What is Cordyceps? Benefits, Ingredients, and Advantages

By Dr.Trung

14/07/2025

Contents

1. What is Cordyceps?
2. How Many Types of Cordyceps Are There? Which One is Better?
- Cordyceps sinensis (Natural)
- Cordyceps militaris (Cultivated)
3. Precious Bioactive Compounds in Cordyceps
4. Amazing Health Benefits of Cordyceps
5. Who Should Use Cordyceps?
6. Effective Ways to Use Cordyceps

1. What is Cordyceps?

“What is Cordyceps?” – This is the first question asked by most people encountering this medicinal herb, often dubbed the “soft gold of Eastern medicine.” Cordyceps is actually a parasitic fungus belonging to the genus Cordyceps, which lives on the larvae of certain insect species in high-altitude mountainous regions like Tibet, Qinghai, and Sichuan (China).

The name “Cordyceps” (Đông trùng hạ thảo – “winter worm, summer grass”) originates from a peculiar natural phenomenon: in winter, the fungus exists as a worm (caterpillar larva) underground; in summer, the fungus grows out of the insect’s head like a herb (medicinal mushroom) – a fusion of animal and plant. Thousands of years ago, Cordyceps was used by renowned Chinese and Tibetan physicians as a comprehensive tonic, exclusively reserved for emperors, aristocrats, and elderly members of the imperial court.

2. How Many Types of Cordyceps Are There? Which One is Better?

In nature, there are over 400 Cordyceps species, but the two most popular and widely applied types are:

Cordyceps sinensis (Natural)

This is a wild Cordyceps variety found in the Tibetan Plateau, extremely rare, and likened to “the diamond of Eastern medicine.”

Currently, it cannot be artificially cultivated.
Its price is exceptionally high, reaching billions of Vietnamese dong per kilogram of dried product.

Cordyceps militaris (Cultivated)

This Cordyceps species has been successfully cultivated in many countries, including Vietnam.

It has a high and stable content of bioactive compounds, with controllable quality.
The price is reasonable, making it suitable for long-term health use.

At Dr. Trung, we research and cultivate the Cordyceps militaris strain on a medicinal standard medium, aiming to preserve its natural medicinal properties, ensuring safety and efficacy for consumers.

3. Precious Bioactive Compounds in Cordyceps

Cordyceps possesses a unique complex of nutrients rarely found in other plants or animals:

Cordycepin: anti-inflammatory, inhibits cancer cells, supports immunity.
Adenosine: regulates cardiovascular health, has sedative effects, improves sleep.
Cordycepic acid: boosts energy, reduces fatigue.
Polysaccharides: enhances immunity, restores the body.
17 essential amino acids: such as lysine, arginine, glutamic acid, etc., which nourish cells and aid in tissue repair.

4. Amazing Health Benefits of Cordyceps

4.1. Boosts Immunity, Effectively Prevents Illness

Cordyceps stimulates the production of immune cells, helping the body fight against viruses and bacteria, especially during epidemic seasons or when immunity is low.

4.2. Supports Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Cordycepin helps inhibit the growth and spread of malignant cells, slows metastasis, and supports patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

4.3. Improves Male & Female Physiological Function

Increases natural testosterone in men, regulates hormones in women, helping to boost libido and improve marital life quality.

4.4. Protects Cardiovascular, Blood Pressure, and Liver Health

Helps regulate heart rhythm, blood pressure, and detoxifies the liver – highly beneficial for those who frequently consume alcohol, tobacco, or stay up late.

4.5. Anti-aging, Enhances Skin Beauty

Antioxidants in Cordyceps help skin become smoother, reduce wrinkles, and push back signs of premature aging.

4.6. Beneficial for Diabetics and Respiratory Conditions

Helps reduce blood sugar levels, increases insulin sensitivity, and supports the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

5. Who Should Use Cordyceps?

People with weak immunity, easy fatigue, insomnia.
Men experiencing decreased physiological function.
Elderly individuals needing health recovery.
People working under high stress or intense mental activity.
Individuals with liver, cardiovascular, respiratory, or diabetic conditions.
People recovering from cancer treatment or prolonged illness.

6. Effective Ways to Use Cordyceps

Brewing Tea: 3–5 dried mushroom strands steeped in 70–80°C warm water, consumed daily.
Infusing in Wine: 20g dried Cordyceps infused in 1 liter of rice wine, aged for 30 days.
Cooking with Porridge, Stews, Steaming with Bird’s Nest: enhances flavor and nutrients.
Capsules or Liquid Extracts: convenient forms for busy individuals.

What is Cordyceps? – More than just a precious fungus, Cordyceps is a gift from nature for human health, supporting the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases, while enhancing overall quality of life from within.

With a closed-loop cultivation process, stringent quality control, and in-depth research, Dr. Trung is committed to providing you with medicinal standard Cordyceps that is safe and rich in nutrients.

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