Introduction

Winter worm, Summer grass is the common name given to the fungus, Cordyceps sinensis. During winter, this parasitic fungus inhabits the hibernating caterpillar of certain moths whilst they are underground (winter worm). In spring, the fungus grows until the caterpillar is all changed to fungus and a long spore-filled sac extends aboveground in the grass (summer grass). It is still called a medicinal “mushroom” despite its sac-shaped fruiting body.

For thousands of years this has been one of the most treasured and rare of the Chinese tonic herbs. The fungus grows wild on the high cold meadows of the Himalayan plateau in Tibet, Sichuan, etc. Herdsmen of grazing animals had observed their exceptional vigor. Winter worm, Summer grass is prized as it restores vitality, enhances endurance, clears the lungs, strengthens the kidney and blood, reduces impotence and promotes longevity. The surprising new world records (total of 9) set in women’s running at the 1993 Chinese National Games were partly attributed to use of the herb, gaining world-wide attention.

Since the late 1970’s, the fungus has been mainly cultivated, e.g. on silkworm residue. The active substances in the cultivated mycelium were confirmed to be very similar to the wild herb. Fortunately, these new cultivation methods make the herb affordable to the general public. Unfortunately, many false or altered products are being sold, e.g. whole Cordyseps with toxic lead wires inserted.

Pure Winter Worm, Summer Grass Powder Capsules

XXX mg powder, 90 capsules/bottle

These “Chi Jia” brand Winter worm, Summer grass capsules contain 100% Cordyceps sinensis powdered mycelium, with no fillers or artificial additives. The fungus is grown using modern technology in China to produce the best quality herb.

Recommended Uses

According to traditional medical philosophy, Cordyceps is sweet in taste and benefits the lungs, kidneys, sperm-production and “qi.” For example, it is commonly used for energy and better breathing by the elderly, persons with stressful lifestyle, and almost all high-altitude mountain climbers. Another example: it is used by cancer patients, including during western treatments of radiation or chemotherapy.

Winter worm, Summer grass is used for the following body-strengthening and disease-specific purposes:

• Lung: improves function (oxygen use, etc.)+
• Reduces bronchitis, asthma, etc.
• Relieves fatigue and promotes endurance+
• Stimulates and regulates immune system
• Inhibits growth of cancer cells, viruses and bacteria
• Reduces size of cancers
• Strengthens body in western cancer treatments
• Reduces rejection of organ transplants
• Kidney: improves functions
• Liver: improves condition (cirrhosis, hepatitis B & C)
• Treat diabetes++
• Stabilizes non-steady heartbeat
• Reduces heart disease (cholesterol, lipids)
• Combats sexual malfunction in men & women

+ One example: the time-to-exhaustion in the swim test increased ~30% and >100% for mice consuming 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of mycelium extract, respectively. Oxygen utilization and ATP (the energy carrier within the body’s cells) both increase greatly.
++ Blood sugar level is steadier, cell’s sensitivity to insulin is increased, and liver produces more glucose-regulating enzymes. Note: diabetic alcoholics lost desire for alcohol.

Note: References to clinical studies can be found in the Reference section.

Recommended Dosages

The dosages for adults are: 0.5 – 2 g per day for health maintenance, 3 – 4.5 g for chronic health problems, and 6 – 9 g for serious conditions. Thus, for health maintenance, consistently take up to two capsules two times daily with food and drink. Mild effects may occur within one week, while significant effects may take 3 to 6 weeks. Winter worm, Summer grass can be taken continuously for long periods of time with no side effects.

Winter worm, Summer grass can be taken by anyone, including with western medicine.

References

There are a large number of studies in the last decade on Winter worm, Summer grass. Extensive published references can be found in the following links to one published article and two review reports :

On the Trail of The Yak- Ancient Cordyceps in the Modern World. 2004

Medicinal mushrooms: their therapeutic properties and current medical usage with special emphasis on cancer treatments. University of Strathclyde and Cancer Research UK. 2002

Alternative Medicine- Artificial Culture of Cordyceps sinensis. 1999

The Active Ingredients in Winter Worm, Summer Grass

A wide range of active substances have been identified from Cordyceps sinensis (see Reference section) including many unique ones, as well as essential nutrients. These substances are listed below, followed by descriptions of their activities as currently known :

• β – D –glucans & galactosamineglycan (polysaccharides)
• De-oxygenated nucleosides (& normal nucleosides)
• Steroids
• Cyclic dipeptides, polyamines
• Essential amino acids: all
• Vitamins: B1, B2, B12, E, and K
• Trace elements: K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pi, Se, Al, Si, Ni, Sr, Ti, Cr, Ga, V, & Zr

Winter worm, Summer grass is being increasingly used for cancer treatment and prevention. Its effects are likely due to both 1) stimulation of the immune system by polysaccharides and 2) direct inhibition of tumors by deoxygenated nucleosides. Many clinical studies have show that it can stop cancer growth, and even reduce tumors, e.g. tumors reduced in ~1/2 of patients in China and Japan by taking 6 grams a day. The herb is increasingly being used to maintain the immune system (white blood cells) and so avoid infections during western cancer treatments.

It is well established that fungal polysaccharides produce significant stimulation of the immune system. Winter worm, Summer grass has numerous such polysaccharides, particularly, β – D –glucans and amine-containing polysaccharides. Thus, abnormal cancer cells as well as diseases caused by bacteria and viruses can be effectively destroyed.

However, these polysaccharides are also effective in inhibiting the immune response when needed, and so are called immuno-regulators. In fact, it is possible for transplanted organs to avoid rejection by the recipient largely because of cyclosporine, the drug obtained from Cordyseps. However, the pure drug is toxic to the kidney whereas with Cordyseps, it is not.

There are nucleosides found in Cordyceps that are found nowhere else in nature, which are likely to contribute to its potent anti-tumor and anti-disease effects. Many are deoxygenated at the point where the normal nucleoside would form links in the DNA chain. A variety of deoxygenated nucleosides have been isolated. [3’deoxy-adenosine (Cordycepin), 2’,3’dideoxy-adenosine, hydroxyethyl-adenosine, cordycepin triphosphate, deoxy-uridines, and deoxy-guanidine. The process of making the DNA chain would stop if these nucleosides were used. In mammals, such DNA mistakes are detected and repaired, but there is no such mechanism in cancer cells, virus and most bacteria. Thus, these fast-growing life forms could not grow. Major antiretroviral drugs based on these (2’,3’dideoxy-adenosine in drugs Didanosine™, Videx™, etc.) are already available worldwide for the treatment of HIV infections.

There are many different beneficial effects of Cordyseps which have been proven clinically, but it is not certain which substance(s) are responsible (see Recommended Uses and Reference sections).

Winter Worm, Summer Grass: An Ancient Rare and Exotic Medicinal Mushroom

Winter worm, Summer grass has been known and used for many centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has always been one of the rarest and most expensive medicines known and was only available to members of the Emperor's court. It was called a “magical creature” and was typically cooked with meat and eaten slowly over several days. The herb was used for the following: lung, kidney, heart, sex organs, fatigue, cancer, injury and longevity.

The first written record found was from the early Tang dynasty (620 A.D.), and the herb was well described in the Ben Cao Cong Xin (New Compilation of Materia Medica) written during the Qing dynasty.