Evidence supporting the use of: Cordyceps
For the health condition: Anemia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Cordyceps, a genus of parasitic fungi, has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to support overall vitality and treat various conditions, including anemia. In the context of TCM, cordyceps is believed to “tonify the kidney and lung,” enhance energy (qi), and support blood health. Traditional practitioners have historically recommended cordyceps for symptoms associated with anemia, such as fatigue and weakness, under the premise that it can help replenish blood and improve stamina.
Regarding scientific validation, there is limited but emerging evidence from animal and small-scale human studies suggesting that cordyceps may have hematopoietic (blood-forming) effects. Some studies in mice have shown increased red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels following administration of cordyceps extracts, potentially due to its antioxidant properties and effects on erythropoietin stimulation. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and the existing studies are often of low quality or have methodological limitations. Thus, while there is a traditional basis and some preliminary scientific interest, the overall evidence is not strong enough to conclusively support the use of cordyceps as a treatment for anemia.
In summary, the use of cordyceps for anemia is primarily justified by tradition, with a low to moderate level of supporting evidence from the scientific literature. Individuals considering cordyceps for anemia should consult healthcare professionals and not rely on it as a sole therapy.
Other ingredients used for Anemia
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamineAbalone
Abrus
Achyranthes
Adzuki bean
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Ajuga
Alchornea
Alfalfa
Algae
Algal protein
Allium tuberosum
amaranth
amino acids
anchovies
Angelica
animal protein
animal Tissue
apple
Ardisia
ashwagandha
aster root
Asteraceae
astragaloside
astragalus
Auricularia
Autumn Olive
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
banana
baobab
bean
bee pollen
bee products
beef
Beef liver
Beef Protein
beet
bermuda grass
berry
Bidens pilosa
biota seed
bird\'s nest
black cumin
black gram
black nightshade
blackberry
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Blue-Green Alage
Boerhavia diffusa
bok choy
Bombax
bone marrow
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
bovine
bovine liver
bovine protein
bovine spleen
breadnut
broad bean
broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Buckwheat
buffalo
Butea monosperma
butternut
C-phycocyanin
Caesalpinia crista
canihua
capillary artemisia
cashew
cassava
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
Celosia
cereal grass
chard
chestnut
chickpea protein
chlorella
Chlorophytum
cistanche
Citrus
coconut milk
Codonopsis
collard
cordyceps
cowpea
cumin
Curcuma
currant
Cyathula
Cynomorium
cytokines
date
deer root
dehydroascorbic acid
dodder
dog rose
Dolichos
dong quai
dong quai root
dragon fruit
dulse
dulse leaf
Eclipta
egg
Embelia
empresstree
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European five-finger grass
Fagopyrum
ferric ammonium citrate
ferric citrate
ferric orthophosphate
ferritin
fig
fish
fish protein
fo-ti
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
Foxtail millet
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fu ling
fulvic acid
ganoderma
garbanzo bean
garden cress
ginger
ginseng
Ginsenosides
goji berry
gooseberry
greens blend (proprietary)
Helicteres isora
herbal blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
hijiki
Histidine
horse gram
Huang hua
hyacinth bean
Hygrophila
Ilex
Indian coraltree
Indian tinospora
intrinsic factor
iron
jujube
jungli-bean
kale
kidney beans
kiwi
Kokilaksha
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
Labisia pumila
Lactoferrin
Land Cress
Laver
Legume protein
lemon
Lentil
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Leptadenia
licorice root
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
little ironweed
longan
Loranthus
lotus seed
lucuma
Lycium
maca
Marine protein
Methylcobalamin
Microcos
Millet
millet seed
Mineral ascorbate
Molasses
Momordica
Morinda
Moringa
Morus
Mugwort
Mulberry
Mung bean
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nori
nut grass
oat
Onosma bracteatum
orange
oyster mushroom
Palmyra
parsley
paw paw
peony
Persimmon
Phaeophyceae
Phosphate ascorbate
Phycocyanin
Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
Plankton
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
Polygonatum
pomegranate
pomelo
Portulaca
protein
Prunus
pumpkin
punarnava
purslane
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quail egg
quinoa
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
root tuber
Rosa roxburghii
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
Rubiaceae
Rubus
Rumex acetosa
seaweed
sesame
Sesbania
shen-chu
shepherd's purse
shiitake mushroom
Shilajit
Sicklepod
Solanum anguivi
soybean
spinach
spirulina
Stellaria dichotoma
Stereospermum
suma
Tamarind
Taraxacum
Taxillus chinensis
Tayuya
Terminalia
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tinospora cordifolia
trace minerals
Trichosanthes
Triphala
Tropical jewel hisbiscus
Vegetable Protein
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Wakame
Watercress
wheat germ
wheat grass
Wulinshen
Yeast
Yellow Dock
Zinc
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by cordyceps
Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAnemia
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Convalescence
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Emphysema
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Erectile Dysfunction
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibrosis
Hepatitis
Inflammation
Influenza
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
Oxygen Deficiency
Pain (general remedies for)
Stress
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Wasting
Wounds and Sores
Products containing cordyceps
Metagenics
Adreset
Metagenics
Adreset
Metagenics
Clear Change Daily Essentials
Designs For Health
Hepatatone Plus™
Metagenics
ImmuCore
Designs For Health
Immune Support Packets
Designs For Health
Immunitone Plus™
Designs For Health
Kidney Korrect™
Vitabase
Liquid Collagen Toasted Cinnamon
Metagenics
Mycotaki®
Designs For Health
Pulmonary Revive™
Metagenics
Renagen™ DTX
