A while back I wrote about a type of mushroom called Cordyceps used in Chinese medicine which sells for $100.00 an ounce or even more. (Click here for that article) Here’s one reason this herb/fungus is such a prized possession. The very prestigious, University of Nottingham just published the findings from researchers there who have discovered how this mushrooms works within our bodies.
This incredible discovery on the active ingredient called cordycepin and it’s pathways, is the first step in learning how cordycepin can treat many diseases including cancer. Although this mushroom has been actively studied since the 1950’s, researches never figured out exactly how cordycepin worked on cells. Dr Cornelia de Moor of The University of Nottingham said “With this knowledge, it will be possible to predict what types of cancers might be sensitive and what other cancer drugs it may effectively combine with.”
Professor Janet Allen, BBSRC Director of Research said, “The knowledge generated by this research demonstrates the mechanisms of drug action and could have an impact on one of the most important challenges to health.”
Chinese medicine has held cordyceps in high regard for hundreds, even thousands of years. For more information on cordyceps click here. It’s always wonderful to learn how modern medicine is finding new information on ancient Chinese herbs.
This research was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and was carried out at The University of Nottingham.
Thanks for sharing that.