For thousands of years, Cordyceps has been highly valued in China as a tonic food and herbal medicine used not only for its strengthening effects (Yang tonic), but also for its immune building qualities. Cordyceps is very safe to take and is highly recommended for anyone who values a strong immune system. The effects are cumulative and very noticeable.

Recommended dosage: 1-2 capsules per day.

This is a very well researched herb and, to date, there are no known side effects.

As with the other medicinal mushrooms, the anti-cancer effects of Cordyceps appear to come from its polysaccharides, as well as its sterols, lipids, nucleosides and especially in the de-oxy nucleosides, which have been found in no other source in nature.

Many studies have shown this mushroom's ability to stimulate and modulate the immune system and increase red blood cells. As an immune modulator and adaptogen, Cordyceps was shown to boost depressed immune function, but not enhance a normally functioning immune system to the same degree. In published research from China, Cordyceps was reported to have anti-tumor activity against lung cancer in both mice and humans.

In a number of human clinical trials and in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cordyceps has been shown to improve liver, kidney, cardiovascular, and respiratory functioning. Since these organs and systems can be adversely affected by cancer and its treatments, Cordyceps can contribute to overall health, besides having anti-tumor effects.

Read more about the immune enhancing effects of Cordyceps

Read other studies on Cordyceps

Cordyceps can restore the deep energy that has been used in adapting to stress, aging or chronic illness. In a number of Chinese clinical studies, primarily in older patients complaining of fatigue, when taking Cordyceps, the same patients reported significant improvements in energy levels, a greater ability to tolerate cold temperatures, enhanced memory and cognitive capacity and renewed sex drive.

Patients with respiratory diseases also reported feeling more dynamic physically. Overall, Cordyceps was 80-90% effective in significantly reducing fatigue in senior subjects.

Cordyceps, considered a Yang Jing tonic in Traditional Chinese Herbalism, helps to strengthen sexual function, which is the traditional use for Yang Jing herbs. In recent studies performed at Beijing Medical University of China and in Japan there was a 64% success rate among men suffering from impotence versus 24% in the placebo grou. There were no negative side effects from taking the herb.

Cordyceps is also recommended for its kidney-protecting effects, especially for people taking potentially nephrotoxic drugs.

Cordyceps is a key ingredient in several of Radiant Wonder formulas that deal with aging and immunity. It is also used in formulas that are designed to strengthen the lungs and can be used by anyone who requires extra energy in order to perform hard physical work, or sports workouts. It is a powerful athletic tonic. It has no steroidal content but it significantly improves performance and muscle building capability.

The American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting in 1999 presented a study which indicated that Cordyceps significantly increases maximal oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold, which may lead to improved exercise capacity and resistance to fatigue.

Cordyceps has demonstrated powerful action against bacteria, fungus and viruses. It has constituents that have been shown to have a strong anti tumor effect. Maintaining a strong immune system is a key to a long and healthy life.

Consistent use of Cordyceps will have a profound, long-term, strengthening effect on many aspects of the mind and body.

Click here to review recent clinical research on Cordyceps:

(Pub Med)

Inhibitory effects of ethyl acetate extract of Cordyceps sinensis mycelium on various cancer cells in culture and B16 melanoma in C57BL/6 mice.

Clinical observation on effect of chemotherapy combined with Chinese medicine in treating advanced tumor patients

(Natural Products Research Institute)

Cordyceps demonstrates the ability to protect the brain and the rest of the body against the damage of free radicals.  . Comparison of protective effects between cultured Cordyceps militaris and natural Cordyceps sinensis against oxidative damage.