Caterpillar fungus

Related Terms

3'-Deoxyadenosine, adenine, adenosine, alkenoic acids, amino acids, aweto, beta-sitosterol, caoor, caterpillar fungus, Chinese caterpillar fungus, chongcao, Clavicipitaceae, cordycepic acid, cordycepin, Cordyceps cicadae, Cordyceps militaris, cordyceps mushroom, Cordyceps nipponica, Cordyceps ophioglossoides, Cordyceps pseudomilitaris, Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Succ., Cordyceps sinensis mycelium, Cordyceps sinensis Sacc., Cordyceps spp., Cordyceps subsessilis (Tolypocladium inflatum), Cordyceps tuberculata, CordyMaxT, Cs4, CS-4, deer fungus parasite, D-mannitol, donchunghacho, dong chong xia cao, dong chong zia cao, dong zhong chang cao, ergosterol, fungus, galactomannan, hsia ts'ao tung ch'uung, Isaria sinclairii, jinshuibao, linoleic acid, manganese, mannitol, mummio, nucleosides, oleic acid, oligosaccharides, phosphorus, polysaccharides, potassium, selenium, semitake, shilajit, Sphaeria sinensis, sterols, summer grass winter worm, summer-plant winter-worm, tochukaso, tryptophan, uracil, uridine, vegetable caterpillar, vegetable worm, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin E, winter worm summer grass, yarsha gumba, yartsa gunbu, yatsa gunbu, zinc.
Combination product examples: CUF2 (Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, Cordyceps sinensis Sacc., radix Stemonae, bulbus Fritillariae cirrhosae, and Radix Scutellariae), Fuzheng huayu (semen Persicae, cordyceps, Salviae miltiorrhizae, pollen pini, etc.).

Background

Cordyceps sinensis is the Cordyceps species most widely used as a dietary supplement. Cordyceps sinensis is a fungus that naturally grows on the back of caterpillars. The Cordyceps fungus replaces the caterpillar tissue, eventually growing on the top of the caterpillar. The remaining structures of the caterpillar along with the fungus are dried and sold as the dietary supplement cordyceps.
Commonly known as dong chong xia cao (summer-plant, winter-worm) in Chinese, cordyceps has been used as a food supplement and tonic beverage among the rich because of its short supply. Cordyceps is also an ingredient in soups and foods used traditionally in Chinese medicine to help people recover from illness.
The fungus became popular in 1993 when two female Chinese athletes, who used cordyceps supplements, beat the world records in the track and field competition at the Stuttgart World Championships. The women were drug-tested for any banned substances such as steroids and were negative. Their coach attributed the performance to the cordyceps supplementation.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Cordyceps may improve various symptoms related to aging. However, higher-quality studies testing specific symptoms of aging are needed.

 C


Cordyceps may improve various symptoms related to aging. However, higher-quality studies testing specific symptoms of aging are needed.

 C


Limited research suggests cordyceps may reduce some asthma symptoms. The effect of cordyceps on asthma has yielded mixed results. Additional studies are needed in this area.

 C


Limited research suggests cordyceps may reduce some asthma symptoms. The effect of cordyceps on asthma has yielded mixed results. Additional studies are needed in this area.

 C


Early research suggests cordyceps has the potential to benefit cancer patients. More well-designed studies in this area are needed.

 C


Early research suggests cordyceps has the potential to benefit cancer patients. More well-designed studies in this area are needed.

 C


In 1993, two female Chinese athletes, who acknowledged using cordyceps supplements, beat the world records in the track and field competition at the Stuttgart World Championships for the 1,500-, 3,000-, and 10,000-meter runs. However, there is conflicting evidence from other studies on cordyceps for improving exercise performance. More studies are needed in this area.

 C


In 1993, two female Chinese athletes, who acknowledged using cordyceps supplements, beat the world records in the track and field competition at the Stuttgart World Championships for the 1,500-, 3,000-, and 10,000-meter runs. However, there is conflicting evidence from other studies on cordyceps for improving exercise performance. More studies are needed in this area.

 C


Cordyceps may lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, although these changes may not be long-lasting. More studies are needed to determine the long-term effects.

 C


Cordyceps may lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, although these changes may not be long-lasting. More studies are needed to determine the long-term effects.

 C


Combination herbal treatments including cordyceps may suppress the immune system during kidney transplants. More studies in this area are needed.

 C


Combination herbal treatments including cordyceps may suppress the immune system during kidney transplants. More studies in this area are needed.

 C


Cordyceps may strengthen kidney function. More studies in this area are needed.

 C


Cordyceps may strengthen kidney function. More studies in this area are needed.

 C


There is not enough evidence from current studies to support cordyceps for kidney toxicity. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


There is not enough evidence from current studies to support cordyceps for kidney toxicity. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Cordyceps may stimulate the immune system and improve liver function. Additional research on cordyceps and liver disease treatment is needed.

 C


Cordyceps may stimulate the immune system and improve liver function. Additional research on cordyceps and liver disease treatment is needed.

 C


There is insufficient evidence for the use of cordyceps to protect against adverse effects of chemotherapy. However, the preliminary results are promising.

 C


There is insufficient evidence for the use of cordyceps to protect against adverse effects of chemotherapy. However, the preliminary results are promising.

 C


There is insufficient evidence for the use of cordyceps for bronchitis or related lung disorders. Although results are promising, more studies are needed in this area.

 C


There is insufficient evidence for the use of cordyceps for bronchitis or related lung disorders. Although results are promising, more studies are needed in this area.

 C


Cordyceps may increase libido. Higher-quality studies in this area are needed.

 C


Cordyceps may increase libido. Higher-quality studies in this area are needed.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
The manufacturers of CordyMax? suggest taking two capsules, 2-3 times daily. The traditional suggestion is to include 3-9 grams daily in a hot tea or cooled meal. Up to nine grams daily of fermented cordyceps has been used.
For anti-aging, three grams of CS-4 extract has been taken by mouth daily for three months.
For asthma, cordyceps (dong chong xia cao) capsules have been taken by mouth.
For exercise performance enhancement, three grams of CordyMax? tablets has been taken by mouth daily for up to six weeks. 999 milligrams of CordyMax? has been taken by mouth three times daily for 12 weeks.
For high cholesterol, 999 milligrams (three 333-milligram capsules) have been taken three times daily by mouth for 4-8 weeks.
For immune suppression, Cordyceps sinensis mycelia capsules (exact dose unknown), in addition to cyclosporin A and prednisone, have been taken. A dose of one gram of cordyceps three times daily by mouth (Bailing capsule) was taken in combination with prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclosporin A for over one year. A Bailing capsule containing two grams of cordyceps has been taken by mouth twice daily for nine months.
For kidney failure, 3-5 grams of cordyceps daily has been taken by mouth.
For kidney toxicity, three grams of cordyceps has been taken by mouth daily for 15 days.
For liver disease, 4.5 grams of cordyceps has been taken by mouth daily.
For respiratory disorders, Cordyceps CS-4 strain (1,000 milligrams three times daily) has been taken by mouth for 40 days. A dose of three grams daily has been taken by mouth for 2-12 weeks.
For sexual dysfunction, three capsules (each containing 333 milligrams of CS-4 or 333 milligrams of natural cordyceps) have been taken by mouth three times daily for 40 days.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Cordyceps may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Cordyceps may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare provider. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Cordyceps may lower blood pressure. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood pressure. Patients taking drugs for blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors, should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist.
Cordyceps may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Cordyceps may also interact with agents for aging, allergy, asthma, and abnormal heart rate; agents for cancer, depression, inflammation, and malaria; agents for the brain, heart, intestines, lung, skin, and stomach; agents that alter the immune system; agents that reduce blood clots and platelet aggregation; agents that widen blood vessels; agents toxic to the liver or kidneys; alcohol; aminoglycosides (type of antibiotic); antibiotics; athletic performance enhancers; cholesterol-lowering agents; corticosteroids; enalapril; gentamicin; hormonal agents; monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs; depression medication); sexual performance agents; steroids; and Thymoglobulin? (organ transplant medicine).

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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