What is cordyceps?
Cordyceps sinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, is a complex of the stroma of the fungus Cordyceps sinensis (Ber K.) Sacc. (family Clavicipitaceae) parasitizing the larvae of insects in the family Hepialidae (family Hepialidae) and the larvae's corpse. It has the effects of tonifying the kidneys and lungs, stopping bleeding, and resolving phlegm. It is mainly used to treat lower back and knee pain, chronic cough and asthma, and cough with hemoptysis due to overwork.
The efficacy of cordycepin remains controversial. The structural formula of cordycepin is also relevant. Cordyceps sinensis was officially recorded as a medicine in medical texts starting with the Qing Dynasty publication *Ben Cao Cong Xin*, which stated that its effects are "sweet and neutral, protecting the lungs, benefiting the kidneys, stopping bleeding, resolving phlegm, and relieving coughs due to overwork." Subsequently, cordyceps sinensis, along with ginseng and deer antler, was considered one of the three most precious tonic herbs, enjoying immense fame.
However, whether Cordyceps sinensis contains any effective ingredients has long been a subject of debate among professionals. Cordycepic acid is considered to be the active or hallmark ingredient of Cordyceps sinensis, but in fact, cordycepic acid is mannitol, a very common and inexpensive chemical product widely used in food and medicine. Furthermore, multiple studies have shown that Cordyceps sinensis does not contain cordycepin, which is found in Cordyceps militaris.
Some scholars have also published an article in *Cell Chemical Biology*, a sub-journal of the internationally renowned journal *Cell*, announcing that *Cordyceps sinensis* does not contain pentostatin, which has anti-cancer effects, nor cordycepin, which is biosynthesized from pentostatin. The study also points out that excessive cordycepin can cause cytotoxicity in fungi, meaning that humans should not ingest excessive amounts of cordycepin.
However, whether Cordyceps sinensis contains any effective ingredients has long been a subject of debate among professionals. Cordycepic acid is considered to be the active or hallmark ingredient of Cordyceps sinensis, but in fact, cordycepic acid is mannitol, a very common and inexpensive chemical product widely used in food and medicine. Furthermore, multiple studies have shown that Cordyceps sinensis does not contain cordycepin, which is found in Cordyceps militaris.
Some scholars have also published an article in *Cell Chemical Biology*, a sub-journal of the internationally renowned journal *Cell*, announcing that *Cordyceps sinensis* does not contain pentostatin, which has anti-cancer effects, nor cordycepin, which is biosynthesized from pentostatin. The study also points out that excessive cordycepin can cause cytotoxicity in fungi, meaning that humans should not ingest excessive amounts of cordycepin.
