One of the natural regions that Cordyceps grow in, as we’ve mentioned, is high up in the Himalayan Mountains, which are not only colder than many parts of the world but also have a thinner atmospheric pressure due to the higher altitude.
Cordyceps mushrooms, in particular, have an extensive history in some parts of Asia and have long been used medicinally in these areas. Today, they can be found around the world but are especially common in North America, Asia and Europe.
Then the mushroom’s bright tendrils grow out of the caterpillar’s head and up through the soil. Other Cordyceps species mature in a similar manner, growing inside-out from other insects’ bodies.
Another thing we wanted the answer to was, where do Cordyceps mushrooms come from?
They are dispersed throughout the world from varied environments including rain forests. The natural habitat of Yarsagumba cordyceps is in the Himalayan Mountains -specifically the Tibetan Plateau-which presents a rather obvious barrier to just heading out and picking your own batch like you would with a more common mushroom.
How many species of Cordyceps are there?
Though there are many species of Cordyceps ( around four hundred, in fact), the most well known in the world of medicinal mushrooms is Cordyceps Sinensis, known colloquially as the Caterpillar Fungus. Indeed, many people use the term genus name when they mean that specific species.
What is Cordyceps sinensis?
The traditional Cordyceps Sinensis grows naturally on caterpillars high in the mountains of China. There are hundreds of different species of Cordyceps found all over the world. There are two main species, however, that are of interest for human consumption- Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris .
Are cordyceps mushrooms safe?
The cordycepins in the cordyceps mushroom also appear to be toxic to leukemia cells. Cordyceps is considered safe for short-term use. Some users may experience mild side effects, including stomach ache, nausea, diarrhea, or dry mouth. 7 Symptoms typically resolve once the treatment is stopped.
This of course begs the question “Is Cordyceps safe to take?”
When taken by mouth: Cordyceps is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken appropriately, short-term. It might cause mild side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort.
What are the health benefits of a Cordyceps mushroom?
Cordyceps is a type of medicinal mushroom said to offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, cordyceps is available in the United States as a dietary supplement.
The effects of Cordyceps on leukopenia and tumor growth in humans is unknown, so health experts can’t currently draw conclusions. Test-tube and animal studies suggest Cordyceps may have the potential to treat cancer, as well as some side effects of cancer treatments.