What is cordyceps sinensis?

Cordyceps sinensis is a species of fungus that grows on caterpillars in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is now being studied for its potential health benefits.

How does it work?

Cordyceps sinensis is thought to work by affecting the immune system, improving energy metabolism, and reducing inflammation. It is also believed to have antioxidant and anti-tumor effects. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanism of action.

What forms does it come in?

Cordyceps sinensis is available in a variety of forms, including capsule, powder, and extract.

What can happen if I have an imbalance or deficiency?

A deficiency or imbalance of cordyceps sinensis is not known to occur.

What does Cordyceps sinensis help with?

Cordyceps sinensis is a fungus that grows on caterpillars high in the mountains of Tibet and China. Healers there have used it for hundreds of years as a tonic for energy and the lungs. Most products sold today use a lab-grown strain, not the wild fungus.

The overall evidence grade on file is C. That means the human studies are small, mixed or early. Each use below has its own grade, because they do not all rest on the same research.

• Chronic kidney disease, as an add-on to regular care
  Early evidence — multiple small clinical trials, mostly from Chinese hospital wards. Doctors in Chinese kidney wards have used Cordyceps alongside standard care for decades. Several trials reported better kidney function markers and less toxin buildup. The studies were small and came mostly from one region, so the findings are not settled.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Stamina and getting winded during exercise
  Early evidence — several small trials in older and moderately active adults. Trials gave Cordyceps to older and moderately active adults for a few weeks. They reported gains in VO2 max, a measure of how well the body uses oxygen. Some also found people could keep going longer before they hit exhaustion.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Coughing and breathlessness with chronic bronchitis
  Early evidence — some clinical research in people with chronic bronchitis and mild lung trouble. These studies reported better breathing capacity and fewer symptoms. The trials were small, and the lung conditions tested were mild. In lab work, Cordyceps relaxed airway muscle and lowered inflammatory activity.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Keeping your immune system going during chemotherapy
  Early evidence — clinical use alongside cancer treatment in China; the rest is lab work. Reports from that hospital use suggest immune cell counts held up better during chemotherapy. This was always an add-on to cancer treatment, never a swap for it. In lab studies, the beta-glucans and sugars in Cordyceps switched on natural killer cells and macrophages, two early defence cells.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• High blood sugar in type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes
  Early evidence — a few small trials of Cordyceps polysaccharides. Some of these trials reported modest drops in fasting blood sugar. A few also reported better insulin sensitivity. The changes were small, so this sits as a support option next to regular care.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Feeling tired and washed out
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — user reports and lab work; no trial built to measure tiredness. People often say they feel more alert within two to three weeks. That comes from user reports, not from a human trial on file that set out to test fatigue. In lab studies, Cordyceps supported ATP production, the fuel that cells run on.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T3
• Low sex drive
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — limited research, mostly in older adults. Cordyceps has a long name in tradition as a sexual tonic for men and women. A small amount of clinical work reported higher libido scores and some support for testosterone. The research is thin, so the picture stays unclear.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T3
• Tiredness and breathlessness at high altitude
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — tradition plus early research; no human trial at altitude on file. The fungus grows in very high mountains, and people there have long used it for this. Early research suggests it may change how efficiently the body uses oxygen. No human trial at altitude is held in this library, so nothing here can be claimed.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3
• Staying strong and well into old age
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — tradition and lab work only. Cordyceps has been used for centuries as an anti-aging tonic. Lab work points to antioxidant activity and support for cell energy. No human trial on healthy aging or lifespan is on file, so this rests on tradition.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3

What Cordyceps sinensis has not been shown to do

• It has not been shown to treat cancer; the Chinese hospital use was always alongside chemotherapy, not instead of it.
• No trial on file shows it can replace kidney medicine or dialysis, since the studies used it as an add-on.
• No human trial on file shows it lengthens life or slows aging.
• It has not been shown to work on its own for diabetes in place of standard care.
• No trial on file shows it prevents altitude sickness.
• The exercise trials measured stamina and oxygen use, not muscle size or strength.

How to read this:

A grade of A means steady results from randomised human trials. B means at least one good human trial. C means small, mixed or early human studies. D means the human evidence is weak or clashes. Insufficient means no human study is on file, only lab, animal or traditional use. This page reports what studies found. It is not medical advice, and it is not a promise that Cordyceps will do any of this for you. Talk to your doctor first, above all if you have kidney disease, diabetes or cancer.

What does it help prevent?

• Protecting against heart disease
• Reducing the risk of cancer
• Preventing age-related cognitive decline
• Lowering blood pressure
• Reducing oxidative stress
• Preventing diabetic complications
• Protecting against kidney disease
• Reducing the risk of stroke
• Improving skin health
• Preventing liver damage

Which foods are rich in it?

• Reishi mushrooms
• Shiitake mushrooms
• Maitake mushrooms
• Turkey tail mushrooms
• Chaga mushrooms
• Oyster mushrooms
• King trumpet mushrooms
• Lion's mane mushrooms
• Hen of the woods mushrooms
• Brown beech mushrooms

What are possible side effects?

Common: None reported.

Mild: None reported.

Moderate: None reported.

Severe: None reported.

Overdose: There have been no reported cases of overdose.

Withdrawal: There have been no reports of withdrawal symptoms.

What's the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of Cordyceps sinensis varies depending on the form and preparation. It is best to follow the instructions on the product label or seek the advice of a healthcare professional.

How many days does it take to work:

The time it takes for Cordyceps sinensis to work can vary depending on the individual and the reason for use. Some people may experience benefits within a few days, while others may not see any effect for several weeks.

What time of day is best to take it?

Cordyceps sinensis can be taken at any time of day.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

Cordyceps sinensis can be taken with or without food.