Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Caterpillar mushroom (Cordyceps sinensis) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for a variety of health conditions, including fatigue, respiratory disorders, and liver health. Its use for liver ailments, such as fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis), is primarily based on traditional practices rather than robust scientific validation. In TCM, Cordyceps is considered to support the liver by "nourishing Yin" and "replenishing the kidney and lung," which are believed to have indirect effects on liver health.

Some early preclinical studies (mainly in animal models) have suggested that Cordyceps extracts may exert hepatoprotective effects, such as reducing liver fat accumulation, improving liver enzyme profiles, and exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, these findings are preliminary and not consistently replicated in high-quality human clinical trials. The available human studies are small, of low quality, or combine Cordyceps with other herbs, making it difficult to attribute benefits specifically to caterpillar mushroom or to generalize the findings to fatty liver disease in humans.

In summary, while Cordyceps sinensis is traditionally used in China to support liver health and may show some promise in laboratory research, there is insufficient scientific evidence to recommend it as a specific treatment for fatty liver disease. Its use for this indication remains primarily rooted in traditional medicine rather than established scientific validation.

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