Cordyceps

Latin: Cordyceps sinensis

Czech: Chinese caterpillar

Chinese: Dong Chóng Xia Cao 冬虫夏草

Japanese: Tochukaso

Tibetan: yartsa gumbu

The Chinese name for Cordyceps translates to "winter worm, summer herb". There are more than 700 species in this group, the best known besides C. sinensis is C. militaris.

The fruiting body is club-shaped and yellow to brown in colour. In the wild it grows only in the high mountain areas of Asia, mainly China and Tibet. It thrives best at altitudes above 3500 metres. The fungus is rare, literally weighted with gold, and is disappearing from the wild. Cultivation, unlike its close relative C. militaris, is very difficult. So far it has not been possible to grow mature fruiting bodies, only mycelia. It requires a special substrate for its cultivation.

The fungus reproduces parasitically. It belongs to the eruptive fungi and reproduces by spores. These are released and spread to the surrounding area. Some attach themselves to insect larvae, which burrow into the ground for the winter. They then germinate and burrow inside the larva, which they use as a reservoir of nutrients for their growth. The mycelium eventually completely fills the larval shell. In the spring, the mycelium then gives rise to the fruiting body, which emerges to the surface.

Like many other herbs, Cordyceps was discovered by accident. Yak herders have noticed that animals grazing Cordyceps are more alive, vital and fertile. Written records relating to Cordyceps date back to 620 AD. In the western world, it has been known only since 1726. It has enormous potential, especially as an adaptogen.

Characteristics according to traditional Chinese medicine

Nature: warm

Taste: sweet, slightly spicy

Tropism: Lungs, Kidneys

Main effects according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

Supplements Kidney Yang
Strengthens Ming Men (Gate of Life)
Nourishes the essence of Kidney Jing
Strengthens the Qi and Yin of the Lungs
transforms phlegm and stops coughing
Supports defensive Qi
Calms the spirit

When do we use Coprinus vital mushroom to maintain or improve health?

1) Support the Kidney Yang (Shen Yang)

Supplements the Kidney Yang - warms us from within, activating processes in the body
Used for: chills, cold extremities, pallor, fatigue, frequent and/or nocturnal urination, decreased libido, etc.
Chronic inflammation of the urine. bladder - only outside acute conditions, for treatment or prevention

Remark:

Yang Kidney affects urination, sexuality, bowel movements, menstruation, etc. Its weakening leads not only to frequent urination, but also to recurrent urinary inflammation. It can lead to recurrent bladder or kidney problems. Cordyceps should only be used outside the acute phase to strengthen the Kidney.

In acute inflammation of the urinary tract, it should not be used for the treatment of urinary tract infections. For acute bladder inflammation, use Coriolus + Ba Zheng San mixture + urological tea.

2) Strengthens the essence of Jing and Ming Men

Strengthens Ming Men - the root of all Yang, the prenatal fire supporting the whole body
Nourishes the essence of Kidney Jing - the energy reservoir received from the parents
used for: premature aging (graying and hair fall, coldness, wrinkles, extreme fatigue, thinning bones, dryness, concentration and memory problems, etc.
Cordyceps is one of the few remedies to enhance the essence of Jing!

Remark:

Ming Men is called "the root of all Yang". It lies in the place between the kidneys and supports all the Yang of the body and its related processes and organ functions.

Kidney essence of Jing is a hypothetical substance in TCM that we get from our parents. It reflects back up to 7 generations. It determines the quality of our life. It's like a candle that when it burns out, we die.

3) Strengthens Qi and Yin Lungs

Nourishes the Yin Lung - thus improving breathing and oxygen utilization from the air
Strengthens breathing - by supporting the Lungs and Kidneys
used for: asthma, COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic cough
hay fever - given before the season
in season combined with Reishi + Yu Ping Feng San blend

Remark:

According to TCM, the Kidneys control the inhalation and the Lungs control the exhalation. Cordyceps strengthens both organs, therefore improving Lung function and breathing.

4) Support for kidney diseases

Strengthens Yang Kidney and Ming Men
Used in: chronic nephritis, kidney failure, dialysis, etc.

5) Support for sexual and reproductive functions

boosts libido in men (and women) - improves spermiogram (sperm production and motility)
promotes testosterone production - only in case of testosterone deficiency
used for: impotence, infertility, tendency to miscarriage, etc.

6) Energy support

Cordyceps is the most powerful "energy recharger"
replenishes energy - it is suitable for states of exhaustion, fatigue syndrome, burnout

7) Support immune function

Strengthens defensive Qi (Wei Qi) - by strengthening Kidney and Lung Qi
Has strong antibacterial action - e.g. against Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumonia and meningitis in children), Candida albicans (candidiasis) and others.

Remark:

Defensive Qi (Wei Qi) has its basis in the Kidneys. It is replenished by the Spleen Qi and is raised to the surface by the Lungs. It is only as strong as the Kidneys, Spleen and Lungs!

8) Adaptogenic effect

Improves adaptation to the external environment - due to its origin and ability to stimulate the Kidneys, it increases our ability to survive
also suitable for long-term stress and depression

9) Support for athletes

increases the production of the compound ATP - a nucleotide capable of binding and releasing energy
Increases muscle oxygen saturation - improves cellular respiration and muscle oxygen utilization
accelerates recovery - helps to break down lactate from muscles and repair micro-injuries to tendons and muscles, thus preventing inflammation
reduces the risk of overtraining

Notes:

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a naturally occurring substance in the human body, capable of binding and releasing energy for many processes in living cells.

10) Heart and cardiovascular support

Protects the heart - reduces the need for oxygen through better use of oxygen
relieves the heart - by strengthening the Yang Kidney
used for: arrhythmias, angina, heart murmurs, etc.
With Auricularia and/or Reishi, it is used as heart attack prevention or in recovery after a heart attack.

Remark:

According to TCM, the Kidneys cooperate with the Heart. The Kidneys are the lower hearth and its Yang supports the Yang of the Heart. The Yang Heart in turn returns some of the Yang to the Kidneys. This is how the cycle of Fire is ensured in the body.

11) Psychic Support

Has the function of An Shen - calms and harmonizes the spirit of Shen
Used for: depression, anxiety, melancholy, etc.
Often combined with Reishi

Less common use of Cordyceps in clinical practice:

thrombocytopenia (reduced platelets) - often after chemotherapy
overweight - if the transforming function of the Spleen is impaired
Swelling - if the Yang Kidney is weakened, fluids stagnate and swelling occurs
antiaging effect - by promoting the essence it slows down aging
hepatoprotective effects - in hepatitis B and C, steatosis and cirrhosis of the liver
promotion of metabolism and removal of metabolites and toxins
regulates blood cholesterol
used as a support for diabetes
used as a supplement in HIV positive patients
used adjunctively for hip pain, which is improved by heat
stimulates circulation and blood production - suitable for anaemia
helps regulate menstruation - off-cycle or delayed bleeding
can help with tinnitus (tinnitus, tinnitus or whistling)