Dosage

Intervention: 5 to 10 drops per day.
Treatment: 10-15 drops, 3 times per day max.

Directions for use

Shake before using. Take directly on the tongue or in a half glass of water or tea, 15 to 30 minutes
before meals. For long-term treatment, use 6 days out of 7.

Mode of Action
There have been a variety of pharmacologically active compounds (e.g., Cordycepin) reported from Cordyceps sp. Cordycepin has received much attention due to its broad-spectrum biological activity. It is known to interfere with various biochemical and molecular processes including purine biosynthesis; Rottman and Guarino, DNA/RNA synthesis and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling transduction. Cordyceps has been included as one of the growing numbers of fungal traditional Chinese medicine (FTCM) used as cures for modern diseases with many products available commercially. Due to recent advancements in pharmaceutical biotechniques, it is possible to isolate bioactive compounds from Cordyceps and make it available in powder as well as in capsular form (e.g., Didanosine). Cordyceps and its product have remarkable clinical health effects including action on hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, sexual, immunological systems, besides having anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activities.
Cordyceps species are an entomopathogenic fungi widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Das et al. (2010) reported that different constituents from Cordyceps species possessed antioxidant/antiaging, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory, and antitumor effects. Cordycepin as the major constituent of C. militaris, detected from fruiting bodies, is actually a derivative of the nucleoside adenosine. These days this molecule could be produced industrially because of its antibacterial, insecticidal, and antitumor activities. Among other products isolated from C. militaris are polysaccharides and ergosterol with a number of biological effects: antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antimetastatic, antitumor, immunomodulatory, steroidogenic, hypoglycaemic, and hypolipidaemic. Polysaccharides extracted from fruiting bodies of C. militaris showed immunostimulating properties and stopped growth of melanoma cells tested in vivo on mouse model. Rao et al. (2010) also proved that different extracts and compounds of C. militaris possessed antiinflammatory, antiproliferative, and antiangiogenic activity. Polysaccharidic extracts are responsible for the in vitro antioxidant capacity of C. militaris.

Helpful Associations
Chaga extract (available at Blissdorf)
Reishi extract (available at Blissdorf)

Ethnobotany
Various pharmacological and biological studies establishing the curative effect of corydeps involving various experimental models (in vitro and in vivo) and some clinical trials in volunteer athletes.[13,14] C. sinensis exhibits very broad biological and pharmacological actions in hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular diseases. It has effects on immunological disorders including cancer. Pharmacological actions of cordyceps are primarily due to bioactive polysaccharides, modified nucleosides, and cyclosporine like metabolites. Also, the fermentable strain of the mycelia causes normal fat mobilization and beta-oxidation, thereby maintaining blood glucose level during prolonged exercise in athletes. A Chinese study conducted on mice, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, investigated whether oral administration of cordyceps results in enhanced endurance and resistance to fatigue. After 3 weeks of administration, the groups given CS-4 were able to swim significantly longer than the control groups. The results of the study were dose-dependent with results of one group on a higher dose showing a 30% increase in endurance and the second group showing a 73% increase in endurance. The study concluded that the cardiotonic action, inhibition of tracheal constrictions, and relaxation of contracted vascular smooth muscle (which CS-4 evokes) increase the ability and endurance of exercise. Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to test the effects on physical performance in 1998 led by S. Morrissey of Beijing Medical University Sports Research Institute. They found that the group given the most of the product containing cordyceps experienced improved lactate clearance. Researchers concluded that lactate clearance improved due to improved lactate energy metabolism within the cell. Hence the authors concluded that using this CS formulation would enhance lactate clearance and allow athletes greater anaerobic physical performance.

History
North Sikkim is a vast reservoir of high-altitude medicinal and aromatic plants. Its people possess a treasury of knowledge related to their management and uses. There are a number of reputed classes of practitioner like the Amchi (Tibetan folk practitioner) and Vaidyas (herbalist/folk healers) The people of North Sikkim call the fungus/mushroom/herb yarsa gumba; its Tibetan name [winter (yarsa) and summer (gumba)]. In the literature, “gunba” or “gonba” have also been used instead of “gumba.” It is called Keera Jhar (insect herb) by the local Nepalese. It is also known as the Himalayan Viagra. It costs approximately 6.77 U.S. dollar per piece in the international market and is locally available at Rs.100/- per piece. Initially local herders observed that yak, goat, sheep, etc. consuming C. Sinensis during their grazing in the forest became very strong and stout. This observation paved the way for the discovery of its medicinal value. Thereafter, local people and herders used the fungus powder with jaggery to increase milk production, and improve reproductive capacity and vitality of their cattle. Then its relevant medicinal properties were explored, collecting only the aerial part (fruiting body/stroma), which they dried in sunlight as primary processing. Then they themselves consumed it and became convinced of its medicinal effects in enhancing vigor and vitality. They further claimed that it has aphrodisiac effects, and hence they used to give it as a gift to relatives and friends from Gangtok and adjoining areas. At present, local folk practitioners use the product alone or in combination with other medicinal herbs to treat various diseases, administering different doses for different ailments according to their experience, based on an empirical trial- and-error method. People of both sexes usually take one piece of C. sinensis with a cup of milk to enhance their sexual potency and desire. The Bhutia community put one piece of C. sinensis in a cup of local-made alcohol (chang), leave it for 1 hour, and drink it morning and evening as a tonic. Some use hot water instead of alcohol. Some folk healers use C. sinensis for diabetes and other wasting diseases. It is used for cancer mixed with texus leaf and Ginseng root decoction. Similar reports are also available from Nepal.

Contra-Indications
Slow blood clotting (increased risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders)
Increased risk of bleeding during surgery.

Interactions
Certain diabetes medications (e.g., metformin) Combining cordyceps with other antidiabetic medications may cause blood sugar to become too low, resulting in hypoglycemia.
Blood thinners and other anti-thrombotic drugs: Taking these medications along with cordyceps may lower the efficacy of these medications or increase the risk of bleeding.