Health Benefits of Cordyceps (Dong Chong Xia Cao) Supplements

Cordyceps with Ganoderma Lucidum Reishi Mushroom Powder - 30 Capsules per bottle

Cordyceps, or Dong Chong Xia Cao in Chinese meaning “winter worm summer grass”, is a precious ingredient used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Cordyceps is a black, blade-shaped fungus found primarily in the high altitudes on the Tibetan plateau in China. Cordyceps is parasitic and grows on and derives its nutrients from moth caterpillars. In the fall, the fungal mycelia infect the caterpillar. The fungal infestation kills the caterpillar by early summer of the following year, thus releasing the fruiting body. The wild form of Cordyceps is harvested, while the principal fungal mycelium (Paecilomyces hepiali Chen) is cultivated aseptically. Cordyceps collected in the wild, particularly in the Tibetan regions, is thought to be the most medicinally potent. Wild Cordyceps is rare and is very expensive. Nowadays, Cordyceps is cultivated on wood and grains.

Cordyceps has long been employed to promote overall good health by the Chinese. It is valued for its activity in restoring energy, promoting longevity, and improving quality of life. Modern researches conducted by scientists in China, Japan and the U. S. indicate that cordyceps affects numerous human body systems including the circulatory, respiratory, and immune systems, as well as the liver, kidneys, and sex organs. Cordyceps has been used as an adjuvant in cancer therapy. It also appears to act as an antioxidant in the body, protecting it from free radical damage.

Seven classes of natural chemical constituents are found in wild cordyceps including proteins, peptides, all essential amino acids, and polyamines; saccharides and sugar derivatives; sterols; nucleosides (including adenine, uracil, uridine, guanosine, thymidine, and deoxyuridine); fatty acids and other organic acids; vitamins (including B 1 , B 2 , B 12 , E, and K); and inorganic elements. Cordycepin and other adenosine derivatives, mannitol, several unique sterols and their glycosides, polysaccharides, and cyclic peptides have been identified. Some constituents, such as deoxyadenosine and mannitol, are considered to be the active compounds that increase sex drive. These same compounds are also used to improve lung function and increase energy level. It has been theorized that cordyceps enhances athletic performance because it helps it increases blood flow and oxygen supplies throughout the body, which helps the heart, lungs, and other organs function more efficiently. In one study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, researchers reported that athletes who took 4.5 grams of cordyceps daily for six weeks had double the rate of oxygen intake as those in the placebo group. The recent research findings are highlighted in below sections:

Cordyceps Improves the Respiratory Function

Several scientific studies have demonstrated the benefits of Cordyceps sinensis in alleviating the symptoms of several respiratory illnesses including chronic bronchitis and asthma. In a double blind, placebo controlled study with 30 elderly volunteers Cordyceps significantly improved the maximum amount of oxygen these people were able to assimilate.

Cordyceps Improves the Functioning of the Heart

Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of Cordyceps sinensis on heart rhythm disturbances, such as cardiac arrhythmias and chronic heart failure. The effectiveness of Western medicine is enhanced when it is combined with the use of Cordyceps. “It is therefore tempting to suggest that cordyceps may play a significant role in helping to prevent and treat heart diseases.”

Cordyceps Helps Maintain Cholesterol

Four excellent studies have demonstrated that Cordyceps sinensis helps to lower total cholesterol by 10 to 21% and triglycerides by 9 to 26%. At the same time it helps to increase HDL-cholesterol (“good cholesterol”) by 27 to 30%.

Cordyceps Reduces Tumor Size in Cancer Patients

Several clinical studies have been conducted in China and Japan with cancer patients. The studies were done with CSE (Cordyceps sinensis mycelium, identical to the KALA Health Cordyceps), using a therapeutic dose of 6 grams per day (= 4 capsules twice daily). In one study with 50 lung cancer patients administered CSE in conjunction with chemotherapy, tumors reduced in size in 46% of patients. A study in cancer patients with various types of tumors found CSE (6 g/day for over 2 months) improved subjective symptoms in the majority of patients. White blood cell counts were maintained and tumor size was significantly reduced in about half of the patients. Researchers in Japan reported that CSE enhances the general reactivity of the immune system in individuals with cancer. To discover this, they subcutaneously injected mice with cancerous (lymphoma) cells and then orally administered CSE. This lead to a reduction of tumor size and prolongation of the host survival time. CSE also improved the antibody responses.

Cordyceps Protects against Free Radical Damage

Several studies have shown that Cordyceps sinensis protects against the damages caused by free radicals, and as such has powerful antioxidant properties.

Cordyceps Reduces Fatigue

Several studies with animals have demonstrated that Cordyceps sinensis increases the cellular energy production and oxygen supply. A double blind, placebo controlled investigation showed a marked reduction in fatigue in elderly patients when they were given three grams of Cordyceps daily. In another study, Cordyceps sinensis improved shortness of breath and reduced fatigue in patients suffering from chronic heart failure.

Cordyceps Helps Discomforts from Tired Legs

Several studies have shown that Cordyceps sinensis improves the flow of blood in the body by relaxing the smooth muscles of the blood vessels allowing them to expand. Cordyceps also improves the functioning of the heart and lungs (see above). Cordyceps therefore prevents or reduces the contraction of blood vessels which interferes with the flow of blood vessels in the legs, the main cause of tired legs.

Cordyceps Improves Stamina and Athletic Performance

Several studies with animals have shown that Cordyceps sinensis increases the cellular energy production and oxygen uptake.

A study with mice demonstrated their improve swimming capabilities after six weeks of Cordyceps supplementation compared with a control group.

Cordyceps Combats Sexual Dysfunction

Three separate Chinese double blind and placebo-controlled studies with over 200 men with “reduced libido and other sexual problems” showed remarkably similar results. On average, 64% of the Cordyceps-users reported significant improvement at the conclusion of the experimental period compared with 24% of the placebo group. In another double blind, placebo controlled study conducted with 21 elderly women with similar complaints, 90% reported improvements of their condition following the use of Cordyceps, compared with none in the control group.

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