Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects numerous parts of the body, including the joints, skin, vital organs and blood vessels. Although classed as a form of arthritis, it causes a variety of symptoms aside from inflamed and swollen joints, such as fever, fatigue and hair loss. Lupus is commonly treated with prescription anti-inflammatory treatments and drugs that suppress the immune system. An herb known as cordyceps might also help alleviate symptoms, although evidence to show it is effective is limited. Talk to your doctor before using it.
Potential Benefits
Cordyceps, also sometimes called semitake or dong chong xia cao, is a type of fungus that grows on larvae produced by a caterpillar known as Hepialus armoricanus Oberthuer. It is used as a complementary treatment for a number of ailments, including high cholesterol, bronchitis and hepatitis. An article published in 2001 in the "Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials" notes that it might also play a role in the treatment of lupus.
Research
Clinical studies evaluating the effects of cordyceps on lupus are lacking. However, findings from several animal studies show promise. For example, the results of a study of mice published in the December 2009 issue of "Clinical and Experimental Medicine" show that early treatment of lupus with cordyceps might help reduce disease severity. Human studies are needed to determine whether cordyceps is beneficial for patients with lupus.
Safety Considerations
Mississippi Baptist Health Systems notes that cordyceps does not usually cause side effects but adds that comprehensive safety studies are lacking. It might, however, heighten the effects of insulin and medicines that help lower high blood sugar levels. Don't use cordyceps if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have severe kidney or liver disease.
Other Potentially Helpful Herbs
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that other herbs might also help support lupus treatment. These include astragalus, which may work by suppressing an overactive immune system, and a Chinese herb known as Tripterygium wilfordii, which may help reduce inflammation. However, like cordyceps, do not use them in place of medical treatments, and get advice from your doctor before using them. Avoid herbs that stimulate the immune system, for example, ginkgo biloba.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Cordyceps
- "Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials"; Effect of Cordyceps Sinensis on Inhibiting Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in MRL 1pr/1pr Mice (Correction of Rats); T. Fu and J. Lin; September 2001
- "Clinical and Experimental Medicine"; Immunological Alterations in Lupus-Prone Autoimmune (NZB/NZW) F1 Mice by Mycelia Chinese Medicinal Fungus Cordyceps Sinensis-Induced Redistributions of Peripheral Mononuclear T lymphocytes; J.L. Chen, et al.; December 2009
- Mississippi Baptist Health Systems: Cordyceps
