Cordyceps: Is it Worth the Cost?
Cordyceps are one of the most expensive medicinal mushrooms you can find in the market. While raw cordyceps are even harder to get a hand on, cordyceps supplements available in the market are either too expensive as well or do not contain the beneficial compounds of the mushroom. So the question is, are cordyceps mushrooms worth investing your money on?
What Are Cordyceps?
Cordyceps are a medicinal mushroom that has been around for centuries. They’ve even been extensively used in traditional medicinal practices to treat various diseases and conditions.
Cordyceps grows in the wild forests, specifically, the Himalayan region, which is why finding wild Cordyceps is rare and those sold in the market are generally laboratory-grown (Cordyceps militaris).
Cordyceps have a ‘predatory’ relationship with its host body which usually tends to be caterpillars. The mushroom’s fruiting body grows on top of the caterpillar, which then further releases spores once it’s mature enough which then assists the reproduction of more cordyceps.
Due to the unique method of growth of the cordyceps mushroom, it is referred to as the “winter worm summer grass” in China.
How Much Should You Take?
In a general context, cordyceps should only be taken in an amount that ranges from 3-6 grams on a daily basis. In terms of supplement capsules, one pill twice a day should be enough to get the benefits that cordyceps provide. However, it should be taken note of that the right dosage for each individual differs according to their age, physical health, and existing conditions.
Scientific evidence on researching the appropriate safe dosage still lacks. For this reason, it is necessary that you follow the instructions on the labeling of the supplement you get. To be on the safe side, also consult with a medical professional before starting on including cordyceps to your daily routine.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Cordyceps are normally considered safe for most individuals if taken in the right amount of daily dosage. However, like most other medicinal mushrooms intake they might cause mild symptoms for a few which include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and constipation.
Extra Precautions:
There are a few situations where you should be taking extreme cautionary steps on taking cordyceps on a daily basis due to the lack of extensive research behind this medicinal mushroom. These may include pregnancy and breast-feeding, auto-immune diseases e.g. multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., bleeding disorders, and surgery.
This is due to the reason that there remains a possibility that cordyceps make the immune system more active, might slow blood clotting and increased bleeding. It’s always preferable to stay on the safe side if you’re suffering from any of these conditions.
Traditional Usage of Cordyceps
Cordyceps was rare yet highly valuable in the traditional Chinese culture to the point that only the emperor’s family could acquire it on exclusive availability. The Chinese have been using cordyceps for years in their traditional medicine to increase the immunity of the body as well as to aid in increasing health for the kidneys and lungs.
Today, traditional usage of cordyceps still suggests that it provides support in treating conditions such as fatigue, cold, renal problems, and asthenia. This is especially due to the link of cordyceps with endurance and strength in individuals by daily usage.
How Are Cordyceps Beneficial?
There are a few benefits of cordyceps that even science is beginning to back up! You wouldn’t want to miss out on attaining these numerous advantages by adding this magical superfood to your daily routine. Trust us, your body will begin thanking you because of all the goodness you’ll be giving to it. Here’s how cordyceps are being used currently for a variety of reasons:
Athletic Performance
Find yourself often tired too soon after your routine workout? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. This is due to the fact that your body doesn’t have enough energy to endure the strenuous exercise due to lesser oxygen being provided to your body’s cells when you’re working out.
Cordyceps comes to the rescue during this situation. Having this mushroom can help increase your endurance which means you can exercise for longer periods of time without working yourself out too early. This can especially be a beneficial aspect for athletes that need to keep practicing, or even if you’re just someone who’s looking to work out on a daily basis.
Anti-aging
Stop stressing over the wrinkles gradually peeking through your skin and making you look older than you want to. The easy way out is to add cordyceps as a daily ingredient or supplement to your diet. This medicinal mushroom has the ability to slow your aging process. And, even gradually eliminate some of the aging signs on your face due to the numerous beneficial components present in the fruiting body of Cordyceps. You’ll have yourself looking younger and delaying the aging process as long as possible in no time!
Anti-tumor
There have been various studies conducted on animals that support the fact that cordyceps can be used to slow the spread of the tumor and even gradually treat the tumor. This also goes out for cancer.
While more research needs to be conducted, there’s a high chance that this magical mushroom can make a real change in the medicinal field due to the positive aspect of the possibility to treat cancer by the ability of this mushroom to cancel out free radicals that damage cells and cause tumors and cancer to spread in the body.
Heart
There’s a significant percentage of individuals around the world suffering from various types of cardiovascular diseases. Cordyceps can help regulate blood pressure and reduce the bad cholesterol in the body which is responsible for increasing the risk of heart diseases in an individual. You’ll be significantly reducing the risk of suffering from heart disease if you decide to add cordyceps to your life.
Inflammation
While inflammation is the normal response of the body to an injury, long-term inflammation, or in other words ‘chronic inflammation’ can cause unbearable pain on the person suffering from it. Moreover, chronic inflammation can again lead to conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular problems.
Cordyceps activate the production of compounds in the body that suppress chronic inflammation in the body. This leads to an overall decrease in the possibility of having to bear chronic inflammation, exactly the thing you need to get rid of that swelling!
Immunity-Booster
If you need that extra boost of immunity for your physical health to ensure your body doesn’t fall prey to diseases too easily, cordyceps are the perfect go-to solution. The mushrooms work in a way that supports the production and release of specific cells and chemicals in the body that lead to a much stronger immune system.
Not only will your body be getting the immunity boost it needs, but it’ll also be protecting you from numerous diseases since the body will be able to fight viruses and bacteria causing diseases.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, cordyceps are extremely expensive. You might even be wondering if you should be spending this money elsewhere, but rest assured that with the countless advantages of adding this superfood to your life you wouldn’t regret it! Try it out for yourselves and you’ll be telling yourself you made the right choice.
