Cordyceps - A Traditional Chinese Aphrodisiac
Ironically, since the introduction of Viagra, the search for a natural alternative for erectile dysfunction has increased significantly. And as it turns out, the Chinese may already have had the answer two millennia ago.
The mushroom Cordyceps sinensis does have a common name in English, Caterpillar fungus, although many more people know it by its Latin name as just "Cordyceps." In its natural environment, it can be found only at high altitudes in the mountains of China and Tibet. Considering its minute size, it is a 'small' (pun intended) miracle that anyone ever discovered it and thought to use it as a medicinal mushroom.
For nearly two millennia, Chinese doctors have dispensed Cordyceps extract for physical stamina and sexual prowess. Preserved written records date back as far 200 A.D., when it was described in the book "The Classic Herbal of the Divine Plowman.
In its natural environment, Cordyceps sinensis infects caterpillars and then sprouts out of their dead carcasses. While that certainly doesn't sound very appetizing, modern advances allow potent strains of Cordyceps sinensis to be grown on a rice medium. Cordyceps extract produced in this way has been shown to contain the same medicinal compounds as the wild harvested fungi, with the added advantage of being free from contamination by other species of fungi or bacteria.
A study out of China, which was released over a decade before the introduction of Viagra, reported a 64% improvement in erectile dysfunction from a daily consumption of 1,000 mg of Cordyceps sinensis. (1)
So what's the mechanism behind Cordyceps' apparent effect as an aphrodisiac and sexual potentiator? The following three factors may help explain:
- Cordyceps sinensis has been shown to improve physical vitality and stamina in general. (2,3,4) In 1993, a group of nine Chinese women set world records at the Chinese National Games. When asked about the secret to their success, they attributed it to their use of Cordyceps. (5,6)
- Two published research papers indicate that Cordyceps helps increase blood flow by diluting blood vessels (7,8), which would be of significant relevance in sexual dysfunction.
- Last but not least, Cordyceps extract was shown in two studies to cause a significant increase in the testosterone production in male subjects. (9,10)
Note: This article is for scientific and informational purposes only. It is very important to always consult with a licensed medical doctor before using an herb to treat any medical condition. - 17269
The mushroom Cordyceps sinensis does have a common name in English, Caterpillar fungus, although many more people know it by its Latin name as just "Cordyceps." In its natural environment, it can be found only at high altitudes in the mountains of China and Tibet. Considering its minute size, it is a 'small' (pun intended) miracle that anyone ever discovered it and thought to use it as a medicinal mushroom.
For nearly two millennia, Chinese doctors have dispensed Cordyceps extract for physical stamina and sexual prowess. Preserved written records date back as far 200 A.D., when it was described in the book "The Classic Herbal of the Divine Plowman.
In its natural environment, Cordyceps sinensis infects caterpillars and then sprouts out of their dead carcasses. While that certainly doesn't sound very appetizing, modern advances allow potent strains of Cordyceps sinensis to be grown on a rice medium. Cordyceps extract produced in this way has been shown to contain the same medicinal compounds as the wild harvested fungi, with the added advantage of being free from contamination by other species of fungi or bacteria.
A study out of China, which was released over a decade before the introduction of Viagra, reported a 64% improvement in erectile dysfunction from a daily consumption of 1,000 mg of Cordyceps sinensis. (1)
So what's the mechanism behind Cordyceps' apparent effect as an aphrodisiac and sexual potentiator? The following three factors may help explain:
- Cordyceps sinensis has been shown to improve physical vitality and stamina in general. (2,3,4) In 1993, a group of nine Chinese women set world records at the Chinese National Games. When asked about the secret to their success, they attributed it to their use of Cordyceps. (5,6)
- Two published research papers indicate that Cordyceps helps increase blood flow by diluting blood vessels (7,8), which would be of significant relevance in sexual dysfunction.
- Last but not least, Cordyceps extract was shown in two studies to cause a significant increase in the testosterone production in male subjects. (9,10)
Note: This article is for scientific and informational purposes only. It is very important to always consult with a licensed medical doctor before using an herb to treat any medical condition. - 17269
About the Author:
About the writer: Dr. Rafael has worked with natural health products since 1995, as a researcher and writer specializing in mycomedicinals. Click Cordyceps sinensis extract for mycomedicinals and more free articles, or to request a unique version of this article for your own web-site or publication. Cordyceps Bibliographical References A special thank you to Paul Stamets for reference material!
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