As a supreme energy potentiating adaptogen Cordyceps is one of those shrooms that always in demand amongst our team at Inner Atlas. Cordyceps has been revered in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 1,400 years with its first noted use dating back to the golden age of the Tang Dynasty in AD 620. This prized medicinal mushroom was reserved for the Emperor’s Court and Chinese nobility, used as a lung and kidney tonic for respiratory conditions, physical fatigue, libido and those deemed to have a weak constitution.
In the wild, Cordyceps’ fruiting body grows from the body of insects, usually caterpillars, as a parasitic fungus. Many thought of it as a magical life form with the ability to change from an animal to a plant[1]. It is said that Tibetan and Nepalese yak herders in the Himalayas first noted the effects of Cordyceps on their herds as they became more energised after grazing in areas in which it grew. But never fear, our Inner Atlas Cordyceps extracts are the cultivated kind, and are completely vegan with no insects being harmed in the process!
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, Cordyceps mushroom is considered to nourish both the yin and the yang energies that reside in the kidneys storing the life essence qi. By nourishing our qi we restore this primordial energy that increases our cellular performance, physical resilience and vitality, cultivating a sense of robustness in our mind and body.
Today Cordyceps is coveted to help build adaptive energy and restore foundational energy after times of physical exertion and fatigue, with studies validating the path laid by traditional wisdom.
Where does our energy come from?
Known as the powerhouse of our cells, mitochondria create cellular energy by producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Our bodies use ATP to fuel our daily activities. Our mitochondria and ATP levels are responsible for our energy levels determining our feelings of both physical strength and brainpower. To put it into perspective, mitochondria generate over 90% of the fuel we use on a daily basis.
Different cells have more mitochondria than others, such as the cells in our brains, muscles and hearts. Healthy cells mean we’re better able to create optimal energy and participate in the constant energy exchange life requires from spending time with family and friends, work, exercising, and pursuing our passions and hobbies.
How can Cordyceps help support energy levels?
Cordyceps is known traditionally as a deep energy awakener. In more recent times researchers have attempted to validate this from a scientific perspective. Cordyceps has been studied for its potential ability to help support the production of mitochondrial ATP[2]. As we mentioned ATP is our body's main energy supply source and is required to fuel our muscles and keep us moving. By boosting our mitochondria's capacity to produce ATP we're more likely to find ourselves with optimal and consistent levels of energy.
Our Potent Cordyceps Extract
We source the one type of Cordyceps that produces a fruiting body, Cordyceps Militaris. Cordyceps Militaris sees a much higher rate of the all-important beta-d-glucans compared to another popular type of cultivated Cordyceps, Cs-4, which is grown in liquid fermentation tanks.
We are one of the few companies that test our mushies for beta-D-glucans with the Megazyme testing method. As a result, we can guarantee that our Cordyceps extract contains greater than 30% beta-D-glucans, which is higher than other Cordyceps extracts available in Australia, so you can be confident your mushies are active and potent.
Inner Atlas Cordyceps
- Highly potent, containing greater than 30% beta-D-glucans.
- Certified USDA & EU Organic.
- Fruiting body only – 100% real mushrooms with no added fillers or mycelium.
- Lab-tested for purity.
References
[1] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322605683_Medicinal_Value_of_Cordyceps_sinensis
[2] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1749-8546-2-3