About Cordyceps militaris
Our Organic Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) Extract capsules and powders are a convenient way for you to harness the transformative effects of this unique, superfood mushroom!
Our main purpose at PhytoBalance is to provide our customers with the highest quality, natural supplements shown by scientific research to have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. To achieve this aim, we have spent considerable time researching the scientific literature to bring you what we believe is the best quality Cordyceps product available! Our Organic Cordyceps Extract capsules are derived from the fruiting bodies of the Cordyceps militaris strain, which we chose because this strain contains the highest levels of cordycepin1; a powerful myconutrient shown by research to have a wide range of potential health benefits2. The fresh mushrooms are dried and powdered before going through a dual-process hot water extraction to concentrate their beneficial compounds. 500mg of the extracted Cordyceps powder is then encapsulated (using vegan HPMC), with each capsule containing more than 80% polysaccharides and 30% β-Glucans, which alongside cordycepin, are the compounds within the C. militaris mushroom shown by research to have a beneficial effect on our health3.
Research suggests that Cordyceps can have a wide-ranging, positive impact on our health, with the potential to decrease inflammation, boost immunity, enhance sexual function, optimise hormone levels and aid healthy blood sugar and lipid levels4. Cordyceps has also been shown to enhance aerobic exercise capacity, decrease fatigue and boost cellular energy levels, so whether you’re looking to increase your athletic performance, smash some PB’s at the gym or supercharge your health and wellbeing – our Organic Cordyceps Extract capsules could help you achieve your goals!
Cordyceps militaris: Three Key Facts
Cordyceps mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to improve the immune system, enhance energy levels, support healthy blood formation and aid sexual function. Recent research has highlighted its effects as an immune enhancer, anti-inflammatory agent and sporting performance aid.
Our Organic Cordyceps mushroom extract capsules are produced only from the fruiting bodies of fresh militaris mushrooms. Each capsule contains 500mg and has been lab certified to contain more than 80% polysaccharides including a massive 30% of β-Glucans. These are the key bioactive compounds responsible for its clinical effects so you can be sure you are really benefiting from the effects of this powerful mushroom!
We have developed the best quality, organically grown Cordyceps militaris mushroom extract powder with no pesticides or chemicals encased within a vegan plant-based capsule. Our aim is to provide you an ethically sourced product that you can use to truly benefit your health.
Why you should consider supplementing with Cordyceps militaris
Smash some PB’s in the gym: Cordyceps has been shown to increase our capacity to produce ATP; the immediate energy source we use during high intensity training, and to increase production of new mitochondria (which are responsible for supplying our cells with energy). It has been shown to increase VO2 max and endurance whilst decreasing fatigue in healthy humans within just 3 weeks.
Aid male fertility and sexual function: Cordyceps has shown great promise in improving male fertility and sexual function; increasing the production and function of new sperm, enhancing testosterone levels and boosting libido (admittedly in a study involving rats though!).
Enhance your immune system: Cordyceps has been found to activate immune cells, increase the production of new immune cells and enhance their functioning. It truly is a broad effecting immunomodulator!
Reduce inflammation: The evidence shows that Cordyceps can help reduce inflammation through a wide range of mechanisms. Our Organic Cordyceps Capsules contain more than 50% β-glucan content, which has been shown to be the key mediator behind Cordyceps anti-inflammatory effect. Try some today and experience for yourself its awesome effect!
What is a Cordyceps militaris mushroom?
Cordyceps militaris (referred to as Cordyceps from this point) is an edible mushroom coming from the Cordyceps genus, which is the name given to fungi that in their usual environment, grow on insects! It has been revered in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries due its purported beneficial effects on energy, sleep patterns, sexual function and stamina5.
Cordyceps has been studied in depth over the past couple of decades and has been found to contain a diverse array of important, biologically active compounds, including cordycepin, adenosine, GABA, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and polysaccharides including β-glucans6. Though each of these compounds have health-promoting effects, recent scientific studies have shown that the cordycepin in Cordyceps is a particularly potent bioactive compound. Cordycepin alone has been shown to stimulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, impair tumour growth/activity, reduce blood sugar levels, provide antioxidant support, and improve sexual function6. In addition to these benefits, whole Cordyceps extracts have been shown to have diverse actions, with positive effects against allergies, obesity, blood clotting and the ability to improve exercise performance and aid antiviral activity7 including a suggested benefit towards COVID-198.
It is worth noting that in the 1993 Olympics, the Chinese Women’s running team dominated the competition, winning numerous races and breaking countless records, some of which stood until 2016! This incredible success was, according to their head coach, due to their use of Cordyceps, in addition to high altitude training and Turtle blood (not the nicest sounding combo!). The coach was later implicated in doping claims and so their success does need to be taken with a pinch of salt, but nevertheless, in light of the proven athletic benefits of Cordyceps discussed below, the Chinese athletes use of Cordyceps could well have given them the edge they needed to dominate the field!
What are the potential benefits of consuming Cordyceps militaris mushrooms?
Cordyceps supplementation has been shown to improve energy production, measured through an increase in biomarkers involved in ATP generation pathways in a mouse model13. ATP is the immediate source energy that we use in our bodies during exercise and so increasing its production results in a greater supply of energy to use during exercise and have the potential, in most disciplines to enhance performance. The same study also found that cordyceps supplementation increased PPAR-γ, which is a key metabolic regulator and controls genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis (creation of new mitochondria) and aerobic respiration. Mitochondria are responsible for the majority of our energy production and increased mitochondrial biogenesis is known to support increased exercise capacity and to strongly promote health and longevity, so this another great benefit of consuming Cordyceps!
A direct improvement in exercise capacity has also been shown in humans supplementing with Cordyceps14. In this study, participants had a significant improvement in their VO2 max and ventilatory threshold (functional markers of improved performance capacity), following just a 3-week period of supplementation!
In addition to its effects on exercise performance via energy production, Cordyceps has also been shown to improve endurance and decrease fatigue15. This study found an increase in exhaustion time in mice during swimming tests after 28 days of cordyceps supplementation which correlated with decreased levels of lactic acid. In terms of exercise performance, this is clearly of great value if you are looking to break a PB, push harder for longer or improve your ability to maintain your performance for longer!
Obviously, it is important to bear in mind the potential differences between mice and humans when considering the results of a study. However, in this example, improved endurance has been found in humans too16! After just 1 week of Cordyceps supplementation, the average ‘time to exhaustion’ measured on a stationary bike improved by 28 seconds from 3 minutes, representing a significant leap in performance. Even more impressive was that at the 3-week mark, this had improved to an average of 69 seconds!
There has been a real wealth of evidence showing the Cordyceps mushroom improving sexual function, testosterone production and fertility. For example, it was shown to significantly increase the levels of serum testosterone in a mouse model experiment17. An increase in testosterone was also shown in an experiment using rats, but it was also found that Cordyceps protected against prostate hypertrophy (enlargement of the prostate caused by elevated testosterone)18. This is particularly beneficial, as testosterone levels typically reduce as we age and boosting our testosterone levels can be associated with significant health improvements, but when testosterone is administered directly, it can lead to prostate enlargement which carries its own negative health implications. Therefore, the ability of Cordyceps to increase testosterone whilst inhibiting prostate enlargement could provide a great benefit as we age.
Cordycepin, one of the key beneficial compounds found in Cordyceps has been shown to improved reduce the testicular dysfunction that typically occurs during aging19. It must be remembered that these results were found in rats, but the cordycepin group was found to have improved sperm motility and increased production of new sperm; showing the potential of Cordyceps to improve fertility during aging. This same study also found an improvement in both SIRT1 and mTORC1 gene expression, which have been shown separately to strongly be associated with healthy aging.
In a final interesting study, also using rats, a Cordyceps extract was found to elevate testosterone levels again, though this time in diabetic rats20. In addition, it also was shown to increase ‘copulatory behaviour’, showing that it does have a clear potential to increase libido!
A recent review of Cordyceps research has confirmed that it has great potential for inhibiting inflammation, both at the cellular level and systematically21. Though the majority of studies have focused on non-human animals, the ability of Cordyceps to reduce inflammation has also been confirmed using human cells, where in one example it decreased the activity of various inflammatory cytokines (signalling molecules), including TNF-α which is known to exacerbate inflammation and increase the risk for contracting various chronic diseases when overexpressed22.
Another study investigated what causes the anti-inflammatory effect of Cordyceps and found that it was its β-glucan polysaccharide content that provided the most benefit23. This was one of the key reasons that we decided to maximise the β-glucan content in our Organic Cordyceps extract capsules, so that we can be sure you are getting the maximum benefit from Cordyceps!
Lastly, Cordyceps and the cordycepin it contains were shown to reduce neuroinflammation (inflammation within the brain) following a brain injury24. It did so through increasing the anti-inflammatory activity of microglia (a type of brain cell responsible for maintaining the environment within the brain) whilst decreasing their pro-inflammatory activity. As neuroinflammation is associated with a decrease in cognitive function as we age and risk of dementia, this action represents a great potential benefit to our health!
A recent review of the potential benefits of cordycepin (a potent bioactive compound found withing Cordyceps) highlighted evidence showing that it can have a strong, beneficial effect on the immune system with the ability to activate immune cells, increase their production and enhance their function25!
Although the review discussed above was based on individual cell or animal studies, another study investigated the effects of a 1.5g daily dose of Cordyceps over a 4 week period on a group of 40 healthy, adult male humans26. The study found that the men given the Cordyceps capsules had a significant increase in the activity of their natural killer cells (a type of immune cell that can kill tumour cells and cells infected with viruses or microbes), an increased proliferation of their lymphocytes (increased production of immune cells) and increased cytokine secretion (a measurement of the function of the immune cells). This study provided a great example of how Cordyceps can act as a potent immunomodulator; aiding in optimal functioning of the immune system!
Cordyceps has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to aid with kidney and liver function and improvements in both kidney and liver functions have been found in a wide range of animal studies. However, these same benefits have also been found in human experiments too! One particularly useful study found that a 100mg daily dose of Cordyceps over the course of 3 months provided a protective effect against chronic kidney disease progression in a group of patients suffering from kidney disease27. This was through its ability to regulate the TLR4/NF-κβ lipid and redox signalling pathway (improving their blood lipids and increasing their antioxidation capacity).
Another study investigated the effects of a 1.5g daily dose of Cordyceps on a group of adults with mild liver dysfunction over an 8-week period28. This study found a significant improvement in the liver CT scans of those patients taking Cordyceps, which was likely as a result of Cordyceps decreasing the accumulation of fats in their liver cells. The authors concluded that they would expect Cordyceps to protect against the progression of fatty liver disease or cirrhosis in patients with mild liver dysfunction.
Given that these human studies found a positive effect from Cordyceps, it is likely that the traditional use of Cordyceps to aid kidney and liver function could produce a beneficial effect!
How to use: Take 1-2g daily as required. A 1g daily serving has been shown to have a range of clinical effects in scientifc research. The minimum recommended daily dose is 1g, however, up to 2g per day could provide greater benefits. *For more details, please visit www.phytobalance.co.uk
How to store: Store in ziplock bag (or an airtight resealable container) in a cool, dry place and out of the reach of young children. Please reseal bag after use. Once opened, we recommend consuming this product within 6 months to ensure that maximum nutritional benefits are retained.
Ingredients: Organic Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) extract powder derived from the fruiting body.
Warning: This product is a food supplement and should not be used as replacement for a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. The recommended dose should not be exceeded. Please consult your GP before using this product if you are trying to conceive, pregnant, nursing, have existing medical conditions or are taking any prescription medication. Not suitable for children and adolescents under 18 years.
1 Yang, F.Q., Ge, L., Yong, J.W.H., Tan, S.N. and Li, S.P., 2009. Determination of nucleosides and nucleobases in different species of Cordyceps by capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis, 50(3), pp.307-314.
2 Ashraf, S.A., Elkhalifa, A.E.O., Siddiqui, A.J., Patel, M., Awadelkareem, A.M., Snoussi, M., Ashraf, M.S., Adnan, M. and Hadi, S., 2020. Cordycepin for health and wellbeing: a potent bioactive metabolite of an entomopathogenic medicinal fungus Cordyceps with its nutraceutical and therapeutic potential. Molecules, 25(12), p.2735.
3 Phull, A.R., Ahmed, M. and Park, H.J., 2022. Cordyceps militaris as a Bio Functional Food Source: Pharmacological Potential, Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Related Molecular Mechanisms. Microorganisms, 10(2), p.405.
4 Mehra, A., Zaidi, K.U., Mani, A. and Thawani, V., 2017. The health benefits of Cordyceps militaris—A review. Kavaka, 48(1), pp.27-32.
5 Das, S.K., Masuda, M., Sakurai, A. and Sakakibara, M., 2010. Medicinal uses of the mushroom Cordyceps militaris: current state and prospects. Fitoterapia, 81(8), pp.961-968.
6 Jędrejko, K.J., Lazur, J. and Muszyńska, B., 2021. Cordyceps militaris: an overview of its chemical constituents in relation to biological activity. Foods, 10(11), p.2634.
7 Phull, A.R., Ahmed, M. and Park, H.J., 2022. Cordyceps militaris as a Bio Functional Food Source: Pharmacological Potential, Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Related Molecular Mechanisms. Microorganisms, 10(2), p.405.
8 Kaymakci, M.A. and Guler, E.M., 2020. Promising potential pharmaceuticals from the genus cordyceps for COVID-19 treatment: A review study. Bezmialem Science, pp.140-144.
9 Negi, C.S., Koranga, P.R. and Ghinga, H.S., 2006. Yar tsa Gumba (Cordyceps sinensis): A call for its sustainable exploitation. The International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 13(3), pp.165-172.
10 Yue, K., Ye, M., Lin, X. and Zhou, Z., 2013. The artificial cultivation of medicinal caterpillar fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ascomycetes): A review. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 15(5).
11 Parcell, A.C., Smith, J.M., Schulthies, S.S., Myrer, J.W. and Fellingham, G., 2004. Cordyceps Sinensis (CordyMax Cs-4) supplementation does not improve endurance exercise performance. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 14(2), pp.236-242.
12 Yang, F.Q., Ge, L., Yong, J.W.H., Tan, S.N. and Li, S.P., 2009. Determination of nucleosides and nucleobases in different species of Cordyceps by capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis, 50(3), pp.307-314.
13 Choi, E., Oh, J. and Sung, G.H., 2020. Beneficial Effect of Cordyceps militaris on Exercise Performance via Promoting Cellular Energy Production. Mycobiology, 48(6), pp.512-517.
14 Hirsch, K.R., Smith-Ryan, A.E., Roelofs, E.J., Trexler, E.T. and Mock, M.G., 2017. Cordyceps militaris improves tolerance to high-intensity exercise after acute and chronic supplementation. Journal of dietary supplements, 14(1), pp.42-53.
15 Xu, Y.F., 2016. Effect of polysaccharide from Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes) on physical fatigue induced by forced swimming. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 18(12).
16 Hirsch, K.R., Smith-Ryan, A.E., Roelofs, E.J., Trexler, E.T. and Mock, M.G., 2017. Cordyceps militaris improves tolerance to high-intensity exercise after acute and chronic supplementation. Journal of dietary supplements, 14(1), pp.42-53.
17 Hong, I.P., Choi, Y.S., Woo, S.O., Han, S.M., Kim, H.K., Lee, M.R., Nam, S.H. and Ha, N.G., 2011. Stimulatory effect of Cordyceps militaris on testosterone production in male mouse. The Korean Journal of Mycology, 39(2), pp.148-150.
18 Kusama, K., Miyagawa, M., Ota, K., Kuwabara, N., Saeki, K., Ohnishi, Y., Kumaki, Y., Aizawa, T., Nakasone, T., Okamatsu, S. and Miyaoka, H., 2020. Cordyceps militaris Fruit Body Extract Decreases Testosterone Catabolism and Testosterone-Stimulated Prostate Hypertrophy. Nutrients, 13(1), p.50.
19 Kopalli, S.R., Cha, K.M., Lee, S.H., Hwang, S.Y., Lee, Y.J., Koppula, S. and Kim, S.K., 2019. Cordycepin, an active constituent of nutrient powerhouse and potential medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris Linn., ameliorates age-related testicular dysfunction in rats. Nutrients, 11(4), p.906.
20 Kopalli, S.R., Cha, K.M., Lee, S.H., Hwang, S.Y., Lee, Y.J., Koppula, S. and Kim, S.K., 2019. Cordycepin, an active constituent of nutrient powerhouse and potential medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris Linn., ameliorates age-related testicular dysfunction in rats. Nutrients, 11(4), p.906.
