Emily Johnson
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years. They are also known as Coriolus versicolor and are one of the most well-researched medicinal mushrooms. They are generally considered safe and may even have cancer-fighting properties. Modern research confirms that compounds found in turkey tail mushrooms have an effect on the immune system, acting as nonspecific immune modulators. They contain polysaccharopeptides, including krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP), which may help boost the body's immune system. PSK is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms and is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer in Japan. Studies show that using turkey tail mushrooms may help with immune cell damage caused by chemotherapy and improve survival.
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What You'll Learn
- Turkey tail mushrooms are considered safe and may have cancer-fighting properties
- They contain polysaccharides, which stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumour properties
- Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years
- Turkey tail mushroom extracts are used alongside conventional cancer treatments to improve survival rates and reduce recurrence risk
- Turkey tail mushrooms have been shown to reduce side effects of chemotherapy
Turkey tail mushrooms are considered safe and may have cancer-fighting properties
Turkey tail mushrooms are generally considered safe and may have cancer-fighting properties. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years, and in Japan, a formulation called PSK or Krestin™ has been studied and used extensively for its effects on immune function.
PSK (Polysaccharide K) is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms. It is thought that certain chemical compounds, such as polysaccharides (including beta-glucans) in turkey tail mushrooms, strengthen the immune system to fight cancer. Turkey tail mushrooms also contain polysaccharopeptides, including krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP), which may help boost the body's immune system.
Research suggests that these colourful mushrooms may have important anticancer properties. For example, 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. In addition, a 2019 study found that a fermented substrate of the turkey tail mushroom seemed to have unique beneficial components compared to other parts of the mushroom.
While turkey tail mushrooms are generally considered safe, they can occasionally cause side effects such as digestive upset, including diarrhoea, gas, or bloating. People with mushroom or mould allergies should avoid them. It is important to consult with an oncologist before consuming turkey tail mushrooms as a cancer treatment.
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They contain polysaccharides, which stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumour properties
Turkey tail mushrooms are considered safe and may even have cancer-fighting properties. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years, and modern research confirms that compounds found in these mushrooms have an effect on the immune system.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which have been shown to stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties. Polysaccharide K (PSK) is the best-known active compound in these mushrooms. PSK is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer in Japan, where it has been used as a supportive therapy for decades. It can be taken as a tea or in capsule form.
PSK has been shown to improve survival outcomes for certain cancer patients. For example, in a 2012 clinical trial, 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. PSK has also been shown to improve survival outcomes for gastric cancer patients by modulating immune systems, preventing lymph node metastasis, and improving survival outcomes.
While turkey tail mushrooms are generally considered safe, people with mushroom or mold allergies should avoid them. It's also important to consult with a doctor before using them as a cancer treatment, as they can have side effects, and they should only be used as a supplement to conventional cancer treatments.
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Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. They are named for their colourful, fan-like shape, resembling a turkey's outspread tail. They grow on trees and fallen logs and are often brewed as a tea.
In traditional Chinese medicine, turkey tail mushrooms are used as a tonic and to treat lung conditions. They are also used to treat infections and lung disease. In Japan, a preparation made from the mushroom, known as krestin or PSK, has been used as a supportive therapy in cancer treatment for decades. PSK is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms and is approved for use in Japan. It is often taken as a tea or in capsule form.
Modern research has confirmed that compounds found in turkey tail mushrooms have an effect on the immune system. They act as nonspecific immune modulators, stimulating or suppressing immune function in a general way. A 2012 clinical trial 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. Turkey tail mushrooms are also thought to have anti-tumour properties, with one study finding that they improved antitumor immune ability in gastric cancer patients.
While turkey tail mushrooms are generally considered safe, they should not be used as a replacement for anticancer drugs. They should only be used by people with cancer under the recommendation and supervision of their oncologist.
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Turkey tail mushroom extracts are used alongside conventional cancer treatments to improve survival rates and reduce recurrence risk
Turkey tail mushrooms are generally considered safe and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years. They are thought to contain many different kinds of antioxidants, including 35 different phenolic compounds, according to a 2017 study. They also contain polysaccharopeptides, including krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP), which may help boost the body's immune system. PSK is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms.
Turkey tail mushroom extracts and their constituents, such as PSK and PSP, are used alongside conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy to improve survival rates and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. PSK can be taken as a tea or in capsule form. Turkey tail mushrooms have been shown to stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties. They can help prevent lymph node metastasis, improve survival outcomes, and decrease chemotherapy-induced side effects like diarrhea and vomiting.
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 a fermented substrate of the turkey tail mushroom had unique beneficial components compared to other parts of the mushroom. However, it's important to note that the FDA has not approved the use of turkey tail mushrooms or PSK as a treatment for cancer, and they should only be used under the recommendation of an oncologist.
While turkey tail mushrooms are generally safe, they can occasionally cause side effects such as digestive upset, including diarrhea, gas, and bloating. People with mushroom or mold allergies should avoid them. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any mushroom supplements, as they are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that conventional medicines are.
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Turkey tail mushrooms have been shown to reduce side effects of chemotherapy
Turkey tail mushrooms are considered safe and may even have cancer-fighting properties. They are one of the most well-researched medicinal mushrooms. Turkey tail mushrooms have been shown to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which have been shown to stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties. Polysaccharide K (PSK) is the best-known active compound in turkey tail mushrooms. PSK can be taken as a tea or in capsule form. In Japan, PSK is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer. Turkey tail mushroom extracts and their constituent PSK are used with conventional cancer treatment to improve survival and reduce the risk of recurrence.
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. Polysaccharides in turkey tail mushrooms may strengthen the immune system and potentially improve immune response in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Studies show that they may help immune cell damage caused by chemotherapy and improve survival.
However, 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. While they are generally considered safe, turkey tail mushrooms can occasionally cause side effects such as digestive upset, including diarrhea, gas, or bloating. It is also important to consult a doctor before taking turkey tail mushrooms, especially for people with mushroom or mold allergies.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no evidence that any mushroom products can prevent cancer. However, they are being studied to find out how they affect the immune system and if they stop or slow the growth of tumors or kill tumor cells.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which have been shown to stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties. They also contain polysaccharopeptides, including krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP), which may help boost your body’s immune system.
Turkey tail mushrooms are generally available without a prescription in capsule, liquid tincture, and powdered form. They have also been brewed as a tea in traditional Asian medicine.
