Cordyceps sinensis: Energy from deep within the lungs

What makes Cordyceps so special?

Cordyceps sinensis is not a fungus that quietly hides in the moss. It is a story.

For centuries it was collected and traded in Tibetan highlands, valued as a tonic for strength, endurance and regeneration.

Today he stands between tradition and research:

An organism that arises from an unusual symbiosis with insect larvae, forming bioactive molecules that continue to fascinate scientists.

Cordyceps provides something that has become rare in our time: slow, organic energy instead of hectic stimulation.

Which ingredients are of interest to researchers?

• Cordycepin

• Polysaccharides

• Adenosine

These compounds are being researched because studies have shown they can have antioxidant, regulatory, or immune-related effects.

Traditional use without promise

In traditional healing practices, Cordyceps was used for:

– Respiratory system

– Relaxation

– Adaptation to stress

– general vitality

This reflects cultural experiential knowledge.

Cordyceps and the lungs: a bridge between the two

In TCM, it's less about muscles and more about the "Qi of the lungs" metaphorically:

• Wide

• Oxygen flow

• Resilience

Modern studies examine oxygen uptake, regeneration, and stress markers. Both perspectives converge where Cordyceps is associated with vitality.

Cordyceps in the network of functional fungi

Cordyceps alone is interesting. It becomes even more interesting when compared to:

Reishi is considered to have a balancing effect

Chaga is associated with antioxidant balance

Cordyceps is often associated with energy and breathing issues.

Three mushrooms, three profiles, one core:

They are among the most researched fungi in modern mycotherapy.

Not as a replacement, but as a complementary option.

How can Cordyceps be used practically?

There are many options:

• Liquid extracts – quickly available

• Capsules – practical

• Powder – versatile (beware of cheap products)

Cordyceps is often used:

– in the morning for readiness to start

– before activity

What does the research say?

It is active – and growing.

Among other things, the following will be investigated:

• Performance and recovery

Aerobic performance: Aerobic performance = how well you convert oxygen into energy.

And why is research interested in this, e.g., in the case of Cordyceps?

Because people with better oxygen utilization often:

• more endurance,

• better regeneration,

• and feel less exhausted.

So it's not about athletic performance, it's about how vibrant and resilient your everyday life feels.

✔ If you can walk up two flights of stairs without getting out of breath – that's aerobic performance.

✔ If you don't immediately slow down during a walk – that's aerobic performance.

✔ If you recover faster from stress – that's also part of it.

A pilot study with the fermentation product Cs-4 showed an increased metabolic threshold and ventilatory threshold after 12 weeks—suggesting improved aerobic performance. PMC

A meta-analysis (2025) of several studies found that Cordyceps supplementation significantly improved endurance performance, ventilatory threshold, and VO₂ peak. Frontiers+1

A more recent study (2022) reports that after 8 or 12 weeks of supplementation, heart rate decreased and aerobic performance increased during submaximal exercise. ScienceDirect

• Immune parameters

A recent review showed that Cordyceps species can have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects—e.g., influencing cytokines and activating immune cells. PMC+1

In studies with athletes, supplementation with cordyceps or mushroom mixtures sometimes improved values such as IgG, IgM and complement factors – suggesting better immune function and recovery capacity. PMC

3) Further research areas

• oxidative stress

• Metabolic issues

• age-related adaptation processes

It is important to note: studies show potential, but they do not replace treatment and do not make blanket promises.

For us, this means:

Why quality is crucial today

When research shows that certain ingredients are of interest, the question immediately arises:

How do I ensure that my product truly contains this quality?

This is where the second important aspect comes into play: sustainability & breeding.

For centuries, Cordyceps was a wild-harvested product. Demand increased – natural supplies did not.

That's why controlled breeding is the focus today:

• genetically identified

• tested in the laboratory

• sustainably grown

• Reproducible ingredients

For consumers, this means looking at:

• Origin

• Certifications

• Laboratory analyses

This is how quality can be combined with ethics.

Cordyceps in everyday life: the practical side

Some users incorporate Cordyceps:

• in a smoothie

• all about training

• or as a daily ritual

But the most important thing is: consistency rather than intensity.

Medicinal mushrooms often work over time, not overnight.

Cordyceps is not an energy shot, it is a process.

Perhaps this is the best sentence to end with:

Cordyceps feels like fresh air in a room that hasn't been ventilated for a long time.

Not loud. Not dramatic. But like an opening, on a biochemical level.

Curious to learn more?

On the Verovitalis website you will find in-depth information, research references and high-quality liquid extracts – produced for people who don't want to leave energy, balance and regeneration to chance.

Because vitality doesn't begin with "more", but with "better".