Cordyceps Sinensis vs Militaris: The 3 Types of Cordyceps in Supplements
Short answer: Supplements sold as "cordyceps" (冬虫夏草) in Japan use three main types of raw material: (1) wild cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis), (2) cultured mycelium, and (3) the fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris (sanagitake). The species and the part used differ, so two "cordyceps" products can contain quite different things. Check the scientific name and the part used on the label. Kinkatsudo's Cordyceps Extract Capsules are type 3: a hot-water extract of Cordyceps militaris fruiting bodies grown indoors without insects.
The three types compared
| Wild cordyceps | Cultured mycelium | Cordyceps militaris fruiting body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific name on the label | Ophiocordyceps sinensis (formerly Cordyceps sinensis) | A strain name, or "mycelium" / "cultured" | Cordyceps militaris |
| How it grows | Collected in high-altitude regions such as the Tibetan Plateau, where it grows on moth larvae | Mycelium grown in tanks or on grain | Can be cultivated; the orange fruiting bodies are grown and harvested |
| Part used | The fruiting body together with the larva | Mycelium (sometimes with its substrate) | Fruiting body |
| Availability | Limited harvest and very expensive | Easy to produce at scale | Easy to produce at scale |
| What to check on the label | Scientific name, "wild" | "Mycelium", "cultured", and whether the substrate is included | "Fruiting body", "Cordyceps militaris" |
Because the same name can mean different things, compare products by scientific name, part used, whether it is extracted, and the daily amount.
If a label says 冬虫夏草, is it wild sinensis?
Not necessarily. 冬虫夏草 is also used as a general name for mushrooms that grow on insects, and in the broad sense 300 to 400 species have been identified (Fukuoka Pharmaceutical Association). Supplements use wild sinensis, cultured mycelium or Cordyceps militaris fruiting bodies.
Isn't Cordyceps militaris "fake" cordyceps?
In the narrow sense, 冬虫夏草 means sinensis, but Cordyceps militaris is also an insect-associated mushroom and falls within the broad meaning. What matters is that the label states the species and part used correctly.
Which type should I choose?
The species or type alone doesn't make one better than another. Start with products that state the scientific name and the part used, then compare extraction, daily amount and price. See fruiting body vs mycelium.
Kinkatsudo's Cordyceps Extract Capsules
- Raw material: 100% Cordyceps militaris fruiting body; no mycelium or grain
- Cultivation: grown indoors without insects in Gutian County, Fujian, China
- Production: hot-water extracted, concentrated and dried; 860mg of extract per 2 capsules
- 60 capsules (about 30 days), ¥3,880 tax included (about ¥129 a day); subscriptions 15% off
- Made in China in a GMP-certified facility; free shipping within Japan
See Cordyceps Extract Capsules | How to choose a cordyceps supplement
This page is general buying information and does not promise any particular effect. Supplements are not medicines. If you take medication or have a medical condition, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Last updated: October 4, 2026