Description
Cordyceps is a genus of ascomycete fungi (sac fungi) that includes about 400 described species. All Cordyceps species are endoparasitoids, mainly on insects and other arthropods (they are thus entomopathogenic fungi); a few are parasitic on other fungi.
Cordyceps sinensis, also known as Chinese caterpillar fungus, is a fungus that grows on the larvae of the Lepidoptera Moth. It is one of the most highly valued medicinal fungi of traditional Chinese medicine, where it has been used since ancient times.
Cordyceps sinensis takes around six years to complete its life cycle. Therefore, natural Cordyceps sinensis is both rare and expensive. Recently it has been grown successfully in cultures, providing a much more cost effective means of gathering the raw product. Research has shown that cultured Cordyceps sinensis has the same medicinal properties as wild species.
When a Cordyceps fungus attacks a host, the mycelium invades and eventually replaces the host tissue, while the elongated fruiting body (stroma) may be cylindrical, branched, or of complex shape. The stroma bears many small, flask-shaped perithecia containing the asci. These in turn contain the thread-like ascospores, which usually break into fragments and are presumably ineffective.
Use
The Cordyceps sinensiss has a long history as medicinal fungi. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has been used to treat several conditions including cancers for thousand of years. Extracts from the cordycep sinensis showed significant anti-cancer activities by various mechanisms such as, modulating immune system and inducing cell apoptosis. Some polysaccharide components and cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine) have been isolated from Cordycep sinensis, which acted as potent anti-cancer components.
Cordyceps sinensis is believed to have many other beneficial properties including: improved fatigue and stress resistance, improved immune function, as well as anti-ageing and anti-oxidant properties.
Some work has been published in which Cordyceps sinensis has been used to protect the bone marrow and digestive systems of mice from whole body irradiation. An experiment noted Cordyceps sinensis may protect the liver from damage. An experiment with mice noted the mushroom may have an anti-depressant effect. Researchers have noted that Cordyceps sinensis has a hypoglycemic effect and may be beneficial for people with insulin resistance, ie diabetics.
Another interesting area of research is the way CORDYCEP SINENSIS may inhibit the build up of cholesterol. It was found that CORDYCEP SINENSIS increased the level of good cholesterol (HDL), whilst simultaneously decreasing the bad (LDL) cholesterol. Cordycep sinensis has also been shown to inhibit LDL oxidation by free radicals and therefore may help to inhibit the formation of artherosclerotic lesions (furring of the arteries).
Other health efficacies of Cordyceps Sinensis are obvious in:
1. Asthma, allergic rhinitis
2. Poor renal function, renal injuries by chemicals
3. Chronic bronchitis, coughing
4. Poor resistance of respiratory tract, catching flu easily
5. Regulating blood pressure (high or low blood pressure)
6. Anti-aging, weakness
7. The declining of sex drive
8. Lowering raised blood lipid levels, strengthening the body’s immunity
9. Poor function of lungs & kidneys, irregular menstruation