Cordyceps sinensis:The longevity and energy mushroom with history application for more than 3000 years.

Cordyceps-History and Science.:

Corcyceps Mycelia Extract Mannitol CAS 95009-14-6 Corcyceps Extract CS-4 Polysaccharides Cordyceps sinensis extract Cordyceps sinensis Berk.Sacc photo picture image The historical use of Cordyceps as an anti-aging herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dates back to 1700 BCE. During China's Chin Dynasty, one emperor is said to have paid an ounce of gold for a three days supply of the precious fungus. Tibetan scholars wrote detailed descriptions of Cordyceps in 15th and 18th century texts. Cordyceps was introduced to Europe at a scientific meeting in Paris in 1726.

The traditional use of Cordyceps includes improving circulation, as well as health of the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver. Cordyceps was also used to boost general vitality, increase longevity and improve sexual health. Cordyceps is known as a "kidney tonic" in traditional Chinese medicine. In the terminology of TCM theory, "the kidneys" refer to a functional organ system that stores vital energy and governs reproduction/sexual ability. Cordyceps promotes both the "yin and yang" aspect of the body, thus it has a very balancing, normalizing effect on many facets of human physiology.

Commercial cultivation of Cordyceps sinensis began in the early 1980s, making the herb readily available for clinical research. More than 2000 patients have been enrolled in clinical trials in China. The results of this research show that cultivated Cordyceps has the same effects as wild Cordyceps on energy, vitality and numerous other parameters of health.

Pre-clinical Animal Studies: Higher biochemical energy levels; more efficient use of oxygen:

Animal experiments suggest Cordyceps may increase the body's supply of ATP, which is the primary form of biochemical energy used by cells to produce metabolic energy. Mice given Cordyceps show substantial increases in liver stores of ATP. Cordyceps increased survival time of mice kept in a low oxygen environment, suggesting that Cordyceps helps the body use oxygen more efficiently. Studies are underway in China to determine if these findings explain the energy enhancing, anti-fatigue effects of Cordyceps observed in humans. Animal experiments indicate Cordyceps may improve blood supply to the brain and heart by increasing arterial blood flow to these organs.

Human Clinical Trials:

The various effects of Cordyceps on humans have been seen in both open (uncontrolled) and placebo-controlled human trials. Cordyceps was given to a group of elderly persons experiencing fatigue and other age-related complaints. Compared to subjects on placebo, those taking Cordyceps reported better energy, greater tolerance to cold, better memory and improved libido. Similar improvements in energy, mental health and sexual function, along with improvements in heart function, were seen in a long-term study giving Cordyceps to patients with chronic heart failure. Further evidence that Cordyceps benefits the cardiovascular system is shown in trials where the herb has improved heart rhythm as seen on ECG.

Clinical trials appear to validate the traditional uses of Cordyceps as a beneficial herb for the lungs, respiratory system, kidneys, liver and immune system. At a dose of 3 grams per day, Cordyceps improved respiratory function and lung health by as much as 92 % after 12 weeks. In several trials, Cordyceps has improved various parameters of kidney function such as increased creatinine clearance, reduced BUN and decreased in urinary protein excretion. Cordyceps also protects the kidneys from the toxic effects of potent antibiotics, as seen in both human and animal studies.Cordyceps has successfully improved liver health, as measured by liver function tests, in patients with hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.Numerous in vitro and in vivo animal studies have shown that Cordyceps influences various aspects of immune function, including phagocytosis, natural killer cells, interleukin-2 and T lymphocytes. Positive changes in T cells have been observed in human trials, as well.

Antioxidant effects:

Extracts of Cordyceps exhibit strong free radical scavenging properties. Cordyceps has increased red blood cell SOD activity in humans, while at the same time reducing blood levels of MDA (monodialdehyde), a free radical by-product. Cordyceps shows an ability to inhibit both oxidation of LDL by free radicals and the accumulation of oxidized LDL in macrophages. Cordyceps has also decreased cholesterol deposition in the aortas of atherosclerotic mice.

Safety:

Cordyceps has been regarded as a very safe herb throughout its traditional history, and is considered completely safe for clinical use today. Experiments on animals have not found a lethal dose, even when Cordyceps is given in extremely high amounts (10 to 80 grams per kilogram of body weight), nor does Cordyceps have any teratogenic or mutagenic effects. Instances of mild stomach discomfort have been reported in clinical trials.
Corcyceps Mycelia Extract Mannitol CAS 95009-14-6 Corcyceps Extract CS-4 Polysaccharides Cordyceps sinensis extract Cordyceps sinensis Berk.Sacc photo picture image

Theory:

Cordyceps could be the next Ginseng due to its reported effects on increasing energy levels, sex drive and athletic performance. You may remember mention of cordyceps in the news a few years ago when several Chinese athletes came from out of nowhere to break world records in swimming and running. It turns out that the athletes were following a supplementation regimen that included cordyceps. Although the pharmacologically active components of cordyceps remain unknown, at least two chemical constituents; cordycepin (deoxyadenosine) and cordycepic acid (mannitol) have been identified and suggested as being the active compounds in improving lung function and increasing energy levels and sex drive.

Organ Affinity:Heart, Kidneys, and Liver

Effects:Blood tonic, strengthens adrenal glands, antitumor

Indications:Excessive perspiration, bronchitis, emphysema, low sexual vitality, pain in lower back and knees, arthritis.

Remarks:This is one of the most popular and precious longevity-promoting herbs because it strengthens the adrenal glands, increases sexual vitality, relieves bronchitis and emphysema, reduces blood fats and sugars, lowers blood pressure and improves blood circulation.

Cordyceps (short for Cordyceps sinensis) is a rare Chinese mushroom that grows naturally on certain species of caterpillars. Fortunately, the cordyceps that are used today are cultivated through fermentation--that means, without caterpillars! For thousands of years, cordyceps have been used by Chinese healers as tonic for sexual vigor and overall vitality. It makes sense that cordyceps would be an effective aphrodisiac. Similar to ginkgo and other sex-enhancing herbs, cordyceps increases arterial blood flow, which sends more blood flowing to the pelvic area. According to Chinese studies, cordyceps can also improve athletic performance. A recent double-blind crossover study performed at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota confirms that, when combined with other tonic herbs, including Asian ginseng, enoki mushroom, green tangerine peel, reishi mushroom, and Siberian ginseng, cordyceps can speed recovery in athletes. . . . In the study, twelve well-trained college athletes were either given a placebo or 950 mg. of the combination herbal formula for five weeks. At the end of the five weeks, the athletes cycled intensely for twenty minutes, rested for twelve minutes, then completed cycling. There was little difference in performance between the two groups, although those who took the herbs finished slightly faster than the placebo group. The real difference, however, was in the accumulation of lactic acid postexercise. Those who took the herbs had significantly less lactic-acid build up. As many of you know, lactic acid is a byproduct of glucose that builds up in muscles during anaerobic exercise (high-intensity exercise like weight-lifting or sprinting). Lactic acid buildup is what makes muscles sore after a hard workout. From this study, it's reasonable to assume that cordyceps may help speed recover after intense exercise. Given its long-standing reputation as a tonic herb, it may also help relieve fatigue.

Cordyceps sinensis, an extremely popular compound in Chinese medicine has made notable inroads in modern sports nutrition. Rightfully so. Cordyceps extract increases ATP by supplying direct precursor, c-AMP, and also facilitates the use of body fat for energy.

Cordyceps sinensis is a potent herb that has been used for centuries in Chinese traditional medicine. It has several traditional uses, including treatment for asthma, increased physical performance and as an aphrodisiac. Cordyceps has been shown to improve athletic performance, to increase testosterone production in men and increase cAMP,the chemical messenger that triggers the release of stored fat into the bloodstream.

Cordyceps elicits a consistent increase in the ATP/ inorganic phosphate ratio. It is this ratio that signifies a higher energy state. This unique fungus from the Tibetan mountains has also been shown to enhance the ability to endure oxygen shortage by improving oxygen efficiency.

Reference:

Cordyceps sinensis:The longevity and energy mushroom with history application for more than 3000 years.

This article written and edited via herbalist of MDidea Extracts Professional. They run a range of online descriptions about this herb,including general information related and summarized updating discoveries from findings of professional scientisits this field related.Describe style aimed to form a useful detecting literature space where the intertwined threshold and related questions raise out and visualize themselves.

♣ last edit date:09th,Oct.2010.