Cordyceps
Overview
Cordyceps, Caterpillar Fungus, is an edible parasitic Fungi that grows in high-altitude plateaus above 14,000 feet in China, Nepal and Tibet. Cordyceps has been used medicinally for over 2000 years in China.
Botanical Name
Cordyceps sinensis (Cephalosporium sinensis)
Caterpillar Fungus is from the Claviceptaceae (Ascomycetes) family.
Part Used
Mycelium
Caterpillar Fungus derives its name from the fact that it grows on the larvae of caterpillars (Hepialus varains) that inhabit the ground. When the Hepialus varains caterpillar dies after the summer, a fungus (a blade-shaped Mushroom-like fungus named Cordyceps sinensis) grows off its body. It is that fungus that is responsible for the stimulant properties of caterpillar fungus. Modern cultivation methods have replaced the need to collect the Fungi from individual caterpillars.
Health Benefits of Cordyceps
Cardiovascular System
Cordyceps may help to prevent Atherosclerosis (by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL Cholesterol). [1]
Cordyceps may help to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting. [2]
Cordyceps may lower Blood Pressure in High Blood Pressure patients (by blocking the hypertensive effects of Parathyroid Hypertensive Factor (PHF). [3]
Caterpillar Fung may be useful for the treatment of (viral) Myocarditis. [4]
Cordyceps may enhance the function of Red Blood Cells.
Cordyceps may alleviate (Supraventricular) Tachycardia (due to the Adenosine content of Cordyceps). [5]
Excretory System
Cordyceps may enhance the function (removal of waste products) of the Kidneys, may inhibit some types of damage to the Kidneys and is used for the treatment of some types of chronic Kidney diseases: [6]
Cordyceps may help to regenerate damaged Kidney cells (it promotes the synthesis of endogenous Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) in Kidney cells).
Cordyceps may inhibit the ability of Gentamicin to damage the Kidneys. [7]
Immune System
Cordyceps may inhibit some of the growth of some types of Cancer (due to methanolic compounds in Cordyceps named CS-36-39 and CS-48-51): [8]
Cordyceps may inhibit the proliferation of Cancer - Colon cells. [9]
Cordyceps may stimulate the apoptosis (cell death) of (promyelocytic) Leukemia cells. [10]
Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris species) may stimulate the apoptosis (cell death) of Cancer - Lung cells. [11]
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