How to use cordyceps without wasting it

Cordyceps is a valuable material, and using it badly means paying for something you never really get. These are the basics our advisers go through with customers.

1. Water temperature, the most common mistake

Do not pour water at a rolling boil straight onto the mushroom. Prolonged high heat costs you the very compounds you paid for. Around 70–80°C is the sweet spot: hot enough to extract and soften the strands, not hot enough to cook them. In practice: boil the kettle, wait three to five minutes, then pour.

2. When to take it

• Ideally 30 minutes to an hour before a meal, when absorption is better.
• Morning and early afternoon suit most people.
• If you are sensitive to stimulation, avoid taking it right before bed.

3. Four common preparations

As a tea

One 1g sachet in 300–500 ml of water at 70–80°C, steeped for five to ten minutes. Refill once for a second infusion, then eat the strands — most of the value is still in them.

In soups and stews

Chicken, pigeon or pork rib stews are the classic pairing. Add the cordyceps in the last five to ten minutes, not at the beginning.

In porridge

Good for older family members and for people recovering after illness. Cook the porridge first, then stir the strands or powder in off the heat.

Powder and granules

Dissolve in 50–60 ml of warm water, stir and drink immediately — do not leave it standing.

4. Dosage

Follow the label of the specific product. For the NANGOLDCORD TS health supplement the label recommends 1–2 spoons (about 1.5–3g) per serving, one to five times a day. More is not better; consistency matters more than quantity.

5. Mistakes we see often

• Brewing with boiling water, or reboiling the infusion.
• Throwing away the strands after drinking the tea.
• Steeping it in alcohol and drinking it daily with no control over the dose.
• Stopping after a few days because nothing dramatic happened.
• Storing an opened box somewhere humid or next to the stove.

6. Who should be careful

• Not for children under six or pregnant women.
• Not for anyone sensitive to an ingredient of the product.
• Not for people about to undergo surgery or with open wounds.
• People with high blood pressure or heart conditions should ask their doctor first.

This is a health supplement, not a medicine, and is not a substitute for medical treatment. Read the usage instructions carefully before use. If you have an existing condition or take prescribed medication, consult your doctor first.