Cordyceps
Ophiocordyceps sinensis
The Chinese caterpillar fungus, used for over 700 years as a lung and kidney tonic. Low-quality Chinese trials suggest cultured cordyceps products may help people with kidney disease on dialysis.
What is Cordyceps?
- Plant family
- Ophiocordycipitaceae, a family of fungi that grow on insects
- Parts used
- The fungus and the caterpillar it grows from; today mostly lab-grown fungus powder in capsules
- Where it grows
- Mainly the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
- Genus
- Ophiocordyceps
- Species
- sinensis
Also called
Chinese Caterpillar Fungus, Caterpillar Fungus
Regional names
Tochukaso
Traditional names
Dong Chong Xia Cao
Older scientific names
Cordyceps sinensis
Traditionally used for
- Lung and kidney tonic (traditional)
- Kidney disease and dialysis (studied)
Traditionally described as
Traditions that use it
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Called dong chong xia cao ("winter worm, summer grass"); used for over 700 years as a tonic for the lungs and kidneys.
Safety
Side effects
Few side effects were reported in the dialysis trials, mainly stomach upset and nausea, and they weren't more common than in people not taking cordyceps.[1]
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
Cordyceps is a fungus that grows from caterpillars, mainly on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. In Chinese it's called dong chong xia cao, "winter worm, summer grass". It has been used in China for over 700 years, mainly as a tonic for the lungs and kidneys. Because wild cordyceps is overharvested and very expensive, most products today are made from lab-grown fungus, such as Bailing and Jinshuibao capsules.[1]
Research in people
A 2024 review combined 35 trials with 2,914 people on dialysis in China, mostly testing Bailing capsules alongside standard care. Cordyceps preparations lowered markers of inflammation and kidney waste (creatinine and urea) and improved albumin and haemoglobin. The certainty of this evidence is low to very low.[1]
A 2025 review of 15 Chinese studies with 1,310 people with kidney problems, mainly sudden kidney injury, found that adding cordyceps to treatment lowered creatinine and shortened the time of low urine output. Many studies were small and poorly designed.[2]
In short
Wild cordyceps is overharvested; most products are lab-grown fungus.
Sources
- [1] Effects and safety of Ophiocordyceps sinensis preparation in the adjuvant treatment for dialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis · DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1360997Review or clinical trial
- [2] Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine Cordyceps sinensis as an adjunctive treatment in patients with renal dysfunction: a systematic-review and meta-analysis · DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1477569Review or clinical trial
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.