Cordyceps sinensis  冬 虫 夏 草 Dōnɡ chónɡ xià cǎo  Caterpillar fungus       
This product is one of the strangest of all herbs. It is formed originally from a fungus, infecting and growing through the head of an underground caterpillar. The caterpillar moves to just below the surface and the fungus sprouts through the surface of the ground. The end result is a half fungus, and half caterpillar. The authentic cordyceps gathered in the mountains is extremely valuable.
The best quality of Cordyceps is harvested from regions in China, Bhutan and Tibet, in high areas about 4-5 thousand meters above sea level. Dong chong xia cao often retails for around $20,000 American dollars/kg (2015).
PART USED: Caterpillar with fungus
Nature: Warm, Neutral    FLAVOR: Sweet.
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Replenishing Yang
1. Tone up Lung, benefit Kidney.[1,2]
2. Stop bleeding, and eliminate phlegm.[2]
INDICATIONS
1. Shortness of breath, asthma, cough, weak loins and legs.[1]
2. Fatigue, cough, hyposexuality, asthenia after severe illness, renal dysfunction, and renal failure.[3]
PREPARATIONS: 3-9 g.[1]

          

References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
References

Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Chen S, Li Z, Krochmal R, Abrazado M, Kim W, Cooper CB.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this study was to examine the effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy elderly subjects.
DESIGN:
Twenty (20) healthy elderly (age 50-75 years) subjects were enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective trial. The subjects were taking either Cs-4 333 mg or placebo capsules 3 times a day for 12 weeks.
MEASUREMENT:
Subjects received baseline screening including physical examination and laboratory tests. Maximal incremental exercise testing was performed on a stationary cycle ergometer using breath-by-breath analysis at baseline and at the completion of the study.
RESULTS:
After receiving Cs-4 for 12 weeks, the metabolic threshold (above which lactate accumulates) increased by 10.5% from 0.83 +/- 0.06 to 0.93 +/- 0.08 L/min (p < 0.02) and the ventilatory threshold (above which unbuffered H(+) stimulates ventilation) increased by 8.5% from 1.25 +/- 0.11 to 1.36 +/- 0.15 L/min. Significant changes in metabolic or ventilatory threshold were not seen for the subjects in the placebo group after 12 weeks, and there were no changes in Vo(2) max in either group.
CONCLUSION:
This pilot study suggests that supplementation with Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) improves exercise performance and might contribute to wellness in healthy older subjects.
PMID: 20804368 PMCID: PMC3110835 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2009.0226  J Altern Complement Med. 2010 May;16(5):585-90. doi: 10.1089/acm.2009.0226. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antiaging effect of Cordyceps sinensis extract.
Ji DB, Ye J, Li CL, Wang YH, Zhao J, Cai SQ.
Abstract
This experiment studied the effect of Cordyceps sinensis extract (CSE) on mice aged by d-galactose and castrated rats to analyse its antiaging effect. Water maze and step-down type avoidance tests were used to examine the effect of CSE on learning and memory. CSE shortened escape latency, prolonged step-down latency and decreased the number of errors in mice aged by d-galactose. The effect of CSE on the sexual function of castrated rats was evaluated by measuring the penis erection latency, mount latency and ejaculation latency. CSE appeared to shorten penis erection latency and mount latency in castrated rats. The study also measured the effect of CSE on the activity of age-related enzymes. The results showed that CSE improved the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase and lowered the level of lipid peroxidation and monoamine oxidase activity in the aged mice. The study demonstrated that CSE can improve the brain function and antioxidative enzyme activity in mice with d-galactose-induced senescence and promote sexual function in castrated rats. All of these findings suggest that CSE has an antiaging effect.
PMID: 18803231 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2576 Phytother Res. 2009 Jan;23(1):116-22. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2576. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical application of Cordyceps sinensis on immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplantation.
Li Y, Xue WJ, Tian PX, Ding XM, Yan H, Pan XM, Feng XS.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
We sought to explore the adjunctive effects of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) in clinical renal transplantation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Patients (n = 202) were divided randomly by lottery into a treatment (n = 93) and a control group (n = 109). Patients in the treatment group were treated with CS 1.0 g 3 times a day in addition to the immunosuppressive regimen given to the control group. We compared patient and graft survivals, incidence, time and severity of acute rejection episodes, chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN), hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, biochemistry parameters including indicators of liver and kidney functions, fats, proteinuria, dosages, and whole blood concentrations of cyclosporine (CsA).
RESULTS:
Patient and graft survival rates, serum creatinine (SCr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P > .05). Serum uric acid (UA) and 24-hour urinary total protein (24-hour UTP) were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < .05). The incidences (11.83% vs 15.60%) and times to acute renal allograft rejection (23.48 +/- 7.22 vs 22.27 +/- 8.03 days posttransplantation) were not significantly different between the treated and control groups (P > .05). Patients receiving thymoglobulin antirejection therapy (3 cases) were fewer in the heated versus control group (13 cases; P = .014). The incidences of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in the treated group were 12.90% and 19.35%, significantly lower than 24.77% and 33.94% in the control group, respectively (P < .05). At 2 to 6 months posttransplantation, the CsA dosages in the treated group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < .05). The whole blood trough CsA concentrations in the treated group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 3 to 6 months posttransplantation (P < .05). The decreasing trends of the 2 aforementioned parameters in the treatment group were approximately linear among treated subjects compared with approximately quadratic in the control group (P < .05). The incidence of CAN in the treated group was 7.53%, which was significantly lower than 18.35% in the control group (P = .024). The 24-hour UTP level in CAN patients within the treated group was significantly lower than the control group after transplantation (P = .045). The differences in total bilirubin, SCr, serum UA, and total cholesterol levels among otherwise normal patients in the treated group were significantly lower than those among the control group (P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS:
The use of CS may allow decreased dosages and concentrations of CsA causing fewer side effects without an increased risk of acute rejection. In addition, CS with reduced dose CsA may decrease proteinuria and retard CAN progression.
PMID: 19545680 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.02.085 Transplant Proc. 2009 Jun;41(5):1565-9. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.02.085. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov