Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo (冬虫夏草) — Cordyceps

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Modern research
5. Cautions and contraindications
6. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo (冬虫夏草), literally “winter worm, summer grass”, is the dried fruiting body of the parasitic fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (formerly Cordyceps sinensis) growing from the larvae of certain Himalayan moths. It belongs to the category of Yang-tonifying herbs in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the most highly regarded tonics in Chinese herbal medicine, uniquely tonifying both Kidney Yang and Lung Yin without being one-sided.

Because wild Cordyceps is critically endangered and prohibitively expensive, I use cultivated cordyceps preparations (typically Cordyceps militaris or fermented Cordyceps sinensis mycelium) from Sun Ten in Taiwan, which retain the principal active compounds and avoid pressure on wild populations.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Tonifies the Kidney and reinforces the Yang
2. Tonifies and nourishes the Lung — including Lung Yin
3. Stops bleeding and transforms phlegm in chronic cough
4. Acts as a balanced, well-tolerated convalescent tonic

Indications

1. Chronic cough, wheezing, and chronic bronchitis with Lung-Kidney deficiency
2. Fatigue, low libido, impotence and sub-fertility from Kidney Yang deficiency
3. Persistent post-viral fatigue and chronic convalescence
4. Mild blood-streaked sputum or haemoptysis from Lung deficiency (raw bleeding requires medical assessment)
5. Supportive use in chronic kidney disease and during chemotherapy, under joint supervision

4. Modern research

Cordyceps contains nucleosides (cordycepin, adenosine), polysaccharides, sterols (ergosterol) and amino acids. Pharmacological studies report immunomodulatory, antifungal, antitumour, anti-fatigue and bronchodilator effects. Several RCTs investigate cultivated cordyceps in chronic kidney disease (especially nephrotoxicity from immunosuppressants) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris is a focus of cancer research.

5. Cautions and contraindications

Use with caution in acute infection with excess heat. Some cordyceps preparations have mild immunostimulant properties — patients on immunosuppressants (transplant recipients, autoimmune patients on biologics) should only use this herb under joint supervision of their consultant and herbalist. Caution alongside anticoagulants because of mild antiplatelet activity.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).

6. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe cultivated Cordyceps as part of tailored herbal formulas for chronic fatigue and post-viral recovery, exercise tolerance and male fertility, chronic mild asthma and chronic bronchitis with Lung-Kidney deficiency, and as supportive care alongside conventional treatment in chronic kidney disease. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available.

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