Cordyceps sinensis

    * English Name – Caterpillar fungus
    * Chinese Name – Dong Chong Xia Cao
    * Japanese Name – Tochukas

Sung et al. (2007) report that there are over 400 Cordyceps species worldwide, all of which grow parasitically on a range of hosts. Several of these have been reported to have medical properties but the species of greatest interest is that traditionally used China, Cordyceps sinensis. Cordyceps sinensis grows on moth larvae above 3,000m on the Tibetan plateau and has always a rare and precious commodity, to the extent that historically it was restricted for use by the Emperor and his family.

Clinical usage was greatly facilitated by the start of commercial cultivation in the early 1980’s and, although significant wild harvesting still goes on, most Cordyceps sinensis now used therapeutically is commercially cultivated, relieving pressure on wild stocks and avoiding substitution with other Cordyceps species.

More than most mushroom species quality control is critical with some mycellial products containing as much as 70% residual substrate and with high levels of lead found in some products derived from wild collected Cordyceps sp.
Clinical Application

    * Cancer
    * Heart Disease
    * Ageing
    * Ilow libido and poor sexual fuction
    * Hepatitis

Cordyceps is an excellent tonic mushroom, boosting energy levels, lung function, kidney function, immunity and sexual performance.

Cordyceps has a profoundly energising effect on different aspects of the body, at lease some of which may be accounted for by its ability to stimulate in vivo corticosterone production, and is the mushroom of choice for supporting energy levels and ability to respond effectively to stress.

It has a marked aphrodisiac quality, which is cumulative.

Among other classes of secondary metabolite, nucleotide derivatives from Cordyceps sinensis have been shown to interfere with DNA replication in tumour cells.

http://mushroomnutrition.com/cordyceps-sinensis