Indications

Tradionally used in Asian medicine to toniffy Lung Yin and Kidney Yang.

Athletes
• increases exercise performance

Immune
• fatigue
• adjunctive therapy for cancer, radiation, and chemotherapy
• leukopenia
• cancer
- lung cancer
- hepatocellular Carcinoma
• viruses
- warts (Condyloma Acuminatum)
- chronic hepatitis B (HBV)
- human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- influenza

Reproduction
• impotence, caused by debility

Respiratory
• chronic cough
• chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- asthma
- chronic bronchitis

Other
• organ transplant
- renal transplant

Actions

• Adaptogen
• Immunomodulator
• Anticancer
• Antiinflammatory
• Hepatoprotective
• Hypoglycemic

Constituents

• Purine Alkaloids (Adenosine Derivative)
• Polysaccharides
• Triterpenoids

Posology

• Decoction (dried herb): 3-9 g bid

Safety

Side effects: Abdominal complaints and irregular menstruation may occur with excessive use.

Interactions

Organ transplants • Cordyceps may decrease the side effects and dose required for immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplantation.

References

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002