Cordyceps extract 20:1 | Cordyceps sinensis

Properties: As an ancient legend has it, the health promoting properties of cordyceps have been discovered in Tibet. The story claims that men who consumed the fruiting bodies of this mushroom had fought bravely and with more determination than others. Nowadays, the popularity of cordyceps also stems from observation of male competition – yet this time on an Olympic arena. During the Olympics in Seoul the Chinese representation scored so well that they were literally accused of doping. As it turned out, the source of their almost supernatural performance was the extract of cordyceps.

How is it actually possible that Chinese sportsmen and Tibetan warriors improved their performance so much after consuming cordyceps? There are few possible explanations. For sure, ATP plays an important role here, as it is the main transmitter of energy in the human body. The active compounds found in cordyceps stimulate the production of ATP. The more ATP is available to the cells, the more energy they have – and so do we. What is more, cordyceps supplementation protects against the sore muscles after training and increases the production of testosterone in testicles. Therefore, it limits the workout related pain and improves its results.

Speaking of testosterone, it is important to mention its effect on potency. Cordyceps has quite a lot to say about this! Not only it naturally upregulates the level of this hormone, which increases libido. It also has a direct influence on male sexual organs – the blood flow to the penis increases, which allows reaching and maintaining full erection.

But who would feel like having sex or working out when the general condition of the body is low? Luckily, the supplementation of cordyceps extract comes handy also in this matter. It has multiple positive effects on the organism. Among them are: the regulation of blood cholesterol and insulin levels, protection of the liver, enhancement of natural antioxidant production, and improvement of the immune system. This last effect is possible thanks to the active compounds of cordyceps, which not only have specific antiviral and antibacterial properties, but also increase the production of white blood cells. The administration of the extract can thus be a simple and tasty way to improve the physical and sexual performance, take care about the immune system, and support the general well-being of the organism. It is no wonder that the market price of this mushroom keeps growing.

Occurrence: Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis, also known as Cordyceps sinensis) is a parasitic mushroom species that belongs to Ophiocordycipitaceae family. It is a larval, entomopathogenic mushroom – in other words, it grows on insects. Specifically, it is parasitizing the butterfly larvae from the Hepialidae family, also known as quick moths. Naturally, it grows exclusively at the heights exceeding 3500 meters above sea level in the Himalayan terrain of Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Tibet.

In traditional Chinese and Tibethan medicine cordyceps has been applied for millennia to improve the libido and general health, to support the immune system, and to prevent the diseases of the heart, lungs, and kidneys. The oldest known scripture that mentions the medical application of cordyceps is “Man ngag bye ba ring bsrel” („Instructions about countless drugs”), written at the end of the 15th century by a Tibetan doctor Zurkhara Nyamnyi Dorje.

Biochemistry: Cordyceps owes its amazing properties mainly to two nucleosides: cordycepin and adenosine. The concentration of these two compounds determines the quality of the mycelium. Some of the more attractive ingredients are also opiocordin (an antibiotic), ergosterol (provitamin D2) and hypoxanthine (an antioxidant). Apart from them, cordyceps also contains: polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides, glucosamine, micro- and macroelements (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium) and vitamins (B1, B2, B12, as well as A, C and E).

Fun fact: Scientists have thoroughly examined cordyceps and fully confirmed its safety. Moreover, they have included it into the family of so-called superfoods. Products from this category can be added to improve any diet.