Cordyceps is a mushroom that grows primarily on the Tibetan plateau at altitudes above 14,000 feet. It is a natural parasite on caterpillar larvae. The spores of cordyceps infect the larvae and the resulting mycelium (network of fibers) grows, kills the larvae, and then blossoms into dark, clublike mushrooms. It takes 5 to 7 yeats for the mushroom to complete its life cycle. Due to the scarcity and high price of cordyceps, its use was traditionally reserved exclusively for the emperor's palace, whre it was used to restore energy and promote longevity. Cordyceps is now grown and harvested from large fermentation tanks like other medicinal mushrooms.
While there are a wide range of reported uses of Cordyceps sinensis in the literature, the reports that extracts of this fungus may kill cancer cells is most intriguing.
In test tube and animal studies, cordyceps has been shown to enhance the function of white blood cells and increase the release of immune-enhancing substances. studies in animals with cancer have also shown cordyceps to improve immune response, reduce tumor size, and lengthen srvival time. In human studies, Cordycepin, a pure compound of Cordyceps sinensis, has been illustrated with anti-tumor effects. In a study conducted in 2007 study, cordycepin significantly induced decrease in human oral squamous cancer cells [4].
Cordyceps contains many health-promoting constituents. Recent studies revealed that the fruiting body of cordyceps significantly alleviates hyperglycemia which usually accompanies diabetes mellitus. The mechanism of the anti-hyperglycemic effect by cordyceps, however, is not fully understood.[5]
Recent scientific studies show that Cordyceps sinensis, reputed to contain compounds that support healthy lung and kidney function and anti- cancer, anti-bacteria and anti-inflammatory properties. Cordyceps extract can stop the proliferation of colon cancer cells and can be used as supportive herb extract to treat male and female infertility.
There are significant challenges regarding research surrounding Cordyceps sinensis, such as the difficulty identifying the various species of Cordyceps and the many conflicting reports of pharmacological function in the literature.