Ingredient guide

Cordyceps: the Himalayan stamina mushroom

Cordyceps has been prized in Tibetan and Chinese tradition for stamina and vitality for centuries. It is the daytime lift in Starshroooms, with no caffeine.

  • Cordyceps sinensis
  • The Himalayan stamina mushroom
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  • The Himalayan stamina mushroomAlso known as
  • Starshroooms · Whole mushroom powderIn our gummies
  • Small human trialsEvidence so far

What is Cordyceps?

Cordyceps is a group of fungi. Wild Cordyceps sinensis grows high on the Tibetan plateau and is so rare it can cost more than gold by weight, so the Cordyceps in supplements today is cultivated.

How Cordyceps has been used

Herders in the Himalayas are said to have noticed their yaks grew livelier after grazing where it grew. It has been used ever since as a tonic for energy and endurance, and it is popular today with people who want a lift without coffee.

Cordyceps research has focused on energy and exercise, with a few small human trials and a larger body of animal work.

What the research says

The studies so far.

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  • Human trial

    Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects

    Chen et al., Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010

    The Cordyceps group improved on two markers of aerobic capacity, metabolic threshold and ventilatory threshold. The placebo group did not.

    Read on PubMed (opens in a new window)

Studies looked at Cordyceps on its own, often in different forms and amounts, and did not test our gummies. Descriptions of traditional use are not health claims.

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Where to find it

Cordyceps in Starshroooms.

Starshroooms use whole Cordyceps powder, paired with full spectrum Panax Ginseng for a steady daytime lift. There is no caffeine, so there is no spike and no crash.

£24.99

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Cordyceps, answered.

Is this the fungus from The Last of Us?

The show was inspired by Ophiocordyceps, a related fungus that grows on insects. The Cordyceps in supplements is a different, cultivated species that has a long history in Tibetan and Chinese tradition.

Does Cordyceps contain caffeine?

No. That is why it is popular with people who want a lift without the jittery edge of coffee.

When should I take Cordyceps?

In the morning. With Starshroooms, take two gummies with breakfast.

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