Cordyceps Militaris: traditional Himalayan tonic, now in concentrated capsule form.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) has been used in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine for over a thousand years as a tonic for vitality and stamina. First brought to wider Western attention in 1993 when the Chinese Women's Olympic athletics team broke five world records and attributed part of their preparation to Cordyceps supplementation, it has since become one of the most studied performance-related medicinal mushrooms in the world.

This Feel Supreme capsule is a 10:1 full fruiting body extract of organically grown Cordyceps militaris - 500mg per capsule, equivalent to 5,000mg of dried mushroom per serving.

What the research is looking at

The most active area of human research on Cordyceps is exercise performance and oxygen utilisation - specifically how it may interact with ATP metabolism (the cellular energy system) and aerobic capacity. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that three weeks of Cordyceps militaris supplementation was associated with a significant improvement in VO2max compared to placebo - the primary physiological marker of aerobic capacity - alongside improvements in time to exhaustion.

A separate double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy older adults found the metabolic threshold - the point at which lactate begins to accumulate - increased by 10.5% after 12 weeks of Cordyceps supplementation, suggesting improved capacity for sustained effort before fatigue sets in.

Cordyceps is a food supplement, not a medicine. The research describes what scientists are investigating in controlled settings, not what this product will do for any given individual.

Key active compounds

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) — a nucleoside unique to Cordyceps militaris, associated with potential effects on ATP metabolism and cellular energy pathways. Adenosine — involved in energy transfer at a cellular level. Beta-glucans — the polysaccharide class associated with immune cell modulation, found across the medicinal mushroom family.

Capsule vs. liquid — which is right for you?

We also stock Feel Supreme's Cordyceps Militaris liquid tincture, which uses dual extraction (water and alcohol) to capture both the water-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds. The capsule uses a single extraction method, which means it may capture a slightly narrower compound profile - but it's more convenient for travel, doesn't require measuring, and suits people who prefer capsules. Both use the same full fruiting body source material at the same 10:1 concentration.

How to take it

One to two capsules daily with water. At 1 capsule per day the 60-capsule bottle is a 2-month supply; at 2 capsules per day it's a 1-month supply. The clinical research on Cordyceps generally used higher doses over 3-12 weeks - if you're taking it specifically for exercise performance, 2 capsules daily is the better-evidenced approach.

Full product details

Not suitable for children, pregnant or nursing individuals, or anyone on immunosuppressant or anticoagulant medication. Consult your GP if you have a pre-existing condition or are taking prescription medication.

Want to understand more about medicinal mushrooms?

Cordyceps is one of six main functional mushroom varieties with deep traditional use and a meaningful modern research base. We've put together a guide covering Cordyceps alongside Lion's Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Turkey Tail and Shiitake - what they're traditionally used for, what the research is currently looking at, and how they differ. Read the guide here →