Cordyceps mushroom growing in the wild out of bugs and a mossy tree

Best mushroom for fertility and libido — cordyceps

August 19, 2022

Meet cordyceps mushroom

This funky looking friend is a high-altitude-loving mushroom from the Himalayas, traditionally renowned as the best mushroom for fertility and libido boosting powers.

As research grows, the science world is beginning to understand centuries of use across Asia, where cordyceps has been consumed to treat asthma, erectile dysfunction and fertility. Not only that, it’s also believed to bring about aphrodisiac superpowers.

But high altitude isn’t the only chapter of this shroom’s wild origin story. The cordyceps species thrives when it has a cosy “host” (AKA insect) to live on. Delightfully, it brainwashes the insect to relocate to a more desirable climate, allowing the fungi to take over the carcass and bloom into a caterpillar-looking mushroom.

A black background featuring an ant on a bright green leaf. There's a cordyceps mushroom growing from its head.

These very specific (and honestly quite hard to come by) conditions led the mystical cordyceps to a position of notoriety, reserved for a wealthy few. Lucky for us, scientists at sea level have found ways to commercially cultivate cordyceps, increasing international availability without the insect carcass — cue a collective sigh of relief for our vegan and vegetarian friends.

There are over 680 species of these well-respected fungi with two readily available: cordyceps sinensis and cordyceps militaris. Cordyceps sinensis (CS) flaunts a long history of use throughout the high-altitude regions of China, Nepal, Tibet, and India. However, a surge in popularity and the extreme nature of these locations led to limited availability.

So, remember we spoke about those clever scientists cultivating cordyceps at sea level? That’s cordyceps militaris. Today, both species are commercially cultivated, but cordyceps militaris remains a more convenient and cost-effective option.

Cordyceps can support fertility and libido as well as boost immunity, energy, metabolic health, endurance, recovery, sleep, respiratory health, along with kidney and liver health.

A hessian bag on a wooden table filled with cordyceps

Cordyceps — the best mushroom for fertility and libido

Cordyceps for fertility

Traditionally, Cordyceps has been respected as the best mushroom for fertility, enhancing holistic health and hormonal balance.

Current research into the relationship between cordyceps and functional fertility is exploring a path of male hormonal balance (perhaps less spoken about, but certainly as important when it comes to baby making). After centuries of anecdotal recommendations, studies remain young and full of potential to explore all the different ways cordyceps’ can support fertility.

Crowning cordyceps as the best mushroom for fertility, a recent mice study from China ^[1] found that CS can significantly stimulate steroidogenesis (AKA the multi-step process our bodies work through to create testosterone). The study looked at biochemical pathways in Leydig cells (the primary source of testosterone in males) responsible for sperm production and sexual development. And to cut a long story short, it found that cordyceps may help create more swimmers. Go easy now, mice friends.

Oh, and are you looking for a natural youth potion? Another animal study from 2019 ^[3] comments on the regenerative powers of cordycepcin (the most potent component of cordyceps), highlighting its inherent power to fight against age-related male sexual dysfunction.

The US department of health and human services pinpoints hormonal imbalance as a contributor to PCOS which is the leading cause of female infertility. While substantial research linking cordyceps and female fertility is yet to be conducted, plenty has been said about the hormonal balancing power of this funky fungi.

Cordyceps for libido

Ancient folk stories reveal an intriguing tale of the moment cordyceps was discovered. As the snow melted in the late days of May, herders from Nepal would begin to ascend the mountains with their yaks in tow. Noticing their livestock searching through the fresh grass for the cordyceps mushroom, and heart eyes glowing with desire for the opposite sex, the shepherds took note of their flock’s uncontrollable desire to do the deed.

No, but for real, their heard of livestock also seemed unaffected by the altitude where air is thinner and energy harder to conserve, a somewhat irrelevant detail as these yak’s would relentlessly fornicate. We can neither confirm nor deny the truth of this origin story, but it sets the picture of the seemingly magical libido enhancing powers of the cordyceps mushroom.

A little refresher from our earlier blogs on cordyceps will highlight the nickname “Himalayan Viagra”. While research is limited, we can’t help but be optimistic about the strength of these claims with such a powerful name. Known to increase energy, many anecdotes delve into the use of cordyceps for libido enhancing powers. The current research links this to its ability to balance and boost testosterone levels.

Jam-packed with adaptogens, this caterpillar-like mushroom is believed to increase the body’s production of ATP (the molecule adenosine triphosphate), which is an integral agent for getting energy to the muscles. An increase in ATP helps the blood deliver more oxygen and ATP to every cell in the body — boosting energy and reducing fatigue.

This kind of endurance isn’t just for out on the field, it can be embraced at any time of day and most certainly in the bedroom.

A wooden bowl filled with cordyceps mushroom, atop a hessian bag

How to take cordyceps mushrooms

Lucky for us, we don’t have to wait for an annual June harvest in the Tibetan plateau to access the goodness of cordyceps and incorporate the best mushroom for fertility into our diet. We offer a range of ways to add cordyceps and its fertility boosting, libido loving properties into your daily routine.

While cordyceps has a short and mild list of documented side effects, it’s important to note that some people have reported mild diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort which may be reduced by taking cordyceps during or after a meal.

We recommend adding ½ teaspoon serving of our Cordyceps Mushroom Powder to your favourite smoothie (per day). We also offer Cordyceps Mushroom Dual Liquid Extract, which can be added to tea, coffee, smoothies or other food at a recommended dose of 2mL per day for a finely balanced dose of fertility and libido goodness.

As always when taking responsibility for your health, please consult your doctor before incorporating Cordyceps into your diet.

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