Cordyceps militaris: Benefits, Effects, Contraindications, and How It Differs from Cordyceps flower and Cordyceps sinensis, Plus How to Eat It

Cordyceps militaris is also called northern Cordyceps sinensis, northern Cordyceps, or northern pupal Cordyceps. It belongs to the family Clavicipitaceae and is a combination of insect body and fungus. The pupal body is purple, and the fungal body is orange-yellow or orange-red. Wild specimens are relatively rare, and artificial cultivation has now been achieved. So, what are the benefits, effects, and contraindications of Cordyceps militaris? How does it differ from Cordyceps flower and Cordyceps sinensis? How should it be eaten?

I. What are the benefits, effects, and contraindications of Cordyceps militaris?

1. Benefits and effects of Cordyceps militaris

(1) Cordyceps militaris contains a large amount of cordycepin, which has antiviral, antitumor, anti-leukemia, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. It can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and also has a blood sugar-lowering effect.

(2) Cordyceps militaris contains cordyceps polysaccharides, which are internationally recognized by the medical field as a human immune enhancer. They can strengthen the body's own ability to fight and suppress cancer, improve the liver's detoxification capacity, and enhance the body's antiviral and anti-radiation abilities. They have a significant therapeutic effect on senile chronic bronchitis and cor pulmonale.

(3) Cordyceps militaris contains cordycepic acid, which is a basic drug for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It has the effects of scavenging free radicals, dilating blood vessels, and lowering blood pressure, and can prevent and treat cerebral thrombosis, cerebral hemorrhage, and renal failure.

(4) Cordyceps militaris contains nucleotides, which can inhibit platelet aggregation, prevent the formation of heart and brain blood clots, and eliminate melasma, age spots, and acne.

(5) Cordyceps militaris has the effect of treating impotence and kidney deficiency.

(6) Cordyceps militaris has the effect of strengthening the spleen and calming the mind, and has a very good therapeutic effect on insomnia with frequent dreams and neurasthenia.

2. Contraindications for eating Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps militaris is a very good Chinese herbal medicine. Although its effects are good, it still should not be eaten in large amounts, and some people cannot eat it, such as infants, pregnant women, people with fever symptoms, people with a hot constitution, people with internal bleeding (such as blood in the stool), tumor patients, people who have had a stroke, people with cerebral hemorrhage, patients with rheumatoid arthritis, patients with high blood pressure, and women during menstruation.

II. How to distinguish Cordyceps militaris from Cordyceps flower?

Cordyceps militaris is a Cordyceps grown by using pupae as the culture medium and inoculating them with Cordyceps sinensis fungus, while the culture medium for Cordyceps flower is made by imitating the various nutrients contained in natural insects, including grains, beans, eggs, and milk, to cultivate Cordyceps fruiting bodies. Cordyceps flower is not a flower but a type of fungus. It is an artificially cultivated Cordyceps fruiting body, and its biggest difference from Cordyceps militaris is that it has no insect body, only orange or yellow "grass." Cordyceps militaris is both medicinal and edible and is mostly used for boiling water, soaking in liquor, and making soups; generally, after brewing, the insect body is eaten directly, and it has the effect of treating certain diseases. Cordyceps flower, however, can only be used as food, just like an ordinary vegetable, and can be eaten directly after being cooked into dishes. Cordyceps militaris has a high content of active ingredients; 1 gram of Cordyceps militaris can match the active ingredient content of 1 kilogram of Cordyceps flower.

III. How to distinguish Cordyceps militaris from Cordyceps sinensis?

Cordyceps sinensis generally grows on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its surrounding areas, while Cordyceps militaris is generally produced in Jilin, Hebei, Shaanxi, and other provinces. Cordyceps sinensis parasitizes the larvae of ghost moths, while Cordyceps militaris parasitizes silkworm pupae. Cordyceps sinensis is dark brownish-yellow to yellow-brown in color, while Cordyceps militaris is orange-yellow or orange-red. Both contain 4 main pharmacological components: cordycepin, cordycepic acid, cordyceps polysaccharides, and SOD enzyme. Except that Cordyceps militaris is slightly lower in cordycepic acid than Cordyceps sinensis, the rest are significantly higher than in Cordyceps sinensis. The edible amount of Cordyceps sinensis should reach 3 grams, and children may eat it in appropriate amounts; the edible amount of Cordyceps militaris should not exceed 2 grams, and children cannot eat it. Cordyceps militaris is far less well-known than Cordyceps sinensis, but its medicinal value is higher than that of Cordyceps sinensis.

IV. How should Cordyceps militaris be eaten?

Cordyceps militaris can be brewed as tea, soaked in liquor, boiled in water, or stewed with meat. For tea, generally take 3-5 grams and brew it with boiling water. Begin drinking after brewing for 5 minutes, brew it multiple times, and eat the Cordyceps militaris when no yellow color remains. For soaking in liquor, take Cordyceps militaris and soak it in baijiu or yellow rice wine. Soak in baijiu for 7 days or in yellow rice wine for 15 days, and then it is ready to drink. For boiling in water, take 2-9 grams of Cordyceps militaris, add 200-300 milliliters of water, boil for 2 minutes, and take it in the morning and evening, or add water freely and brew it for drinking, then eat the Cordyceps militaris in the evening. For stewing with meat, prepare an appropriate amount of a certain kind of meat, cut it into pieces, fry it briefly in an oiled pan, remove it when the color changes, clean the pan, add an appropriate amount of water, Cordyceps militaris, and seasonings, and simmer over low heat for about 1 hour before eating. Do not add monosodium glutamate or chicken essence.