Origin & tradition
Dong Chong Xia Cao (冬虫夏草) is one of the most valuable tonics in Chinese medicine, used for vitality, lung and kidney support, and endurance.
Eastern tradition · Tonic Mushroom
Cordyceps 冬虫夏草
Prized Yunnan–Tibet tonic fungus studied for mitochondrial energy, VO₂ max, and immune modulation — one of TCM's most valuable longevity tonics.
29ClinicalTrials.gov matched
34PubMed RCT records
21Meta-analysis records
1+PubMed records
Cordycepin & polysaccharidesKey active compound
Data definition. Matched records include all indexed medical endpoints for this intervention — not only longevity. Longevity-relevant records are screened separately and cited in the evidence summary below. Counts are matched-record volumes, not de-duplicated trials and not efficacy claims.
Why longevity buyers care
Key active: Cordycepin & polysaccharides (botanical extract).
Cordyceps is a multi-compound fungus (cordycepin, adenosine, polysaccharides) studied for AMPK activation, mitochondrial ATP support, and immune modulation; most longevity-relevant data is preclinical.
Effect summary
Studied health outcomes
Editorial summary — This table is curated by hand from published research consensus, not automatically calculated from our trial database. Grades reflect our interpretation of the literature. Treat as a starting point, not a definitive verdict. See the Evidence panel below for the underlying trial and paper counts sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.
| Health outcome | Effect | Magnitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerobic capacity (VO2 max) | Increases | Moderate | B |
| Fatigue | Decreases | Moderate | B |
| Testosterone levels | Increases | Minor | C |
| Immune function | Increases | Minor | C |
| Blood glucose | Decreases | Minor | C |
Grade: A = robust RCTs · B = several RCTs / meta-analysis · C = limited or mixed RCTs · D = observational or early data
Dosage guidance
How Cordyceps is typically used
- Typical dose
- 1,000–3,000 mg/day
- Form
- Cs-4 fermented mycelium (most-studied) or fruiting body extract
- Timing
- any time, with or without food; pre-workout timing studied for endurance
Wild Cordyceps sinensis is extremely expensive and rarely in supplements — Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis mycelium) has the most human trial data. Cordyceps militaris is also used and may have higher cordycepin content.
Informational only — not a prescription or personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement or medication.
Evidence summary
What the research actually says
72Evidence confidence
Human RCT evidence34 randomized controlled trials · 21 meta-analyses / systematic reviews
Mostly preclinical for aging; small human trials on exercise and fatigue
Cordyceps is a multi-compound fungus (cordycepin, adenosine, polysaccharides) studied for AMPK activation, mitochondrial ATP support, and immune modulation; most longevity-relevant data is preclinical.
29registered clinical trials reference this intervention
1selected from 1+ PubMed papers (longevity / aging angle)
Key active: Cordycepin & polysaccharides (botanical extract) — a multi-compound botanical extract, so activity is not reducible to a single molecule.
According to PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov: trial counts from ClinicalTrials.gov, peer-reviewed literature from PubMed. Counts auto-refresh weekly; last checked 2026-07-19. They include trials across many endpoints, not only longevity.
Informational only — not medical advice, a treatment claim, or a substitute for a qualified clinician. Evidence strength varies; we show mixed and null results on purpose.
Evidence collections
Cordyceps appears in
Compare the evidence
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