Also known as:  Chinese Caterpillar Fungus;  Cordyceps;  Dong Chong;  Dong Zhong Chang Cao;  Dongchongxiacao;  Jin Shui Bao;  Jing Zhi Dongchongxiacao;  Semitake;  Yarshagumba

 

Description

 

Caterpillar Fungus is a type of edible, parasitic Fungi that grows in high-altitude (above 14,000 feet) plateaus of China, Nepal and Tibet.

 

Botanical Name

 

Cordyceps sinensis (Cephalosporium sinensis)
 Caterpillar Fungus is from the Claviceptaceae (Ascomycetes) family.

 

Part Used

 

Mycelium

 

Caterpillar Fungus derives its name from the fact that it grows on the larvae of caterpillars (Hepialus varains) that inhabit the ground.  When the Hepialus varains caterpillar dies after the summer, a fungus (a blade-shaped Mushroom-like fungus named Cordyceps sinensis) grows off its body.  It is that fungus that is responsible for the stimulant properties of caterpillar fungus.  Modern cultivation methods have replaced the need to collect the Fungi from individual caterpillars.

 

Health Benefits of Caterpillar Fungus

 

Cardiovascular System

 

Caterpillar Fungus may help to prevent Atherosclerosis (by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL Cholesterol).  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may help to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may lower Blood Pressure in Hypertension patients (by blocking the hypertensive effects of Parathyroid Hypertensive Factor (PHF).  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus may enhance the function of Red Blood Cells.  [more info]
 Caterpillar Fungus may alleviate (Supraventricular) Tachycardia (due to the Adenosine content of Caterpillar Fungus).  references

 

Excretory System

 

Caterpillar Fungus may enhance the function (removal of waste products) of the Kidneys, may inhibit some types of damage to the Kidneys and is used for the treatment of some types of chronic Kidney diseases:  references

 

- Caterpillar Fungus may help to regenerate damaged Kidney cells (it promotes the synthesis of endogenous Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) in Kidney cells).
- Caterpillar Fungus may inhibit the ability of Gentamicin to damage the Kidneys.  references

 

Immune System

 

Caterpillar Fungus may inhibit some of the growth of some types of Cancer (due to methanolic compounds in Caterpillar Fungus named CS-36-39 and CS-48-51):  references

 

- Caterpillar Fungus may stimulate the apoptosis (cell death) of (promyelocytic) Leukemia cells.  references
- Caterpillar Fungus may stimulate the apoptosis of Leydig Cell Tumors (a specific type of Testicular Cancer).  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus may stimulate the Immune System:

 

- Caterpillar Fungus may counteract the effects of Immunosuppressive Drugs on Helper T-Cells and may increase the production of Helper T-Cells.  references
- Caterpillar Fungus may enhance the function of NK Lymphocytes.  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus may improve the condition of (chronic) Hepatitis B patients.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may be beneficial for the treatment of the SLE form of Lupus Erythematosus.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may enhance the ability of Macrophages to function as Phagocytes.  references

 

Metabolism

 

Caterpillar Fungus functions as an Antioxidant.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may improve Athletic Performance (by improving the body’s production of Energy by the Mitochondria of Cells).  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may lower elevated Blood Sugar levels.  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus may lower total serum Cholesterol levels by an average of 17.5%:  references

 

- Caterpillar Fungus may increase HDL Cholesterol levels by an average of 27%.  references
- Caterpillar Fungus may inhibit the oxidation of LDL Cholesterol and may lower elevated LDL Cholesterol levels.  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus may help to prevent Cirrhosis.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may increase the body’s production of Energy within the Mitochondria of Cells.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may lower elevated Blood Sugar levels in Diabetes Mellitus patients (due to the CS-OHEP and CS-F30 Polysaccharides content of Caterpillar Fungus).  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus may prevent and alleviate Fatigue:  references

 

- Caterpillar Fungus is claimed to be useful for the treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus may increase the body’s tolerance to Hypoxia.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may help to prevent Insulin Resistance.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may increase Stamina.  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus may lower total serum Triglycerides levels by an average of 9.2%.  references

 

Nervous System

 

Caterpillar Fungus may stimulate the Central Nervous System (many anecdotal reports describe the stimulating effects of Caterpillar Fungus as being similar to those induced by Ephedrine).  [more info]
 Caterpillar Fungus may counteract the toxic effects of excessive Stress.  references

 

Respiratory System

 

Caterpillar Fungus may function as a bronchodilator and may thereby alleviates Asthma.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may alleviate the symptoms of (chronic) Bronchitis.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may alleviate the symptoms of Tuberculosis.  references

 

Sexual System

 

Caterpillar Fungus is commonly prescribed by herbalists (in China) for the treatment of Female Infertility.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may alleviate Male Impotence.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may alleviate Male Infertility (it increases Sperm count and reduces the number of deformed Sperm in infertile men).  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus is prescribed (in China) by herbalists for the treatment of many of the symptoms associated with the Female Menopause.
 Caterpillar Fungus may stimulate the production of Testosterone by Leydig Cells in the Testicles.  references
 Caterpillar Fungus may improve Sexual Performance (in males and females).  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus may Enhance the Function of these Substances

 

Enzymes

 

Caterpillar Fungus may increase serum levels of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD).  [more info]

 

Hormones

 

Caterpillar Fungus may stimulate the production of Testosterone by Leydig Cells in the Testicles.  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus may Counteract these Potentially Toxic Substances

 

Pharmaceutical Drugs

 

Caterpillar Fungus may inhibit the ability of Gentamicin to damage the Kidneys.  references

 

Caterpillar Fungus Contains these Substances  note

 

(mg of substance per 100 grams of Caterpillar Fungus)

 

Alkaloids:    
Amines: Polyamines:  Homospermidine 
Putrescine 
Spermidine 
Spermine 
Amino Acids: Glutamic Acid  Lysine 
Arginine  Tryptophan 
Tyrosine  Proline 
Histidine  Valine 
Carbohydrates: Polysaccharides:  CS-OHEP 
CS-F30 
CS-81002 
Galactomannans 
Mannitol 5,000  
Lipids: Fatty Acids:  Linoleic Acid 
Oleic Acid 
Palmitic Acid 
Phytosterols:  Ergosterol 
Ergosterol Devivatives 
Nucleic Compounds: Adenosine 140 Uridine 
Uracil  Guanine 
Guanosine  Cordycepin 
Peptides: Dipeptides:  Cyclic Dipeptides 
Other: Cordyceptic Acid   
Drug Interactions for Caterpillar Fungus