Cordyceps Capsules

Recommended use: Take 1–2 capsules daily, without chewing, with sufficient liquid at mealtime.

Important information: Food supplements are not a substitute for a balanced and varied diet and lifestyle. The stated recommended daily intake must not be exceeded. Keep out of reach of small children.

Allergens: According to the raw material specification, it contains no allergens requiring declaration in accordance with Annex II of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011. However, mushroom extracts may naturally contain traces of sulfites.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place, do not freeze, and protect from direct sunlight.

The only one that does not decompose wood

Reishi, Hericium, Chaga, and Shiitake all live on wood. Cordyceps is the exception: it is an entomopathogenic fungus, meaning it infects insects. On the Tibetan plateau, at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 meters, it grows in the larvae of root borers, spreads through them with its mycelium, and sends up a slender, club-shaped stalk from the ground in spring.

The Tibetan term Yartsa Gunbu describes exactly this observation: summer grass, winter worm. From a distance, the structure looks like a blade of grass; dug up, like a caterpillar with a stem.

One name, two genera

Taxonomically, the species has been called Ophiocordyceps sinensis since 2007. Genetic studies had shown that the former catch-all genus Cordyceps contained several distantly related groups, which is why it was split up. The older name Cordyceps sinensis has remained in trade and therefore also appears on our ingredients list.

When comparing Cordyceps products, pay attention to the species. In addition to Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris is often offered, a separate species that readily forms fruiting bodies on substrate and is therefore cultivated on a large scale. Both are commonly called Cordyceps.

Why wild harvest does not meet demand

Wild-harvested goods are traded by weight and are among the most expensive natural products in the world. In parts of Tibet and Nepal, collecting them is a major part of entire villages' annual income, putting corresponding pressure on stocks.

For dietary supplements in any significant quantity, wild harvesting is therefore not an option, neither in terms of price nor volume. The industry's raw materials come from controlled production, usually from fermentation.

Why extract and not powder

The chitin rule also applies here: mushroom cell walls are made of a substance that humans cannot break down. Without extraction, the active compounds remain trapped in the cells. A hot-water extraction breaks open the wall and releases the water-soluble components. When comparing products, three details are therefore crucial: extract or powder, the extract ratio, and the species.