Cordyceps is credited with a list of miraculous medicinal properties. Traditional Oriental medicine has practiced the use of fungus for general healing for centuries.
What it is, where it grows, from what it helps, and to whom it is shown, you will find the answers to these and other questions later in the article.
Biological description
Today, Cordyceps mushroom is popular all over the world. In its mature form, it resembles a dried yellow-brown caterpillar with a dried dark brown pod. In everyday life it is called "caterpillar fungus".
Did you know? The world learned about Cordyceps in the early 90s, when Chinese athletes demonstrated unprecedented success in world competitions, showing record results. Then the adviser to the national Olympic team of China and the head coach of the Fujian province Guo Yuehua said that the victory was won thanks to the miraculous mushroom. The Olympic Commission does not regard it as doping and permits use.
Botanists include this fungus parasitic formations of the genus sporyne. These are pyrenomycetes that can infect some species of insects: flies, ants, butterflies and caterpillars. When in the autumn period spores fall on the hairy part of a living organism, the fungus begins to germinate in a parasitic manner. By spring, he completely exhausts the owner and mummifies him. During the winter, long full-fledged hyphae of the mycelium grows out of small spores. They consist of the remains of a dead insect and a mushroom body.
In alternative medicine is popular shiitake mushroom, which contains lentinan, which has a pronounced anti-cancer effect.
It has a very unusual look. Often people do not even notice the most valuable substance under their feet. It is inseparable from insects and acquires a dark brown color, and inside is completely white. The size of the fungus does not exceed 13 centimeters in length and 3 centimeters in width. As a rule, it expands at the base and at the tip, forming a narrowed middle. Cordyceps has a peculiar pleasant aroma and sweetish taste.
In nature, there are about 400 species of these fungi. For centuries, Asian medicine has been honoring them for the most valuable medicinal raw materials. And Western practices have paid attention to their healing properties only recently.
Did you know? In Chinese cuisine, there are many dishes, the main ingredient of which is a caterpillar fungus. Moreover, the host larva is necessarily included in its composition. The cost of such a delicacy is from 1 to 3 thousand US dollars.
Where is growing
In Europe, the caterpillar fungus can be found except in pharmacies and laboratories. Because its habitat is Tibet, where such specimens were first discovered. Today, cordyceps is found in large quantities in China, the kingdom of Bhutan, Nepal and the countries of northern India.
Comfortable environment for parasitic disputes are the Tibetan mountains, with a height of 3,500 meters above sea level. Scientists have shown that it takes 2 years for a full-fledged mushroom hyphalus to grow, which the germ spends in the ground, absorbing nutrients from it. 
That is why mycelium manages to form over the winter. Characteristically, they come to life only with the onset of autumn. And before that, falling with the wind on the plants that feed the caterpillars, does not manifest itself.
Modern technology has simplified the search for Cordyceps, allowing it to begin artificial cultivation in the laboratory without the participation of insects. Such a discovery made a real breakthrough, making raw materials more accessible to many consumers.
Important! Mushrooms grown artificially do not differ in chemical composition from wild specimens. In addition, they are more viable.
Chemical composition
The healing properties of the parasitic fungus are due to its unique set of components. Found in the fruit body:
- nucleosides;
- antioxidants;
- sterides;
- polysaccharides;
- proteins (0.6 g);
- carbohydrate (58 g);
- essential amino acids;
- vitamins (ascorbic and nicotinic acids, calciferol, tocopherol, B vitamins, phylloquinone);
- minerals (calcium, zinc, selenium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, boron);
- adenine;
- adenosine;
- cholesterol palmitate;
- cordycetic acid;
- ergosterol peroxide;
- guanidine;
- coenzymes;
- thymine;
- thymidine;
- uracil;
- enzymes;
- deoxyadenosine.
The stogramm portion of the fruit body contains 235 kilocalories.
Medicinal properties also have mushrooms that grow in our area. We recommend to find out how useful and how to apply boletus mushrooms, honey agarics, ceps, champignons, reishi, milk mushrooms, chanterelles, boletus.
Beneficial features
Without exaggeration, Cordyceps in Eastern medical practices is equivalent to a universal cure for many diseases. In the world, this mushroom is considered the most effective among the mushroom kingdom in terms of its effect on the human body and the most expensive.
Did you know? Wild Cordyceps provoked a civil war in Nepal. The reason for this was the local Maoists, who fought against the government and by all means sought to gain control of profitable exports during the mushroom season.Here are some of them:
- bactericidal;
- antiviral (fungus is effective against herpes, influenza and acute respiratory viral infections);
- anti-inflammatory;
- antioxidant;
- antiallergic;
- antidiabetic;
- cleanses the body of toxins, radionuclides, heavy metals and accumulated toxins;
- wound healing;
- immunomodulatory;
- anti-asthma;
- antidepressant (used for insomnia, disorders of the central nervous system, nervous breakdowns and stress);
- tonic (helps the body recover from a long illness, surgery, exercise and intellectual activity);
Also cordyceps:
- stimulates muscle tone;
- kills pathogens;
- normalizes the cardiovascular system;
- improves blood count and blood flow;
- stimulates the brain and bone marrow;
- normalizes metabolic processes in the body;
- stimulates the reproductive system in men and women (effective for infertility and impotence);
- It has an expectorant effect (helps with bronchitis, cough, pneumonia);
- contributes to the normalization of hormonal levels and the endocrine system;
- promotes the growth of hair and nails, improves the condition of the skin, slows down premature aging;
- inhibits kidney stone formation;
- improves eyesight;
- fights cancer;
- successfully used for the treatment and prevention of thrombophlebitis and varicose veins.
Did you know? Today, Nepal leads the way in harvesting raw materials of caterpillar mushrooms, ahead of China, Thailand and Japan. At the same time, in the country, the collection of cordyceps became legal only in 2001..
Where is sold, and how to choose
In fresh or dry form, you can find cordyceps only in the places of its growth. But get ready, that in the homeland of the fungus the price for 1 kilogram starts from 25 to 100 thousand euros. Despite the high cost, the product is in great demand in the global market. Proceeding from this, many dietary supplements appeared in pharmacies. 
To buy genuine pills from a healing agent, never buy them from your hands, because the popularity of the product provoked a flood of fakes in the market. In addition, experts warn of the existence of poisonous species of the genus ergot, which unscrupulous vendors issue for medicinal cordyceps.
In order to clearly distinguish between valuable raw materials and fakes, focus on the snow-white inner substance of the fungus, its pleasant smell and sweetish taste. Remember that your request is associated with a rare product that grows in extreme conditions at low temperatures at a certain height. This nuance causes its high cost.
It will be useful for novice mushroom pickers to find out which edible and poisonous mushrooms grow in the Leningrad, Volgograd, Kaliningrad regions and in the Crimea.
Not only mushrooms, but also mummified insects are used for medicinal purposes. In a true caterpillar fungus, there are always 2 components: an insect and a smooth caterpillar sprout. It is believed that the most beneficial qualities of large fruit bodies, the size of which reaches 13 centimeters.
It is much more difficult to determine the authenticity of purchased dietary supplements, because manufacturers are not always honest with customers. In this case, carefully read the information on the labels of drugs, pay attention to the country of origin and composition.
Usually on bottles with real capsules they write: "cordyceps sinensis", "dong zhong chang cao", "dongchongxiacao", "semitake".
Important! When buying drugs, always ask the seller for a certificate of conformity. It should be alerted when receiving a refusal to provide this document. After all, it is from him that the buyer can get complete information about the product. Experts advise to make such purchases directly from official distributors.
How to take: dosage
According to the therapeutic methods of Chinese traditional medicine, The daily rate of wild cordyceps is limited to 5-10 grams. If you have purchased a medicinal composition based on a fruit body, in the form of capsules, liquid or powder, the dosage is adjusted accordingly with the manufacturer's instructions. Keep in mind that children under the age of twelve, such drugs are contraindicated.
A teenager and adult people a day, you can drink 1-2 tablets. Before taking it is important to familiarize yourself with the instructions for use of a particular drug, taking into account possible contraindications and side effects.
Can I use during pregnancy and lactation
Future and successful mothers during lactation should not risk their health in such therapeutic experiments. After all, the fungus of parasitic origin and in its composition contains many different components, the influence of which has not yet been studied at the proper level.
It is believed that cordyceps does not cause serious body reactions when taking and overdosing. Nevertheless, pediatricians and gynecologists are categorically opposed to Chinese medicine. And so it will be until the scientists make their conclusion about the benefits or harm of the fungus. Indeed, despite the century-long practice of treating the fungus, at the moment there are no medical studies that would confirm or deny the effectiveness of the herbal product.
Important! The medicine is best taken at night with a glass of warm water. According to experts from the field of holistic medicine, the optimal time for admission is 21-23 hours. Therapeutic course lasts 45-60 days.
Contraindications
The wide spectrum of action of a parasitic fungus can cause serious health problems in the body. Given that its properties are not fully understood, doctors do not recommend taking Cordyceps to people diagnosed with:
- autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis);
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- rheumatoid arthritis.
- anticoagulants;
- medications that promote the expansion of the bronchi;
- immunosuppressants (cyclophosphamide, prednisone).
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