Cordyceps

Best for

Ease chronic lung disease symptoms

Likely benefit · 6000 mg/day for 48–96 weeks · 1 study , n=238

7 papers · 4 claims · 42 outcomes scored · 1 positive

Outcomes

What cordyceps actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Outcome Effect size Evidence Dose Weeks Rank

Ease chronic lung disease symptoms Likely benefit

Fewer flare-ups and less daily struggle in chronic airway disease.

1 study n=238 6000 mg 48–96 wk #2/3

39193337

moderate

1 study n=238

6000 mg

48–96 wk

#2 /3

Improve lung function in airway disease Probably doesn't help

Breathe out more air, more quickly, through more open airways.

1 study n=238 6000 mg 48 wk

39193337

small

1 study n=238

6000 mg

48 wk

—

Ease cold and flu severity Likely somewhat harmful

When you do get sick, the whole experience hits lighter.

1 study n=238 6000 mg 48 wk

39193337

moderate

1 study n=238

6000 mg

48 wk

—

Ease bronchitis symptoms Likely somewhat harmful

Shorten and lighten a bronchitis episode for you or your child.

1 study n=238 6000 mg 48 wk

39193337

moderate

1 study n=238

6000 mg

48 wk

—

Outcome	Effect	Evidence	Dose	Weeks	Rank
Ease chronic lung disease symptoms Likely benefit	moderate	1 study n=238	6000 mg	48–96 wk	#2/3
Improve lung function in airway disease Probably doesn't help	small	1 study n=238	6000 mg	48 wk	—
Ease cold and flu severity Likely somewhat harmful	moderate	1 study n=238	6000 mg	48 wk	—
Ease bronchitis symptoms Likely somewhat harmful	moderate	1 study n=238	6000 mg	48 wk	—

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

nephrotoxicity severe

postoperative bleeding / prolonged bleeding moderate

hepatic enzyme increased mild

diarrhoea mild

testicular hypertrophy mild

cholesterol decreased mild

asthma exacerbation mild

headache mild

Drug interactions

Sertraline major increases toxicity

PA-824 moderate increases effect

Doxorubicin moderate decreases effect

Immunosuppressants moderate unknown

Cyclophosphamide moderate unknown

Antithrombotic Agents moderate increases toxicity

Cyclosporine moderate decreases concentration

Pentostatin moderate increases concentration

other moderate increases toxicity

Co-studied with

Supplements that share evidence with cordyceps

Reishimushroom 8 shared outcomes · d=0.56
Pleurotuseryngii 8 shared outcomes · d=0.56
Shiitake 8 shared outcomes · d=0.56
Hericiummushroom 8 shared outcomes · d=0.56
Coriolusmushroom 8 shared outcomes · d=0.56
Hempprotein 8 shared outcomes · d=0.56
Arbutin 5 shared outcomes · d=0.21
Licorice 5 shared outcomes · d=0.21

Sources

Generated August 14, 2026

Cordyceps

What cordyceps actually does, by outcome

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Supplements that share evidence with cordyceps

More evidence for Cordyceps

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Cordyceps

More evidence for Cordyceps

NewThe Caterpillar's Secret: How a Himalayan Parasite Became an Endurance Experiment

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NewEchinacea purpurea

NewJujube

NewZinc

NewN-Acetyl Cysteine

The Caterpillar's Secret: How a Himalayan Parasite Became an Endurance Experiment

Best Supplements to Stay Asleep Through the Night

Echinacea purpurea

Jujube

Zinc

N-Acetyl Cysteine