Ultra Cordyceps contains a strain of pure cultivated Cordyceps sinensis
recognized by the Chinese government as very similar to wild Cordyceps
sinensis. Highly valued in China as a food and tonic herb, wild Cordyceps is
a black, blade-shaped fungus found mainly above 13,000 feet in a mountainous
region of China known as the Qinghai-Tibetan Highlands. Also called "Chinese
caterpillar fungus," wild Cordyceps grows on, and derives nutrients from,
several species of caterpillars. Because wild Cordyceps is rare and
difficult to harvest, due to its harsh growing environment, efforts have
been made to cultivate Cordyceps mycelia for commercial application. Ultra
Cordyceps contains an award-winning strain of cultivated Cordyceps mycelia
standardized by HPLC for consistent potency. It contains a minimum level of
8% cordycepic acid, a polysaccharide considered to be the major active
component. Cordyceps naturally contains many other ingredients, including
proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, nucleic acids such as adenosine, fatty
acids, sterols, vitamins and minerals.
Benefits
Boosts energy and stamina*
Improves general vitality*
Supports sexual health*
Benefits the heart*
Supports the lungs and improves respiratory function*
Benefits the kidneys and liver*
Supports the immune system*
Scavenges free radicals (antioxidant)*
Cordyceps-History and Science
The historical use of Cordyceps as an anti-aging herb in traditional
Chinese medicine (TCM) dates back to 1700 BCE. During China's Chin Dynasty,
one emperor is said to have paid an ounce of gold for a three days supply of
the precious fungus. Tibetan scholars wrote detailed descriptions of
Cordyceps in 15th and 18th century texts. Cordyceps was introduced to Europe
at a scientific meeting in Paris in 1726, and first imported to Japan in
1728.
The traditional use of Cordyceps includes improving circulation, as well
as health of the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver. Cordyceps was also used to
boost general vitality, increase longevity and improve sexual health.1
Cordyceps is known as a "kidney tonic" in traditional Chinese medicine. In
the terminology of TCM theory, "the kidneys" refer to a functional organ
system that stores vital energy and governs reproduction/sexual ability.
Cordyceps promotes both the "yin and yang" aspect of the body, thus it has a
very balancing, normalizing effect on many facets of human physiology.2
Commercial cultivation of Cordyceps sinensis began in the early 1980s,
making the herb readily available for clinical research. More than 2000
patients have been enrolled in clinical trials in China. The results of this
research show that cultivated Cordyceps has the same effects as wild
Cordyceps on energy, vitality and numerous other parameters of health.
Pre-clinical Animal Studies: Higher biochemical energy levels; more
efficient use of oxygen
Animal experiments suggest Cordyceps may increase the body's supply of ATP,
which is the primary form of biochemical energy used by cells to produce
metabolic energy. Mice given Cordyceps show substantial increases in liver
stores of ATP.3 Cordyceps increased survival time of
mice kept in a low oxygen environment, suggesting that Cordyceps helps the
body use oxygen more efficiently.4 Studies are
underway in China to determine if these findings explain the energy
enhancing, anti-fatigue effects of Cordyceps observed in humans. Animal
experiments indicate Cordyceps may improve blood supply to the brain and
heart by increasing arterial blood flow to these organs.5
Human Clinical Trials
The various effects of Cordyceps on humans have been seen in both open
(uncontrolled) and placebo-controlled human trials. Cordyceps was given to a
group of elderly persons experiencing fatigue and other age-related
complaints. Compared to subjects on placebo, those taking Cordyceps reported
better energy, greater tolerance to cold, better memory and improved libido.6
Similar improvements in energy, mental health and sexual function, along
with improvements in heart function, were seen in a long-term study giving
Cordyceps to patients with chronic heart failure.7
Further evidence that Cordyceps benefits the cardiovascular system is shown
in trials where the herb has improved heart rhythm as seen on ECG.8
Clinical trials appear to validate the traditional uses of Cordyceps as a
beneficial herb for the lungs, respiratory system, kidneys, liver and immune
system. At a dose of 3 grams per day, Cordyceps improved respiratory
function and lung health by as much as 92 % after 12 weeks.9
In several trials, Cordyceps has improved various parameters of kidney
function such as increased creatinine clearance, reduced BUN and decreased
in urinary protein excretion.10 Cordyceps also
protects the kidneys from the toxic effects of potent antibiotics, as seen
in both human and animal studies.11 Cordyceps has
successfully improved liver health, as measured by liver function tests, in
patients with hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.12
Numerous in vitro and in vivo animal studies have shown that Cordyceps
influences various aspects of immune function, including phagocytosis,
natural killer cells, interleukin-2 and T lymphocytes. Positive changes in T
cells have been observed in human trials, as well.13
Antioxidant effects
Extracts of Cordyceps exhibit strong free radical scavenging properties.
Cordyceps has increased red blood cell SOD activity in humans, while at the
same time reducing blood levels of MDA (monodialdehyde), a free radical
by-product.14 Cordyceps shows an ability to inhibit
both oxidation of LDL by free radicals and the accumulation of oxidized LDL
in macrophages.15 Cordyceps has also decreased
cholesterol deposition in the aortas of atherosclerotic mice.16
Safety
Suggested Use: Four capsules daily with food.
Note: Cordyceps may exhibit mild blood-thinning properties. Use with
caution when taking anti-coagulant (blood-thinning) medications. Use with
caution when taking MAO inhibitors.
Cordyceps has been regarded as a very safe herb throughout its
traditional history, and is considered completely safe for clinical use
today. Experiments on animals have not found a lethal dose, even when
Cordyceps is given in extremely high amounts (10 to 80 grams per kilogram of
body weight), nor does Cordyceps have any teratogenic or mutagenic
effects.17 Instances of mild stomach discomfort have been reported in
clinical trials.18
Scientific References
1. Zhu, J., Halpern, G., Jones, K. The scientific rediscovery of an ancient
Chinese herbal medicine: Cordyceps sinensis Part I. The Journal of
Alternative and Complimentary Medicine 1998;4(3):289-303.
2. Bensky, D., Gamble, A. Chinese Herbal Medicine, Materia Medica. Seattle:
Eastland Press; 1986:486-7.
3. Manabe, N. et.al. Effects of the mycelial extract of cultured Cordyceps
sinensis on in vivo hepatic energy metabolism in the mouse. Jap J Pharmacol
1996;70(1):85-88.
4. Lou, Y, Liao, X., Lu, Y. Cardiovascular pharmacological studies of
ethanol extracts of Cordyceps mycelia and Cordyceps fermentation solution.
Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs 1986;17(5):17-21, 209-13.
5. Feng, M., et. al. Vascular dilation by fermented mycelia of Cordyceps
sinensis in anesthetized dogs. J Chinese Materia Medica 1987;12(12):745-49.
6. Cao, Z., Wen, Y. Therapeutic effect analysis of JinShuiBao capsule in
treatment of 33 elderly senescent XuZheng patients. J Applied Traditional
Chinese Med 1993;1:32-33.
7. Chen, G. Effects of JingShuiBao capsule on quality of life of patients
with chronic heart failure. J Administration Traditional Chinese Medicine
1995;5(suppl):40-43.
8. Tang, L. Jiang, X. Clinical observation of fermented Cordyceps (JinShui
Bao capsule) in treating 38 elderly patients with intractable arhythmia.
Practical J Integrating Chinese with Western Medicine 1994;7(B8-9):532.
9. Han, S. Experiences in treating patients of chronic bronchitis and
pulmonary diseases with Cs-4 capsule (JinShuiBao). J Administration
Traditional Chinese Medicine 1995;5(suppl):33-34.
10. Jiang, J., Gao, Y. Summary of treatment of 37 chronic renal dysfunction
patients with JinShuiBao. J Administration Traditional Chinese Medicine
1995;5(suppl):23-24.
11. Bi, J., Ma, S., Liu, X. Therapeutic effects of JinShuiBao capsule on
gentamycin nephrotoxic damage. J Applied Med 1994;10(5):466-467.
12. Yang, Y. et. al. Short-term observation of treating chronic hepatitis B
and post-hepatitis cirrhosis with XinGanBao. Res. Chinese Materia Medica
1994;1:19-20.
13. Zhu, J., Halpern, G., Jones, K. The scientific rediscovery of a precious
ancient Chinese herbal regimen: Cordyceps sinensis Part II. The Journal of
Alternative and Complimentary Medicine 1998;4(4):429-457.
14. Zhang, et. al. Clinical and laboratory studies of JinShuiBao in
scavenging oxygen free radicals in elderly senescent XuZheng patients. J
Administration Traditional Chinese Medicine 1995;5(suppl):14-18.
15. Yamaguchi, Y. et. al. Antioxidant activity of the extracts from fruiting
bodies of cultured Cordyceps sinensis. Phytotherapy Res 2000;14(8):647-49.
16. Yamaguchi, Y. et. al. Inhibitory effects of water extracts from fruiting
bodies of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on raised lipid peroxide levels and
aortic cholesterol deposition in atherosclerotic mice. Phytotherapy Res
2000;14(8):650-52.
17. Zhu, J., Halpern, G., Jones, K. The scientific rediscovery of a precious
ancient Chinese herbal regimen: Cordyceps sinensis Part II. The Journal of
Alternative and Complimentary Medicine 1998;4(4):429-457.
18. Zhu, J., Halpern, G., Jones, K. The scientific rediscovery of a precious
ancient Chinese herbal regimen: Cordyceps sinensis Part II. The Journal of
Alternative and Complimentary Medicine 1998;4(4):429-457.
*Above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
