Cordyceps Militaris, known as Winter Worm Summer Grass or Scarlet Caterpillarclub, is found mainly in grassland and on woodland edges, but also occasionally pushing up through bare soil during late summer and autumn.
Cordyceps is a genus of parasitic fungi that grows on the larvae of insects, turning it into a mushy mess and then pushing up through the turf as a bright orange club. When these fungi attack their host, they replace its tissue and sprout long, slender stems that grow outside the host’s body.
Records of Cordyceps fungi in China date from AD620, during the Tang Dynasty, and describe an organism with the ability to transform from animal to plant during summertime and then to change back to an animal for the winter. The former stage seems to be based on observation (with fungi treated as plants, as they were until very recent times) but the idea of insects being reborn from these fungi is quite fanciful. The Chinese name for Cordyceps Sinensis, which is used extensively as a medicine in China, is Dong chong xia cao, which translates to English as ‘winter worm, summer grass’.
In China, related species are highly prized as edible fungi. The remains of the insect and fungi have been hand-collected, dried and used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to treat fatigue, sickness, kidney disease and low sex drive.
Products containing Cordyceps extract have become increasingly popular due to their potential health benefits are very promising.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cordyceps was highly valued as a natural vitality elixir. With an unusual spindly appearance like that of a bright orange caterpillar, it was originally discovered by Tibetan herdsmen working at high altitudes. They took cordyceps to cope with the impact of low oxygen on their required level of exertion.
Some of the health benefits of Cordyceps are :
INCREASE IMMUNE FUNCTIONS
Cordyceps supplementation supports the body’s healthy immune functioning. The Polysaccharide content supports gut health and helps to boost immune system.
SLOWS AGING AND PROMOTES MENTAL CLARITY
Cordyceps are packed with antioxidants that help fight free radical damage, prevent stress and help slow the signs of aging. Research shows that it can boost brain function, enhance memory and even extend longevity.
IMPROVES ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Cordyceps are often used to help fight fatigue, treat muscle aches and prevent weakness. Cordyceps contain adenosine, a type of nucleic acid that is needed to make ATP (Adenosine triphosphate), an “energy carrier” that is depleted in the muscles during physical activity.
HELP FIGHT CANCER CELLS
Several promising in vitro studies have found that cordyceps could possess powerful anti-cancer properties and may help block the growth and spread of several different types of cancer. In particular, it show that cordyceps extract may be effective at reducing the growth of liver, lung and colorectal cancer cells.
REGULATES BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
Two active constituents in cordyceps, d-mannitol cordycepin and 3’-deoxyadenosine, are partially responsible for various physiological actions that help control insulin and blood sugar levels. In animal models, cordyceps supplements have helped combat high blood sugar levels while also reducing insulin levels to protect against insulin resistance.
SUPPORT FOR HEART HEALTH
Studies shows that cordyceps and heart health are link together, that they could help protect the heart against damage and lower cholesterol levels to prevent coronary heart disease.
PROMOTES RESTFUL SLEEP
The effects of cordycepin, which naturally occurs in cordyceps, help increase natural sleep. Researchers determined that cordycepin increases nonrapid eye movement sleep
HELPS TO TREAT CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
There are evidence from research shows that Cordyceps helps to prevent a common complication of diabetes, kidney disease. Cordyceps showed potential promise to decrease serum creatinine, increase creatine clearance, reduce proteinuria and alleviate chronic kidney disease associated complications.