CORDYCEPS Overview Information
Cordyceps is a fungus that lives on certain caterpillars in the high mountain regions of China. Supplement makers are able to get enough of the product to sell because cordyceps will reproduce in the laboratory.
Cordyceps is used to treat coughs, chronic bronchitis, respiratory disorders, kidney disorders, nighttime urination, male sexual problems, anemia, irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol, liver disorders, dizziness, weakness, ringing in the ears, unwanted weight loss, and opiumaddiction.
It is also used for strengthening the immune system, improving athletic performance, reducing the effects of aging, promoting longer life, and improving liver function in people with hepatitis B.
Some people use cordyceps as a stimulant, a tonic, and an “adaptogen,” which is used to increase energy, enhance stamina, and reduce fatigue.
How does it work?
Cordyceps might improve immunity by stimulating cells and specific chemicals in the immune system. It may also have activity against cancer cells and may shrink tumor size, particularly with lung or skin cancers.
CORDYCEPS Uses & Effectiveness 
Possibly Ineffective for:
- Improving athletic performance. Several studies have shown that taking cordyceps alone or in combination with roseroot does not seem to improve endurance in trained male cyclists.
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Promoting longevity.
- Decreasing fatigue.
- Cough.
- Bronchitis.
- Breathing disorders.
- Kidney disorders.
- Male sexual dysfunction.
- Anemia.
- Heart arrhythmias.
- High cholesterol.
- Liver disorders.
- Dizziness.
- Weakness.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Improving quality of life after cancer chemotherapy.
- Improving immune system function after cancer chemotherapy.
- Improving liver function in people with hepatitis B.
- Other conditions.
CORDYCEPS Side Effects & Safety
Cordyceps is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of cordyceps during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.“Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Cordyceps might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using cordyceps.
CORDYCEPS Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) interacts with CORDYCEPS
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) is used to decrease the immune system. Cordyceps seems to increase the immune system. Taking cordyceps along with cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) might decrease the effectiveness of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar).
- Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with CORDYCEPS
Cordyceps might increase the immune system. By increasing the immune system, cordyceps might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.
Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others. - Prednisolone interacts with CORDYCEPS
Prednisolone is sometimes used to decrease the immune system. Taking cordyceps might make prednisolone less effective for decreasing the immune system.
CORDYCEPS Dosing
The appropriate dose of cordyceps depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for cordyceps. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
