The efficacy and function of Cordyceps sinensis

In daily life, people are not only very familiar with various foods, but also come into contact with a lot of medicines in daily life. Among them, Cordyceps sinensis is a relatively common Chinese medicinal material. Given that there are still many people who don’t know much about Cordyceps sinensis, let’s take a detailed look at it below.

[Other names] Cycas revoluta, red bamboo, cycas revoluta, red-leaf cycas revoluta, red cycas revoluta

[Source] Medicinal material source: the leaves or roots of Cordyceps sinensis, a plant of the Agave family.

[Original form] Cordyline shrub, up to 3m tall. The stem is usually unbranched. The leaves are arranged in two rows at the top of the stem; the petiole is 10-15cm long, broadly grooved on the ventral side, enlarged at the base, and clasping the stem; the leaf blade is needle-shaped, elliptical to oblong, 30-50cm long, 5-10cm wide, green or stained purple-red, with a distinct midrib, parallel pinnate veins, gradually pointed at the apex, and gradually narrowed at the base. Panicles grow in upper leaf axils, 30-60cm long, with many branches; bracts on the main axis of the inflorescence are linear-lanceolate, up to 10cm in the lower part, and bracts at the base of the flowers on the branches are small, ovate, 1.5-3mm long; flowers are light pink to purple, rarely light yellow, nearly sessile; tepals are linear, 1-1.3cm long, about 2mm wide, about 1/2 of which are close to each other to form a tepals tube; filaments are slightly shorter than tepals, about 1/2 are fused and attached to the tepals tube; ovary is inferior, 3-chambered. There are several seeds in each cell of the capsule. Flowering period is from July to September.

【Habitat distribution】Ecological environment: mostly cultivated in gardens.

[Cultivation] The biological characteristics are that it prefers high temperature and humidity. The critical low temperature in winter is 10℃, and it requires semi-shade in summer. Avoid alkaline soil.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The leaves are wrinkled and curled. When flattened, the intact leaves are long strips or long needles, 20-48cm long and 3-8cm wide. The upper surface is dark gray-green, with a distinct midrib that is slightly sunken; the lower surface is yellow-green, with a protruding midrib, thinner lateral veins on both sides, short-tailed at the tip, gradually narrowing at the base, and extending asymmetrically downward; the petiole is 10-14cm long, grooved on the ventral side, strongly protruding on the dorsal side, gradually widening into a sheath-like base, and hair-like in cross section at the base. It is flexible and not easy to break. Slight odor, light taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; Light; Slightly cold

【Functions and indications】 Cools blood and stops bleeding; disperses blood stasis and relieves pain. It is used for coughing up blood, vomiting blood, epistaxis, hematuria, bloody stool, metrorrhagia, stomachache, muscle and bone pain, and swelling and pain caused by falls.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 15-30g, fresh product 30-60g; or squeezed juice.

【Note】 Pregnant women should take with caution.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

This article introduces some basic knowledge about the medicinal herb Cordyceps sinensis, which is very effective in treating some related diseases of the human body. Moreover, Cordyceps has a certain regulating effect on the body and can be eaten in moderation.