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Cordyceps

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Cordyceps, Caterpillar Fungus, Dongchongxiacao

  • Background
  1. Cordyceps is a parasitic Fungus that grows on caterpillars in the mountains of China
    1. Genus ascomycetous fungi (sac fungi) in the family Clavicipitaceae
    2. More than 260 species worldwide
    3. Cordyceps infects Insect larvae or mature Insects with fungal spores
  2. Cordyceps has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for several centuries
  3. Wild Cordyceps is rare and expensive
    1. Cordyceps found in commercial supplements are grown in labs
  • Indications
  1. Cordyceps has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine
    1. Boost energy and stamina
    2. Improve Renal Function
  2. Current evidence for specific medical indications is lacking
    1. Does not appear to improve athletic performance
    2. No high quality studies for use in the various conditions it is proposed to treat
      1. Cancer treatment
      2. Chronic Kidney Disease
      3. Dysrhythmias
      4. Sexual Dysfunction
  • Adverse Effects
  1. Appears well tolerated at doses of 3-6 g/day
  2. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms
  3. Antiplatelet effects
    1. Increased bleeding risk
  • Safety
  1. Unknown safety in pregnancy
  2. Unknown safety in Lactation
  • Drug Interactions
  1. Antithrombotic medications (antiplatelet agents, Anticoagulants)
    1. Increased bleeding risk
  2. Immunosuppressants
    1. Cordyceps may alter Immunosuppressant activity
  • References
  1. (2025) Presc Lett 32(6): 36
  2. Lin (2011) Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug, In: Benzie, Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd ed, Boca Raton, CRC Press
    1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/