Best Cordyceps Supplement in 2023: Reviews and Ultimate Guide

Best Cordyceps Supplement

Mushroom supplements are becoming hugely popular these days. and Cordyceps is one variation which is definitely worthy of your time.

Cordyceps extract is popular in a lot of health supplements, and it’s easy to see why when you take a look at the benefits it can provide.

Cordyceps is known mostly for its performance-enhancing properties.

This applies not only to physical activities and athletic performance, but also sexual performance, and your immune system function.

👑 Our Pick for Best Overall

⭐ Our Other Top Cordyceps Supplement Picks

• Best of the Best: Host Defense Energy Support Cordyceps
• Runner Up: NOW Supplements Cordyceps
• Best Powder: Om Organic Cordyceps Powder

Best Cordyceps Supplements Reviews

Host Defense Energy Support Cordyceps (👑 Top Pick)

The Best Cordyceps supplement has to be the Energy Support capsules from top mushroom supplement brand Host Defense.

This Cordyceps supplement comes in the form of 60 gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly capsules that add up to 30 servings, depending on how many you take a day. The option is available to buy this supplement as a pack of 30 capsules or 120 as well, so you can get a larger or smaller batch depending on how many capsules you want, or how much your budget allows.

The biggest claim of this Cordyceps supplement from Host Defense is that it will boost your energy levels and enhance your performance. As a result, it’s one which can help out if you suffer from chronic fatigue, or even if you just need a little extra energy boost to help you get through the day sometimes. 

By performance, the brand isn’t only referring to physical performance through exercise, but also healthy libido and kidney function. Cordyceps is well known for its performance-enhancing benefits, and this extends to many different areas. This is the kind of supplement that can fuel your fire in every sense of the word, and ignite your engine so you are ready to tackle the challenges of the day with vigour. It even prepares your immune system and kidneys to kick into gear and step up their defense mechanisms, to fight off illness to the best of their abilities.

One of the ways you will notice your energy levels improve is through better oxygen uptake. As an athlete, or even just as someone who enjoys exercising or working out, you will know that the amount of oxygen your body takes in is crucial for giving it your all. So you’ll know that any slight boost in oxygen uptake will only benefit your performance, and in a lot of sports, it’s that little extra push that can make all the difference in the end result.

This supplement is made using sustainably sourced, Certified Organic, U.S. grown mushrooms, so you know your body is getting the best of the best. All you need to do is take 2 capsules daily, and you can even do so on an empty stomach if you so desire.

NOW Supplements Cordyceps (🥈 Runner Up)

This simple Cordyceps supplement from NOW Foods could be the perfect product to introduce your body to the benefits of Cordyceps.

A huge health brand known for a wide variety of products, NOW Foods has a range of supplements, and its Cordyceps capsules are worthy of consideration. This particular supplement is geared towards healthy immune support, so it’s ideal if you have a poor immune system and find that you get sick more often than the average person.

As for the basics, this supplement is available as a container with 90 vegetarian-friendly capsules. It includes 1.5g of organic Cordyceps sinensis per 2 capsules, so you can be sure that your daily supplementation will yield great results. The capsules, as well as being organic, are free from soy, GMO, nuts, gluten, dairy, and eggs. They’ve also been given the nod from GMP with its Quality Assurance certificate, which means not a single part of NOW’s production process is below standard.

As for the claims of boosted immune function from taking this Cordyceps supplement, NOW leans on the scientific studies which have shown the free radical scavenging properties present in Cordyceps. These properties can support healthy immune function and vascular function.

Many past customers rave about this Cordyceps supplement, primarily for its energy-boosting properties and ability to affect healthy immune system function to fight off sickness.

Features:

•  90 vegetarian capsules 
•  1.5g of organic Cordyceps sinensis per 2 capsules 
•  Free from GMO, soy, nuts, gluten, dairy, and eggs
•  Organic ingredient 
•  GMP Quality Assured certification

Om Organic Cordyceps Powder (💯 Best Powder)

Some people prefer to supplement using powder, as it can be a lot more versatile than capsules. The best Cordyceps powder is this one from Om Organic Mushroom Nutrition.

While you might wonder why anyone would prefer supplementing with powder over the convenience of taking a capsule, it can have plenty of advantages. To use the example of protein supplementation and working out, most people take it in powder form simply because it’s important to measure out the right amount for your body and it can be combined with just about any liquid. A lot of capsules don’t taste that great, or can be hard to swallow, so being able to mix a powder in with milk, water, or even coffee can be reason enough to opt for the powdered version of a supplement.

While we certainly wouldn’t recommend that you mix this Cordyceps mushroom powder with milk, you can definitely mix it with a variety of liquids for seamless supplementation. Since mushrooms can have a strong flavor, mixing it into something you like can be a good way to take on the benefits without putting up with the taste. It’s kind of like when your parents would hide vegetables in your mashed potatoes to ensure you got some of the green stuff even if you didn’t like it. This particular supplement is great in coffee and smoothies, but you can head to the brand’s website for a variety of great tasting recipes.

This Cordyceps supplement is available in a 3.5oz bag, and a 7.05oz bag. The powder is 100% organic, non GMO, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly. 2g is the recommended serving size, and that gives you roughly 50 servings if you opt for the 3.5oz bag.

As an energy and endurance focussed supplement, Om Cordyceps powder is aimed at giving you improved cardiac function and respiratory health. This will help you give your all on the field, the running track, and even in the bedroom. By improving oxygen consumption and delivery, you will experience an increase in energy after supplementing with this powder. You could even consider it as an organic mushroom-based pre-workout as a result, especially useful if you prefer not to drink caffeine.

Cordyceps militaris has shown to be an effective ingredient for boosting stamina, endurance, and exercise performance. Cordyceps has also been praised for its wealth of antioxidants which can help the body recover from oxidative tissue damage, caused by environmental free radicals.

Features:

•  Available as 3.5oz or 7.05oz bag 
•  Certified 100% organic
•  GMO-free, gluten-free, vegan

Ultimate Guide to Cordyceps Supplementation

If you’re new to health supplements, or just mushroom supplements in particular, then you might want to read on to find out how best to  take it, and what the benefits are.

Mushroom supplements have grown in popularity in recent years, although many Asian countries have known about their benefits for hundreds of years and have used them in traditional medicine.

There are many varieties of mushrooms used in health supplements, and each can have a range of positive effects when taken on a regular basis.

From the fatigue-busting and sleep improving benefits of reishi mushrooms to the recovery aiding benefits of lion’s mane mushroom, it’s no wonder mushroom supplements are such a huge hit these days.

As for Cordyceps, you might be surprised to learn that it’s a parasitic fungi which grows on insect larvae.

This doesn’t necessarily sound like something you want to put in your body, but many scientific studies and research have shown that Cordyceps extract is well worth your time for the positive effect it can have on your health and wellbeing.

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How to Take it

Before we dive into the numerous benefits up for grabs with Cordyceps supplements, we’re first going to look at how you can take it.

As with pretty much any health supplement, you are going to face a tough decision before you invest: 

Do you go for the capsules or the powder?

Each way of taking a health supplement has its merits and downsides, so it’s really up to you to figure out which one best suits you and your lifestyle.

We’re going to present the pros and cons of taking Cordyceps as either a powder or capsule, so you’ll be in a much better position to make the right decision when the time comes.

Capsule

The most common way to take most health supplements is in capsule form.

Why?

Mostly due to the convenience factor.

• Convenience

Supplement manufacturers have figured out how to get the most of their high quality ingredients into small capsules that you only need to take once or twice a day.

As a result, the consumer has literally no excuse not to take the supplement daily, unless they just forget entirely.

When you have capsules, all you need to do is pop the lid and wash them down with water. It’s as easy as that.

It’s also easy to establish a routine with capsules as you can decide to just take them first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Leave them out somewhere you’ll see them, and it will be almost impossible to forget to take them.

• Portability 

It’s easy to forget how important it is to be able to bring your health supplements with you when you’re away from home.

Taking supplements in capsule form is as easy as chucking the container in any pocket or bag.

They are usually so small that you should have no trouble at all finding space for them.

Even if you do, you could put them in a labelled zip lock bag. Although, be careful with this as it can look suspicious to walk around with a bag full of pills.

• Taste 

Capsules are more often than not tasteless, which means you shouldn’t need to worry about that.

However, it may just be the case with some Cordyceps capsules that there is a distinct earthy flavor, so this can actually be a point against buying it in capsule form.

• Hard to swallow

There’s a reason why the saying ‘hard pill to swallow’ exists, and it’s likely because a lot of people don’t enjoy taking pills, capsules, and tablets.

If you fall into this category, then you’re probably best off seeking an alternative option for your Cordyceps supplement, such as a powdered form of it.

Powder

Powder is another way to supplement with Cordyceps, and in a lot of ways it can be a great option.

•  Concentration

First, you’ll more often than not find that powders have a higher concentration of the ingredient in question.

If you’ve ever wondered why protein powder always seems to come in powdered form and not as a pill, it’s for this reason. It would be a very challenging task to get the same level of concentration in a small pill that you can get in a powder.

•  Absorption 

Taking powder is a great way to absorb the Cordyceps as quickly as possible, so you can notice the benefits almost immediately.

While capsules have a slow absorption rate, powders will start to be absorbed by your body instantly.

•  Taste 

Rather than some health supplements which have flavors you’d want to bring out, Cordyceps is one of those you’ll likely want to disguise.

As a result, having it in powder form allows you to mask the strong flavor in your morning coffee, or a healthy smoothie.

In capsule form, there’s no escaping the strong flavor, which can certainly be off putting first thing in the morning.

• Inconvenient

There’s no doubt that the powdered form of Cordyceps is more inconvenient than the capsules.

Powder is inconvenient because it can get messy, you can waste a lot of product, and if you don’t have the right equipment it can be difficult to weigh out properly.

Whereas with a capsule you can just pop it in your mouth and move on with your day, a powder requires more conscious effort on your part.

That means you’ll have to make a concerted effort each day to make sure it becomes a daily routine to take the supplement.

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Benefits of Cordyceps

Now it’s time to take a look at the numerous health benefits on offer through Cordyceps supplements.

While it’s easy to get carried away and excited by the prospects of feeling a million dollars, you should take each benefit with a pinch of salt. Not everything will work to the same degree for every body and some of the benefits lack the same large body of scientific evidence to back them up as others.

What is almost universally agreed upon though is the fact that Cordyceps extract is great for boosting your energy and immune function.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the various health benefits, so you can decide if a Cordyceps supplement is something you need in your life.

Physical Performance Boost

One of the primary benefits of Cordyceps as claimed by countless sources is a physical performance boost.

The way Cordyceps can improve your performance when it matters most is through increasing the level of ATP in the body. ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is a molecule that the body produces to deliver energy to your muscles.

As a result, you will be better able to use the oxygen that you take in, which will increase your endurance and stamina during physical exercise.

The scale of the effect on physical performance is obviously hard to measure precisely, but it’s suggested that the benefit is more noticeable for the average person as opposed to the professional athlete.

The boost of energy you can get through taking a Cordyceps supplement can make it a fantastic pre-workout and perhaps even a valid alternative to caffeine.

This makes it ideal for anyone looking to reduce their dependence on caffeine, but still wanting that energy boost that can make all the difference when it comes time to perform.

Improved Immune Function

We all want an immune system that works as it should.

If we have a weakened or compromised immune system, then you will be far more susceptible to sickness, and generally less healthy overall.

Cordyceps has been shown to strengthen the immune system and overall immunity, since it can stimulate cells that are vital for it to function well.

While this is undoubtedly positive, it’s worth pointing out that if you suffer from an auto-immune disease, then Cordyceps can actually have an adverse effect on your health.

As a result of increasing activity in the immune system, you can inadvertently increase the symptoms associated with your auto-immune disease.

Anti-aging

While there’s no secret youth elixir that we know of, Cordyceps has anti-aging potential which makes it a favorite amongst those wanting to stay youthful for as long as possible.

The anti-aging potential is largely attributed to the high antioxidant content of Cordyceps, which can help with a large number of things.

Anyone can benefit from taking the supplement, but the elderly in some cases have the most to gain from it.

This is because it can work to reduce fatigue, as well as increase strength and give the elderly a youthful vigor which might make them feel as if they are turning back the clock with their bodies.

The reasons antioxidants are considered to be such a powerful anti-aging ingredient is because they do a great job of eliminating free radicals.

Free radicals in the environment are something we are exposed to on a regular basis whether we like it or not, and they can cause us to fall sick or age faster than normal.

Healthy Heart

Your heart is the organ you want to protect most, and mushroom supplements are very effective in boosting heart health.

The adenosine that naturally occurs in the body is also found in Cordyceps, and can help to protect the heart.

It has also been known to reduce the risk of developing a high cholesterol level, which is notoriously bad for the heart.

Cordyceps can actually neutralise some of the LDL cholesterol in your body, which is the kind that can cause you heart issues and lead to heart disease if left unchecked.

Combat Inflammation

Inflammation in the body is common, but not something you want to be experiencing on a regular basis, since it can be bad for you and your health in the long run.

Cordyceps has an ability to work against proteins in the body which encourage inflammation, and by inhibiting them, lets the body function as normal.

If you suffer from inflammation, then Cordyceps is a great health supplement to try out.

You can even apply it topically if you get the right kind, which is great for healing especially inflamed parts of the body.

Control Type 2 Diabetes

While you can’t cure type 2 diabetes with a Cordyceps supplement, what you can do is treat it and keep on top of it.

This is due to the sugar found in Cordyceps which can be especially effective for treating this type of diabetes.

It’s imperative to stay on top of your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes, and taking a Cordyceps supplement on a regular basis can be a great way to do so without stressing as much over your diet.

However it’s worth mentioning that you should consult with your doctor before exclusively taking a Cordyceps supplement to manage your type 2 diabetes.

Sexual Function

Along with some other mushroom-derived supplements, Cordyceps supplements can improve sexual function and sex drive.

For those who suffer with sexual dysfunction like low libido or low testosterone levels, it’s worth looking into Cordyceps supplements as they can boost sex drive and testosterone levels.

It is also known to reduce fatigue and boost energy levels which can also contribute to more fulfilling sexual performance.

Fight Against Cancer

While it’s worth pointing out at front that there’s no guarantee that Cordyceps supplements can kill cancer cells or significantly lower your risk of developing the disease, it has been shown to be useful.

What Cordyceps can do is slow down the progress of tumor growth, which in turn can prevent the growth of various cancer cells.

It is also reported to be an effective way to eliminate some of the uncomfortable side effects associated with a lot of cancer therapy practises.

Again, while you shouldn’t pin any hopes on Cordyceps supplements curing cancer, it may just be worth giving it a shot if you are curious to try it out.

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General Information about Cordyceps 

Since it still might seem like an odd ingredient to take as a daily supplement, we’d like to provide some general information about Cordyceps so you know exactly what you’re dealing with.

•  It grows in the Himalayas

If you wondered why a lot of Cordyceps supplements are expensive compared to other health supplements, it is likely because of the fact that it only grows at certain altitudes in the Himalayas.

That means it is an extraordinarily valuable fungus, so it warrants the higher price tag.

•  It became popular in the 1990s 

People first started to become aware of Cordyceps after the very successful athletic performances of some unknown Chinese athletes in world championships.

The performance-enhancing drug they used wasn’t a drug at all, they just had a diet rich with Cordyceps.

•  There hasn’t been many human studies

Unfortunately even today there hasn’t been a wealth of studies conducted on the effect Cordyceps has on humans.

That’s why we recommend that you don’t get too excited when reading about the benefits it supposedly provides.

While there certainly is plenty of evidence out there to reinforce some of the claims made by Cordyceps supplement brands, there’s still a lot of grey area surrounding some of the benefits with most of them only being conducted on animals.

Related: How to Use Mushrooms for Weight Loss

Frequently Asked Questions About Cordyceps Supplements

What are the benefits of taking Cordyceps?

The primary benefit of taking Cordyceps is enhanced performance.

This refers to several different areas, including exercise, the immune system, and the body’s defense mechanisms against various diseases and inflammation.

Cordyceps has also been shown to enhance sexual performance, with regards to sex drive and reduced fatigue, and has some anti-aging properties too.

Who should not take Cordyceps?

Anyone with an autoimmune disease, bleeding disorders, or who’s about to undergo surgery.

Cordyceps has been shown to have side effects such as slowing down blood clotting, increasing the symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases, and heightening the risk of bleeding mid-surgery.

As a result, it’s recommended that you steer clear of the supplement if you have any blood-related issues or have a surgery coming up.

Do Cordyceps increase testosterone?

Yes, taking a Cordyceps supplement can boost testosterone levels in men.

This supplement is great for boosting performance, whether it’s the immune system’s defense mechanisms, exercise, or performance in the bedroom.

As well as potentially increasing testosterone levels, Cordyceps has been known to boost energy levels too.

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A Final Word From Energetic Lifestyle

Cordyceps is a powerful supplement that you should consider taking if you suffer from fatigue, low testosterone, or sexual dysfunction.

It can aid sexual performance, the immune system, and your ability to exercise efficiently with regards to energy and stamina.