Cordyceps has been studied in people with COPD and asthma, and the 2025 COPD trial found significantly fewer flare-ups with one cordyceps capsule than with an active comparison capsule, while lung function did not differ between the two groups. The rest of the research is an older meta-analysis, a planned study, and animal and cell work, and we cover each one below with what it compared and what it found.
Sudden or severe trouble breathing is an emergency, so get emergency care right away.
Does cordyceps help your lungs?
The most detailed human data comes from a 2025 randomized trial in people with COPD, reported in the J Evid Based Med 2025 trial abstract. It randomized 240 people with mild-to-severe COPD, 1:1, to Yong Chong Cao capsule or Bailing capsule, with both added to conventional COPD medicine. The main result was significantly fewer acute exacerbations (flare-ups) with Yong Chong Cao. The abstract reports no significant between-group differences in lung function, mMRC, CAT or CCQ. The authors call Yong Chong Cao “a promising adjuvant therapy for patients with stable COPD.”
| Study | Preparation | Who was studied | Comparison | Result as reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 COPD trial (Li et al., J Evid Based Med) | Yong Chong Cao capsule; the ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT03745261) lists 1 g three times daily for both capsules | 240 people with mild-to-severe COPD, randomized 1:1; 208 completed, in the full analysis set | Bailing capsule, an active comparison rather than a placebo; 24 weeks of treatment plus 24 weeks of follow-up | Significantly fewer acute exacerbations than Bailing capsule; no significant between-group differences in lung function, mMRC, CAT or CCQ |
| 2026 study protocol (Lin et al., Front Pharmacol) | Cordyceps militaris capsules | Planned: 160 patients aged 40 to 85 with stable mild-to-moderate COPD | Planned placebo-controlled, double-blind design | Planned study; the primary outcome is change in post-bronchodilator FEV1. No results yet. |
| 2019 meta-analysis (Yu et al., Evid Based Complement Altern Med) | Cordyceps sinensis preparations and formulae, alone or with other herbs | 1,238 people with stable COPD at GOLD stages 2 to 3, across 15 trials | Randomized controlled trials published before 21 December 2016 | “Potential benefits” for lung function, exercise endurance, quality of life and symptoms; no serious adverse events reported |
| 2016 asthma trial (Wang et al., Evid Based Complement Altern Med) | Corbin capsule (Cordyceps sinensis), 3 months | 120 adults with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma | No capsule (no placebo); both groups used inhaled corticosteroids and as-needed beta-agonists | Higher quality-of-life (AQLQ) scores and better lung function in the capsule group, per the authors |
What did the 2019 meta-analysis find?
The 2019 meta-analysis in the table pooled 15 trials of Cordyceps sinensis products in people with COPD at GOLD stages 2 to 3. It reports “potential benefits” across lung function, exercise endurance, quality of life and symptoms. The authors’ own limit is this: “No included studies were placebo-controlled or of high methodological quality, which limits the conclusions.”
What about cordyceps and asthma?
A 2016 randomized trial in 120 adults with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma tested the Corbin capsule, a Cordyceps sinensis product, for 3 months. The comparison was no capsule, and both groups kept their inhaled corticosteroids and as-needed beta-agonists. The authors report higher quality-of-life scores and better lung function in the capsule group. Any change to asthma medicines is a decision for your doctor or pharmacist.
Which cordyceps studies used a placebo?
The 2026 C. militaris study is designed as placebo-controlled, but it is a planned protocol that aims to enroll 160 patients aged 40 to 85. The 2025 trial used Bailing capsule as its comparison instead, and the 2016 asthma trial’s control group received no capsule.
What do traditional users use cordyceps for in lung disease?
A review on the genus Cordyceps sensu lato says the fungus has been used in traditional Oriental medicine for lung disorders, including COPD. A paper on lung fibrosis describes Cordyceps sinensis in traditional Chinese medicine as a “tonic to soothe the lung” for fatigue and respiratory diseases (PMC7125542). In animal studies, rats with bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis had less collagen deposition after cordyceps, and rats with COPD had reduced markers of airway remodeling with C. sinensis in a 2018 study (Exp Ther Med 2018 rat study).
What does standard COPD treatment look like?
The NHLBI COPD treatment guidance says treatment depends on your symptoms and on whether COPD is mild or severe:
- Short-acting bronchodilators for mild COPD with occasional symptoms.
- Long-acting bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory medicines taken daily for moderate or severe COPD.
- A combination with an inhaled steroid for severe COPD or frequent flare-ups.
- Antibiotics may treat flare-ups caused by infection.
The NHLBI describes pulmonary rehabilitation as “a supervised program that includes exercise training, health education, and breathing techniques.” It also notes that inhaler technique matters. Your doctor or pharmacist is the person who sets your medicines and checks your inhaler use.
Which cordyceps species is in a product?
The two species studied most are C. sinensis and C. militaris, according to the genus review. Memorial Sloan Kettering’s cordyceps page lists dong chong xia cao as a common name for C. sinensis. Cleveland Clinic’s cordyceps guide notes that product labels tend to overuse and generalize the term “cordyceps” without specifying which species they’re using.
FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they are sold. FDA’s consumer guidance on supplements says the agency is not authorized to approve them for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. The NCCIH dietary supplement guide adds: “What’s on the label may not be what’s in the product.”
Who should avoid cordyceps?
Each source names different groups. Bring this list to your doctor or pharmacist:
- People taking blood thinners, or diagnosed with type 2 diabetes: Cleveland Clinic says you may want to avoid cordyceps completely, because it could make blood sugar dangerously low.
- People with autoimmune disorders such as fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis: Cleveland Clinic says over-use could lead to more flare-ups.
- Organ transplant recipients: Cleveland Clinic says cordyceps “could directly counter anti-rejection medication.”
- People with myelogenous type cancers: MSK says cordyceps “should not be used by those with myelogenous type cancers,” based on animal studies showing red blood cell progenitor proliferation.
- Pregnant people, nursing mothers and children: NCCIH notes that many dietary supplements haven’t been tested in these groups.
What not to mix with cordyceps?
MSK and Cleveland Clinic name the drug groups below. NCCIH advises telling providers “about all dietary supplements that you’re taking.”
| Medicine group | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Insulin or other blood-sugar-lowering medicines | MSK: laboratory studies suggest additive blood-sugar-lowering effects; clinical relevance has yet to be determined. |
| Blood thinners such as warfarin, and antiplatelet drugs | MSK: cordyceps may increase your risk of bleeding and may increase the effects of these drugs. |
| Anti-rejection medicines after an organ transplant | Cleveland Clinic: cordyceps “could directly counter anti-rejection medication.” |
Is it safe to take cordyceps every day?
The daily-use report in these sources is the bleeding case in the table below. Whether daily use fits you depends on your medicines and health history, which is a question for your doctor or pharmacist.
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| MSK, patient section | “No major side effects have been reported.” |
| MSK, clinician section | One case report of excessive bleeding after a tooth extraction, in a person using cordyceps daily as a tonic. |
| Cleveland Clinic | Possible stomach issues such as nausea, diarrhea or general GI upset. |
How long does it take for cordyceps to start working?
The timing in these studies is the length each one ran: 3 months in the asthma trial, and 24 weeks of treatment in the 2025 COPD trial, which the 2026 protocol also plans for. Those are study lengths, not a timeline for you. If you want to know whether your breathing is changing, track it using the checklist below and report it to your doctor.
Is there a better herb for the lungs?
The completed cordyceps studies here used another capsule or no capsule as the comparison; the placebo-controlled C. militaris study is planned and has no results yet. For a side-by-side look at a common alternative, read our cordyceps vs reishi comparison. Which herb fits you is a decision to make with your doctor or pharmacist, who knows your medicines.
Checklist: what to bring, track and ask
Start with our evaluating practices and setting goals guide, then use this list.
Bring
- Your COPD or asthma diagnosis, every medicine and inhaler you use, and any blood thinners or diabetes medicines.
- The product label, with the species name and amount per serving.
- The 2025 trial’s registry number, NCT03745261, if you want to read the trial record.
Track
- Breathing symptoms, flare-ups and daily activity, using these whole-person health goals.
Ask
- Does cordyceps fit my current medicines and conditions?
- Which species is in this product, and does it match the species used in the studies?
- Which symptoms mean I should get care right away?
- If I have seen cordyceps described as banned somewhere, what is the rule where I live?
By the Integrative Health Evidence Guide Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.