Properties of the cordyceps mushroom
In ancient China, fungotherapy (mushroom treatment) was actively used. It is believed that the cordyceps mushroom has unique healing properties that justify its rather high price.
Properties of the cordyceps mushroom
Description
Cordyceps is a genus of fungi that parasitize insects, much less often spiders or fungi.
This is one of the few species that are able to independently choose their owner.
Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
Cordyceps stroma develop from a dense mass of mycelium that fills the host's body - endosclerotia or pseudosclerotia. The size and shape of the stroma depends on the species. They can be either very long, filiform, or cylindrical, clavate or capitate. In some species, it can reach 1.5-2.5 mm in length, in others up to 25-30 cm. The stroma are usually variably colored. Perithecia are formed on a portion of the stroma, and the pedicle remains sterile. The bags are cylindrical, very long, their sizes can vary from 80 to 700 microns. Ascospores are filamentous, multicellular, as long as bursae. Mature, after being thrown out of the perithetium, disintegrate into unicellular fragments. Usually, the developmental cycle is characterized by the conidial stage.
Spores of Cordyceps enter the “hairy” surface of the caterpillar's cocoon or ant's body, where they fix and feed. Over time, the larva or insect dies, and the mycelium grows.
Outwardly, it looks like a dry pod with a curly top in the form of a blade or a slight thickening. Reaches a length of 6-8 cm, a leg 3-5 mm thick. Found in tropical forests. They often grow at mountain heights: the Tibetan species is known, so called "high mountain".
Mushroom species
Cordyceps is a mushroom with a limited species distribution. There are 400 representatives, including:
- to. lumpy;
- to. military;
- because graceful;
- to. ofioglossoid;
- K. Japanese.
There are poisonous species that are prohibited from admission. One-sided cordyceps gained fame. It influences the behavior of the victim infected with it. It looks like this:
- An ant with spores on its body leaves the colony and settles on a leaf.
- It is fixed at the optimal height for the spread of spores - 30 cm, piercing the leaf of the plant.
- The mycelium grows through the whole body, and a leg with a "head" is released outside.
- The dead insect becomes a kind of protective shell for the hyphae.
- After reaching maturity, sexual reproduction continues.
But Chinese Cordyceps chooses to parasitize caterpillars of butterflies.
The spore gets inside the cocoon, there it survives the winter. In spring, hyphae is formed, which grows over time through the walls of the caterpillar's body in the form of a thin "blade of grass". A dense cocoon protects spores from dangerous environmental factors. The adult looks like a dried-up larva, from which a strange dark process grows.
Chemical composition and properties
The mushroom has medicinal properties
The composition of natural cordyceps includes the following important components:
- Cordyceps acid (7%).
- Protein (25%).
- Enzymes (over 80).
- Amino acids (phenylalanine, histidine, valine, arginine, glutamine).
- Beta carotene.
- Vitamins E, D, E, C, group B.
- Polysaccharide and protein-polysaccharide complexes.
- Phospholipids and fatty acids.
- Antibiotic (3'-deoxyadenosine).
- Trace elements: zinc, selenium, iron, calcium, manganese, boron.
The beneficial properties of the Chinese mushroom have found their application in traditional medicine. Studies have revealed the following medicinal properties of cordyceps:
- The source of vitality for the human body. Vitamins and minerals help to strengthen the immune system, it quickly destroys influenza viruses and other colds.
- Affects weight loss, because it normalizes the functioning of the stomach and intestines.
- It is one of the folk remedies for cancer. Used as a prophylactic agent against oncology.
- Treats rheumatoid arthritis, improves the condition of bones and joints.
- Normalizes blood pressure and state of blood vessels.
- Used to improve potency in men.
- It has a positive effect on the nervous system.
- An effective analgesic agent.
In cosmetology, a dry extract of Chinese cordyceps is used, on the basis of which shampoos, shower gels, creams, lotions, masks, and soaps are made. Lingzhi, natural pearls are added to the composition.
Cosmetological healing properties:
- promotes rejuvenation;
- moisturizes and tones the skin;
- accelerates collagen production;
- gently brightens the skin;
- benefits for the walls of skin cells;
- shampoo with Tibetan cordyceps mushroom strengthens hair and accelerates its growth.
Wild cordyceps analogs:
- Dietary supplements: ready-made ampoules or tablets of active ingredient with impurities.
- Traditional form: loose leaf tea.
- Symbiotic.
- Mushroom body powder.
- Dried mycelium.
- Artificially grown fruiting bodies.
Cordyceps preparations are common in the Chinese market. Producing countries:
- Korea;
- Vietnam;
- Thailand.
The Vietnamese product is especially popular. Chinese cordyceps mushroom is also used in Israel. In traditional medicine, antibiotics and raw materials for immunosuppressants are obtained from mushrooms. The composition of the species has not been studied in more detail, so there are a number of precautions for admission.
Contraindications
Before use, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
The side effects of a natural product have not been studied, therefore contraindications are conditional.
Due to the high demand in the world market for this product, counterfeits have appeared. Studies show that poisonous species of mushrooms or dangerous synthetic additives can be added there. A real mushroom is expensive, a medicine with impurities, although a budget option, is unhealthy.
General contraindications for doctors:
- Not recommended for pregnancy.
- Cannot be given to children under 12 years of age.
- Not suitable for people who are allergic to the main component and side additives.
Cordyceps cannot replace any other drugs that are used for chronic diseases: it is not suitable for diabetics instead of insulin, does not replace the course of chemotherapy, and is not used in the treatment of hepatitis.
It is not recommended to take the drug together with anticoagulants and medicines that dilate the bronchi. It is advisable to get detailed advice from doctors before using.
Admission rules
The package should contain a description and instructions for use. The course of tablets should be drunk only according to the manufacturer's specified method, because different companies have their own concentration of the active substance.
The crushed powder - extract or extract - is sold in pure form. It is usually green or yellowish, free-flowing. You can display the proportions yourself. The extract in cosmetology is diluted in water (0.1 - 0.5%).
To improve the skin are shown:
- Baths with 0.5% extract diluted in water twice a week.
- Rubbing 0.1% infusion into the skin daily.
The capsules are usually taken on a vitamin schedule. For prophylaxis, 1 capsule per day for a course of up to 30 days.
During the period of illness, the dosage can be increased. The harm from it is negligible.Any negative manifestations on the skin indicate a reaction, so it is worth stopping the treatment immediately and you need to find out the opinion of the doctors.
Growing methods
Previously, the species was collected only by hand. In many countries, picking and growing mushrooms became legal only after the 2000s. The golden or imperial mushroom, known as the elixir of health, is now obtained in the laboratory.
The quality of cultivated products is not inferior to wild-growing fruit bodies. Thanks to the development of the industry, the healing parasite has become not so rare, and the drugs have dropped significantly in price. It is difficult to grow it yourself: for this you need to buy mycelium or spores, create a favorable climate. Plus you need caterpillars or ants.
Conclusion
The beneficial and negative properties of the species have not been proven by science, but have been studied by oriental folk medicine. This species is extremely rare, so the cost of the drugs is still high. You can replace the healing course if you take the right vitamins.
