Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris)

Cordyceps is a popular «natural preworkout» in endurance sports (running, cycling, swimming) with the legend of Chinese runners breaking world records in 1993. Evidence in young healthy athletes: small RCTs showed heterogeneous VO2max and time-to-exhaustion results. In healthy elderly volunteers (Chen 2010) 333 mg three times daily of CS-4 × 12 weeks showed metabolic and ventilatory threshold improvement. EFSA approved no physical performance claim for cordyceps. IOC consensus statement 2018 on sports supplements does not include cordyceps.

Cordyceps (the fungi Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris) is sold as a supplement for energy and chronic fatigue, often with promises of better stamina. There is no convincing evidence that it helps with chronic fatigue: the data come from small, low-quality studies, and major clinical guidelines do not include it for this use. When fatigue persists, the more useful step is to look for a cause with a doctor (anemia, thyroid problems, iron or vitamin D deficiency, poor sleep, depression) and to work on sleep and gradual physical activity.

ICD-10: R53 · ICD-11: MG22

Cordyceps refers to the fungi Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris, sold as a supplement for immune support and help with colds and respiratory infections. The benefit for this use has not been shown: there is no solid evidence that it prevents infections or eases their course. The substance itself is harmless in this role. For a cold the basics help most – rest, fluids, fever reducers as needed – and flu vaccination is what actually lowers infection risk.

Cordyceps is a fungus (Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris) marketed as a supplement to raise testosterone in men. There is no evidence base for this use: studies have not shown a convincing benefit for testosterone levels in people. Low testosterone calls for a workup with a doctor (endocrinologist, urologist-andrologist) and treatment chosen for the cause, so this supplement should not replace therapy with proven benefit, since that can mean missing the care you need.

ICD-10: E29.1 · ICD-11: 5A81.1