PRICE: $14.95 for each 60 capsule bottle (1/2 gram per vegi-capsule) Barlowe's Herbal Elixirs proudly offers a Cordyceps (Caterpillar) Mushroom Extract standardized to 25% Cordycepic Acid. This is the most potent Cordyceps Extract on the market!  Click on this link: Cordyceps Extract COA, to view the Certificate of Analysis of this particular batch. Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) is one of the most valued and useful herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  These vegetable-derived capsules (both Kosher and Halal certified) are filled by hand with a manual encapsulation machine, not with a high speed automatic machine, and thus, only pure, unadulterated Cordyceps 25%  Extract is in the capsules. Capsules produced with high speed machines in herbal remedy and vitamin "factories" contain several other ingredients, including preservatives because so many bottles of product are produced at one time, and lubricants to ensure that the machines will run faster and more efficiently. Check their labels! Also, Barlowe's Herbal Elixirs is one of the very few manufacturers that still pack their products in glass whenever possible, even though glass is more expensive.  Barlowe believes that chemicals can leach out of plastic containers and contaminate the contents, and that the use of glass is much better for the environment. Cordyceps is a very interesting fungus. In the wild, the Cordyceps spores parasitize the vegetable caterpillar, consuming the caterpillar's soft tissue, and eventually sprout as a mushroom out of its body.  It is collected in the mountainous regions of Tibet, and in the wild form is prohibitively expensive - up to a hundred dollars a gram. In ancient China, only the Emperor's Court was permitted to utilize this mushroom due to its rarity, usefulness, and great expense. However, scientists have recently discovered how to grow Cordyceps on an organic bed of material, and thus, Cordyceps has become more readily available and much less costly. In Chinese medicine, Cordyceps is reknowned as a very effective herb for treating circulatory and respiratory problems, immunity deficiency, sexual dysfunction, and a host of other health problems. Studies have shown the astonishing ability of Cordyceps to increase sexual function in men in a majority of cases, to increase oxygen intake efficiency, to heal the liver, to lower cholesterol, to decrease blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and to protect against tumors. Due to its ability to improve energy, stamina, appetite, endurance, and sleeping patterns, it has also been classified as a general health tonic. Cordyceps prevents allergies, depression, and colds and flu by enhancing adrenal and lung energy. It is recommended for people who feel short of breath and depressed from overwork, pollution, and bad dietary habits. It provides remarkable benefits for cirrhosis, impotence, neurasthenia, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is effective in preventing arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease, as well as certain other diseases related to blood vessels of the brain. Cordyceps increases levels of natural anti-oxidants and is believed to promote longevity. This fungus also has the ability to increase ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) production in human cell  mitochondria which increases energy levels. It is especially good for people who are involved in athletics or enjoy vigorous sports. Chinese athletes who primarily used Cordyceps in their training programs surprised everyone by breaking the 10,000 meter World Track Record in 1993 and shattering dozens of world records in just one year. The team's coach credited much of the team's success to the consumption of Cordyceps! Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8 Research on animals shows cordyceps increases natural sex hormones. (Wan F, Guo Y, Deng X. Chinese Traditional Patented Med 1988;9:29-31). Human clinical studies involving both men and women  with decreased libido and desire showed improvement of symptoms and desire in 66% of the cases. (Wan F, Guo Y, Deng X. Chinese Traditional Patented Med 1988;9:29-31). In a double blind study by the Institute of Materia Medica in Beijing, China, 86% of the women showed improvement in libido and desire. (Jia-Shi Zhu, M.D., Ph.D. The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, Vol.4, Number 3, 1998, pp.289-303). In a fertility study involving  22 males, eight weeks of Cordyceps supplementation increased sperm count by 33%,  decreased sperm malformations by 29%, and increased sperm survivability rate by 79%.  (Guo YZ. J Modern Diagnostics Therapeutics 1986;(1):60-65). Several scientific studies have demonstrated the benefits of Cordyceps sinensis in alleviating the symptoms of  respiratory illnesses including chronic bronchitis and asthma. In a double blind, placebo controlled study with 30 elderly volunteers, Cordyceps significantly improved the maximum amount of oxygen these people were able to assimilate. (Xiao Y., Huang X.Z., Chen G.,Wang M.B., Zhu J.S., Cooper C.B.: Increased Aerobic Capacity in Healthy Elderly Humans given fermented Cordyceps Cs-4: a Placebo controlled Trial. Ann. Meeting American College of Sports Medicine, Seattle, WA, June 3-5, 1999). Research clinical trials on 33 patients with Hepatitis B and on another 8 patients with cirrhosis, showed that taking Cordyceps supplements caused a 71.9% improvement in liver function. (Zhou LT, Yang YZ, Xu YM, Zhu QY, Zhu YR, Ge XY, Gao JD. Short term curative effect of cultured Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc. Mycelia in chronic hepatitis B. China J Chinese Materia Medica 1990;15(1):53-55). Several clinical studies have been conducted in China and Japan with cancer patients. The studies were done with Cordyceps sinensis mycelium (not an extract) using a therapeutic dose of 6 grams per day. In one study with 50 lung cancer patients, Cordyceps was utilized  in conjunction with chemotherapy.  Tumors reduced in size in 46% of the patients. A study in cancer patients with various types of tumors found that Cordyceps improved subjective symptoms in the majority of patients. White blood cell counts were maintained and tumor size was significantly reduced in about half of the patients. Researchers in Japan reported that Cordyceps enhances the general reactivity of the immune system in individuals with cancer.  Cordyceps also improved antibody responses. (Zhu, J.S., Halpern, G.M., and Jones, K. (1998): The Scientific Rediscovery of an Ancient Chinese Herbal Medicine: Cordyceps sinensis. Part I. Journal of Alternative and complementary Medicine 4(3), pp 289-303). In controlled studies, tests  showed that elderly patients suffering from fatigue and some senility-related symptoms reported improvement in the reduction of fatigue (92%), of feeling cold (89%), in dizziness (83%), after taking Cordyceps for 30 days. Patients with respiratory/breathing problems felt physically stronger and some were able to jog for 600 ft. (Cao A, Wen Y. J Applied Traditional Chinese Med 1993;1:32-33). Cellular energy, which is also known scientifically as the ATP/IP ratio, is increased by as much as 55% with the use of Cordyceps.  (Reported XU C.F et al in ZHU J-S, Halpern GM, Jones K. The Scientific rediscovery of a precious ancient Chinese herbal regimen: Cordyceps sinensis: Part I. J Alt Comp Med 1998;4(3):289-303.) Caution: Barlowe's Cordyceps Extract uses only the finest quality Cordyceps 25% Extract from the most trusted supplier. This superb extract is generally safe, but it is extremely potent and should be utilized with care. This product is for dietary use. If side-effects occur, discontinue use immediately! The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Directions For Use: Take one (1/2 gram) capsule either once or twice a day.  Results and usage amounts may vary based on body type and weight. Cordyceps Mushroom Extract 25% Cordycepic Acid PRICE: $14.95 for each 60 capsule bottle (1/2 gram per vegi-capsule)