Sarah Brown
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to treat infections and lung conditions. They are also used as an adjunct to standard cancer treatments in Japan and China, where they are believed to have anti-tumor properties and improve immune function. However, the FDA has not approved the use of turkey tail mushrooms as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition in the United States. While some studies suggest that turkey tail mushrooms may improve the response to chemotherapy, others indicate that they may interfere with certain medications, such as tamoxifen, and cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Interference with chemo | Turkey tail mushroom is likely safe for most people and is well-tolerated by most healthy adults. However, some people receiving chemotherapy and a substance extracted from turkey tail mushroom called polysaccharide krestin (PSK) have reported nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. It is unclear if these side effects are due to chemotherapy or PSK. |
| Effect on cancer treatment | Turkey tail mushroom contains polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties. Studies have shown that turkey tail mushroom can improve the response to chemotherapy in some people with certain types of cancer. It has been used as a supportive therapy in cancer treatment in Japan for decades. |
| Safety | Turkey tail mushroom is generally safe for oral consumption, but there is limited information on its effects when used in the vagina or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It might cause side effects like itching and irritation when used in the vagina. |
| Drug interactions | Turkey tail mushroom may interfere with the breakdown of certain medications, such as tamoxifen, by changing how quickly the liver metabolizes them. This could alter the effects and side effects of these medications. |
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What You'll Learn
- Turkey tail mushrooms are used as an adjunct to chemotherapy in Japan and China
- Turkey tail mushrooms may improve the response to chemotherapy in some cancer patients
- Turkey tail mushrooms may cause nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts and liver problems
- Turkey tail mushrooms may change how the liver breaks down medications like tamoxifen
- Turkey tail mushrooms have been used to treat infections and diseases for hundreds of years
Turkey tail mushrooms are used as an adjunct to chemotherapy in Japan and China
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, have been used for hundreds of years in traditional Chinese medicine to treat infections and lung conditions. In Japan, it is known as kawaratake or "roof tile fungus". In traditional Chinese medicine, it is known as Yun Zhi.
In Japan and China, certain mushrooms are routinely used to complement cancer treatments. Turkey tail mushrooms have been approved as an adjunct to standard cancer treatments in these countries for more than 30 years. Polysaccharide-K (PSK), a mushroom extract also known as krestin, is an approved mushroom product used for cancer treatment in Japan. PSK is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms and has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment since the mid-1970s. It can be taken as a tea or in capsule form. The safety record for PSK is well established in Japan, with few adverse events reported.
Studies have shown that the addition of turkey tail mushrooms to anticancer chemotherapy increased survival rates, enhanced cancer cell apoptosis, and promoted anti-tumour effects within cancer patients. Turkey tail mushrooms have been shown to stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumour properties. A clinical trial conducted in 2012 found that breast cancer patients who took capsules of powdered turkey tail mushrooms recovered immune function after radiation therapy more quickly than those who didn’t take the capsules. Another study found that the mushrooms appeared to boost the efficacy of chemotherapy.
However, it is important to note that there have been some reports of adverse reactions to turkey tail mushrooms when used in conjunction with chemotherapy. Some people who are receiving chemotherapy and a substance extracted from turkey tail mushroom called polysaccharide krestin (PSK) have reported nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. It is unclear whether these side effects are due to the chemotherapy or PSK.
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Turkey tail mushrooms may improve the response to chemotherapy in some cancer patients
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor) is a type of mushroom that grows on dead logs worldwide. Its colourful, fan-like shape resembles the tail feathers of a turkey. Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years to treat pulmonary diseases and infections. In Japan, it is known as Kawaratake (roof tile fungus).
Medicinal mushrooms have been approved as an adjunct to standard cancer treatments in Japan and China for more than 30 years. Polysaccharide-K (PSK) or krestin, an extract from the turkey tail mushroom, is an approved mushroom product used for cancer treatment in Japan. PSK has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment in thousands of patients since the mid-1970s and has a well-established safety record in the country.
PSK is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms. It is reported to enhance natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell activities by upregulating interleukin-2 or interferon-gamma. PSK can be taken as a tea or in capsule form. Laboratory and animal studies have tested the effects of PSK on the immune system, including immune cells called natural killer cells and T-cells.
Some studies suggest that taking PSK by mouth may improve the response to chemotherapy by a small amount in some people with certain types of cancer. A clinical trial conducted in 2012 found that breast cancer patients who took capsules of powdered turkey tail mushrooms recovered immune function after radiation therapy more quickly than those who didn’t take the capsules. Another study into breast cancer patients found that the mushrooms appeared to boost the efficacy of chemotherapy. However, it is important to note that the FDA has not approved the use of turkey tail or PSK as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition in the United States.
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Turkey tail mushrooms may cause nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts and liver problems
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to treat infections and lung conditions. In Japan, it is known as kawaratake, or roof tile fungus.
In recent years, turkey tail mushrooms have been used as a complementary treatment for cancer, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Polysaccharide-K (PSK), an extract from turkey tail mushrooms, has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment in Japan since the 1970s. PSK is reported to enhance natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell activities, which can improve the immune system and have anti-tumor properties.
While turkey tail mushrooms are likely safe for most people, some people receiving chemotherapy and taking PSK have reported side effects, including nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. However, it is unclear whether these side effects are due to the chemotherapy or PSK. It is important to note that the FDA has not approved the use of turkey tail mushrooms or PSK as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using turkey tail mushrooms, as there is insufficient information on the safety of these mushrooms during these periods. Additionally, PSP, another chemical found in turkey tail mushrooms, may interfere with how quickly certain medications, such as cyclophosphamide, are metabolized by the liver, potentially altering their effects and side effects.
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Turkey tail mushrooms may change how the liver breaks down medications like tamoxifen
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to treat infections and lung conditions. In Japan, it is known as Kawaratake or roof tile fungus. They have also been used as an adjunct to standard cancer treatments in Japan and China for more than 30 years. Polysaccharide-K (PSK) is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms and has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment in thousands of patients since the mid-1970s. PSK has been shown to enhance natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell activities.
Some medications, like tamoxifen, are changed and broken down by the liver. PSP, a chemical found in turkey tail mushrooms, may change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could alter the effects and side effects of these medications. Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharide krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP). It is important to speak with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate type and dosage of turkey tail mushroom products for specific conditions.
The use of turkey tail mushrooms during chemotherapy has been associated with some side effects, including nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. However, it is unclear whether these side effects are caused by the chemotherapy itself or the interaction of chemotherapy with PSK. Turkey tail mushrooms have been shown to improve immune function, body weight, well-being, and tumor-related symptoms in cancer patients. They may also extend survival after a cancer diagnosis and decrease chemotherapy-induced side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting.
While turkey tail mushrooms have been shown to have potential benefits for cancer patients, it is important to note that the majority of studies on mushrooms and cancer have been conducted in Asia. Metabolic differences between populations in the United States and Asia may lead to varying responses to mushroom treatments. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a doctor before using turkey tail mushrooms during cancer treatment.
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Turkey tail mushrooms have been used to treat infections and diseases for hundreds of years
Turkey tail mushrooms, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor, are named for their colourful, concentric rings of brown and tan, which resemble the tail feathers of a turkey. They are a type of mushroom that grows on dead logs worldwide. Turkey tail mushrooms have been used for hundreds of years, mainly in Asian countries, for the treatment of infections and diseases. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is known as Yun Zhi and is used as a tonic and to treat lung conditions. In Japan, it is known as Kawaratake, or roof tile fungus.
In Japan and China, certain mushrooms, including turkey tail, have been used to complement cancer treatments for more than 30 years. Turkey tail contains polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which have been shown to stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumour properties. Polysaccharide K (PSK) or polysaccharide krestin, an extract found in turkey tail mushrooms, has been used as an adjunctive cancer treatment in Japan since the mid-1970s. PSK has been shown to enhance natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell activities, which can improve the immune system and survival rates of cancer patients.
However, it is important to note that the use of turkey tail mushrooms and PSK is not without potential side effects. Some people receiving chemotherapy who took PSK reported nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. It is unclear whether these side effects were due to chemotherapy, PSK, or a combination of both. Additionally, PSP, another chemical found in turkey tail mushrooms, may interfere with how quickly certain medications, such as tamoxifen, are broken down by the liver, potentially changing their effects and side effects.
While turkey tail mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional medicine and have shown potential benefits in modern research, it is always important to consult with a healthcare professional before using them, especially for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or undergoing medical treatment for cancer or other diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
Turkey tail mushroom is likely safe for most people when taken by mouth. However, some people who are receiving chemotherapy and taking a substance extracted from turkey tail mushroom called polysaccharide krestin (PSK) have reported nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. But it is unclear if these side effects were due to the chemotherapy or PSK.
Turkey tail mushroom may improve the response to chemotherapy by a small amount in some people with certain types of cancer. Modern research confirms that compounds found in turkey tail mushrooms have an effect on the immune system. More precisely, they act as nonspecific immune modulators. That means that something either stimulates or suppresses immune function in a general way. In turkey tail mushrooms, the effect is to bolster immune function.
Turkey tail mushroom has been shown to stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties. In one study, breast cancer patients who took capsules of powdered turkey tail mushrooms recovered immune function after radiation therapy more quickly than those who didn’t take the capsules. Another study into breast cancer patients found the mushrooms appeared to boost the efficacy of chemotherapy.
