All about Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps: Myco Miracle

Fungi are a very unique, special and sophisticated kingdom of living creatures. Earlier on people thought they were closely related to plants; ancestors of plants actually, well they do lack highly differentiated tissues which are found in plants. But, later on, through ribosomal RNA comparative studies, we have learnt that they are closer to animals than plants, and, they are far more evolved than what we used to think previously. They are natures cleaning mechanism, highly efficient decomposers of organic matter, their sophisticated and unique metabolism enables them to perform miraculous feats of nature and utilize a variety of bio-wastes as nutrition, and not only decomposition, some are specialized parasites, so far evolved than they can potentially control the minds of their hosts, creepy right. But many of the species are capable of metabolizing highly potent medicines and other useful biochemicals. 🍄🍄

Cordyceps sps belongs to the genus of ascomycetes fungi (the fungi which reproduce using ascospores). They are mostly endoparasitoid entamopathogens i.e. they are parasitic on insects, some even are parasitic on other fungi. They are well known for their capability to infect various insects, control their nervous system and completely replace the insects tissue with mycelium, but even more for the weird fruiting bodies which erupt from the dead insect body in a very alien manner.

There are about 400 species from which two species are of great interest to mycologists, mushroomologists & medical professionals, Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris. They in nature are parasitic on lepidopteran larva (Butterfly & moth family). These two species have some unique metabolic cycles and produce quite a few of highly potent medicinal biochemicals, this is discussed in more depth later in the article.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a wild variety, found in the Himalayan region of Southeast-Asia. It has been used for centuries in Chinese herbalism, Tibetan medicine and even the Ancient Ayurveda of India. It was once, only available to rich Chinese emperors and the elite. It was consumed for its healing effects, libido enhancing properties and as well as its ability to clear the mind and energize the soul. Today it is one of the most prized mushroom which cost about $20,000 a kilogram and sometimes much much more, there have been cases where the price has rose to $75,000 a kilogram. This huge of a price-tag put on a fungi has undoubtedly invited unwelcome parties leading to rampant harvesting of this fungi, the uncontrolled harvesting has endangered the species in its own natural habitat; where as, earlier it was thriving. This has in turn forced the government to put a ban on unlicensed harvesting of this priceless fungi, and we all know how good bans are, it has increased the black market value and managed to attract smugglers from all over the world. Although the government tightens its control measures, loopholes are made quicker than laws itself.

Dr. Sung Jae Mo

       But scientists came to the rescue, a Korean bio-agriculture scientist Dr. Sung Jae Mo successfully developed a way to cultivate Cordyceps militaris artificially in lab conditions, this cultivated variety is at par with the medicinal benefits of the wild Ophiocordyceps sinensis, in fact many studies have revealed it to have higher amounts of all the beneficial chemicals found in the wild species. This has made many mushroom growers and entrepreneurs interested in the cultivation of this specialty mushroom. Moreover, when both mushrooms provide the same benefits, then adding the more sustainable variety of the mushroom to the diet seems quite reasonable as opposed to destruction of an entire species (maybe not for some self-centered egoistic people out there of-course).

Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Cordyceps militaris

        So what are the benefits of consuming         Cordyceps militaris?

The benefits of consuming Cordyceps militaris arise from the biochemical constituents present in the mushroom; it contains high amounts of amino acids even when compared with other mushrooms, high amounts of Vitamin D, large amounts of antioxidants, it’s a good source of Magnesium, polysaccharides, β-Glucans, ergosterols, but its most beneficial bio-active components are Cordycepic acid and high amounts of nucleoside content; Cordycepin & Adenosine. All these components take part in various biochemical metabolic activities and have synergistic effects on the body as well as inter-related benefits.

Let me discuss upon a few of their proclaimed health benefits, these benefits have been studied in scientific literature as well as many real life human experiences uphold them:- 

1)  It improves Kidney health:-

      Chronic kidney disease is a global health problem that is very hard to treat,   costs the healthcare system billions of dollars each year and has a high fatality rate.  A 2011 study out of Zhejiang University found that Cordyceps has the potential to inhibit renal fibrosis by shutting down inflammatory pathways that destroy the kidneys normal function and produce fibrous scar tissue.

A 2014 study published in the journal Phytomedicine confirmed this earlier 2011 study.  The researchers found that the Ergosterol peroxide, the major sterol produced by Cordyceps was the major component that was able to shut down the transforming growth factor-β1 pathway that promotes the fibrous growth patterns that render the kidney useless.

2) It is an effective adaptogen:-

      Cordyceps is shown to help the body produce and balance cortisol and other stress hormones.  The adaptogenic qualities allow them to influence the body towards homeostatic balance.  This means that they move the body in the direction of a normal homeostatic set point.  If stress hormones are too high, they lower and stabilize them and if stress hormones are too low, they raise and stabilize them. This reduces stress, anger, and other extremes and brings a balanced mind and body.

3) It has an anti-oxidative property:-

      Cordyceps has high amounts of anti-oxidants; these anti-oxidants are accumulated in mushrooms throughout the life cycle. Anti-oxidants protect the cells and important cell organelles such as the mitochondria from injury and inflammation by scavenging on various free radicals produced in the body as a bi-product of various metabolic cycles or introduced in the body as pollutants. This in turn protects the cells and mitochondria from injury by free-radicals and inflammation. This leads to an anti-aging effect on the body as a whole.

4) It has anti-diabetic effect:-

     Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder in the endocrine system resulting from defects of insulin secretion (type 1), increased cellular resistance to insulin (type 2), or both. It results in abnormal increase in blood sugar levels which systematically damages and harms organs of the body. Cordycepin has been studied to mimic the action of insulin which increase glucose metabolism in body and reduces blood sugar level as well as sensitizes insulin receptors. More research is being carried out to know the full extent of Cordyceps ability to control blood sugar and its promising effects to be used as an anti-diabetic drug.

5) Fertility enhancer and increases libido:-

     Infertility is a common problem, affecting many peoples, the majority of whom now seek medical care. The use of herbal extracts as fertility enhancer is now on the rise because of the shifting of attention from synthetic drugs to natural herbal products. Cordyceps has proven through the test of time to enhance fertility and increase libido. It all started with a common observation on Mykot yaks; they go on a mating frenzy after consuming Cordyceps growing on the mountain tops which emerge during spring. Cordyceps has been studied and consumed for ages for its ability to increase sperm production and motility as well as its unique stimulating effect on both male and female sex glands. It is also famous by the name of “The Himalayan Viagra”. Along with that, it contributes to relieving stress and thus maintains an optimum hormonal balance in the body, that being said, stress is one of the major causes that contributes to impotency and infertility.

6) Anti tumor activity & Apoptosis:-

     Cancer is one of the leading causes of death, still needing an effective medicine for its remedy. Cordycepin from C. militaris has played an evolutionary change in pharmacognosy, leading to establish itself as a viable base for the treatment of emerging diseases like cancer, SARS, AIDS and Swine flu. It has been studied and observed to stop cell proliferation in many cancer cells like lung cancer, breast cancer etc. Its ability to stop proliferation occurs due to the similarity of the chemical structure of both Cordycepin and Adenosine; this makes Cordycepin getting accepted by transcription mechanism instead of adenosine and thus leads to early termination of transcription and also leads to apoptosis (cell death).

7) Increases energy and endurance.

     The presence of large amounts of Adenosine in the mushroom contributes to its energy boosting properties. Adenosine-triphosphate or ATP is the energy currency of the body. Moreover it increases blood’s Oxygen Carrying capacity. This boosts metabolism of glucose and provides energy along with the boost of ATP production. The benefits of Cordyceps, as you might have noticed, are inter-related with each other. This property is especially beneficial for body builders, fitness freaks and athletes, Cordyceps provide the small burst of energy required in these high intensity fields. 
      But  not only this, increase in oxygen also increases oxygen availability in the brain. This boosts brains productivity and concentration, along with being an adaptogen. Overall Cordyceps significantly improves brain function, productivity, brain-body coordination, concentration and mood.

8) It has anti-inflammatory effects:-

     The anti-inflammatory effects of Cordyceps arise from its ability to suppress proteins which contribute to inflammation. This ability of Cordyceps has been helpful for curing and relieving Asthma patients, pulmonary inflammation, etc; this also prevents formation of cancers and also protects from the heart getting damaged by maintaining smooth blood flow.

9) Other benefits:-

     It stabilizes mind, reduces stress & increases concentration.

     It reduces Cholesterol.

     It maintains blood pressure.

     It boosts and kick starts immunity.

     It builds endurance and muscle mass.

     It has antibacterial, anti fungal and anti viral properties.

To put it bluntly, nature has abundant gifts and resources for all of us, from energy sources, food resources to medicine, it sustains us and provides us with resources to thrive. There is so much more to learn from nature and about nature...

The benefit of adding Cordyceps to your daily diet might just provide you with the ability to live life without the need of synthetic chemical medication, as well as decrease the dependency on multi-billion dollar pharmaceuticals. Although there is more critical and medical research required, the proof from recent studies, the tests of time and Cordyceps being used throughout generations for its health benefits do show that there is much more to this fungi than just a hype. It significantly improves your health; both physical and mental, boosts productivity and greatly enhances libido. If there was a single key to a more healthier and happier life, Cordyceps it is. 

              How do we fit into the story?

Our Cordyceps is produced in a state of the art laboratory in highly sterile conditions. The substrate is made from top quality, toxic chemical free ingredients. Our strains are natural with no artificial colour added. We bring you the finest quality of cordyceps which are pure and without any kind of harmful adulteration. Grown with love and hardwork, for your and your families well being! 

By- Seema Gulati, Amit Gupta & Richyashringa Batchakha, at elle farms

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