Cordyceps, long known as a precious medicine in traditional medicine, is believed to have various therapeutic effects. So, what are the benefits of consuming cordyceps? Let’s explore in the following article.

What is Cordyceps?

Cordyceps, also known as caterpillar fungus or winter worm summer grass, has the scientific name Cordyceps sinensis (Berk) Sacc. It belongs to the Ascomycetes class, Hypocreaceae family.

The name “cordyceps” comes from the fact that this medicinal herb appears as a caterpillar in winter and transforms into a plant in summer. In ancient books, cordyceps is considered equivalent to ginseng.

In China, Cordyceps is a type of fungus that parasitizes on the larvae of a butterfly species. The fungus and the larvae live symbiotically. In winter, the larvae remain underground, and the fungus grows throughout the larva’s body, absorbing nutrients until the larva dies.

In summer, the fungus produces a fruiting body (stroma) that emerges from the ground, but the base remains attached to the larva’s head, extracting the entire larval body and fungus for use.

Not everyone is familiar with the benefits of cordyceps, so what diseases does cordyceps treat? – Image 1. In China, Cordyceps is often found in the damp forests of provinces such as Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai, Tibet, and is particularly abundant in Sichuan and best in Tibet.

What are the effects of consuming cordyceps?

According to traditional medicine, cordyceps is sweet-tasting, has a warming nature, and belongs to both the lung and kidney meridians. It is known for its lung-tonifying effects, nourishing the essence, treating weakness in the elderly, chronic bronchitis, prolonged cough, fatigue, lower back and knee pain, impotence, and premature ejaculation.

This precious medicinal herb has been used for a long time with various special effects. Many studies have demonstrated that cordyceps contains numerous nutrients beneficial for health, regulating the immune system, anti-aging, anti-cancer, protecting the liver, improving respiratory function, enhancing kidney function, preventing osteoporosis, and treating disorders of blood sugar and lipids.

Some prescriptions containing cordyceps

Several recipes, medicinal teas, and drinks containing cordyceps are nutritious:

Recipe 1: Cordyceps 5g, winter melon 6g, white Atractylodes 8g, licorice 3g, clove 2g, water 600ml. Steep and strain to 200ml. Divide into three portions to drink throughout the day. Consume while warm.

Effect: Treat weakness in the elderly, chronic bronchitis.

Recipe 2: Cordyceps 5g, Eucommia bark 10g, Dodder seed 10g, Chinese angelica 12g, Rehmannia 12g, White peony root 12g, Cyperus 6g, Akebia quinata 12g. Steep and drink for one month, divided into 2-3 doses. Consume while warm.

Effect: Suitable for those with lower back pain, prolonged and pale menstruation, blurry vision.

Recipe 3: Rehmannia 10g, Chinese skullcap 10g, cordyceps 10g, Hedyotis diffusa 10g, pangolin 10g, hoai son 12g. Steep and drink. One month, divided into 2-3 doses. Consume while warm.

Effect: Treat impotence and premature ejaculation.

Dishes, medicinal teas, and medicinal wines containing cordyceps

• Stewed Chicken with Cordyceps: Cordyceps 10g, young acacia chicken 200g stewed with spices. Divide into 1-2 meals per day.

Effect: Good for those with anemia, impotence, and premature ejaculation.

• Cordyceps Tea: Put 10 strands of cordyceps into a teapot, pour boiling water over them, and steep for 10 minutes. Drink daily.

Effect: Cooling the lungs, benefiting vital energy, suitable for impotence and premature ejaculation.

• Cordyceps Wine: Cordyceps 100g, Eucommia bark 50g, soak in 7 liters of 40% alcohol for 10 days. Take 30ml in the evening.

Effect: Treat back pain, knee fatigue…

These are just a few pieces of information to answer the question “What are the effects of consuming cordyceps?”. Hopefully, this information is useful to you.