Herb module
Dong Chong Xia Cao
Cordyceps MushroomCordyceps sinensis
A rare high-mountain fungus that grows from a caterpillar and is used to strengthen the Kidneys, Lungs, Yang, and Jing.
Dong Chong Xia Cao is cordyceps, one of the most treasured tonics in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is traditionally used to strengthen the Kidney and Yang, build Jing (our deep reserve of vitality), and nourish the Lungs. Zoi includes it in Longevity | The Zoi™, Allergy Relief | Atsáli™, and Lung Meridian™.
Best functions
- Traditionally used to tonify the Kidney, strengthen Yang, and augment Jing
- Used to nourish Lung Yin and transform Phlegm
- Traditionally used to stop bleeding
- Studies suggest cordyceps may support aerobic capacity
- Research has looked at how cordyceps activates immune cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells
Fascinating facts
- Cordyceps appears in three Zoi formulas: Longevity | The Zoi™, Allergy Relief | Atsáli™, and Lung Meridian™.
- The Chinese name Dong Chong Xia Cao means 'winter worm, summer grass.' Traditional Chinese Medicine prizes it as a tonic that nourishes the Lung and Kidney together.
- Wild cordyceps grows in the high alpine meadows of the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas. There the fungus takes over a caterpillar underground in winter and sends up a slender stalk in summer, and gatherers hunt for it by hand.
- Because wild cordyceps is scarce and difficult to collect, it has long been one of the most costly natural products in Chinese markets.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong Chong Xia Cao is a tonic herb with a sweet flavor. It is slightly warm in nature and enters the Lung and Kidney channels.
Biomedical deep dive
Dong Chong Xia Cao Cordyceps Mushroom
From the Zoi Medicinals fact sheets’ Biomedical Details, with lines from Noa’s herb notes marked “Noa’s notes”.
On the fact sheet
- Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps Mushroom, Cordyceps sinensis) is slightly warm, enters the LU and KI meridians; tonifies the Kidney, strengthens Yang, augments Jing, nourishes Lung Yin, transform Phlegm, and stops bleeding. Longevity | The Zoi · Allergy Relief | Atsáli · Lung Meridian sheets
Key active constituents
The fact sheets don’t name constituents for this herb.
Pharmacology and mechanisms
- Cordyceps has many anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating properties, and has been shown to improve immune function in many animal studies.
- Cordyceps has activities directly related to the allergic response, according to the Atsáli fact sheet.
- Cordyceps shows strong anti-inflammatory action specific to the respiratory tract, according to the Lung Meridian sheet.
- Cordyceps, with reishi, has broad anti-microbial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites in studies.
- Cordyceps benefits the cardiovascular system and has been associated with lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Cordyceps is listed among Longevity herbs with anti-tumor functions in research.
- Cordycepin (a key active compound) inhibits adenosine deaminase, an enzyme that breaks down adenosine; anti-tumor and antiviral. Noa’s notes
- Improves aerobic capacity and oxygen use in clinical trials. Noa’s notes
- Activates macrophages and increases NK cells (natural killer immune cells). Noa’s notes
What the research says
- In a randomized controlled trial of 120 people with moderate-to-severe asthma, three months of cordyceps improved asthma quality-of-life scores and lung function and lowered inflammation (Wang et al., Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2016).
- In animal studies, cordyceps reduced allergic nasal symptoms, IgE (allergy antibody) levels and airway sensitivity (Chen et al., Molecules 2020).
- In an animal model, cordyceps reduced lung fibrosis (scarring) and inflammation (Chen et al., J Ethnopharmacol 2012).
- Animal studies showed cordyceps improves immune function (Yamaguchi et al., Biotherapy 1990; Liu et al., Int J Biol Macromol 2016).
- In people with chronic heart failure, cordyceps added to conventional treatment was associated with better overall quality of life than in the control group (Holliday, 2011).
- Cordyceps has been used alongside conventional cancer care in humans to support the immune system; in animal and cell studies its extract killed cancer cells (Lee et al., Daru 2015).
- The Lung Meridian sheet also cites a systematic review and meta-analysis of oral cordyceps in stable COPD.
Safety, interactions and cautions
- Every Zoi fact sheet: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your health care practitioner.
- Caution in active bleeding conditions. Noa’s notes
In these Zoi formulas
- ★ Longevity | The Zoi (#2 on the fact sheet)
- Allergy Relief | Atsáli (#7 on the fact sheet)
- Lung Meridian (#15 on the fact sheet)
