natural killer cell activity in immune-suppressed subjects.

Chen at al. reported in 1987 that Cordyceps could increase the number of T-helper cells and the ratio of T-helper to T-suppressor cells. Because of the influence on immune functions, Cordyceps has been used in many clinical conditions in patients with altered immune functions.

Liver Function
Dosage: 6–9 g of Cordyceps per day

Liver Ailments Hepatitis B And C

Another area of considerable research interest is the relation of Cordyceps and liver function. Cordyceps has been shown in nearly all such studies to enhance the efficient functioning of the liver. For example, presently  in China, Cordyceps is commonly used as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C.

In one study, Cordyceps extract was used in combination with several other medicinal mushroom extracts as an adjunct to lamivudine for the treatment of hepatitis B. Lamivudine is a common antiviral drug used in the treatment of hepatitis. In this study, the group receiving Cordyceps along with other medicinal mushroom extracts had much better results in a shorter period of time than the control group who received only lamivudine. In another study using 22 patients who were diagnosed with posthepatic cirrhosis, after three months of consuming 6–9 g of Cordyceps per day, each patient showed improvement in liver function tests.

Hepatic System
Dosage:  3 grams up to 3 times a day

Cordyceps has been used clinically for the treatment of chronic hepatitis and related conditions.
Thirty-three patients with chronic active Hepatitis B (8 diagnosed with cirrhosis) were treated with Cordyceps.  After treatment, a third of the patients with abnormal thymol turbidity test results prior to the treatment returned to normal.  Over half of the patients with increased serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase recovered to a normal range. (Zhou et al., 1990)

In 1986 Cordyceps was used to treat 22 patients with post-hepatitis cirrhosis. Liu et al. reported that there was a dramatic improvement in symptoms, including a significant increase in serum albumin and a decrease in y-globulin.

In an open-label study performed by Yang in 1995, Cordyceps was administered to 53 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis complicated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding at the terminal stage of schistosomiasis.  After 2 or 3 months of treatment, symptoms were dramatically improved in all patients.  B-ultrasound exams showed a vast reduction in the diameter of the portal vein. Esophagogastric endoscopy revealed improvements in esophageal/cardiac varices.

Renal (Kidney) Ailments
Dosage: 3–5 grams per day

Traditional views of the Cordyceps species held that its consumption strengthened the kidneys. Studies have shown that much of the kidney-enhancing potential of Cordyceps stems from its ability to increase 17-hydroxy-corticosteroid and 17- ketosteroid levels in the body.

Chronic Renal Failure

Chronic renal failure is a serious disease, one often affecting the elderly. In a study among 51 patients suffering from chronic renal failure, it was found that the administration of 3–5 grams per day of Cordyceps sinensis significantly improved both kidney function and overall immune function of treated patients, compared to the untreated control group.

Patients with chronic renal failure or reduced kidney function often suffer from:

• Hypertension
• Proteinuria
• Anemia

In a study with such patients, it was found that after one month on Cordyceps sinensis, a 15% reduction in blood pressure was observed. Urinary protein was also reduced.

Cordyceps Sinensis Increases SOD

Dosage: 3 to 6 grams per day for optimal effects

Cordyceps Sinensis Increases SOD and additionally, increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) were seen. The increase in SOD, coupled with an observed decrease in serum lipoperoxide, suggests an increase in the oxygen free radical scavenging capacity, resulting in reduced oxidative cellular damage.

Improves Kidney Function by 89%
Dosage: 5 grams per day

In another human clinical study, 57 patients with gentamicin-induced kidney damage were either treated with 4.5 g of Cordyceps per day or by other, more conventional methods. After six days, the group that received Cordyceps had recovered 89% of their normal kidney function, while the control group had recovered only 45% of normal kidney function. The time-to recovery was also significantly shorter in the Cordyceps group when compared with that of the control group.

Effects on Renal Functions
Dosage: 5 grams per day

In 1992, Cheng et al. found that Cordyceps treatment greatly decreased the mortality rate of mammalians with chronic renal failure when given the dose of 0.5g/kg for 4 months. It also reduced blood urea nitrogen and improved anemia.  Additionally, Cordyceps enhanced the transformation rates of splenic lymphocytes and promoted the rate of production of interleukin-2 receptor and expression of IL-2 in lymphocytes.  Chen also reached the same conclusion in 1986.

In association with reduced renal functions, patients with renal failure or dysfunction often suffer from hypertension, proteinuria, and anemia. A 15% decrease in average arterial blood pressure was observed, while urinary proteins were also decreased dramatically.

Cordyceps has also been used to treat patients with gentamicin toxicity. Bi et al in 1994 conducted a controlled clinical trial where patients diagnosed with gentamicin nephrotoxic damage were given Cordyceps daily, while another group with gentamicin toxicity received cotreatment with other substances. The rate of 6-day complete recovery was significantly higher in the Cordyceps group than in the control group and the number of days required for urine tests to become normal was significantly lower in the Cordyceps group.

Uses Against Male/Female Sexual Dysfunction
Dosage:  6-9 grams per day

Cordyceps has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat male and female sexual dysfunction, such as hypolibidinism and impotence. Preclinical data on the effects of Cordyceps sinensis on mice showed sex-steroid-like effects. Human clinical trials have demonstrated similarly the effectiveness of Cordyceps in combating decreased sex-drive and virility. A preparation aimed at improving physical strength and sexual virility,administered as a pill, includes as the main ingredient 50 grams of crushed cordyceps. HerbalGram. 2009;83:52-61 American Botanical Council

Effects on Sexual Functions

In the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, Cordyceps has long been used to treat male impotence and other types of sexual dysfunction. The libidinal effects of Cordyceps were examined in the clinic and in animal studies. Animal studies demonstrated that Cordyceps induces sex steroid-like effects (Wan et al., 1988). In humans, Cordyceps was used in 2 placebo-controlled clinical trials involving patients reporting decreased libido and sex drive and other sexually related symptoms. Cordyceps therapy was associated with a subjective improvement of up to more than double the number of those in the placebo group (Yang et al., 1995). Cordyceps was demonstrated to benefit both men and women. These results indicated that Cordyceps might affect patients’ sexual drive and functions, either via sex hormone systems or by directly acting on the sexual center of the brain and sexual organs.

In 1986, Guo performed an open-label trial involving 22 male patients with impotence.  After Cordyceps, more than one-third were capable of sexual intercourse and more than half experienced clinical improvement to some extent. It was suggested that the beneficial effects of Cordyceps might be due in part to the fact that it is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements, such as zinc, which are essential for sperm survival.