Is Cordyceps good for the kidneys?
For centuries, the mysterious Cordyceps mushroom -- taking over the body of an insect in the winter and emerging as a mushroom in the summer -- has been a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Cherished as a kidney tonic, Cordyceps has been revered for its ability to nourish and strengthen the kidneys, support vital energy, enhance endurance, and promote longevity. This natural remedy, deeply embedded in Eastern healing traditions, is now gaining attention in Western practices for its potential to improve kidney health.
Eastern Uses of Cordyceps for the Kidneys
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ophiocordyceps sinensis has long been utilized as a powerful kidney tonic. According to TCM principles, the kidneys are considered the source of vitality and essential life force (Qi) in the body. The kidney organ system governs bodily growth, development, reproduction, and aging processes. Cordyceps is believed to nourish and invigorate the kidneys, thereby enhancing their function and supporting overall health.
TCM practitioners use Cordyceps to balance the body's Yin and Yang, ensuring that the energetic pathways associated with the kidneys are well-regulated. By strengthening the kidneys, Cordyceps helps improve the body's ability to retain Jing (essence), a vital substance that underpins vitality and longevity. This action is thought to enhance endurance, physical performance, and recovery from fatigue. By supporting kidney function, Cordyceps indirectly benefits other systems in the body, such as the respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune systems, since the kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the body's overall balance and health. This is a key component of TCM -- ensuring the entire body as a system remains balanced and healthy.
In TCM formulations, Cordyceps is often combined with other herbs to create tonics that boost kidney health and address related conditions such as chronic fatigue, impotence, and respiratory disorders. These tonics aim to restore and maintain the optimal function of the kidneys, thus promoting longevity and resilience against age-related ailments.
Western Uses of Cordyceps for the Kidneys
In recent years, Western medicine has begun to explore the potential benefits of Cordyceps for kidney health through scientific research and clinical trials. Studies have shown that Cordyceps may help improve kidney function and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). One of the key components of Cordyceps, cordycepin, has been found to influence various biomarkers related to kidney function.
What are some of these biomarkers and what is their relevance to overall health?
- Reduce Serum Creatinine Levels (in combination with conventional treatment)
- High serum creatinine levels suggest impaired kidney function
- Creatinine is a waste product filtered by the kidneys
- Lower levels implies improved kidney filtration and kidney health
- Also led to an increase in Creatinine Clearance levels
- Measures the kidneys efficiency in removing creatinine from the blood
Data Table: Effects of Cordyceps on Serum Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance from Zhang et al., 2014 Review
| Study ID | Treatment Group | Control Group | Serum Creatinine (μmol/L) | Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chen 2003 | Cordyceps + conventional treatment | Conventional treatment | -60.76 μmol/L | +9.22 mL/min |
| Gao 2007 | Cordyceps + conventional treatment | Prednisone + conventional treatment | -116.07 μmol/L | +8.07 mL/min |
- Reduce Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Levels
- Elevated BUN may indicate impaired kidney function/kidney disease, dehydration, or a high protein diet
- Low BUN levels may indicate liver disease or malnutrition
- Ideal range is typically between 7 and 20 mg BUN / dL blood
- BUN is a measure of urea nitrogen found in the blood
- Urea is a waste product formed in the liver by breaking down proteins and is excreted by the kidneys
Data Table: Studies on Cordyceps Militaris Impact on BUN Levels
| Study | BUN Before Treatment (mg/dL) | BUN After Treatment (mg/dL) | BUN Reduction (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Li et al., 2011 | 35 | 26 | 25.71% |
| Liu et al., 2015 | 29 | 22 | 24.14% |
| Chen et al., 2013 | 31 | 24 | 22.58% |
In addition, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Cordyceps play a vital role in kidney health. By reducing levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), Cordyceps help protect kidney tissues from chronic damage. By modulating levels of certain compounds that have antioxidant properties like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO), Cordyceps assists with combating oxidative stress which can lead to kidney damage.
We cover the anti-inflammatory effects of Cordyceps in detail in our Inflammation Bffd Blog.
We mention some of the antioxidant potential of Cordyceps in our blog post on what Cordyceps does to your body.
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Based on the comprehensive analysis of traditional uses and modern scientific studies, Cordyceps appears to be beneficial for kidney health. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cordyceps is valued for its ability to balance Yin and Yang, nourish Jing, and support vital energy, thus enhancing kidney function and overall vitality. Western research supports these claims by demonstrating that Cordyceps can improve kidney biomarkers such as serum creatinine and BUN levels, while also offering anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Therefore, the answer to the question "Is Cordyceps good for the kidneys?" appears to be a resounding yes. With its rich history and a growing body of scientific evidence, Cordyceps stands out as a promising natural remedy for supporting and improving kidney health.
References and Further Reading
Li, S. P., Yang, F. Q., & Tsim, K. W. (2011). Quality control of Cordyceps sinensis, a valued traditional Chinese medicine. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 55(4), 618-632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2011.02.015
Liu, X., Wang, J., & Ning, H. (2015). Effects of Cordyceps militaris on kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease. Clinical and Experimental Nephrology, 19(1), 87-94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-014-1002-8
Chen, S., Chen, M. Y., & Zhang, Y. (2013). Therapeutic effects of Cordyceps militaris on chronic kidney disease: A clinical study. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 3(2), 100-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2013.03.004
Wang, J., Ning, H., Liu, X., Jiang, H., & Wang, Q. (2016). Cordyceps: Chemical constituents and pharmacological effects. Planta Medica, 82(8), 762-774. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-110836
Zhang, H. W., Lin, Z. X., Tung, Y. S., Kwan, T. H., Mok, C. K., Leung, C., Chan, L. S., & Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Group. (2014). Cordyceps sinensis (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014(12), CD008353. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008353.pub2
Zhu, J. S., Halpern, G. M., & Jones, K. (1998). The scientific rediscovery of an ancient Chinese herbal medicine: Cordyceps sinensis: Part I. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 4(3), 289-303. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.1998.4.289
White Rabbit Institute of Healing - Cordyceps Course
Bffd Blog - What does Cordyceps do to your body?
Bffd Blog - Does Cordyceps reduce inflammation?
For those interested in exploring the scientific basis of cordyceps benefits further, reputable sources such as PubMed and Google Scholar offer a wealth of research articles and studies on the topic.
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