If you are familiar with superfoods, you are likely aware of chaga. Chaga has become popular in the health-food world due to its nutritional qualities, from supporting the immune system to its antioxidant, anti-aging associations and more. However, chaga is far from the only medicinal mushroom out there: there is a long tradition in many parts of the world, particularly East Asia and Siberia, of consuming mushrooms for health and vitality.
One popular medicinal mushroom is cordyceps, and many chaga users combine the two in order to enjoy their complementary properties. Read on to learn how you can use both chaga and cordyceps to support your well-being.
Chaga and Cordyceps
Native to the high mountain regions of China, cordyceps is sometimes referred to as the “caterpillar mushroom” due to the unusual way it grows. Cordyceps grows by infecting the bodies of caterpillars in these mountainous areas, gradually replacing their tissue with fungal tissue and sprouting long, slender stems. This process usually kills the caterpillar, allowing the body and mushroom to be collected and processed.
Because cordyceps grows naturally through the bodies of caterpillars, it is often difficult to harvest and expensive to purchase. Many vendors use cultivated mushrooms, but quality can vary, so look for a reputable source.
Cordyceps pairs well with chaga because the two mushrooms have many overlapping, complementary properties. For example, both are rich in antioxidants, which help combat free radicals — free-floating particles associated with cellular damage and aging. Using cordyceps and chaga together gives you a double dose of antioxidants.
Cordyceps has also been studied for anti-cancer activity. In laboratory and animal research, antioxidants and other compounds in cordyceps have been examined for slowing tumor growth in certain models. This is early research, not proof of an effect in people, and neither cordyceps nor chaga is a cancer treatment.
Some people undergoing conventional cancer treatment use these mushrooms as a gentle, supportive addition, and cordyceps has been studied in connection with leukopenia (low white-blood-cell count, a common effect of chemotherapy). If you are in treatment, talk to your oncologist before using either mushroom.
Cordyceps has also been studied for blood-sugar support. One of chaga's associations is with healthy blood sugar, and cordyceps has been studied for mimicking some effects of insulin and for supporting kidney function. If you manage diabetes, monitor your levels and consult your doctor.
Like chaga, cordyceps is also studied for anti-inflammatory properties. Excessive inflammation is linked to heart disease and other conditions, and cordyceps has been studied for moderating it, including in the airways — of interest to some people with asthma. These properties mesh well with chaga's.
Cordyceps also has its own distinctive properties. It is associated with supporting energy through the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which delivers energy to the muscles, and with supporting oxygen uptake — of interest for physical performance.
Cordyceps is also valued for heart health; in China it has long been used in connection with heart wellness, and it has been studied for supporting healthy rhythm and cholesterol levels, attributed in part to its adenosine content.
Conclusion
On its own, chaga is a remarkable little mushroom, with associations spanning antioxidant, immune, and general-wellness support. Many chaga users are curious how it pairs with other mushrooms, and cordyceps is one of the most popular complements.
Cordyceps and chaga each have plenty to offer, and together their antioxidant, energy, and anti-inflammatory associations make them a popular pairing. If you'd like to enhance your chaga routine, cordyceps is worth exploring.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Chaga and cordyceps are food and wellness products, not a treatment or cure for any disease. If you're pregnant, have a health condition, or take medication, talk to your doctor before using them.