Michael Davis
Turkey tail mushrooms, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor, are some of the most common and prolific mushrooms in North America. They are called turkey tails because they resemble the shape and rich brown colour of a turkey's tail. They are also known as cloud fungi in China and kawaratake, meaning mushroom by the river, in Japan. Turkey tail mushrooms grow on dead logs and decomposing wood and are important decomposers in forest environments. They have been used as medicine for centuries, with potential health benefits such as immune-boosting properties and support for cancer treatment. However, it is important to properly identify turkey tail mushrooms as there are many look-alikes, and consuming the wrong type of mushroom can be dangerous.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trametes versicolor/Coriolus versicolor |
| Common Names | Turkey Tail Mushroom, Yun Zhi, Kawaratake |
| Appearance | Fan-like shape with multicolored zones and whitish/whitish-yellow pores |
| Texture | Leathery |
| Cap | Semicircular to spoon-shaped, irregular, thin |
| Zones | Black-green, gray-blue, gray-brown, ochre-rust |
| Pores | Angular, whitish or whitish-yellow |
| Stalk | Absent |
| Spore Print | White |
| Spores | Cylindrical, smooth |
| Growth | Clusters of thin brackets on stumps and logs of deciduous trees |
| Medicinal Properties | Antioxidant, neuroprotection, hypolipidemic, immune-modulating, anticancer, wound healing, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antifibrotic, neurotrophic, anti-inflammatory |
| Bioactive Compounds | β-glucan polysaccharides, Polysaccharide K (PSK), Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP) |
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What You'll Learn
- Turkey tail mushrooms are a colourful fungus with a fan-like shape
- They grow in clusters on the stumps and logs of deciduous trees
- Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine
- They contain Polysaccharide Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP)
- Turkey tail mushrooms are available as a dietary supplement
Turkey tail mushrooms are a colourful fungus with a fan-like shape
Turkey tail mushrooms, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor, are a colourful fungus with a fan-like shape. They are commonly found on decaying wood, such as the stumps and logs of deciduous trees. This mushroom species plays a vital role in breaking down the tough materials that wood is made of, thereby returning valuable nutrients to the soil.
Turkey tail mushrooms have a distinct appearance, growing in clusters of leathery, thin brackets with multicoloured zones on the upper surface and whitish to whitish-yellow pores on the underside. The cap can vary in shape, ranging from semicircular to spoon-shaped, and displays bands of colours like black-green, grey-blue, grey-brown, and ochre-rust. The margin of the cap is always the lightest in colour.
The colourful fan-like shape of turkey tail mushrooms is not just aesthetically pleasing but also functionally significant. The unique structure and colour variations of the mushroom's cap facilitate its identification and classification. Moreover, the fan-like shape increases the surface area, providing an expanded platform for spore production and dispersal, which is essential for the mushroom's reproductive success.
Beyond their ecological role, turkey tail mushrooms have a long history of medicinal use, especially in traditional Chinese and Asian medicine. In China, it is known as 'Yun Zhi', while in Japan, it is called 'Kawaratake', meaning 'mushroom by the riverbank'. Traditional practitioners have used this fungus as a tonic and to manage certain types of infections.
Modern research has revealed that turkey tail mushrooms contain an abundance of physiologically beneficial compounds, particularly β-glucan polysaccharides. These compounds are responsible for a range of therapeutic effects, including antioxidant, neuroprotective, hypolipidemic, immune-modulating, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. The polysaccharides in turkey tail mushrooms, specifically Polysaccharide Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP), have shown promising results in cancer treatment and improving immune responses.
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They grow in clusters on the stumps and logs of deciduous trees
Turkey tail mushrooms, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor, are a colourful fungus with a fan-like shape. They are characterised by clusters of leathery, thin brackets with multicoloured zones on top and whitish to whitish-yellow pores underneath. They are commonly found growing on the stumps and logs of deciduous trees.
Turkey tail mushrooms are saprobic, meaning they break down the tough materials that wood is made of and return those nutrients to the soil. They are also one of the many species of fungi that live on decaying wood. If found on landscape trees, they may indicate internal decay, which could be dangerous for the tree.
The turkey tail mushroom is a type of macrofungi, commonly known as mushrooms. They are neither plants nor animals but belong to the kingdom of fungi, which includes yeasts, moulds, smuts, and rusts. They lack chlorophyll and must obtain nutrients from other materials.
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine, especially in Asian cultures. In China, they are traditionally known as 'Yun Zhi' and have been used for centuries in conventional and traditional Chinese medicine. In Japan, they are called 'Kawaratake', which translates to 'mushroom by the riverbank'. These cultures have long revered the turkey tail mushroom for its immune-boosting and health-maintaining properties.
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Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine
Turkey tail mushrooms, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor, are a colourful fungus with a fan-like shape. They grow in clusters of leathery, thin brackets with multicoloured zones on top and whitish-yellow pores underneath. They are commonly found on the stumps and logs of deciduous trees.
Recent studies have shown that turkey tail mushrooms contain an abundance of physiologically bioactive compounds, most notably β-glucan polysaccharides, which have various beneficial effects on the body. These compounds have been found to have antioxidant, neuroprotective, hypolipidemic, immune-modulating, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. They also show potential in wound healing, managing diabetes, and providing antimicrobial and antifibrotic benefits.
The polysaccharides found in turkey tail mushrooms include Polysaccharide Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP). PSK has been found to slow the growth of cancer cells and improve the body's immune response against them. It has been approved as a cancer treatment in Japan and is used as an adjuvant for cancer therapy. PSP also shows potential in supporting cancer treatment by modulating the immune system.
Overall, turkey tail mushrooms have a rich history in traditional Chinese medicine and are now gaining recognition in modern medicine for their potential health benefits, especially in cancer treatment and improving immune response.
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They contain Polysaccharide Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP)
Turkey tail mushrooms (Coriolus versicolor or Trametes versicolor) are so-called because of their resemblance to a turkey's tail, with clusters of leathery, thin brackets featuring multicoloured zones above and whitish or whitish-yellow pores below. They are neither plants nor animals but fungi, growing on decaying wood, such as stumps and logs of deciduous trees.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain Polysaccharide Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP), which are used as medicine. These compounds are types of polysaccharopeptides, which promote an immune response by activating and inhibiting specific types of immune cells and by suppressing inflammation. For example, PSP increases monocytes, types of white blood cells that fight infection and boost immunity, while PSK stimulates dendritic cells, which promote immunity to toxins and regulate the immune response. PSK also activates natural killer cells, a type of white blood cell that helps protect against pathogens and cancerous tumours.
Due to their ability to naturally strengthen the immune system, PSP and PSK are used as anticancer agents, particularly in Japan and China, in conjunction with treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Research has shown that turkey tail mushrooms have antitumor properties, thought to be related to their immune-boosting effects. For instance, test-tube studies have found that PSK inhibited the growth and spread of human colon cancer cells, while PSP may inhibit colon cancer cell growth and prevent cancer cells from invading healthy cells. A systematic review and meta-analysis also found that PSK from turkey tail mushrooms may improve survival rates in people with colorectal or intestinal cancer, especially when combined with chemotherapy. In Japan, PSK is an approved adjuvant cancer treatment, although it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.
PSP may also change how quickly the liver breaks down medications, potentially altering their effects and side effects.
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Turkey tail mushrooms are available as a dietary supplement
Turkey tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, are colourful, fan-shaped fungi that grow in clusters on decaying wood, such as the stumps and logs of deciduous trees. They have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, where they are known as 'Yun Zhi', and in Japan, where they are called 'Kawaratake', meaning 'mushroom by the riverbank'.
Dual extraction is a method used to harness the complete medicinal properties of Turkey Tail mushrooms. This technique combines water and alcohol processing to extract a broader range of bioactive compounds. Products made using dual extraction, such as powders or tinctures, often contain a richer profile of Turkey Tail's therapeutic compounds, enhancing their health benefits. This makes dual extraction a preferred method for creating potent Turkey Tail supplements.
Turkey tail mushroom supplements are often marketed for their potential to support immune health, gut health, and overall well-being. However, it is important to consult a doctor or healthcare professional before consuming Turkey Tail mushrooms, especially if you are being treated for a medical condition.
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Frequently asked questions
Turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) are small, colourful bracket fungi that fan out in tiered layers on dead wood, mainly hardwood, such as beech or oak. They are commonly found in the UK and get their name from their resemblance to the plumage of a wild turkey.
The mushrooms showcase bands of deep browns, blues, greens, oranges, and creamy whites. No two turkey tails are exactly alike.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK), which are used in some countries as adjunct therapies for cancer. They also act as a prebiotic, supporting digestive health and promoting healthy gut bacteria. Turkey tail mushrooms also have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective 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 dietary supplements. Anyone with a mushroom or mould allergy should avoid consuming them due to the risk of anaphylaxis.
