Cordyceps mushroom supplements to energise your day

Powder, capsule or coffee - this shroom is booming...

Yellow powder (Cordyceps militaris) in wooden spoon on white background.

by Piper Huxley |
Published on

Choosing the best cordyceps mushroom supplements is going to improve your active life tenfold. Your mushroom journey begins here… But, what are cordyceps mushrooms – and what do they do for you? All of this, and more, are demystified in this bumper guide to the ‘performance mushrooms’, thanks to Clarissa Berry, Nutrition Lead at DIRTEA. Of all mushroom supplements available, cordyceps seems to be not very popular, but has a host of benefits for those in the know… So, we've found the best mushroom supplements for a keen lifestyle change, whether powder, capsule or extract.

Though a worldly fungus, cordyceps mushrooms are most commonly found in Asia, with the highest density harvested in tropical rainforests and high in the mountains of China. Long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat many diseases related to the lungs and kidneys - and as an anxiety remedy, it’s no surprise that cordyceps are still used today for similar ailments. Recently, it’s received some attention since being a core plot element in the video game and its television adaptation The Last of Us. They're perfectly safe, don’t worry!

Best cordyceps mushroom supplements at a glance

Best pre-workout cordyceps powder: DIRTEA Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder – View Offer at Selfridges
Best cordyceps mushroom capsules: Mushrooms 4 Life Cordyceps Capsules – View Offer at Body Kind
Stress-busting cordyceps supplement: TERRANOVA Cordyceps, Rhodiola and Ginseng Complex – View Offer at Body Kind

According to Clarissa Berry, functional mushrooms are classed as adaptogens – much like ashwagandha, providing “the body with tools to better cope with stress and help to bring the body into a state of harmony”. As for cordyceps, they are revered for boosting energy levels and endurance. If you’ve been feeling a little worse for wear lately, unmotivated and tired… Perhaps, a cordyceps mushroom supplement could be for you. Similar to Chaga mushroom supplements, cordyceps helps “on a physical level, providing a smooth and sustained, caffeine-free energy boost.”

For energy levels and focus throughout the day, Clarissa recommends either cordyceps or Lion's mane supplements for those of us who need a little boost. If you’re interested in fitness and regularly spend time down on your yoga mat, an energising adaptogen like the cordyceps mushroom may enhance your practice, de-stressing your body and helping you tackle those trickier asanas with ease. Whether you incorporate cordyceps into your diet or take it supplemented alongside, your days could look very different…

Best cordyceps mushroom supplements

Best pre-workout cordyceps powder

Description

Sugar-free, vegan and keto, the DIRTEA Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder is a potent form of

Pros

  • Provides vitality throughout the day
  • Boosts endurance during a workout
  • Improves physical performance

Cons

  • Low in stock

Best cordyceps mushroom capsules

Description

Are you looking for a natural boost to your energy and stamina? The Mushrooms 4 Life Cordyceps

Pros

  • Organic, vegan-friendly and UK-made
  • Adaptogenic and antiviral properties
  • Provides stamina and endurance support

Cons

  • May not suit all lifestyles

Best value cordyceps supplement

Bulk Cordyceps Capsules 500mg
Price: £8.11 (was £9.99)

www.bulk.com

Description

Next, we recommend the budget-friendly capsules from Bulk. Take 1-2 capsules of this Bulk

Pros

  • Vegetarian and vegan-friendly formula
  • Convenient supplement in a capsule
  • High-strength for energising results

Cons

  • No customer reviews

Best cordyceps mushroom gummies

Description

Supercharge your day with these energising Fungies Cordyceps Mushroom Gummies. Each delicious

Pros

  • Gluten-free and vegan-friendly gummies
  • Supports a healthy immune function
  • Help energise the body and mind

Cons

  • No customer reviews

Best cordyceps mushroom coffee

Mushrooms 4 Life Organic Cordyceps Coffee
Price: £30.36

Description

Whether you're seeking an early morning pick-me-up or a midday energy boost, Mushrooms 4 Life

Pros

  • Make this your morning coffee ritual
  • Great taste with energising properties
  • High-quality, with no nasties

Cons

  • Not caffeine-free

Best cordyceps supplement with cacao

Mushrooms 4 Life Organic Cordyceps Beetroot Latte, 0.13 kg
Price: £35.87

Description

Discover a new indulgence with Mushrooms 4 Life Organic Cordyceps Beetroot Latte. Blending the

Pros

  • Creamy coconut, vibrant drink
  • Gluten, dairy and soya free
  • Can support your busy schedule

Cons

  • Small pack size

Energising mushroom mix

Description

Elevate your vitality with Mushrooms 4 Life Organic Myco-Qi. This potent blend of Reishi and

Pros

  • A combination of shrooms for vitality
  • Certified Organic by the Soil Association
  • Free from dairy, soya, and gluten

Cons

  • No customer review

Stress-busting cordyceps supplement

Description

Experience the synergy of nature's adaptogens with TERRANOVA Cordyceps, Rhodiola & Ginseng

Pros

  • Vegan, wheat-free and UK-made
  • Stress-alleviating formula
  • Improves body and mind

Cons

  • No customer reviews

Best cordyceps mushroom extract

Cordyceps or Caterpillar Mushroom (Cordyceps sinensis or Ophiocordyceps sinensis) Fungus or Mushroom Alcohol-Free Mother Tincture Naturalma | Liquid Extract...
Price: £15.99

Description

Unleash nature's vitality with the Naturalma Cordyceps Liquid Extract. This concentrated elixir

Pros

  • A natural tincture aid
  • Vegan and no nasties
  • Invigorating benefits

Cons

  • May not suit everyone's taste and lifestyle

Verdict: Which is the best cordyceps supplements?

Our top pick is the Mushrooms 4 Life Cordyceps Capsules. They're cost-friendly, convenient and well-reviewed.

FAQs

What is the recommended dosage for Cordyceps mushroom supplements?

Thanks to Clarissa Berry, Nutritionist for DIRTEA – who are mushroom magicians, as far as we’re concerned – we have some answers to what is the correct cordyceps mushroom dosage.

In our round-up, we included DIRTEA’s Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder – and the suggested dosage is 2g a day, “however this does not account for bio-individuality or variances in body weight,” says Clarissa. What does she recommend? Start with a small dose and find your personal tolerance.

Perhaps, you’re wondering… what is the best time to take mushroom supplements?

Well, this depends on the “effect that you are hoping to experience,” according to Clarissa at DIRTEA. Energising mushrooms – like cordyceps and chaga – are best “taken in the morning or before a workout.” So, we recommend incorporating cordyceps into your morning routine, whether taking it with your morning supplements or adding it to your breakfast. Magic!

How does Cordyceps help with oxidisation?

If you’re a little clueless about oxidisation, don't worry! We’re here to guide you through this normal (and necessary) process we all go through. When there’s an imbalance between free radical activity and antioxidant activity, oxidative stress can occur, leading to some small health issues.

Luckily, cordyceps mushrooms are abundant in antioxidants, says Clarissa at DIRTEA: “which means they can help combat oxidative stress in the body.” This way, this adaptogenic mushroom will support cellular and immune health, fighting pathogens and helping with post-exercise soreness.

Why is it called the 'performance' mushroom?

As mentioned previously, cordyceps has energising properties. Often referred to as the ‘performance mushroom’, it is a popular pre-workout supplement due to its potentiality to enhance “physical performance, boost energy and stamina, and improve oxygen utilisation,” says Clarissa at DIRTEA.

As for the research, cordyceps is said to enhance the body’s production of ATP, which is “our cellular energy currency, which can improve energy levels and endurance during exercise.” Essentially, it’s thought that you won’t feel as fatigued when taking Cordyceps – and goals feel more attainable.

If that wasn’t impressive already, cordyceps is thought to help the body use oxygen around the body, potentially enhancing “lung function and increased blood flow, which is a key factor in physical performance,” according to Clarissa. Cordyceps seems to be the go-to adaptogen for working out…

Aside from the physical side, cordyceps can help your body and mind adapt to stress, which can come about from the physical exertion you experience while working out. This way, cordyceps will help you feel calm and zen, maintaining a “state of balance”. This way, you stay sharp and focused…

How do mushroom supplements work?

According to Nutritional Expert at DIRTEA, Clarissa Berry, functional mushrooms – like cordyceps – contain “specific, unique compounds that support health in various ways.” As adaptogens, mushrooms can support a whole variety of issues, such as immunity, hydrating the skin, improving focus, enhancing physical activity or supporting gut health. You name it, mushrooms can do it!

Worthy of note from Clarissa: “Some people experience immediate benefits, but their effects are also cumulative, so it is best to take a mushroom supplement consistently over a period of several weeks in order to experience results.” So – every mushroom journey is different. So, be patient, keep your mind open and receptive to change – and embrace all the rewards mushrooms can give you…

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Spirit & Destiny, an all-rounder: from health to spirituality. When not at her desk, she’s practising yoga or in deep reflection.

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