Cordyceps Mushroom

Name: Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris and Ophiocordyceps sinensis) — a group of fungi that grow on insect larvae. The Tibetan caterpillar fungus (O. sinensis) is rare and extremely expensive, while the cultivated C. militaris is grown on grain and is the type most often sold as supplements and in cooking.

Description

Cordyceps has been used for centuries in traditional Tibetan and Chinese medicine as a tonic, and wild caterpillar fungus, harvested on the high Tibetan plateau, became one of the world's most valuable natural products, selling for more than its weight in gold. Overharvesting has become a concern.

Cultivated cordyceps is grown on rice or soybeans, and is sold as orange-yellow, thin fruiting bodies, as powder or as extracts. In Chinese cooking, it is added to soups, herbal broths and chicken dishes, and is more of a tonic ingredient than an everyday mushroom.

Main nutrition value

Cordyceps contains polysaccharides and a compound called cordycepin that are studied for effects on energy and immunity, but evidence in humans is limited, and it is eaten in small amounts.

How best to be consumed

Cordyceps is used as a tonic ingredient, in small amounts.

1. Simmer dried cordyceps in chicken soup or herbal broth, as in Chinese cooking.
2. Steep in hot water as a tea, or stir powder into drinks.
3. Buy from a reputable supplier, since the wild form is expensive and often faked.
4. Follow label doses for supplements, and treat them as a supplement rather than a food.
5. Store dried cordyceps in a cool, dry place.

Overconsumption could cause…

Cordyceps is used in small amounts, and concentrated products need care.

1. Possible interactions with medicines such as blood thinners, diabetes drugs and immune-suppressing drugs, so people on medication should check with a doctor before using concentrated extracts or supplements.
2. Allergic reactions or digestive upset in some people, and stomach discomfort from the fibre (chitin) and sugars in mushrooms in large servings.
3. Possible effects on immunity, so people with autoimmune disease or on immune-suppressing drugs should avoid it unless a doctor agrees.
4. Adulterated or contaminated products, including some with heavy metals, so choose tested brands.

GroupsMushroomsFungi (mushrooms)

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Wikipedia — Cordyceps, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordyceps