While its origins might make you cringe, cordyceps are nevertheless becoming a major player for athletes. Often referred to as "caterpillar fungus," cordyceps grow on the larvae of insects (sometimes caterpillars) and replace the host's tissue to sprout long, finger-like stems. Strange as that is, cordyceps have been part of Traditional Chinese Medicine—ancient practices from China that use herbal medicines and various mind-body techniques, such as acupuncture and tai chi—to treat illnesses ranging from fatigue to high cholesterol and more. ( 2 ) Today, as people in the West have become more informed about using food as medicine and the potential health benefits of addressing ailments with non-pharmaceutical sources, it's no wonder that consumption of cordyceps extracts is on the rise. Some of the primary health issues that cordyceps address include: Energy levels Endurance Inflammation Sexual function Kidney disease Immune system Heart health As