Emily Johnson
Turkey tail mushrooms, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor, are a type of fungus that grows on decaying wood. They are characterised by their vibrant, tiered layers of deep browns, blues, greens, oranges, and creamy whites, resembling the plumage of a wild turkey. Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and are now recognised for their potential medicinal properties, including immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. While research is ongoing, the mushroom's polysaccharide compounds, specifically polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK), are of particular interest for their potential therapeutic benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coriolus versicolor/Trametes versicolor |
| Appearance | Bands of deep browns, blues, greens, oranges, and creamy whites |
| Common Name | Turkey tail |
| Type | Bracket fungus |
| Habitat | Dead wood, mainly hardwood like beech or oak |
| Uses | Medicine, table decoration, hat decoration |
| Benefits | Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, immune-boosting, prebiotic, adaptogenic |
| Side Effects | Nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, liver problems, itching, irritation |
| Precautions | Not safe for people with mushroom or mold allergies, avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding |
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What You'll Learn
- Turkey tail mushrooms are used for their immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties
- They are commonly used alongside chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer
- They can be purchased as a powder or tea, or chopped and steeped at home
- They have antiviral properties and can help manage conditions like herpes, shingles and GERD
- They are colourful fungi, often used as table decorations and to decorate hats
Turkey tail mushrooms are used for their immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties
Turkey tail mushrooms, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor, are easily recognisable due to their vibrant, multicoloured appearance, resembling the plumage of a wild turkey. They are saprophytic fungi, which means they decompose dead wood, breaking down lignin and cellulose in fallen trees and turning them into organic material.
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, under the name "Yunzhi". They are also known to have antiviral properties, which can help manage conditions such as herpes, shingles, and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). They also show potential in suppressing HIV by inhibiting certain enzymes.
Turkey tail mushrooms can be purchased as a powder or tea, or they can be chopped and steeped at home, or used in cooking. However, it is important to ensure that any mushroom supplements are purchased from a reputable source and have been tested by a third party to prove their safety. Turkey tail mushrooms are likely safe for most healthy adults when taken by mouth, but they may cause side effects when used vaginally, such as itching and irritation. Additionally, anyone with a mushroom or mould allergy should avoid consuming them due to the risk of anaphylaxis.
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They are commonly used alongside chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer
Turkey tail mushrooms (Coriolus versicolor) are colourful, fan-like mushrooms that grow on tree stumps and decomposing wood. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and are known as Yunzhi in Chinese. They are also called Trametes versicolor and Stereum ostrea (false turkey tail).
Turkey tail mushrooms contain compounds known as polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK) or polysaccharide krestin. These compounds may have the ability to stimulate the immune system and slow cancer growth, especially when combined with other anticancer treatments. In Japan, PSK is an approved adjuvant cancer treatment, but it is not approved in the United States.
Some studies have found that turkey tail mushrooms may be beneficial when used alongside chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer. For example, a 2012 study found that breast cancer patients who took capsules of powdered turkey tail mushrooms recovered their immune function more quickly after radiation therapy than those who didn't take the capsules. Another study found that turkey tail mushrooms appeared to boost the efficacy of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. A phase 1 clinical trial involving nine participants with stage 1-3 breast cancer found that taking turkey tail extract after chemotherapy and radiation treatments contributed to increased levels of cancer-fighting cells in the immune system.
Additionally, a 2019 study found that turkey tail mushrooms may help reduce the side effects of oral chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Turkey tail mushrooms have also been found to enhance the effectiveness of a drug used to treat colorectal cancers, 5-fluorouracil. However, it is important to note that the studies on turkey tail mushrooms and cancer have been relatively small, and more research is needed to confirm their benefits.
While turkey tail mushrooms are generally considered safe, some people receiving chemotherapy who took PSK reported side effects such as nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. It is unclear if these side effects were due to the chemotherapy or PSK. Anyone with an underlying health condition or undergoing medical treatments should consult a doctor before trying turkey tail mushrooms or extracts.
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They can be purchased as a powder or tea, or chopped and steeped at home
Turkey tail mushrooms (Coriolus versicolor) are functional mushrooms, which means they have benefits beyond their nutritional value. They have been used in holistic health remedies in Asia for centuries and are now gaining popularity in the Western world. They are identified by their caps, which have an array of autumnal colours in rings, resembling a turkey's fanned tail.
Turkey tail mushrooms can be purchased as a powder or tea, or chopped and steeped at home. If you're using powder, simply add a scoop to hot water or milk and steep. You can also add a little extra flavour with a matcha latte, premixed blend, or fruit infusion. If you're using loose mushrooms, chop and steep them in hot water. This method takes longer, as the mushrooms need time to soften and release their beneficial compounds.
To prepare turkey tail mushroom powder at home, start with dried slices of the mushroom. Grind these into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. This powder can then be added to hot water or milk to make tea, or incorporated into other beverages or foods. When preparing turkey tail mushroom tea at home, always use dehydrated mushrooms or powder. Fresh mushrooms foraged from the wild may be contaminated with pollutants or bacteria, and some types of mushrooms are poisonous.
Turkey tail mushroom powder can also be purchased from reputable suppliers. When buying supplements, look for products that have been tested by a third party to prove their safety and purity. Avoid products that have undergone less rigorous processing, as these may be of lower quality.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain compounds such as polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK), which may have immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties. They are also a source of fibre and may promote healthy gut bacteria. However, it's important to consult a doctor before trying turkey tail mushrooms, especially if you have an underlying health condition or are taking other medications.
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They have antiviral properties and can help manage conditions like herpes, shingles and GERD
Turkey tail (Coriolus versicolor) is a mushroom that grows on stumps and decomposing tree wood. It contains polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK), which are used as medicine. Turkey tail mushrooms have been found to have antiviral properties and may help manage conditions caused by viruses such as herpes, shingles (caused by the varicella-zoster virus), and possibly GERD.
Laboratory studies have shown that turkey tail extract may have antiviral properties against the herpes simplex virus, which is responsible for causing herpes infections. The extract has been found to prevent the growth of both herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in test tubes and reduce the severity of herpes-related eye disease in mice. Additionally, the active compound in the mushroom, known as RC-183, has been found to block influenza A, chickenpox, and a respiratory virus.
While there is no specific mention of shingles in the sources, the turkey tail mushroom's effectiveness against the herpes simplex virus and chickenpox suggests that it may also have some impact on the varicella-zoster virus, which causes shingles. However, more research is needed to confirm this.
As for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), turkey tail mushrooms may help indirectly by promoting gut health and healthy gut bacteria. Turkey tail mushrooms contain fibre, which aids in maintaining healthy digestion. Additionally, a 2017 review found that turkey tail mushrooms can alter a person's microbiome and may help regulate the body's own microbiome. However, it is important to note that GERD can have various causes, and while turkey tail mushrooms may help with digestion and gut health, they may not directly address other underlying causes of GERD.
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They are colourful fungi, often used as table decorations and to decorate hats
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, are colourful fungi that fan out in tiered layers, showcasing bands of deep browns, blues, greens, oranges, creamy whites, yellow, grey, purple, and black. The outer margin is always pale, either cream or white, and the concentric rings of colour are very clear and velvety. The vibrant patterns mimic the plumage of a wild turkey, making them some of the most recognizable and photographed fungi in the woods. Their beauty lies in their variability, as no two turkey tails are exactly alike.
Turkey tail mushrooms are saprophytic fungi, meaning they decompose dead wood, specifically the lignin and cellulose in fallen trees, turning them into rich, organic material. They are part of nature's recycling team and can be found growing on stumps and branches of deciduous trees, such as beech or oak.
Beyond their ecological importance, turkey tail mushrooms have been used for their medicinal properties, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is known as Yun Zhi. They contain an abundance of physiologically bioactive compounds, including polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK), which have been shown to have immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer effects.
Historically, turkey tail mushrooms were also used as table decorations and to decorate hats, likely due to their vibrant and colourful appearance. While they may no longer be commonly used for this purpose, their ecological and medicinal importance continues to make them a fascinating and valuable part of our natural world.
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Frequently asked questions
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, are small, colourful fungi that fan out in tiered layers, showcasing bands of deep browns, blues, greens, oranges, and creamy whites. They are called turkey tails because their vibrant patterns mimic the plumage of a wild turkey.
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. They contain polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK), which are used in some countries as adjunct therapies for cancer. Turkey tail mushrooms may also have antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and prebiotic properties.
Turkey tail mushrooms are likely safe for most healthy adults when taken by mouth. However, there is limited research on their effectiveness and safety as a vaginal suppository. Anyone with a mushroom or mould allergy should avoid consuming turkey tail mushrooms. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an underlying health condition, consult a doctor before consuming turkey tail mushrooms or extracts.
