Herb Profile
Cordyceps
Ophiocordyceps sinensis
Cordyceps militaris is most often discussed around cordycepin plus polysaccharides and related nucleosides.
Last reviewed: •3 sources citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·B Moderate
Standard caution — Generally safe; mild GI symptoms Details
- Evidence
- Moderate Evidence
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- Low caution
- Best for
- Energy, Immune, Adaptogenic, Stress resilience
- Avoid / review if
- Immunosuppressants
Safety
Safety & Cautions
Generally safe; mild GI symptoms
Standard caution
Caution level: Standard. No specific caution categories were detected in the source record.
Detailed safety fields
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications
- Immunosuppressants
Full safety note
- Generally safe; mild GI symptoms
Evidence
Evidence Summary
Evidence lens
Useful signal, but study design, dose, and population still matter.
ModerateModerate Evidence
Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Mitochondrial Support · Immune Signaling Modulation · Stress Response Modulation
Research maturity: Established research — Long Term Human Evidence May Be Limited.
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Generally safe; mild GI symptoms
This profile cites 3 human studies.
Study design details
Evidence Grade
Grade B: Moderate Evidence
Evaluation of methodological rigor, population reach, and evidence alignment.
- Design Match
- Randomized controlled trial
- Risk of Bias
- Low
- Consistency
- Not assessed
Strongest recorded design is a randomized controlled trial, drawn from 4 recorded studies, 1 in people.
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
- Strong
- Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
- Moderate
- Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
- Preliminary / Mixed
- Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
- Traditional / Theoretical
- Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (4)1 human evidence source · 1 human trial · Participant totals not consistently reported · Consistency not yet classifiable
Filter by study class
Showing 4 of 4 studies.
What the evidence actually shows
This table contains 4 structured sources, including 1 human evidence source; 1 is a human trial.
| Study | Design | N | Dose | Duration | Population | Outcome | Result & magnitude | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background | Randomized controlled trial Randomly assigns participants to interventions or controls, reducing many sources of bias when the trial is conducted well. | — | — | — | — | — | Resting oxygen uptake increased and post-exercise reaction time was faster, but peak VO2 and several other physiological outcomes did not improve. | PubMed → |
Herbal medicine for sports: a review Sellami M et al. · J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2018 Background | Narrative review Summarizes selected literature without the full prespecified search and selection methods of a systematic review. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Anti-Cancer Potential of Edible/Medicinal Mushrooms in Breast Cancer Gariboldi MB et al. · Int J Mol Sci · 2023 Background | Narrative review Summarizes selected literature without the full prespecified search and selection methods of a systematic review. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
The structures and biological functions of polysaccharides from traditional Chinese herbs Zeng P et al. · Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci · 2019 Background | Narrative review Summarizes selected literature without the full prespecified search and selection methods of a systematic review. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Dosing & Timing
- Dose guidance
- 1 3 g/day extract
How Cordyceps works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Cordyceps Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & biological pathways (preclinical)
- Mitochondrial Support
- Immune Signaling Modulation
- Stress Response Modulation
Active Compounds
Key constituents studied in Cordyceps, with full pharmacology and safety profiles.
Compare related active botanicals
Explore botanicals with similar chemistry, effects, or safety considerations in the Botanical Activity Atlas.
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Review available sources for Cordyceps
Independent database mapping — evaluated separately from safety and efficacy scores.
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Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Founder & Head Researcher · Oak Ridge, TN · Last reviewed August 2026
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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