Plant Comparison
Cordyceps vs Lungwort
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Cordyceps and Lungwort: they share 4 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), respiratory support, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Cordyceps | Lungwort | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Cordyceps |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Cordyceps |
| Respiratory support | 6/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Cordyceps |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Cordyceps |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
A nucleoside analogue considered the marker bioactive compound, studied for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and metabolic effects.
Immunomodulatory and antioxidant polysaccharides, a major focus of both oral and topical product development.
Additional characteristic fungal sterol and nucleoside constituents.
The main antioxidant and COX-2-inhibiting constituents; LC-MS/MS profiling of the aerial parts identified dozens of phenolic compounds (caffeic acid esters and danshensu/dicaffeic-acid conjugates), nine of them previously undescribed, with marked seasonal variation.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from ergogenic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from ergogenic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis, sore throat and respiratory catarrh (mucilage and saponins)
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis, sore throat and respiratory catarrh (mucilage and saponins)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis, sore throat and respiratory catarrh (mucilage and saponins)
inferred from demulcent action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis, sore throat and respiratory catarrh (mucilage and saponins)
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally well tolerated short-term in human studies, but research is still limited (Ontawong et al., 2024; Hirsch et al., 2016). Possible side effects: stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, headache (reported broadly for “Cordyceps” supplements; not everyone gets this) (Jędrejko, Lazur and Muszyńska, 2021). Avoid / use medical guidance if you have: autoimmune disease, you’re on immunosuppressants, you have a bleeding disorder, or you take blood thinners/antiplatelet drugs (theoretical interaction + caution used in reviews) (Jędrejko, Lazur and Muszyńska, 2021). Pregnancy/lactation: not enough safety data → best to avoid (Jędrejko, Lazur and Muszyńska, 2021). Quality matters: choose reputable brands with testing for contaminants and clear labeling (fruiting body vs mycelium; extract ratio) (Jędrejko et al., 2022).
As a member of the borage family (Boraginaceae), which can contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, prolonged or high-dose internal use is best avoided; use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Traditional use only; clinical evidence in humans is limited, so a cough or respiratory complaint that persists needs medical assessment.
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Botanical Description
Entomopathogenic fungus (not a true plant) that develops from a mycelium infecting and consuming an insect host - classically a moth caterpillar or pupa buried in the soil. In late season it produces a slender, bright orange, club-shaped fruiting body (stroma) that emerges from the ground above the mummified host, its surface minutely roughened with embedded spore-producing structures.[4]
Low, hairy perennial herb (Boraginaceae), 15-30 cm tall. Basal leaves are long-stalked, ovate to lance-shaped, often white-spotted - the spotted pattern was historically likened to diseased lung tissue under the medieval Doctrine of Signatures, giving rise to the name 'lungwort' - and covered in bristly hairs. Funnel-shaped flowers open pink and turn blue as they mature, borne in small coiled clusters (cymes).[10]
Habitat
Grows on insect larvae and pupae in cool, moist forest soils and grassland across temperate and alpine East Asia; commercially, most Cordyceps militaris is now cultivated on grain or insect-based substrate rather than wild-collected.[4]
Native to central and southern Europe, growing in damp, shaded woodland, hedgebanks and scrub on humus-rich soils; widely cultivated as a shade garden plant.[10]
Harvesting
Wild fruiting bodies are dug up carefully with the insect host attached, in autumn when they emerge; cultivated material is harvested from the growing substrate once the orange fruiting bodies mature, then dried.
Aerial flowering parts are cut during flowering (spring); the plant can also be gathered later in the growing season, though the phenolic constituent profile is documented to differ measurably between spring and autumn harvests.[11]
Traditional Uses
Lungwort's spotted leaves inspired its traditional use, under the Doctrine of Signatures, as a remedy for lung and respiratory complaints - coughs, bronchitis, catarrh and sore throat - valued for its soothing mucilage and astringent tannins. Modern research confirms antioxidant and anti-inflammatory (COX-2-inhibiting) activity of its phenolic-rich extract, though clinical trial evidence in humans remains limited.[10]
Preparations
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
Dosage
Not documented
Traditional guidance suggests roughly 2-4 g dried herb per cup as an infusion, up to three times daily, for short-term use; avoid prolonged or high-dose internal use given the borage family's potential pyrrolizidine-alkaloid content. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References & Sources
- Lan, T., Yu, Y., Zhang, J., Li, H. et al (2021) 'Cordycepin Ameliorates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis by Activation of the AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway', Hepatology, 74(2), pp. 686-703. doi:10.1002/hep.31749 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.31749 - Wei, P., Wang, K., Luo, C., Huang, Y. et al (2021) 'Cordycepin confers long-term neuroprotection via inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injury', Journal of Neuroinflammation, 18(1), pp. 137. doi:10.1186/s12974-021-02188-x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-021-02188-x - Tan, L., Song, X., Ren, Y., Wang, M. et al (2020) 'Anti-inflammatory effects of cordycepin: A review', Phytotherapy Research. doi:10.1002/ptr.6890 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6890 - Kanlayavattanakul, M. and Lourith, N (2023) 'Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides: preparation and topical product application', Fungal Biology and Biotechnology, 10(1), pp. 3. doi:10.1186/s40694-023-00150-5 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40694-023-00150-5 - Yang, W., Fu, C., Hu, B., Yan, Y. and Cheng, Y (2024) 'Five undescribed cyclopeptides from Cordyceps militaris', Phytochemistry, 222, pp. 114074. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114074 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114074 - Miao, M., Yu, W., Li, Y., Sun, Y. and Guo, S (2022) 'Structural elucidation and activities of Cordyceps militaris-derived polysaccharides: a review', Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, pp. 898674. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.898674 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.898674 - Jedrejko, K.J., Lazur, J. and Muszynska, B (2021) 'Cordyceps militaris: an overview of its chemical constituents in relation to biological activity', Foods, 10(11), pp. 2634. doi:10.3390/foods10112634 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112634 - Malucka, L.U., Uhrinova, A. and Lysinova, P (2022) 'Medicinal mushrooms Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris', Ceska a Slovenska Farmacie, 71(6), pp. 259-265. doi:10.5817/csf2022-5-259 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.5817/csf2022-5-259 - Sun, J., Jin, M., Zhou, W., Diao, S., Zhou, Y., Li, S., Wang, X., Pan, S., Jin, X. and Li, G (2017) 'A new ribonucleotide from Cordyceps militaris', Natural Product Research, 31(21), pp. 2537-2543. doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1323210 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1323210 - Choi, E., Oh, J. and Sung, G.H (2020) 'Antithrombotic and antiplatelet effects of Cordyceps militaris', Mycobiology, 48(3), pp. 228-232. doi:10.1080/12298093.2020.1763115 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/12298093.2020.1763115 - Zhang, J., Wen, C., Duan, Y., Zhang, H. and Ma, H (2019) 'Advance in Cordyceps militaris (Linn) Link polysaccharides: isolation, structure, and bioactivities: a review', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 132, pp. 906-914. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.04.020 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.04.020 - Chiu, C.P., Liu, S.C., Tang, C.H., Chan, Y., El-Shazly, M., Lee, C.L., Du, Y.C., Wu, T.Y., Chang, F.R. and Wu, Y.C (2016) 'Anti-inflammatory cerebrosides from cultivated Cordyceps militaris', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 64(7), pp. 1540-1548. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.5b05931 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5b05931 - Chamyuang, S., Owatworakit, A. and Honda, Y (2019) 'New insights into cordycepin production in Cordyceps militaris and applications', Annals of Translational Medicine, 7(Suppl 3), pp. S78. doi:10.21037/atm.2019.04.12 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.21037/atm.2019.04.12 - Cui, J.D (2015) 'Biotechnological production and applications of Cordyceps militaris, a valued traditional Chinese medicine', Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 35(4), pp. 475-484. doi:10.3109/07388551.2014.900604 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3109/07388551.2014.900604 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Zhu, J.S., Halpern, G.M. and Jones, K (1998) 'The scientific rediscovery of a precious ancient Chinese herbal regimen: Cordyceps sinensis', 4(3), pp. 289--303. doi:10.1089/acm.1998.4.429 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.1998.4.429 - Hirsch, K.R., Smith-Ryan, A.E., Roelofs, E.J., Trexler, E.T. and Mock, M.G (2017) 'Cordyceps militaris improves tolerance to high-intensity exercise after acute and chronic supplementation', 14(1), pp. 42--53. doi:10.1080/19390211.2016.1203386 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2016.1203386 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Chemistry World (Royal Society of Chemistry) 'Poisons leave no mushroom for error'. Available at: https://www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/poisons-leave-no-mushroom-for-error/4011376.article Traditional / reference
https://www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/poisons-leave-no-mushroom-for-error/4011376.article - Choe, S. and In, S. and Jeon, Y. and Choi, H. and Kim, S (2018) 'Identification of trichothecene-type mycotoxins in toxic mushroom Podostroma cornu-damae and biological specimens from a fatal case by LC-QTOF/MS', Forensic Science International, 291, pp. 234-244. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.08.043 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.08.043 - Ahn, J.Y. and Seok, S.J. and Song, J.E. and Choi, J.H. and Han, S.H. and Choi, J.Y. and Kim, C.O. and Song, Y.G. and Kim, J.M (2013) 'Two cases of mushroom poisoning by Podostroma cornu-damae', Yonsei Medical Journal, 54(1), pp. 265-8. doi:10.3349/ymj.2013.54.1.265 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2013.54.1.265
- Ignjatijevic, A., Andjic, T., Ljesevic, M., Nikolic, B. and others (2025) 'Assessment of Antioxidant Activity and Dose-Dependent Effect on Genotoxicity/Antigenotoxicity of Pulmonaria officinalis Ethanolic Extract', Pharmaceutics, 17(9), pp. 1134. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics17091134 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17091134 - Krzaczek, T. and others (1995) 'Flavonoid glycosides from aerial parts of Pulmonaria officinalis', Planta Medica, 61(5), pp. 488. doi:10.1055/s-2006-959385 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-959385 - Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk, J. and others (2019) 'Pulmonaria officinalis L. Extract in Cystic Fibrosis: In Vitro Evidence on Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates', Molecules, 24(6), pp. 1151. doi:10.3390/molecules24061151 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24061151 - Neagu, E., Radu, G.L., Albu, C. and Paun, G (2016) 'Antioxidant activity, acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitory potential of Pulmonaria officinalis and Centaurium umbellatum extracts', Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 25(3), pp. 578-585. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.02.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.02.016 - Akram, M. and Rashid, A (2017) 'Anti-coagulant activity of plants: mini review', Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis, 44(3), pp. 406-411. doi:10.1007/s11239-017-1546-5 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-017-1546-5 - Byshevskii, A.Sh., Gerbert, I.Ia., Dement'eva, I.A., Leven, P.I. and Chiriat'ev, E.A (1990) 'Nature, properties and the mechanism of the effect on blood coagulation of the preparation obtained from Pulmonaria officinalis', Gematologiia i Transfuziologiia, 35(10), pp. 6-9. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Nature%2C%20properties%20and%20the%20mechanism%20of%20the%20effect%20on%20blood%20coagulation%20of%20the%20preparation%20obtained%20from%20Pulmonaria%20officinalis - Ivanova, D., Gerova, D., Chervenkov, T. and Yankova, T (2005) 'Polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of Bulgarian medicinal plants', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 96(1-2), pp. 145-150. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.08.033 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.08.033 - Neuhauser, C., Schwarzinger, B., Schwarzinger, C., Feichtinger, M. and others (2024) 'Insulin-Mimetic Activity of Herbal Extracts Identified with Large-Scale Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy', Nutrients, 16(14), pp. 2182. doi:10.3390/nu16142182 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142182 - Luthy, J., Brauchli, J., Zweifel, U., Schmid, P. and Schlatter, C (1984) 'Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in medicinal plants of Boraginaceae: Borago officinalis L. and Pulmonaria officinalis L', Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetiae, 59(9-10), pp. 242-246. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Pyrrolizidine%20alkaloids%20in%20medicinal%20plants%20of%20Boraginaceae%3A%20Borago%20officinalis%20L.%20and%20Pulmonaria%20officinalis%20L. - Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk, J., Kowalczyk, M., Ponczek, M.B., Pecio, L., Nowak, P. and Kolodziejczyk-Czepas, J (2021) 'Pulmonaria officinalis and Pulmonaria obscura Extracts as Mitigators of Peroxynitrite-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors - In Vitro and In Silico Studies', Molecules. doi:10.3390/molecules26030631 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030631 - Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk, J. and Pecio, L. and Moldoch, J. and Ludwiczuk, A. and Kowalczyk, M (2018) 'Novel Phenolic Constituents of Pulmonaria officinalis L. LC-MS/MS Comparison of Spring and Autumn Metabolite Profiles', Molecules, 23(9). doi:10.3390/molecules23092277 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23092277 - Krzyzanowska-Kowalczyk, J., Kolodziejczyk-Czepas, J., Kowalczyk, M., Pecio, L., Nowak, P. and Stochmal, A (2017) 'Yunnaneic Acid B, a Component of Pulmonaria officinalis Extract, Prevents Peroxynitrite-Induced Oxidative Stress in Vitro', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 65(19), pp. 3827--3834. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.7b00718 Preclinical
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Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.