Benefits of Cordyceps
In the early 1970’s, Chinese government researchers
began cultivating over 200 species of wild cordyceps,
looking for the very best type. Finally, they selected
just one kind—Cordyceps sinensis. The Chinese
government conducted many studies using scientific
standards to verify the safety and wonderful healing
properties of cordyceps. They found 10 main benefits
of cordyceps.
1. Restful Sleep
The first key benefit the researchers found is that
cordyceps helps promote restful sleep. Cordyceps
has a calming effect on the nervous system to help reduce
anxiety and nervous stress as well as making sleep
more productive.
2. Natural Anti-Cancer Agent
In China, cordyceps is a well-known anti-cancer, antitumor
and anti-infective agent. It has been shown to
significantly boost depressed immune function, including
both B and T cell lymphocytes. Studies have shown
outstanding results with lung cancer and lymphoma
patients. Research shows that the mushroom has no
effect outside the body, such as in a test tube. Instead, it
works only inside the body by upregulating the body’s
immune system to overcome disease.
The researchers found that cordyceps helps reduce the side effects of radiation therapy, such as used in cancer
therapy. Cordyceps increases the effectiveness of the spleen
to help filter out harmful substances in the blood. This helps
to promote faster healing.
3. Blood Pressure Regulation
The researchers found that cordyceps can lower blood
pressure that is too high and can actually increase blood supply.
Cordyceps can slow down the heart rate, increase the blood
supply to the heart and arteries and also increase the total blood
volume of the heart. Cordyceps relaxes the blood vessel walls
so blood flow is increased to the heart and blood pressure is
lowered. Cordyceps can also help lower the bad cholesterol,
the low density lipoproteins so common in heart disease.
4. Respiratory Help
The researchers found cordyceps helped reduce asthma
and other types of respiratory problems. Cordyceps can help
relax the bronchial walls as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory
agent. It can be effective against coughs and phlegm as
well as asthma and other respiratory problems. Cordyceps also
helps to naturally increase the body’s adrenaline production.
Adrenaline has a natural anti-asthma effect. Low adrenals can
also lead to symptoms of stress as well as eczema or other skin
conditions. Cordyceps can help strengthen the body’s adrenals
and eliminate these problems.
5. Sexual Rejuvenator
The researchers found cordyceps helps rejuvenate male
sexual ability. Key compounds in cordyceps act as potent male
sex hormones to bring back youthful function and stamina.
6. Increased Energy
Cordyceps can help increase energy levels. In addition
to cordycep’s ability to increase adrenaline, cordyceps has
the ability to increase ATP—this is high-energy adenosine
triphosphate, the powerhouse molecule from the cell’s energy
factory-- so energy levels are increased.
7. Anti-Aging Properties
The researchers found cordyceps is an amazing, anti-aging
herb. Cordyceps can help prevent the formation of lipid
peroxides (the dangerous age-inducing free radicals) and can
inhibit or prevent the formation of other free radicals in the
brain. Cordyceps provides significant protection against the
greatly increased contaminants everywhere in our environment,
especially our food and water. |
8. Blood Sugar Regulation
The researchers found cordyceps helps regulate blood
sugar. Most late-onset diabetes is really an infection, especially
in the pancreas, which is routinely missed. Since cordyceps is
a powerful, natural anti-infective agent, it can be a great help
in diabetes.
9. Memory Improvement and Mood Enhancer
Cordyceps can improve memory and
mental sharpness.
It also has a natural relaxing effect due to its amino acids,
glutamic acid, tyrosine and L-tryptophan. Cordyceps has an
excellent potential to benefit those with depression since it
naturally inhibits monoamine oxidase in the brain with no
side effects — unlike drugs. It is a natural herb which helps
upregulate the brain’s biochemistry without side effects with
a track record of thousands of years.
10. Increased Absorption Of Other Nutrients
The tenth key benefit is that cordyceps makes other nutrients
more effective. When cordyceps is taken regularly, the food
that is eaten is more fully absorbed. It helps the body make
more efficient use of all the nutrients in the food, so the body
can readily absorb and use all the necessary building blocks
for better health.
Blood Builder and Purifier
Cordyceps is also a great blood builder and purifier. Studies
show it can clear anemia due to its ability to build bone
marrow and platelet counts. It has also significantly helped
normalize arrhythmia (irregular heart beats) and improved
blood flow to the heart.
Even chronic hepatitis B patients found the extract increased
their blood albumin levels as well as improving their
liver and protein metabolism. Other human trials show that
cordyceps can also lower high cholesterol and triglyceride
levels.
Outstanding Kidney Rejuvenation
The use of cordyceps dates back to ancient China where it
was used in the Emperor’s palace. It was used to strengthen
and rebuild the body, especially after exhaustion or long-term
illness, often due to weakened kidneys.
Excellent results have been reported for those with weak
kidneys, even those in kidney failure.
Research has shown
it can increase 17-hydroxy-corticosteroid and 17-ketosteroid
levels, acting like a nontoxic super-cortisone. According to
Chinese medicine, kidney-related problems can include symptoms
such as chronic fatigue, back and joint pain, ringing in the
ears and many types of sexual problems, such as impotence.
The kidney chi or energy goes to all these areas. Cordyceps,
because it helps the kidney chi, has been shown to help all
these problems.
Team Player
Cordyceps is a natural team player because it affects so many
parts of the body. As world-wide research shows, its effects
range from benefitting many organs and glands to purifying
the blood.
References
Hobbs, C., “Cordyceps sinensis,” in Medicinal Mushrooms, An Exploration of Tradition, Healing
and Culture, Interweave Press: Loveland, CO, 1996, pp. 81-86.
Stamets, P., “Cordyceps sinensis,” in Mycomedicinals, MycoMedia: Olympia, WA, 1998, p.
22-23. |