Cordyceps Sinensis health benefits recommendations? Like many other medicinal mushrooms, Cordyceps contain high levels of Beta-D-Glucans, a compound shown to act as a “biological response modifier”. When the immune system is overreacting, as is the case with allergies and other auto-immune diseases, Cordyceps can help calm it down. On the other hand, if the immune system is weak, the mushroom can have the opposite effect, kicking the immune system into gear to help fend off disease. Several studies have been done which shows this to be true for Beta-D-Glucan containing mushrooms in general and Cordyceps in particular.

Kingdom of Bhutan also known as the Land of Thunder Dragon is a landlocked country in South Asia. The tiny Himalayan nation is sandwiched between two giants, India and China. Bhutan was once isolated from the world until tourism began in 1974. This enigmatic Buddhist Kingdom is well known for its unique culture, breathtaking landscapes and Gross National Happiness philosophy. Bhutan is also one of the world champions in environmental protection and agriculture is one of the main sources of income for the Bhutanese. Hence, cordyceps are very unique and significant agricultural products for Bhutan. It is a truly intriguing country where one can only know and witness the charm by transporting themselves there physically.

Certain varieties of Cordyceps grow parasitically on the caterpillars of particular moths. Some species of Cordyceps are called “winter worm” (these mushrooms grow on a caterpillar, after killing it and filling it with mycelium) and “summer grass”. These endangered mushrooms only occurs in the high mountains (the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau) in southwestern China and Tibet. Fortunately, the mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis can also be grown domestically, using a substrate such as rice. Read even more information on cordyceps sinensis.

Potential anti-tumour effects: Preliminary studies propose that cordyceps may offer protection against cancer and inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer cells including lung, colon, skin and liver cancers. According to a study published in Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology in 2008, a cordyceps extract was able to trigger apoptosis (cell death) in breast cancer cells in test tube studies. Similar results have been seen with colon cancer cells. The cordycepins in the cordyceps appear to be toxic to leukemia cells. Studies in mice have also shown that cordyceps have anti-tumour effects on lymphoma, melanoma and lung cancer.

Cordyceps collection has greatly improved the lives of the people. Moreover, in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, cordyceps is believed to fight fatigue, have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. After the legalisation of the harvesting of cordyceps by the Royal Government of Bhutan in 2004, it has been harvested extensively in the preserved pristine alpine meadows of Bhutan. “In the past, all our household income was dependent on agricultural works and we used to plough our fields with oxen. Now, after the legalisation of Cordyceps collection, everyone is well off. Every household has 2 to 3 cars now. Each year, there are about 3 new houses constructed here,” Dorji Tenpa from Nangsiphel said. Find more info at https://cordycepssinensis.org/.