Sustainable Forestry Solutions is very excited to bring to market this hallowed treasure known as Himalayan Gold In Tibet!

 Known as Yarsagumba or yartsa gunbu and in China it is known as Dōnɡ Chónɡ Xià Cǎo (冬虫夏草) which translate to summer grass, winter worm, and in modern times Tibetan Viagra!

Most recently, concerns over the sustainability of Cordyceps have been raised due to over-harvesting, ecosystem degradation and climate change as the wild strain realized 20,000 per KG!

Sustainable Sorcerers have been collaborating with fellow mycologists to address this concern and bring this much needed medicine to market in a good way for the people and planet! 

Cultivated indoors in optimal growing conditions, dialed in for this wonder of nature without the use of their insect hosts they generally grow from, nor need for pesticides we can now offer this vegan option so no one gets left out from utilizing this incredible medicine! 

These whole fruiting bodies are a blessing to sustainable principal in creating a much needed and superior rendering of active compounds not found in 95% of mushroom powder/pill markets conceived from non fruiting mycelliated grain grown spawn.

One of the unique things about this Cordyceps militaris strain that Sustainable Sorcerers is offering is that it produces the compound cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine) in much higher amounts when compared to Cordyceps sinensis, the famed wild strain from tibet (20k per kg)!!!

Beta Glucan content of Cordyceps Milataris 25% (Our Strain) vs

Cordyceps Sinensis 7.58% (Tibetan Strain)

Versus

Cordyceps myceliated grain 1.5% (95% of non fruited market powder/extracts)

DOING IT!!!

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) USE

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cordyceps (Dōnɡ Chónɡ Xià Cǎo 冬虫夏草) was considered a very special tonic as it was offered to the Emperor’s court and others among Chinese nobility. The first written record was mentioned in the year AD 620. Traditionally it was used as a lung and kidney tonic making it useful for respiratory ailments, physical exhaustion and for those with a weak constitution. Low sexual function, libido and performance are also keynotes for cordyceps use in traditional literature.

Cordyceps is considered a jing tonic by nourishing yin, boosting yang and supporting kidney essence. Essence is considered to be the elixir of life in TCM. Essence comes from lifestyle (post-natal qi: breathing, diet, meditation, mushrooms and herbs) or from energetic reserves which we are born with (pre-natal qi). Cordyceps is considered to be placed on equal value with other valued tonics like ginseng, reishi and deer antler velvet.

Cordyceps has a sweet flavour and is slightly warm in energetics. These more subtle qualities of cordyceps are used to make sure cordyceps aren’t used in the wrong scenarios. For example, due to the stimulating and strengthening nature of cordyceps, it is contraindicated in conditions with lung heat (infections) based on its ability to not only strengthen the person but also the external pathogen causing the lung compromise.

Think vigor and vitality when looking at the traditional applications of cordyceps: a secret tonic known to strengthen, rebuild and energize the body and mind.

INCREASE EXERCISE PERFORMANCE

Cordyceps showed improved exercise performance in healthy older patients with improved respiratory and metabolic functioning

With all essential amino acids present  as well vitamins mainly E, K, B1, B2, B12; carbohydrates, proteins, sterols, nucleosides and essential elements (Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pi, Se, Al, Si, Ni, Sr, Ti, Cr, K, Na, Ca)

TRACE ELEMENTAL MYCOBIOMINERAL MAGIC!!!

Studies show that the polysaccharides in cordyceps can have an anti-fatigue effect and improve exercise performance 

The antioxidative and general adaptogenic effects of cordyceps can support athletes during and after their performance. Recovery is a critical time often overlooked by athletes of all levels. Athletes using cordyceps for performance enhancement should also consider its recovery potential.            

CANCER

Numerous in vitro and animal experiments have been conducted which enhanced cytokine activity and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, thereby reducing tumor cell proliferation and enhancing survival times by enhancing cytokine activity and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, thereby reducing tumor cell proliferation and enhancing survival times. Cordyceps also demonstrates increased tolerance to radiation and chemotherapy (possibly caused by enhanced immune function), and reduction in tumor size with coadministration of cordyceps. Animal experiments suggest a protective role for cordyceps in radiation- and chemotherapy-induced injury, with increased survival times!! 

INCREASED EXERCISE PERFORMANCE

Cordyceps showed improved exercise performance in healthy older patients with improved respiratory and metabolic functioning. Polysaccharides in cordyceps can have an anti-fatigue effect and improve exercise performance. This was also shown in another study which found that two weeks of Cordyceps militaris supplementation displayed greater levels of delayed fatigue 

The antioxidative and general adaptogenic effects of cordyceps can support athletes during and after their performance. Recovery is a critical time often overlooked by athletes of all levels. Athletes using cordyceps for performance enhancement should also consider its recovery potential. Traditionally, cordyceps has been used in the elderly population to improve weakness, impotence, and fatigue associated with aging. Clinical studies have been conducted among elderly subjects. Other antioxidant effects, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and decreases in lipid peroxidation are thought to be responsible for the antiaging effects, as well as effects on the adrenergic and dopamine systems. Increases in learning and memory have been shown in experiments 

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES

Beta-glucans and cordycepin in Cordyceps militaris have been shown to be the main compounds responsible for it’s anti-inflammatory effect. Human cell studies show cordyceps can decrease inflammation markers. Studies on type 1 diabetes suggest that the immune and inflammation properties of cordyceps may slow destruction of pancreatic beta cells. The immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory properties of cordyceps may help rebalance the T regulatory and Th17 cell ratio 

As autoimmune conditions are often accompanied by inflammation, cordyceps could become an important therapeutic strategy. Rheumatoid arthritis in vitro studies suggest that cordycepin may decrease inflammation in immune cells related to inflammation.

Age related inflammation to the cells and mitochondria can be influenced by free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Cordyceps help oxygen delivery at a cellular level which can help decrease inflammation.

TESTOSTERONE

Traditionally cordyceps were used for sexual performance, low libido, and as an aphrodisiac but modern science may also support its use for androgenic potential by decreased bisphenol A (BPA; a hormone-disrupting plastic) induced reproductive damage while increasing testosterone, sperm motility and sperm count.

Cordycepin may increase steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR) enzyme which allows the starting substrate of all hormones, cholesterol, to enter the mitochondria for the production of steroid hormones. Cholesterol is converted to pregnenolone and pregnenolone to testosterone.

A lot of individuals looking for increases in testosterone often make the mistake of overtraining. Overtraining can lead to an increase in free radicals, leading to oxidative stress on the sexual organs. Cordyceps has been shown to have anti-oxidative properties.

An animal study on sperm quality and quantity showed positive results using cordyceps mycelium (not specified but likely liquid fermentation mycelium 

An endurance athlete study showed that cordyceps supplementation combine with reishi mushroom supplementation decreased overtraining markers and the testosterone and cortisol ratio improved. This same study showed decreases in oxidative stress

LIBIDO

Cordyceps was used traditionally to support libido and all things related to sexual functioning. Most of the in vitro studies suggest that cordyceps libido-enhancing effects may come from its testosterone regulatory and hormone supportive actions.

A study on patients with low libido given cultured cordyceps showed a 64.5% improvement. A 2016 review referenced a cordyceps study which increased libido and sexual performance in men and women.

One other thing to consider is that medicinal mushrooms can be 5-alpha-reductase (5AR) inhibitors which could prevent testosterone from being converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is also why you see claims to take medicinal mushrooms to combat hair loss as many male pattern baldness drugs are 5AR inhibitors.

TYPE 2 DIABETES

Cordyceps may help manage common symptoms of type 2 diabetes such as high blood sugar, weight loss and excessive thirst.36 Cordyceps were also shown to have kidney protective and antioxidant effects. High blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes can cause damage to the kidneys due to increased oxidative stress and free radicals while decreasing blood glucose levels by improving glucose metabolism and enhancing insulin sensitivity!!

HEART HEALTH

Cordyceps has been shown to decrease LDL levels as its protective ability on the cardiovascular system may be due to its adenosine and antioxidative effects. The compounds in cordyceps are thought to activate adenosine receptors which can provide some cardioprotective effects. In fact, cordyceps is used in China for heart rhythm disorders as well reducing transplant rejection. One study that tested the effect of Cordyceps in rats with chronic kidney disease saw a decrease in heart injuries after only 8 weeks. This is significant because heart injuries from chronic kidney disease is believed to increase heart failure.

Other studies show Cordyceps may decrease bad cholesterol aka LDL cholesterol and reduce triglyceride levels. (Both high levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides are associated with heart disease.)

It’s also interesting to note that Cordyceps is approved in China to treat arrhythmia, a condition that affects the rate your heart beats

HEPATIC FUNCTION

Hepatoprotective effects of cordyceps extracts have been demonstrated in Open-label clinical studies conducted in patients with active hepatitis and posthepatic cirrhosis reported improvements in liver function test

ANXIETY

 Supportive in mental health protocols such as anxiety which has been associated with higher levels of inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties of cordyceps decrease oxidative stress while providing support to the psychoendoneuroimmunology processes in the body. This field of study incorporates the interaction between the psychological, nervous and immune systems of an individual. Adaptogens are known mediators of this system with their ability to build resilience.

 Cordycepin exhibits neuroprotective benefits in neurovascular dysfunction and brain injuries. Synaptic functions (neurotransmitters in neural tissue) depend on healthy mitochondria and ATP for proper functioning.

Cordyceps is considered a stimulating adaptogen, meaning it is more energizing and anabolic compared to other adaptogens that are more neutral, calming or restorative. An example of a calming adaptogen is holy basil. TCM and ayurvedic knowledge has best understood the applications of different classes of adaptogens.

RESPIRATORY  

 A stimulatory effect on ion transport in human airway epithelial cells, possibly because of cordycepin and adenosine. The observed effects on respiration are caused by enhanced oxygen utilization capacity, supporting the traditional use of cordyceps in Tibet and Nepal to offset altitude sickness. Clinical studies conducted in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchitis have suggested efficacy for cordyceps. 

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Sustainable Forestry Solutions promotes regenerative forestry principals and works with local state & private organizations to recover and restore native species in an effort to protect and preserve them for future generations.

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