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Cordyceps

Cordyceps militaris / Ophiocordyceps sinensis · 冬虫夏草

Mushrooms. Chinese Medicine.

Also called Caterpillar fungus, Dong chong xia cao, Winter worm summer grass, Chinese caterpillar fungus

Pinyin: Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo

Spanish: Cordyceps

Wild form costly, often fake

A fungus that grows on caterpillars in the wild, used in Chinese medicine as an energy and stamina tonic.

Did you know? The wild version grows out of the body of a caterpillar living high in the Tibetan Plateau, and it has been one of the most expensive natural products in the world.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Energy & tiredness. Small trials in older adults report better exercise capacity. Results are mixed and trials are short.
Early proof
Kidneys, bladder & UTIs. Small trials in people with kidney disease report mixed results. Better trials are needed.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Energy & metabolism, Kidneys & bladder

Traditional use

In Chinese medicine, cordyceps has been used as a tonic for kidney yang (warmth and energy) and for stamina, especially in older adults.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Tonic, Adaptogen, Antioxidant. Energy: warming.
Chinese medicine: 冬虫夏草 Tonify yang. Nature: warm. Flavour: sweet. Enters the Lung and Kidney channels.

How people take it

Most products are capsules or powder. Studies used different amounts, so follow the label and check with a clinician.

Decoction, capsule, powder and tea.

Where to get it

Wild cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is rare, costly, and over-harvested. Most products use cultivated Cordyceps militaris or mycelium grown on grain. Many products are mislabeled, so check for third-party testing.

Be careful

Usually mild, with stomach upset or dry mouth. It may lower blood sugar and can add to the effects of blood thinners and immune-suppressing drugs. Not studied in pregnancy.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; autoimmune disease; bleeding disorders; diabetes medicines.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Both are classic energy tonics in Chinese formulas.
Works well together
Paired for stamina and Qi (vital energy) in tonic blends.
Use caution
Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
May add to blood-thinning effects. Use caution with warfarin or similar drugs.
Use caution
Diabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
May lower blood sugar. Insulin or diabetes pills could drop it too far.
Use caution
Immune-suppressing medicine (transplant drugs, some arthritis drugs)
Immune-boosting effects may work against immune-suppressing drugs.

Adds up with others that may slow blood clotting: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 40 more.

Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.

Found in these formulas

Mushroom coffee (Modern)

The honest take

Most cordyceps studies are small and short, and many are lab or animal work. The wild form is threatened by over-harvesting, and it is often mixed with cheaper fungi or mislabeled. Ask for third-party tests before buying.