Cordyceps Militaris Mushroom Extract

Cordyceps militaris is a functional mushroom from the Cordyceps genus, documented in classical Chinese and Tibetan herbal traditions for over 600 years. Important clarification: Cordyceps militaris is a separate species from wild Himalayan Cordyceps sinensis (Keedajadi). It is not a cultivated version of Sinensis. They share a genus historically but are distinct fungi with different compound profiles.

Our extract is produced from the whole fruiting body of cultivated Cordyceps militaris through an 8:1 dual extraction using both hot water and ethanol, preserving water-soluble compounds alongside alcohol-soluble compounds. The disclosed compound profile includes cordycepin (0.35%), adenosine (0.29%), mannitol (21.16%), and polysaccharides (51.34%).

They are closely related fungi, but modern taxonomy places them in different genera. Cordyceps militaris is in the genus Cordyceps. Sinensis was reclassified in 2007 and is now Ophiocordyceps sinensis.

Cordyceps militaris is cultivated indoors, producing orange, club-shaped fruiting bodies in sterile environments. The species is affordable, consistent, and naturally contains cordycepin and polysaccharides.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis, also called Keedajadi or Yarsagumba, is the wild Himalayan caterpillar fungus harvested at 3,500 to 5,000 m elevation in Uttarakhand and Tibet. It is extremely rare, traded at $15,000 to $50,000 per kg internationally depending on grade, season, and origin. Both species have been documented across 600+ years of traditional Asian use, with different compound profiles and different price points. Explore Wild Himalayan Keedajadi.

Cordycepin (chemical name 3'-deoxyadenosine) is a nucleoside compound first isolated from Cordyceps militaris in 1950. It is the marquee compound in the Cordyceps category, with 1,200+ PubMed-indexed studies cataloguing its profile. Our extract has a disclosed cordycepin content of 0.35%, documented on the product label alongside adenosine, mannitol, and polysaccharides.

8:1 means 8 kilograms of dried fruiting body are processed down to 1 kilogram of finished extract, concentrating compound classes eight-fold.

Dual refers to using both hot water (which pulls out polysaccharides, mannitol, and most nucleosides) and ethanol (which pulls out cordycepin, adenosine, and sterols). Single-solvent extracts, water-only or alcohol-only, miss half the natural compound profile.

Suggested use is 500 mg to 1 g daily (approximately one-quarter to one-half teaspoon). Many people start at 500 mg for the first 1 to 2 weeks and adjust based on how their body responds. Consistency over weeks tends to matter more than precise daily quantity. Always consult a qualified practitioner if you have specific health conditions or are taking prescription medication.

Most people take it in the morning, mixed with warm water, coffee, tea, or smoothies. It can be taken with or without food. There is no strict time requirement, so pick a time that fits your daily rhythm, since consistent daily use is what matters most.

Cordyceps Militaris does not contain caffeine. Most people take it in the morning or early afternoon as part of their daily routine, but it can be taken at night if that fits your schedule. Some people find consistency easier when it is tied to a morning habit such as coffee or tea.

Add the powder to a small amount of warm or hot water first, then stir thoroughly or use a frother. Once smooth, top up with your beverage of choice: milk, plant-based alternatives, tea, coffee, smoothies, or buttermilk (chaas). Warm liquids blend more easily than cold; with cold drinks, just stir or froth a little longer.

No. Cordyceps Militaris is safe for human consumption and has been eaten as food across Asia for over 600 years.

The confusion comes from The Last of Us (video game and HBO series), where a fictional Cordyceps scenario plays out. The fictional version is dramatic. The real biology is different.

Three reasons real Cordyceps cannot develop in humans:

Temperature barrier. Cordyceps species require 20 to 30 degrees Celsius to grow. Human body temperature at 37 Celsius is too high for the fungus to develop. This is one of the founding observations in mycology.

Host specificity. Each Cordyceps species parasitises specific insects only. Cordyceps Militaris targets caterpillars and certain moth larvae. Ophiocordyceps unilateralis (the species the video game loosely references) targets carpenter ants. Mammals are not viable hosts for any documented Cordyceps species.

Consumption history. Cordyceps Militaris is documented in the Ben Cao Cong Xin (1757) and the modern Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It carries FSSAI approval in India under Lic. No. 13326999000107 and regulatory clearance in multiple countries as a food supplement.

Functional mushrooms are taken as part of a consistent daily routine over weeks, not as single doses. Most people who report noticeable changes do so after 2 to 4 weeks of taking 500 mg to 1 g daily.

Daily rhythm matters more than any single dose. Research on Cordyceps Militaris is conducted over weeks of consistent intake, not single sittings. Some people prefer to keep a 30-day journal to track how they feel before forming a view. We make no specific time-based outcome claims.

Cordyceps has cultural associations with athletic traditions across Asia, most notably referenced after the 1993 Chinese women's distance running team training preparation. The species has been studied in research contexts that include exercise and energy metabolism, with the cordycepin (0.35%) and polysaccharides (51.34%) compound classes being the most commonly examined.

We make no specific performance claims for our extract. Athletes who use Cordyceps Militaris typically include it in a daily routine, often with morning coffee, tea, or pre-training meals. Consult a qualified practitioner if you are competing under regulated supplementation rules.

Research on Cordyceps Militaris spans many topics. Some studies in the 1,200+ PubMed-indexed papers examine the species in the context of endocrine and hormonal systems. We make no claims about hormonal effects from our extract.

For specific health questions involving hormones, performance, or athletic supplementation, always consult a qualified practitioner who can review your individual context, medications, and any regulated supplementation requirements.

Cordyceps Militaris has a long history of traditional use in Asian wellness systems, and most people tolerate it well at the suggested daily range (500 mg to 1 g). Pregnant or nursing women, individuals on prescription medication, or those with existing health conditions should consult a qualified practitioner before use. Stop use and consult a practitioner if any unusual reactions occur. NOT FOR MEDICINAL USE. These statements have not been evaluated by any medical authority.

Yes. Cordyceps Militaris pairs naturally with coffee, tea, and other functional mushrooms like Lion's Mane, Reishi, Chaga, and Turkey Tail. It is commonly stacked in daily wellness routines and there are no known interactions between functional mushroom species. If you are combining with prescription medication, consult your practitioner first. Explore the full Cordyceps collection or our MycoSynergy Mushroom Coffee.

Whole fruiting body. Never mycelium grown on grain, rice, or any starch substrate. Mycelium-on-grain products contain a large percentage of leftover grain by weight, which dilutes the compound profile. Our extract is processed directly from whole dried fruiting bodies (the orange, club-shaped reproductive structures) for a cleaner compound profile.

Yes to both. The extract is naturally vegan (mushrooms are fungi, not animal or plant), gluten-free, and contains no fillers, additives, sugars, sweeteners, preservatives, or anticaking agents. Just dual-extracted Cordyceps militaris powder.

Pregnant or nursing women should consult a qualified practitioner before use.

For children, traditional preparations have been used in family contexts across Asia, but always consult a paediatrician for specific guidance.

For pets, always consult your veterinarian before adding any functional mushroom to your pet's routine. If your vet approves, introduce gradually and observe your pet's response across the first 7 days. Functional mushrooms are not a substitute for veterinary care.

Our Cordyceps Militaris is sourced from cultivation partners (manufacturers holding USDA and EU Organic certifications) running sterile, controlled indoor environments for consistent compound profiles. The disclosed compound profile (cordycepin 0.35%, adenosine 0.29%, mannitol 21.16%, polysaccharides 51.34%) is documented on the product label.

Store the extract in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which is exactly what the UV-protective biophotonic glass jar is built for.

Yes. Cordyceps Militaris Extract is imported and distributed by Nutradose Private Limited, New Delhi under FSSAI Lic. No. 13326999000107. The product complies with FSSAI 2016 Nutraceutical Regulations and FSSAI 2018 Advertising and Claims rules.

NOT FOR MEDICINAL USE. These statements have not been evaluated by any medical authority. This product is a food supplement and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.