Cordyceps: which type, what is allowed in the EU, and what should you look out for?

Short answer: Cordyceps is a collective name for fungi that grow on insects and caterpillars in the wild. Cordyceps for supplements is almost always cultivated, without insects, and the species makes a legal difference: Cordyceps militaris is an unauthorized novel food in the EU and may not be sold in supplements. Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Samsoniella hepiali are not considered novel foods in food supplements.

Human research consists of a few small, short studies, such as those with 20 and 28 participants. So there is little that can be said with certainty about its effects or side effects.

Last updated: November 3, 2026 · Written by Florian Fermin

I think cordyceps is the hardest mushroom to explain. Many labels say only “cordyceps,” even though the species is what determines whether it can be sold in the EU.

In 2025, the NVWA found a prohibited species at 5 of the 17 companies it inspected. That’s why I’ll start with the species in this article.

What is cordyceps?

Cordyceps is a group of fungi with hundreds of described species. In the wild, they infect insects or caterpillars, after which a thin, club-shaped mushroom grows from the insect.

The best-known wild species is also called caterpillar fungus. Cordyceps in supplements is almost always cultivated, without insects.

Cordyceps has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Tibetan lifestyles. Mycelium is the threadlike fungal network from which a mushroom grows; the fruiting body is the visible mushroom itself. With cordyceps, the species and part used in a product matter for its composition and legal status.

Which cordyceps species are there, and which are allowed in the EU?

Three cordyceps species are found in supplements: Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Samsoniella hepiali and Cordyceps militaris. In the EU, O. sinensis and S. hepiali are not considered novel foods in food supplements. C. militaris, however, is an unauthorized novel food, so products containing it may not be sold as supplements in the Netherlands.

Why is Cordyceps militaris not permitted in the EU?

Cordyceps militaris is a novel food without European authorization, and without that authorization it cannot be used in food supplements. So the fact that you come across it online does not mean it is permitted.

From February to April 2025, the NVWA inspected 17 businesses and found products containing Cordyceps militaris at 5 of them. According to the NVWA, such products are banned in the EU (NVWA, 2025). In 2025, the European Commission confirmed that Samsoniella hepiali is not considered a novel food in food supplements (NutraIngredients, 2025).

A novel food is a food that was not consumed to a significant extent in the EU before May 15, 1997, and therefore first needs European authorization. Many labels simply say "cordyceps" or use the old name Cordyceps sinensis. So I would always check which species is actually in it.

What compounds are in cordyceps?

Cordyceps contains cordycepin, adenosine and other nucleosides, polysaccharides such as beta-glucans, and compounds such as sterols and amino acids. The content varies by species, cultivation method, and between fruiting bodies and mycelium (Jędrejko et al., 2021). Cordycepin is found mainly in C. militaris, which happens to be the species that is not permitted in supplements in the EU.

• Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine): the best-known compound in cordyceps, found mainly in C. militaris
• Adenosine and other nucleosides
• Polysaccharides, including beta-glucans
• Other compounds such as sterols and amino acids

Cordycepin is a nucleoside, a building block similar to those that make up DNA and RNA. In a comparative measurement, cultured fruiting bodies of C. militaris contained 12.3 mg of cordycepin per gram, while no cordycepin was found in the wild O. sinensis examined (Krishna & Alok, 2024). So that figure applies to that one measurement, not to every product.

Beta-glucans are chains of sugars found in the cell walls of fungi.

How does cordyceps work? What does human research say?

What cordyceps does in humans is still not well understood, as there are only a few small, short studies.

Most research on cordyceps has been conducted in the lab and on animals. There are a few small human studies, two of which are often cited: one with 20 healthy older adults who took a mycelium extract (Cs-4) for 12 weeks, and one with 28 young adults who received a mushroom blend containing C. militaris (Chen et al., 2010; Hirsch et al., 2017). They used specific extracts, so their findings don’t necessarily apply to other cordyceps products.

The findings varied and the results are still limited, and the second study used a species that is not permitted in supplements in the EU. No health claims for cordyceps have been approved in the EU. So we don’t make promises about its effects, and it remains a dietary supplement, not a medicine.

Reading online about the effects of cordycepin? This substance is found mainly in C. militaris, and this species is not permitted in supplements in the EU. What’s more, lab or animal results don’t necessarily tell us what a supplement does in humans.

Is cordyceps dangerous? Side effects and who should avoid it

It’s difficult to say definitively whether cordyceps is dangerous. The clearest risks lie in the product itself: an unauthorized species or contamination with heavy metals.

Little reliable information is available about cordyceps side effects, because human studies are small (the best-known had 20 and 28 participants) and short (about 5 to 14 weeks, LiverTox, 2026). Rare side effects or the effects of years of use simply don’t show up in studies like these. The biggest practical risk is a product containing the wrong or an unclear species, such as C. militaris.

That the species matters is clear from the NVWA inspection: 5 of the 17 businesses inspected had products containing the unauthorized C. militaris. An unauthorized novel food has not been assessed for safety in the EU. So choose a product whose species’ scientific name you know, from the label or the seller.

The second risk is contamination. In Taiwan, two people were reported to have excessive lead in their blood after using cordyceps powder containing up to 20,000 ppm lead (Wu et al., 1996). Arsenic is a known concern in wild Cordyceps sinensis: researchers measured 4.7 to 15.5 mg of arsenic per kilogram in 17 batches of wild material (Li et al., 2019). That’s why I don’t consider lab tests for heavy metals, with a certificate of analysis (CoA), a luxury.

First consult your doctor or pharmacist if you:

• take blood thinners
• take other medications
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• are allergic to mushrooms or fungi

If you notice any unpleasant effects after starting cordyceps, stop taking it and consult your doctor. Always follow the daily dose on the packaging.

Which form of cordyceps should you choose?

Cordyceps is available as a powder, capsules, and extract capsules. Powder and capsules contain ground cordyceps, while an extract is more concentrated. Whichever form you choose, the species listed on the label is actually more important than the form.

There’s no research identifying the best time to take it. Just follow the directions for use on the packaging.

How can you identify a cordyceps supplement that’s permitted in the EU?

A cordyceps supplement that’s permitted in the EU lists the scientific name of an allowed species on the label, such as Ophiocordyceps sinensis or Samsoniella hepiali, and contains no Cordyceps militaris. A good product also comes with a certificate of analysis showing the lab test results.

• The species is clearly listed on the label, with its scientific name
• No Cordyceps militaris if you’re buying in the EU, as it’s not permitted in supplements here
• A stated amount of polysaccharides or other compounds
• Lab tests for heavy metals and contaminants, with a certificate of analysis (CoA). Here’s how to read a mushroom supplement CoA
• Be cautious about “wild sinensis”: genuine wild O. sinensis is extremely rare and expensive

Does it just say “cordyceps” without naming the species? Then I’d first ask the seller which species it is, and otherwise leave it alone.

Read about the general criteria for any mushroom supplement in how to choose the best mushroom supplement.

How does cordyceps compare to reishi, chaga, and lion's mane?

Cordyceps is a fungus that grows on insects in the wild, while reishi, chaga, and lion's mane grow on wood or trees. Each contains different compounds, so they are not interchangeable. For cordyceps, the EU status of each species also plays a greater role than it does for the other three.

Also read our articles about reishi, chaga, and lion's mane.

Which cordyceps products does GOYU offer?

At GOYU, we offer cordyceps in three forms. You can simply add the Organic Cordyceps Powder (60 g) to your coffee, tea, or smoothie. The Organic Cordyceps Capsules 500 mg are handy if you prefer taking a set amount at a time, and the Cordyceps Extract Capsules 400 mg contain a concentrated extract: 20:1, 400 mg extract per capsule, of which 30% is polysaccharides.

The powder and capsules are organic, and contain no fillers. I wrote above that you should be able to find out which species it is, and the same goes for our products. Our cordyceps is cultivated Cordyceps sinensis, as stated on our product pages. If you’d like to see the certificate of analysis (CoA) for your batch, just request it via support@getgoyu.com.

For our cordyceps powder and capsules: Cordyceps is naturally high in protein** and Cordyceps is naturally high in fibre**

**Approved health claim (Regulation (EU) No. 432/2012) or nutrition claim (Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006).

Summary in 3 points

• Cordyceps militaris is an unauthorized novel food in the EU. Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Samsoniella hepiali are not considered novel foods in supplements.
• Human research consists of small, short studies (such as those with 20 and 28 participants, lasting 1 to 12 weeks) using specific extracts. No health claims have been approved.
• Little is known about side effects. Check the species on the label and consult your doctor before use if you take medication or are pregnant.

Frequently asked questions

Is cordyceps legal in the Netherlands?

It depends on the species. Cordyceps militaris is an unauthorized novel food in the EU. Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Samsoniella hepiali are not considered novel foods in food supplements.

What are the effects of cordyceps?

This is not yet well understood. In humans, there have only been a few small, short studies with specific extracts, and no health claims for cordyceps have been approved in the EU.

Does cordyceps have side effects?

This has not been sufficiently studied: the best-known studies in humans had 20 and 28 participants and lasted 1 to 12 weeks. Consult your doctor if you take blood thinners or other medications.

Is cordyceps dangerous?

It is difficult to say for sure, because studies in humans are small and short. The clearest risks are an unauthorized species such as C. militaris and contamination with substances such as lead or arsenic. Choose a product that lists the species and provides a certificate of analysis, and consult your doctor before use if you take medication.

Does cordyceps grow on insects?

In the wild, yes. Cordyceps in supplements is almost always cultivated, without insects.

What is cordycepin?

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is a nucleoside found mainly in C. militaris. It is one of the most studied substances from cordyceps.

What is Cs-4?

Cs-4 is a cultivated mycelium strain that was referred to as Cordyceps sinensis in research. According to genetic research, it belongs to Samsoniella hepiali (NutraIngredients, 2025).

Sources

1. NVWA. Inspection results for Cordyceps militaris 2025. nvwa.nl
2. NutraIngredients. Cordyceps 'boom' on the horizon as novel food status of S. hepiali clarified. August 29, 2025. nutraingredients.com
3. Jędrejko KJ, Lazur J, Muszyńska B. Cordyceps militaris: An Overview of Its Chemical Constituents in Relation to Biological Activity. Foods. 2021;10(11):2634. doi:10.3390/foods10112634
4. Krishna KV, Alok M. Comparison of cultivated Cordyceps militaris and wild Ophiocordyceps sinensis using high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Research Journal of Biotechnology. 2024;19(12):163-170. doi:10.25303/1912rjbt1630170
5. Chen S, Li Z, Krochmal R, Abrazado M, Kim W, Cooper CB. Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(5):585-590. Europe PMC 20804368
6. Hirsch KR, Smith-Ryan AE, Roelofs EJ, Trexler ET, Mock MG. Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation. J Diet Suppl. 2017;14(1):42-53. Europe PMC 27408987
7. Wu TN, Yang KC, Wang CM, Lai JS, Ko KN, Chang PY, Liou SH. Lead poisoning caused by contaminated Cordyceps, a Chinese herbal medicine: two case reports. Sci Total Environ. 1996;182(1-3):193-195. doi:10.1016/0048-9697(96)05054-1
8. Li Y, Liu Y, Han X, Jin H, Ma S. Arsenic Species in Cordyceps sinensis and Its Potential Health Risks. Front Pharmacol. 2019;10:1471. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.01471
9. Hoofnagle JH. Cordyceps. Updated July 23, 2026. In: LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. NCBI Bookshelf NBK615916

Find all forms of our cordyceps on the buy cordyceps page. Cordyceps is also included in our collection, which includes maca, moringa, and spirulina.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If in doubt, pregnant, or taking medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist.