Cordyceps mushrooms are grown in the high mountains of Asia and have been used for their medicinal properties for centuries. Today, people like you can enjoy their antioxidative, disease-fighting and health-promoting benefits and inflammation reducing properties every day.

Let’s dig in deeper to learn what Cordyceps can do for you.

What Is Cordyceps Sinensis Mycelium?

Cordyceps Sinensis mycelium is one of the most powerful edible medicinal and nutritionally potent mushrooms in the world.

These mushrooms can be found in high mountain regions of the world, in particularly in the Himalayas. 

Cordyceps is a fascinating fungus with parasitic nature. They are unique mushrooms that grow on the backs of special caterpillars that only exist during certain times of the year in specific parts of the world 3,800 meters above sea level. The fungi not only grows on caterpillars, but it also ends up eating its host. First the base of the Cordyceps mushroom forms from the insect’s larva, then grows to about six inches long. At that point it consumes at least 90 percent of the infected caterpillar host and swells up in size up to 300-500 milligrams.

But how did people end up realizing its medicinal properties, you may ask?

At first, people in the area noticed animals eating this wild fungus and becoming stronger as a result. They became curious and started to use it themselves as a powder in teas and tonics first on their livestock, then eventually for their own benefits. Thanks to their curiosity, now you can enjoy the benefits of Cordyceps too.

Though Cordyceps come from far away, you can still experience their benefits without visiting China or Tibet. You can easily find them in health food stores, online and in ethnic stores in the form of dried mushrooms that look like long brown fingers, powders, capsules, supplements, extracts, tinctures, parts of coffee and parts of remedying superfood mixes.

Cordyceps have a savory and deep earthy-nutty flavor, however, it depends on what form you taking them in. For example, Organifi Red Juice is a delicious superfood mix with a powerful dose of Cordyceps; it tastes sweet and yummy just like Kool-Aid, but it's healthy.

Why Should I Use Cordyceps?

There is no doubt that you need Cordyceps in your life. Cordyceps are true superfoods due to their impressive ability to fight free radicals, diseases, infections, inflammation, oxidation damage, fatigue, stress and aging. Being adaptogen herbs, they act like natural stimulants, filling your body with energy and health. They have been used to help respiratory issues, colds, liver damage, kidney problems and more for centuries.

Benefits - What Cordyceps Mushrooms Are Good For

You won't believe all the astounding benefits Cordyceps can have, including:

• Cordyceps can improve your kidney function
• Cordyceps can be beneficial for respiratory conditions
• Cordyceps can benefit your cardiovascular health
• Cordyceps can improve your exercise performance, endurance and stamina
• Cordyceps can repair DNA damage
• Cordyceps can decrease inflammation
• Cordyceps can improve your sexual functions and sex hormonal health
• Cordyceps can lower your cholesterol
• Cordyceps can improve your blood cell function
• Cordyceps can benefit preventing and aiding diabetes
• Cordyceps can lower stress and fatigue
• Cordyceps can boost your brain function
• Cordyceps can reduce your risk of lung metastasis
• Cordyceps can help with cancer
• Cordyceps can have anti-aging benefits

How Should I Use Cordyceps Mushrooms?

There is no one way to use Cordyceps mushrooms. Cordyceps extracts are your best bet to receive the most benefits with the highest potency, but you may want to mix up your routine with Cordyceps coffee, Cordyceps flower, dried Cordyceps or Cordyceps supplements. 

Fresh Cordyceps Mushroom

Cordyceps primarily grow in the mountains of the Himalayas, making them available fresh only far away from you. Luckily you can find dried Cordyceps in health food stores and online. You can add them to soups and stews just like you would any other mushrooms. By eating fresh or dried Cordyceps, you can receive its benefits as a whole food, including the fiber. Cordyceps supplements and powders still may be the most convenient and cost effective way to go. 

Cordyceps Coffee

Cordyceps coffee may be the answer to your prayers on those days when you need extra energy. Combining naturally energizing coffee with the balanced energy support of Cordyceps creates a delicious drink resulting in balanced stimulation with half the caffeine you would find in a regular cup of joe. Cordyceps coffee is easy to use, all you have to do is to mix it with hot water for an energizing Cordyceps drink.

Cordyceps Powder 

Cordyceps powder and extract are not the same.

Cordyceps mushroom powder is simply the Cordyceps dried and ground up into a fine powder. Using Cordyceps powder has its benefits if you want to use it as a seasoning or flavoring in soups, stews or other dishes, however, it won't have nearly the same potency and health benefits that Cordyceps extract does.

Beta-glucans and triterpenes are the main compounds that provide the health benefits of Cordyceps and other medicinal mushrooms. However, these nutrients are locked up within the cell wall and are not water soluble, making them hard to get to. The extraction process makes these benefits bioavailable, whereas from non-extract powders you receive very few benefits.

If you want the full potent benefits of Cordyceps powder, you can extract it yourself either through hot water extraction (cooking it as a tea for a few hours) or alcohol extraction, making a tincture.

Creating your own Cordyceps extract from a simple powder can be tedious and difficult, so you are better off buying a high-quality Cordyceps extract with full benefits. Scroll down to learn more about Cordyceps extracts.

Cordyceps Flower 

Cordyceps flowers are cultured Cordyceps fruiting body that is a fungus. You can eat it and prepare it just like you would any other ordinary mushroom, or you can try some exotic Asian recipes with Cordyceps. The benefit of eating Cordyceps flowers is receiving its whole food benefits, including the fiber and you will be able to play around with it in recipes.

Cordyceps Pills/Supplements

Taking Cordyceps as a pill or a supplement may be the easiest and quickest way to receive the benefits of this powerful medicinal mushroom. Make sure to choose high-quality supplements made with organic ingredients and have excellent reviews. The downfall of pills and supplements can be digestion.

If your digestion is compromised, your body will have an easier time receiving the benefits of this mushroom in a juice or some fiber-full drink (e.g. smoothie, shake, or soup) than having to break down a small pill.

Cordyceps Extract

To receive the most benefits of Cordyceps you want to choose extracts. When choosing your Cordyceps extract, you want to make sure that you are buying high-quality, organic extract from a reliable company that uses dual-extraction.

If you are looking for a powerful superfood blend that includes Cordyceps, Organifi Red Juice powder is your best bet, it's made with high-quality, organic and tested ingredients. You can use any Cordyceps extract or Organifi Red Juice powder in your green juices, smoothies, chia puddings, homemade energy bars and other creative recipes.

Why Is Cordyceps So Expensive? 

While Cordyceps is abundant in medicinal and nutritional benefits, it is also extremely rare. Collecting the best quality of Cordyceps in the high altitude of Tiber, going through the difficult process of cloning and preserving the specimen and finally transporting it to the country where it will be used and sold unfortunately has its costs. But don't forget about the unique and powerful benefits Cordyceps has to offer. Investing in your health is worth the price tag. 

Want to save money? Choose Organifi Red! Organifi Red Juice is not only made with high-quality organic Cordyceps, but also includes many other powerful superfoods, including Reishi mushroom, Siberian Ginseng, Acai juice powder, Rhodiola and various berries.

Cordyceps Mushroom Recipes

• Red Berry Protein Smoothie
• Red Juice Slushy
• Berry Blast Frozen Yoghurt
• Organifi Berry Ice Cream
• Red Smoothie for Sister Day

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does Cordyceps do to insects?

A. Cordyceps is a special fungus that infects insects and arthropods. Cordyceps attacks its host insect or arthropod, replaces its tissue, then proceeds to sprout ominous stems that grow outside of its body. Eventually, this turns into a ripple effect as these new stems release new spores into the air that will end up infecting other hosts.

Q. Why doesn't Cordyceps infect humans?

A. You don't need to worry about Cordyceps infecting you. Microbiologists agree that Cordyceps is adapted to utilizing insect sterols and are incapable of processing human or other mammal sterols whatsoever. No worries, you won't be turning into Cordyceps-zombie, instead, you can take advantage of the health benefits of Cordyceps.

Q. How much cordyceps to take a day?

A. The general dose for Cordyceps is 1,000 - 3,000 mg daily that you can take either in singular or multiple doses. There is no scientific indication that a higher dose would harm you in any way. You may feel benefits at an even lower dose. Feel free to experiment and find what dose works best for your body and health issues or speak with your naturopath or holistic doctor for specific advice.

Q. How long does it take Cordyceps to work/until I see benefits?

A. It really depends on your personal body and health. You may notice a small shift in your energy and health within a few weeks and experience radical changes within a few months. According to research, you can see the difference in your inflammation levels within 7 weeks, exercise performance within 12 weeks.

Q. Are there any precautions for Cordyceps?

A. Cordyceps is possibly safe for most people, but always listen to your body and talk to your doctor when in doubt. Cordyceps may cause auto-immune diseases (lupus, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) to become more active. Listen to your body and talk to your doctor if taking Cordyceps while dealing with an auto-immune condition. Cordyceps might also slow blood clotting, so be careful if you are dealing with a bleeding disorder and stop taking it 2 weeks before any surgery.

Conclusion

Cordyceps is a powerful medicinal mushroom that can lower inflammation in your body, fight free radicals, fight infections and disease, improve your kidney function, improve your cardiovascular health, increase your energy, fight stress and create more health overall in your life. Who wouldn’t want these things in their lives?

If you want to enjoy the potent health benefits of Cordyceps and upgrade your health, happiness and well-being, your best choice is Organifi Red Juice powder. Organifi Red is not only made with Cordyceps, but also with other similarly powerful superfoods, including Reishi mushrooms, Siberian Ginseng, Rhodiola, Acai berry, beet root powder and various berries.

What are you waiting for? Let’s take a confident step forward and create health and happiness through the magic of Cordyceps and Organifi Red.

Remember, we're in this together.

Kat Gál is a multi-passionate writer, world traveler, nomad, runner, and cat-person. She is a lifelong learner who lives outside of her comfort zones stretching her boundaries and discovering beauty around the world. She is a Certified Holistic Health and Life Coach who encourages others to embrace their unique authentic selves, follow their heart and find their own version of freedom in life.