Cordyceps is a trade name used for raw materials related to several species of mushrooms. Historical interest was associated with, among others, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, while Cordyceps militaris is also found in cultivation and trade. These are not two names for the same species, and the raw materials may have different origins.
Characteristics and context
Modern technology includes obtaining fruiting bodies, mycelium and extracts. The name "cordyceps" therefore does not give the full specification. It is worth checking the type, material used and what any standardization applies to. The image of the mushroom on the packaging does not confirm its identity with the former raw material collected in nature. The history of use is an interesting context, but the properties of the preparation require information about its actual composition.
Meaning and application
Old materials collected from nature and modern farmed materials do not have to have the same characteristics. Differences may include species, parts used and growing conditions. Fruiting body and mycelium are separate terms that should be treated as important elements of identification. The appearance of the packaging alone does not allow determining the origin of the raw material. A precise description is more useful than a general picture of an exotic mushroom.
In practice
There are names of compounds such as cordycepin in the trade, but the name of the raw material does not automatically indicate the given amount of this substance. The extract, its mass and possible standardization require separate reading. Do not compare powder and extract based solely on milligram counts, leaving aside differences in preparation. Tradition of use may explain interest in a material, but it does not accurately describe every contemporary preparation nor does it stand alone as confirmation of its properties.