Cordyceps CS-4 (Cordyceps sinensis mycelium)
Also known as: Cs-4, CS-4, Cordyceps sinensis Cs-4, Paecilomyces hepiali, Ophiocordyceps sinensis mycelium, fermented cordyceps
CS-4 is a strain of mycelium originally isolated from wild Cordyceps sinensis and grown by liquid fermentation, which makes it far cheaper and more consistent than the wild caterpillar fungus. Because it is a fermented mycelium rather than a fruiting body, it contains little or no cordycepin but does provide adenosine and polysaccharides. A 2010 double-blind trial in healthy older adults used CS-4 for twelve weeks and measured exercise performance. It is the traditional Chinese-market cordyceps and remains common in endurance and healthy-aging formulas.
Research summary
Adenosine, cordycepic acid (D-mannitol), and polysaccharides are studied for effects on oxygen utilization and cellular energy production.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of extract.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 mg | 1,000–3,000 mg | — | — |
Doses of 1–3 g per day of fermented mycelium powder or extract, split into two or three servings with meals. Liquid-fermented mycelium is grown without a grain substrate, so it does not carry the starch dilution seen in mycelium-on-grain products, but cordycepin content is minimal.
Standardization: ≥15% beta-glucans; adenosine content reported separately (supplier dependent)
Source material: mycelium (fermented)
Forms of Cordyceps
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps CS-4 (Cordyceps sinensis mycelium) | 1,000–3,000 mg | — | Capsule, Powder, Tablet | low |
| Cordyceps militaris | 1,000–3,000 mg | — | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy | mid |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Mild taste; fine powder that flows well for encapsulation.
Formulation notes
No notable formulation interactions. Not interchangeable with Cordyceps militaris fruiting-body extract on a cordycepin basis.
Sources
Related ingredients
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