What is the Difference Between Cordyceps Militaris and Cordyceps Sinensis

The key difference between Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis is that Cordyceps militaris is a species of Cordyceps medicinal mushroom, which is common and very easy to grow, while Cordyceps sinensis is a species of Cordyceps medicinal mushroom that is much rarer and more difficult to grow.

Cordyceps is a type of medicinal mushroom that seems to have many health benefits. There are hundreds of species or variants under this one type of medicinal mushroom. Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis are two species that belong to the Cordyceps medicinal mushroom. Both of these species are available in the form of tinctures, supplements, and fruiting bodies. They also seem to have a higher degree of medicinal benefits with slight differences.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cordyceps Militaris  
3. What is Cordyceps Sinensis
4. Similarities – Cordyceps Militaris and Cordyceps Sinensis
5. Cordyceps Militaris vs Cordyceps Sinensis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Cordyceps Militaris vs Cordyceps Sinensis

What is Cordyceps Militaris?

Cordyceps militaris is a species of Cordyceps medicinal mushroom that is common and very easy to grow. Though this species contains less amount of adenosine when compared to C. sinensis, it contains cordycepin. Due to the presence of cordycepin, Cordyceps militaris will present stronger benefits than C. sinensis regarding antifungal, immunomodulatory, anti-aging, antiviral, hepato-protective, and hypo-sexuality properties. C. militaris also has benefits such as antioxidant property, anti-diabetic property, and reduction of respiratory illnesses and autoimmune conditions.

C. militaris has a great inhibitory effect on liposome peroxidation. Liposome peroxidation is a process that triggers cell degradation, alterations in cell signalling, damage to protein and DNA, and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, C. militaris has much more potent hypoglycaemic effects than C. sinensis. C. militaris is usually grown in laboratories using mycelial extracts planted on grains or wood. C. militaris is also far easier to produce and cheaper to purchase. The normal side effects of taking C. militaris include allergic reactions.

What is Cordyceps Sinensis?

Cordyceps sinensis is a species of Cordyceps medicinal mushroom that is much rarer and more difficult to grow. C. sinensis has a slightly different chemical composition when compared to C. militaris. C. sinensis contains more adenosine than C. militaris. But C. sinensis does not have cordycepin. This wild species of Cordyceps is only found in the Himalayan Mountains of the Tibetan Plateau region. Moreover, C. sinensis propagates through parasitic methods via ghost moth larvae. Due to all these reasons C. sinensis is costly and difficult to obtain.

C. sinensis normally has benefits such as antioxidant property, anti-diabetic property, reduction of respiratory illnesses, and autoimmune conditions. However, as C. sinensis does not contain cordycepin as C. militaris, it has lesser benefits with regard to antifungal, immunomodulatory, anti-aging, antiviral, hepato-protective, and hypo-sexuality. Furthermore, side effects of this species may include upset stomach, nausea, and dry mouth in some people.

What are the Similarities Between Cordyceps Militaris and Cordyceps Sinensis?

• Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis are two species belonging to the Cordyceps medicinal mushroom.
• Both species have an adenosine compound.
• They have benefits such as antioxidant property, anti-diabetic property, reduction of respiratory illnesses, and autoimmune conditions.
• They also sometimes cause minor side effects.

What is the Difference Between Cordyceps Militaris and Cordyceps Sinensis?

Cordyceps militaris is a species of medicinal mushroom that is common and very easy to grow, while Cordyceps sinensis is a species of medicinal mushroom that is much rarer and more difficult to grow. Thus, this is the key difference between Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis. Furthermore, C. militaris has both adenosine and cordycepin, while C. sinensis has only adenosine but no cordycepin.

The below infographic presents the differences between Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Cordyceps Militaris vs Cordyceps Sinensis

Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis are two species belonging to the Cordyceps medicinal mushroom. Both species have numerous medicinal properties. However, when compared to C. sinensis, C. militaris is much more common and very easy to grow. C. sinensis is much rarer and more difficult to grow. So, this is the key difference between Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis.

Reference:

1. Jędrejko, Karol Jerzy, et al. “Cordyceps Militaris: An Overview of Its Chemical Constituents in Relation to Biological Activity.” Foods (Basel, Switzerland), U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Oct. 2021.
2. Chen, Peter Xin, et al. “Properties of Cordyceps Sinensis: A Review.” Journal of Functional Foods, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2013.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Detail of Cordyceps militaris (GB= Scarlet Caterpillarclub, D= Orangegelbe Puppenkernkeule, F= Cordyceps militaire, NL= Rupsendoder) at Deelerwoud in the moss. A medicnal mushroom that develops at insects – panoramio” By Henk Monster (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia