There are more than 750 species of cordyceps. In the health industry, two species tend to take center stage. Both contain the bioactive compounds: adenosine and cordycepin.

Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris are the two species that take center stage. the latter form can be more easily cultivated in labs than C sinensis. Militaris also contains higher amounts of cordycepin than C. sinensis.

I've included pictures of both C. sinensis and C. militaris. Sinesis is the one that takes over insects.

cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is the molecule most uniquely associated with this fungus. it's a nucleoside analog that inhibits mRNA polyadenylation — the process by which cells add a protective tail to messenger RNA. this selectively suppresses cancer cell proliferation (which depends on high mRNA output), inhibits viral replication, and has anti-inflammatory effects through AMPK activation. it also inhibits platelet aggregation. [FLAG: blood clot protection — cordycepin inhibits platelet aggregation through adenosine receptor pathway]

more effective antiviral medicine than ribavirin.

cordycepin inhibits RNA virus replication by blocking mRNA polyadenylation — activity documented against influenza virus, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. [Viruses: influenza, HIV, SARS-CoV-2]

bioactive compounds include cordycepin, polysaccharides, sterol-type compounds, unsaturated fatty acids, and peptides.
additional compounds: cordycepic acid (D-mannitol), ergosterol, β-sitosterol, uridine, uracil, hypoxanthine, guanosine, deoxyadenosine, and a diverse set of cyclic dipeptides. glyceroglycolipids (digalactosyldiacylglycerols) recently isolated with anti-inflammatory activity.

inhibits cholesterol buildup within the cardiovascular system.

pharmacological investigations confirm adaptogenic, aphrodisiac, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, neuroprotective, nootropic, immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, and hepatoprotective roles.

increases the body’s ability to produce ATP, the primary energy source for cells.

AMPK activation by cordycepin is a key longevity pathway — the same pathway activated by metformin and caloric restriction. polysaccharides activate Nrf2 antioxidant defense. mTOR inhibition documented. telomere protection suggested through reduced oxidative DNA damage.

improves athletic performance and reduces fatigue.

stimulates the immune system by increasing the activity and production of various immune cells.

may help with dyslipidemia (elevated cholesterol or fats in the blood).

may improve kidney function and protect against kidney damage.

multiple human trials document reduced proteinuria and creatinine in chronic kidney disease patients taking O. sinensis extracts. hepatoprotective activity confirmed in liver fibrosis models. used as an adjunct in kidney transplant patients for immunosuppressive support.

may help treat renal fibrosis.

used to treat liver, cardiovascular, and chronic kidney diseases. adenosine dilates coronary arteries, cordycepin reduces platelet aggregation, and polysaccharides have antihypertensive effects through ACE inhibition.

may also help reduce creatinine levels, a marker of kidney function, in people with chronic kidney disease.

protects the kidneys from toxic drugs, complications of diabetes, and transplant rejection.

studies have shown cordyceps can destroy tumor cells, stabilize the heartbeat, reduce bone loss, increases oxygen in your cells, lower triglycerides, lower ldl cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein.

it can inhibit RNA virus reproduction, protect against brain, lung, liver, heart, and kidney damage, and ameliorate lung-fibrosis.