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Traditional Uses of Cordyceps
According to ancient medical literatures such as Revised compendium of Materia Medica, Cordyceps is “sweet,” “warm,” and “mild” in nature. It benefits the lungs, kidneys and sperm-production. It can dissolve sputum, stop hemorrhage, treat coughs and diaphragm diseases. Cordyceps was also used to treat cancer and tuberculosis patients, to promote the “essence,” and benefit the “vital energy.”
The main action of Cordyceps in traditional Chinese medicine is the kidneys. In traditional Chinese medicine theory, the kidneys represent the place Chi/Qi (life energy) is “grasped.” It is believed that the chi brought into the body by the lungs depends on the kidneys to allow it to “adhere”. Therefore, kidney imbalances are attributed to chronic asthma and respiratory ailments.
Traditionally Cordyceps is used as a relief of bronchial inflammation, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, pulmonary emphysema, and tuberculosis. Other applications of Cordyceps include the treatment of bloody sputum in tuberculosis patients, debility following illness, night sweets, weakness, anemia, spontaneous sweating, and malignancies.
Cordyceps is revered by traditional Chinese Physicians as one of the most valued herbs, even more so than Ginseng and Deer Antler in terms of its dietetic and therapeutic effect. According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the Compendium of Materia Medica, Cordyceps is a gentle tonic, with no adverse side effects and is said to improve the functions of the major body organs, enhance mental and physical energy as well as the immune system. It is considered the "best of the best" traditional Chinese herb.
It is also one of the most valued medicinal fungi in all of Chinese medicine and among the most potent. The ancients claimed that the "qualities" of Cordyceps were like those of Ginseng and that the beneficial effect of 8.85 grams of Cordyceps cooked in a duck were equal to taking a 50 gram dose of Ginseng. In fact, modern research has proved that many pharmacological activities of Cordyceps are similar to those found in Ginseng including simulation of the immune system.
Cordyceps is ranked as a superior herb in the Chinese herbal system because it aids in the attainment of a long life. Cordyceps has the following characteristics:
- It delivers broad and profound health-promoting actions that result in a radiantly healthy life.
- It has no negative side-effect and therefore may be taken continuously over a long period of time. It is a totally safe nutraceutical supplement. A 7-day exposure to 80 g/kg Cordyceps did not result in any negative effects in a recent laboratory study.
- It regulates and normalizes body functions, yielding significant and cumulative benefits conducive to long-term health when consumed on a regular basis.
- Help balance our inner body energy so as to help improve one's state of mental and physical well- being.
- Taste good enough to be consumed easily and is easily digestible and assimilable when prepared.
Summary of Traditional Uses of Cordyceps
Respiratory |
Replenishing sperm |
Cough |
Supporting and strengthening adrenal glands |
Asthma |
Supporting and strengthening testes and ovaries |
Tuberculosis |
Anemia |
Bloody sputum |
Lumbago |
Protecting lungs |
Tiredness |
Dissolving phlegm |
Loin pains |
Sedative (calming agent) |
Exhaustion |
Immunological |
Knee pains |
Cancer |
Kidney tonic |
Jaundice |
Night sweats |
Allergic diseases |
Debility after illness |
Replenishing bone marrow |
Supporting and strengthening vital energy |
Endocrine |
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Cordyceps has been known to the West as a rare herbal medicine in only from the past twenty years or so. During that time, research in China, Japan, Korea, U.S. and even Europe have carried into seemingly miraculous range of healing powers and has proved what Chinese practitioners have noted for centuries – Cordyceps works very well in combating a myriad of medicals problems.
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