Cordyceps has also been employed as a tonic for strengthening the testes and ovaries acting as an aid in fertility . Nocturnal emissions have been also treated with the herb. Other actions attributed to cordyceps are homeostatic, laxative (especially in chronic constipation), and as a sedative and support for the adrenal glands.

Scientific Information
Since the 1980’s, American pharmacologists have succeeded in defining the herbs constituents into several unique substances. These include such constituents as Coryceps essence, Cordyceps acid, glycocordy cepiglycan, cordycepin, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, proline, histadine, valine, oxyvaline, arginine, alanine, adenosine, d-mannitol and vitamin B12. Some of the substances have been found to improve the immune function within the human body and reinforce the resistance to various pathogenic bacteria and tumors. Cordyceps is a well-studied herb with many pharmacological actions and effects being observed on the body including the nervous, respiratory, immune and glandular systems. Specifically, it is effective on the liver and heart organs.

On the nervous system, cordyceps has a calming and relaxing effect. In one particular study by Dr K Jones, a preparation which contained the exact amino acid profile of cordyceps was compared to the action of cordyceps when given to mice. Both preparations where found to have similar effects on the nervous system of the mice. Japanese scientists who were involved in similar studies report nucleic acids appear to be responsible for cordyceps calming effects, especially adenosine. Adenosine is a nucleotide that functions in the body as a neurotransmitter that protects cerebral nerves from damage caused by lack of oxygen. In another Chinese study, it has been suggested that the calming activity of cordyceps may be related to its ability to inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase. Drugs that inhibit MAO are employed to treat depression suggesting cordyceps may be useful herb in the treatment of this condition. Together with this, Cordyceps was found to inhibit the contraction of the smooth and cardiac muscle in animal experiments.

Cordyceps has also been found to promote DNA synthesis in the kidney cells indicating an ability to regenerate damage kidney cells. In one particular double blind, placebo controlled trial of 52 patients who received injections of aminoglycoside antibiotics which interfere with normal function of the kidneys, it was found that that the placebo group developed greatly elevated signs of kidney toxicity while the cordyceps group was protected. The cordyceps group were found to have a high levels of a protein called epidermal growth factor (EGF) in their urine which researches believe is associated to an improve recovery rate for acute kidney failure. Other animal studies have also found a relationship with EGF and an improved renal recovery rate.

In regards to sexual dysfunction, the mechanism by which cordyceps functions to relieve impotence was investigated by some Chinese scientists. They found cordyceps inhibited transient contractions of the corpus cavernosum of the penis allowing the blood to enter the penis to form erection. In one particular clinical trial they tested 243 male and female patients suffering from low sexual function using cordyceps daily. In the group receiving cordyceps, 28.9 percent had their sexual function restored and 35.2 percent had their sexual function improved. The control group however, only exhibited a 3 percent restoration rate and 19 percent improvement function.

Diseases of the respiratory system including asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis have been shown to receive benefit from cordyceps in human studies. The mechanism is believed be due its ability to relax the lungs and trachea. This was confirmed in rat studies where they found that cordyceps inhibited tracheal muscle contractions and relax the airways. Preliminary studies have also shown that herb has a inhibitory effect in vitro on Streptococcus pneumoniae and tuberculosis bacilli.

In other studies researchers have discovered that the herb exhibits effects on the liver. In one particular study, patients with liver cirrhosis were given a combination of cordyceps and peach seeds (prunus persica). Following treatment with the herbal combination, low immune cell functions in the cirrhosis patients were improved with Helper T-cells, suppressor-T cells, Natural Killer cell (NK) function, and serum levels of complement returning to normal. Researchers concluded that the herbal treatment may be useful in preventing cellular decay of the liver.

Since 1984, Chinese hospitals have been prescribing a cordyceps powder which was developed to treat arrhythmia, a variation in normal heart beat rhythms. A clinical trial of cordyceps found that over half the patients receiving cordyceps were cured of supraventricular of ventricular arrhythmia. Six of them were cured in one week and another 13 were cured in two to three weeks. The active component in cordyceps is believed to be a substance called adenosine. It is interesting to note that In 1989, the FDA approved adenosine to treat supra ventricular arrhythmia.

Cordyceps has also been shown to help lower cholesterol. A large, well controlled clinical trial in China found that cordyceps caused a significant lowing of cholesterol (LDL, total cholesterol and total glycerides). It was also observed that all the patients in the trial had a significant elevation of high density lipoprotein (HDL) which is healthy, good cholesterol. The patients received 330mg of cordyceps three times daily for sixty days.

Research studies have shown that Cordyceps stimulates the growth of such active cells as T-cell, NK cell, mononuclear macrophagocyte as well enhance the secretion of various lymphokines. The immune system compounds in cordyceps responsible for this action are the polysaccharides. With the impact of Cordyceps on the body, it appears from a variety of studies that the vitality of NK-cells can be increased and the phagocytosis percentage of the mononuclear macrophagocyte can be raised. The herb has also been found to stimulate an increase in immunoglobulins G and M along.

Moreover, polysaccharides from cordyceps have been to lower blood sugar levels in genetic diabetic mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In one human study of 42 diabetic patients, cordyceps was added to the treatment regime of 20 of the patients. What they observed was that the addition of cordyceps daily significantly reduced the symptoms of diabetes and decreased urinary protein secretion compared to the control group. Researchers concluded that cordyceps may aid diabetic patients in maintaining normal blood sugar levels or at least support insulin therapy.

Conclusion.
The use of Cordyceps in clinical application appears to be broad. Chronic conditions of both the respiratory and immune system would appear to benefit from the herbs action. Clinical experience would suggest it to be also useful in the treatment of various kidney troubles, cardio-vascular problems, nerve and liver disease.

References:
1. Bensky, D and Gamble, A. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Eastland Press 1986.
2. Jones K. Cordyceps: Tonic food of Ancient China. Seatlle, WA: Sylvan press 1997.
3. Hsu, H Y. Chen, Y P. Shen, S J. Hsu, C S. Chen, C C. and Chang, H C. Oriental Materia Medica, A Concise Guide. Oriental Arts Institute. 1986.
4. Chang, H M. and But, P H. Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Medicines: World Scientific 1986.
5. Pegler, D N. et al. The Chinese Caterpillar Fungus. The Mycologist 1994.

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