Buy your weekday smoothies and get your weekend ones for free. (7 for the price of 5!)
WELLNESSWEEK
Cordyceps mushrooms- No zombies only Sustained energy
The weird but very cool bit!
Known as the zombie fungus, due to its ability in nature to act as a neurotoxin in insects, affectively controlling their movements and releasing spores out of their bodies..Intense!
The cordyceps spores 'infect' the insect and control its movement to reach a desired hight for spore release and once this is achieved the strands of fungi form out of the insects body and into the world. Wow nature is stranger than science fiction..we love this!
But thankfully we can now efficiently cultivate cordyceps and benefit from some incredible compounds within. No insects were harmed in the making of this blog (or our products)
BENEFITS OF CORDYCEPS
SYSTEM CLEANSE
Cordyceps are rich in adenosine derivatives of which one is Cordycepin. This active compound has been reported to have bio available benefits in a variety of pharmacological actions including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-tumour, and hypoglycaemic properties. Because of this Cordyceps have been used for the treatment of liver disease and tumour reduction in humans for thousands of years.
LABIDO
Used for centuries to support fertility and sexual appetite. Studies suggest it may be due to increased oxygen flow, energy and long-term health, supporting fertility. Let's go!!
ANTIOXIDANT & ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Research has shown that when human cells are exposed to Cordyceps, special proteins that increase inflammation in the body become suppressed. They actively reduce inflammatory cytokines (a cyto what?) Cytokines play an important role in normal immune responses, but having a large amount of them released in the body all at once can be harmful. A cytokine storm can occur as a result of an infection, autoimmune condition, or other disease, this is what we do not want!
According to the core principles of Ayurvedic and Traditional Chines medicine inflammation is the root of most illness so any way we can cool the fire is a great way to sustain optimum health and wellness.
CORDYCEPS FOR ENERGY & STAMINA
Tiredness and fatigue can be a side effect of a busy modern life and also the fall out from illness, viral infection and chronic disease. Let's try and empower our cells to perform at their best!
Studies have shown that adenosine receptor compatible compounds in Cordyceps help the bodies uptake of ATP, - Adenosine triphosphate is a nucleotide that provides energy to drive and support many processes in living cells, such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and chemical synthesis This energy molecule crucially increases cell oxygen uptake thus improving performance.
Cordyceps mushroom extract has been used in studies and real time by professional athletes to aid training and performance. Bringing together the powerful benefits of reduced inflammation, more oxygen to your cells, reducing pathogens, altogether will keep you up and active.
WHY WE USE CORDYCEPS CS-4
Cordyceps has two well known strains each with a slightly different molecular make up. There are over 400 known strains of cordyceps mushroom but the two with the most well known and beneficial compounds (so far discovered) are:
Cordyceps militaris benefits // relatively easy to cultivate, solving the problems related to over-harvesting and supply and demand of wild harvesting.
Cordyceps sinensis and the CS-4 benefits (a fermented strain close to wild cordyceps) are closer to the original wild strain.
These types of Cordyceps are known to be beneficial due to the many constituents they contain including cordycepin well as cordycepic acid, nucleotides, polysaccharides, sterols, and fatty acids and more!
Wild cordyceps is increasingly rare in its natural habitat, and the price is now completely out of reach for clinical practice.
SUSTAINABILITY
We also have to remember that the cordyceps fungus has an importnat role to play in nature and its natural ecosystem. Like any wild harvesting or foraging we must be mindful not to take too much and change the environmental status quo. For this reason and because of the scarcity of natural sources, a refined standardised fermentation product, Cs-4,® was produced from the mycelial strain.
The science bit....
CS-4 was isolated from wild Cordyceps sinensis. A close similarity between this fermented product and natural Cordyceps mushroom has been demonstrated with respect to their chemical constituents.
HOW TO TAKE IT
Our Cordyceps powder CS-4 produces a super fine 10:1 extract that dissolves easily in drinks. Due to the energy giving nature of this mushroom taking early on in your day or before exercise is a great way to optimise its results. You can also enjoy it as Cordyceps tea for a convenient and refreshing boost.
CORDYCEPS REFERENCES / FURTHER RESEARCH
Anti fatigue effects of cordyceps - human study
Antiaging effect of Cordyceps sinensis extract