Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Cordyceps

Cordyceps militaris

Family CordycipitaceaeParts used Whole PlantAlso known as caterpillar fungus, Dong Chong Xia Cao (冬蟲夏草, “ziemas tārps – vasaras zāle”), Yartsa gunbu (Lin, 2011, National Geographic, 2011)

This monograph compiles 4 pharmacological actions, 8 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 17 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Compiled & reviewed by the Omnia Sana editorial team · Last updated 2026-06-20 · 17 cited sources

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[12, 15, 16]}

Antioxidant^{[4, 7, 15, 16]}

Physical performance / ergogenic^{[15, 16]}

Physical performance / strength improvement

Immunomodulator / immune support^{[4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[15, 16]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Cold & flu^{[15, 16]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from immunomodulator action

more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →

Fatigue / low energy^{[15, 16, 17]}Moderate · 6/10

inferred from ergogenic action

more plants for fatigue / low energy →detailed sources →

Immune support^{[15, 16]}Moderate · 5/10

more plants for immune support →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[15, 16]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Muscle soreness^{[15, 16, 17]}Moderate · 6/10

inferred from ergogenic action

more plants for muscle soreness →detailed sources →

Respiratory support^{[15, 16, 17]}Moderate · 6/10

more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[15, 16]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[15, 16, 17]}Caution

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).

Safety note^{[15, 16, 17]}Info

Duke (2002) does not include a dedicated entry for Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) in the Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition.

References

REF-0776, REF-0777, REF-0778, REF-2153, REF-2154, REF-2155, REF-2156, REF-2157, REF-2158, REF-2159, REF-2160, REF-2161, REF-2162, REF-2163

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. Meta-analysis / review
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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. Randomized trial
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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. Randomized trial
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Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio