Korean ginseng and cordyceps: the Asian herbal duo for men’s energy

When it comes to Asian energy herbs, two names stand out: Korean ginseng and cordyceps. One is a root used by Korean royalty for over a thousand years; the other is a medicinal mushroom from the Tibetan plateau that was once worth more than gold.

Both have always been used to "boost energy", but what does modern science say? Here is a summary in plain language.

The 30-second summary

• Korean ginseng's key compounds are ginsenosides; its research highlights are male sexual performance and fatigue
• Cordyceps' key compound is cordycepin; its research highlights are exercise and oxygen use
• Because they work on different things, men’s formulas often pair them together

The two herbs at a glance

Korean ginseng

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a plant root used in Korean and Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. Panax comes from the Greek for "all-healing", which tells you how highly it was regarded.

When the fresh root is steamed and dried it becomes Korean red ginseng, the most studied form. Its key compounds are ginsenosides.

Put simply, ginseng is like a "backup battery" that helps the body handle fatigue and stress.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom originally found wild on the Tibetan plateau, rare and very expensive. Today it can be cultivated, especially Cordyceps militaris (golden cordyceps), giving consistent quality at an accessible price. Its standout compound is cordycepin.

Put simply, cordyceps is like "lungs and an engine that run more efficiently", because most research looks at oxygen use and endurance.

What do human studies say?

Korean ginseng and male sexual performance

A 2008 review by Jang and colleagues in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology pooled 7 randomized trials of red ginseng and found the ginseng groups tended to improve more than placebo. The authors called it "suggestive evidence" that needs larger, higher-quality studies.

A 2021 Cochrane review covering all types of ginseng found the effect versus placebo was real but small. In short: ginseng is a supporting player, not a treatment.

Korean ginseng and fatigue

A 2018 review by Arring and colleagues pooled 10 studies and found modest evidence that ginseng reduces fatigue, with a low risk of side effects. That is why ginseng is a staple of energy products.

Cordyceps and fitness after 50

A randomized, placebo-controlled study by Chen and colleagues (2010) gave adults aged 50–75 a cordyceps extract (Cs-4) for 12 weeks. Their metabolic threshold rose by about 10.5%, meaning their bodies could work harder before getting out of breath.

Cordyceps and high-intensity exercise

A 2017 study by Hirsch and colleagues in 28 young adults used a blend containing golden cordyceps. One week showed no clear effect, but after 3 weeks of continued use there was a trend towards better tolerance of high-intensity exercise.

To be straight with you: ginseng and cordyceps studies are still fairly small, and some studies in elite athletes found no effect. Think of them as good supporting helpers, not miracles.

Why are ginseng and cordyceps often paired?

Because they work on different things: ginseng focuses on fatigue and vitality, cordyceps on endurance and oxygen use. Combined with other ingredients men already know, such as:

• L-Arginine, the amino acid the body uses to make nitric oxide (read more: L-Arginine explained)
• Black ginger, the "Thai ginseng" (read more: Thai black ginger)
• Zinc, which contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood

you get a formula that covers several of men’s needs at once.

Nicky9 Men: Korean ginseng + cordyceps in one capsule

No need to buy one bottle of ginseng and another of cordyceps. Nicky9 Men (Nicky Pimpz 9) contains 50 mg of Korean ginseng extract and 50 mg of cordyceps extract in one capsule, plus 8 more ingredients for men.

Per capsule	Amount
L-Arginine	100 mg
Oyster extract	100 mg
African mango seed extract	75 mg
Korean ginseng extract	50 mg
Cordyceps extract	50 mg
Zinc bisglycinate	35 mg
Garlic extract	25 mg
Black ginger extract	25 mg
Black pepper extract	20 mg
Alpha-lipoic acid	20 mg

Why men choose Nicky9 Men

• ✅ Asia’s favourite men’s herbs together: Korean ginseng, cordyceps and black ginger in one formula
• ✅ Pocket-sized and discreet: 2 capsules in a small box that fits in a wallet
• ✅ Easy to use: 1 capsule about 15 minutes before activity
• ✅ Thai FDA registered: No. 74-2-05260-5-0012
• ✅ 10 ingredients in one capsule: better value than buying separate bottles

👉 See details and order Nicky9 Men

How to choose ginseng and cordyceps products

1. Check for a Thai FDA number. The label should carry a 13-digit food registration number.
2. Choose extracts. Most studies used extracts, which contain more active compounds than plain powder.
3. Watch for fakes. Wild cordyceps is extremely expensive, so be suspicious of unusually cheap "wild" products. Cultivated cordyceps from a reliable source is the better choice.
4. Follow the label. More is not better.

Cautions

• Trouble sleeping is the most common side effect of ginseng, so avoid taking it close to bedtime
• Blood thinners (such as warfarin): talk to a doctor, as both ginseng and cordyceps may affect them
• Diabetes medication: talk to a doctor, as cordyceps may lower blood sugar
• Blood pressure medication, nitrates or PDE5 inhibitors: check with a doctor before taking any men’s supplement
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, or a child: there is not enough safety data

FAQ

What is the difference between Korean ginseng and "Thai ginseng"?

"Thai ginseng" is a nickname for black ginger (krachai dam), a member of the ginger family. Korean ginseng is an entirely different plant. Their key compounds differ, which is why men’s formulas often use both.

What is the difference between golden cordyceps and Tibetan cordyceps?

Tibetan cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is harvested from the wild, rare and very expensive. Golden cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) can be cultivated, is rich in cordycepin, and is the type most supplements use today.

Can I take ginseng and cordyceps together?

Yes, and it is a very popular pairing because they work on different things, as in Nicky9 Men.

How long should I take them?

Most studies looked at 3–12 weeks of continued use. For a finished product, follow the label.

The bottom line

Korean ginseng and cordyceps are an Asian herbal duo that has stood by men for thousands of years, and human research now backs them up more and more. Ginseng shines for vitality and men’s performance; cordyceps for endurance. To get both plus 8 more ingredients for men, take a look at Nicky9 Men, and back it up with good sleep, exercise and a balanced diet.

References

1. Jang DJ, et al. Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2008;66(4):444–450.
2. Lee HW, et al. Ginseng for erectile dysfunction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021.
3. Arring NM, et al. Ginseng as a treatment for fatigue: a systematic review. J Altern Complement Med. 2018.
4. Chen S, et al. Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects. J Altern Complement Med. 2010.
5. Hirsch KR, et al. Cordyceps militaris improves tolerance to high-intensity exercise after acute and chronic supplementation. J Diet Suppl. 2017.
6. Herb-drug interactions. NCCIH · Cordyceps. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Dietary supplement — not intended to prevent or treat any disease. Eat a varied, balanced diet from all 5 food groups. This article is for education only and is not medical advice.