Cordyceps Militaris
The Mushroom Loved by Athletes
Cordyceps Militaris supplements have been popular among athletes ever since it was reported that the Chinese female track teams of nine members used it for great effect, setting nine world records in the 1993 National championship.
Part of the athletes’ training regime included drinking a special drink which included cordyceps after every training session. Further medals came in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.
Originally thought to be magical by the Chinese people, it is not a mushroom in the conventional sense. Cordyceps is a parasite that attaches itself to various insects. The spores invade their body, killing the host, then sprouting a club-like mushroom from their head. A rarity in Chinese medicine, this is considered both a strong Yin Jing and Yang Jing herb.[1]*
It is also considered a premiere Lung tonic, which may lend to it’s fatigue diminishing capabilities.*
Science is still in its infancy with regards to cordyceps. This is further complicated by different species, mycelium vs. fruiting bodies, and qualities of extracts. What follows is some of the science done around components found inside Cordyceps militaris supplements as well as whole extracts.
Compliments of North American Reishi/Nammex
Cordycepin
This is the “main” compound that is looked at, found in different cordyceps species.
- DNA Protective[2]*
- Immunoregulatory[3]*
- Stimulated androgens production in mouse leydig cells[4,5]*
- Increased sperm quantity and quality in rats[6]*
A recent batch of our extract was found to have .372% cordycepin. (Typical amount is 0.3%.)
Polysaccharides
Cordyceps is rich in polysacharrides. This includes the most well known in curative mushrooms, the beta-glucans. However there are others including alpha-glucans, cordyceamides and more. These have many beneficial properties:
- Antioxidant (with Cordyceps militaris being among the most potent of different mushrooms measured) [7-9]*
- Immunomodulating [7-8]*
Our typical batch contains 20% beta-glucans. The latest batch of our extract was found to have 30.4% beta-glucans.
CMP also appears to protect the mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells. [10]*
Other effects cannot be listed though some studies are showing much promise in certain actions of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides.[11]
Together, these effects have led to cordyceps reputation for anti-aging and so much more.[10-11]*
What Kind of Cordyceps is Best?
There are many species of Cordyceps around the world, all of which invade different insects. The most well known is Cordyceps sinensis, though Cordyceps militaris is also widely used.
First off, to get the real wild Cordyceps, meaning the actual parasitic fungus on the insects, you’re going to be paying a lot. As these must be collected by hand, from high altitudes in Tibet and surrounding areas. If you’re not paying large amounts of money you are not getting the real thing. In fact, wild Cordyceps are the most expensive herb in the world. The price has even gone up to $35,000 per pound!
Many cordyceps are instead cultivated and grown on grain. However some of these just sell the ground up grain with the mycelium and not necessarily the fruiting bodies. Our Cordyceps militaris is grown on barley, but uses only the fruiting bodies.
Another thing many athletes want to know is whether Cordyceps militaris supplements can give the same endurance benefits as Cordyceps sinensis. As far as can be determined by research at this point, it does.
Based on these facts we feel that our Cordyceps militaris extract is the best commercially available for the price.
Dosage and How to Take Our Cordyceps
Our Cordyceps militaris supplement is purely fruiting bodies and is 100% Organically grown, produced in a state of the art facility in China. These are then dual extracted in a ratio of 10:1 with alcohol and hot water and dried to form this powdered extract.
Compliments of North American Reishi/Nammex
Each bag is 30 grams, or just over one ounce. The recommended dose is 500mg to 1000mg per day which is roughly equal to 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon.
At this dose each bag will last 30 to 60 days.
Add cordyceps to tea, coffee, juices, smoothies or consume it straight.
1-866-764-3727 
Lost Empire Herbs
8301 NW 101st Ter. Suite 1
Kansas City, MO 64153
John S (verified owner) –
I am still playing with this as I just started back running and I am hoping to see improvement in that area.
Ted Etheredge (verified owner) –
Definitely helps in strength training!
Dave Jones (verified owner) –
These are quality products and the service is top notch
John Ericson (verified owner) –
Stops Brain drain and keeps you focused.
Chris Blatt (verified owner) –
Great in smoothies before woring out!
Carlton White (verified owner) –
I love the flavor of this product; still the effectiveness of these products must be coupled with lifestyle chances & everything takes time
Carlton White (verified owner) –
I love the flavor of this product; still the effectiveness of these products must be coupled with lifestyle chances & everything takes time
Carlton White (verified owner) –
I love the flavor of this product; still the effectiveness of these products must be coupled with lifestyle chances & everything takes time
rich –
amazing. does all as advertised and more my tool hangs longer and thicker thanks also able to last longer
Lou F (verified owner) –
Fast shipping great herbs
Lewis Lentz (verified owner) –
First time I have tried this product. It has the desired effect. And is very easy to take.
Kathleen Andersen (verified owner) –
Transparency and Quality always consistent. Taking it for ear ringing but also for all the other health benefits. No diff. yet for ear noises.
Jonathan Roseland –
An Invigorating Military-Grade Mushroom
As a Nootropic its effect is pretty subtle, I didn’t note much of an uptick in cognition but it does make you more energetic. I used it before the gym several times resulting in some kickass workouts but my go-to pre-workout supplement will remain HMB and Creatine. The past few weekends, my project has been cleaning out a very messy old attic of a bunch of old dusty junk and furniture so I can transform it into my doomsday prepping storehouse. Cordyceps gave me a bit of extra physical energy to spend hours carry stuff down 5 flights of stairs to the dumpster.
It has a pleasant taste and texture. I enjoyed it in a hearty adaptogenic tea with Turkey Tail, Chaga, Schisandra, Eleuthero, Matcha, and a splash of Apple Cider Vinegar.
The immuno-fortifying effects are one of the main things that make it attractive to me, along with the other Adaptogens it kept me and Mrs. Roseland from getting sick during the chilly Eastern European winter here.
I took it in a moderate dosage of several hundred milligrams once daily, as a Nutraceutical you don’t need to worry about being really precise in your daily dosing. I would dump about a half-teaspoon into my mug. I didn’t notice a big difference in effect varying the dosage.
George Banko –
Hi Jonathan! Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like you got some good use out of it Cordyceps.
George Banko –
Hi Jonathan! Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like you got some good use out of Cordyceps.
Zane A Ziviski (verified owner) –
“this as rocket fuel, (long lasting) dont go just burning your mindswheels out here. Use as directed, and strictly as NEEDED.
#workeveryday
#keepupwiththepaceforever”
Bobby Hughes (verified owner) –
Love this product!
Sheryle Bennett (verified owner) –
This was my first experience with TCM. I didn’t know what to expect. First, i noticed my 74 y.o. companion being more active and in a better mood. I have severe restless legs and insomnia. After a week, my legs only occasionally bothered me AND i have slept 2-4 hours every night. I had been up for five nights before starting the CM.Even though CM is known for building stamina-it also interacts with the Adenosine hormone, which promotes sleep. ( my understanding from research I’ve done).
Customer service, communications and quality are all Top of the Line in my book!
I have ventured into Ashwagandha, ziziphus and Blue Vervain, to help remedy chronic back and joint pain and to stay asleep longer. Just rec’d them today. I will let you know!
Blake Corfman (verified owner) –
Great quality, as described.
Theo Seemuller (verified owner) –
Early too truly give a full evaluation at this time. So far so good. Love to see it help me beat my cancer.
Ryan Maddox (verified owner) –
It’s great. I want to add that while this is the only concentrated extract I’ve had any difficulty with dissolving into a hot tea, it’s also indicative of the full spectrum nature of the extract. The other cordyceps powdered extract I have to compare it with from a different supplier effortlessly dissolves into tea but evidently is less comprehensive in terms of the alcohol soluble components. Thank you for the excellent products.
Brett_Oster –
As an herbalist with a speciality in mycology (mushrooms) I can honestly say that this is the best coryceps product I’ve found to date. The place I go through for most of my herbs only sold the colonized substrate ground int a powder which does jack-diddly for you with the exception of the Nervi England properties of the oats.
I use this in my mushroom “Trini-tea” along with reishi and chaga. It’s just a good all around tea and tincture to keep on hand.
Roy –
This stuff is amazing! In combination with nettle root en TK I feel like supermen! Especialy with the women;) They love it so to say. That being said question, Can i take a teaspoon full of cordyceps or do you not recommend it?
greetz from holland en keep up the great work✌
Logan Christopher (verified owner) –
Glad you’re liking it. Yes, mushrooms like cordyceps are quite safe to play with bigger dosages.
A. Farrar –
If I understand the process used to make this product correctly, it’s a different type of extract powder than what is normal. This “Product of China” powder is made with not only the solvent precipitated and dried hot-water soluble compounds extracted from the mushroom fruit bodies by boiling in water but also with the dehydrated fruit body sludge or “marc” that is a by-product of the extraction process.
Zane Christopher –
I sent your statement to our supplier to get the low. Here is what he said:
I am including a flow chart to show the process. The mushrooms are ground to a fine powder. This breaks the cell walls and provides a lot of surface area to access the beta-glucans and other compounds. The powder is put into the extraction vessel and cooked for 3 hours at 80 C. Water is then evaporated until the consistency is such that it still flows to the spray drier. The mushroom powder stays with the fluid.
I don’t consider the mushroom powder to be spent or even a marc. It still has activity and beneficial effects. So keeping it in the product is important. And note that many extracts need a carrier and actually will use the “marc”. So contrary to the inquiry, a normal herbal extract most often is put on a carrier material.
Ernesto –
I mix Cordyceps powder with my protein shakes after tough workouts or sometimes with tea to help me regenerate and relieve muscle stress. I also add it to a special shake formula for stamina and potency, if you know what I mean. The flavor goes great with chocolate so it’s barely discernible.
I use it sparingly so a bag lasts me several months!
scotty-moore (verified owner) –
Forgot to include my name on last comment lol. It is Scott
scotty-moore (verified owner) –
As a somewhat competitive athlete ive tried many of your herbs to help with workouts. Have had great results with all of them as far as having much better workouts but having a very fast metabolism made some of the more stimulating herbs such as rhidiola a little overwhelming. I was left feeling jittery and kind of unstable because the effects were so strong. Also felt crazy hungry which is sort of normal for me but not at that high of a level. In my search to find a more compatible herb to add to my pine pollen base, I recently tried cordyceps. I don’t give easy praise but i must say the cordyceps is for me thus far. My endurance has jumped up a few notches without the overstimulated feeling. I actually feel like I breathe deeper. This helps with perception of effort greatly. This has happened at a minimal dose which makes cordyceps a great bang for my buck herb as the bag will last longer and fit my budget better. The whole process of trying the different herbs has been a great experience in finding what works for me. In giving this process time, im zeroing in on the ultimate combo for my metabolism. As i said before i dont give praise easy or randomly jump on bandwagons, but this stuff works and has indeed made positive changes in my life. Kudos to you guys. You have a great and unique business that impacts lives. Thanks!
Zane Christopher –
Yes sir, the rhodiola is overstimulating to a lot of people! I have to take extremely small doses otherwise I will have that same effect. In general I stay away from it but I have found microdosing it to be good for a pick me up and focus without the jitters. The cordyceps is so good I agree. Thank you for the review! I hope it helps other people realize how great cordyceps militaris is.
[email protected] –
Great for my endurance days. Seems like you never get tired!!
[email protected] –
I love the flavor of this product; still the effectiveness of these products must be coupled with lifestyle chances & everything takes time