TURKEY TAIL (Trametes versicolor)
Turkey tail is a woody bracket polypore fungus that grows on dead logs worldwide. The scientific name of turkey tail is Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd, although it has been known by other names, notably Coriolus versicolor (L. ex Fr.) Quel. It is known as Yun Zhi in traditional Chinese medicine and Kawaratake (roof tile fungus) in Japan. The name turkey tail refers to its concentric rings of brown and tan, which resemble the tail feathers of a turkey. There are many other species of Trametes, some of which are difficult to distinguish from turkey tail. Turkey Tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) can be found in the wild with bands of colours such as orange, blue, white, and tan. In Latin, Trametes means “one who is thin,” and versicolor means “variously coloured.” Growing up to 15cm wide, these beautiful mushrooms can be found on dead logs and stumps as well as living in trees, mostly showing up in mixed hardwood deciduous forests. They grow in wet, shady areas in temperate forests and are quite common across all three continents. They are thin and hard, and their texture can be described as tough and leathery. Since Turkey Tail mushrooms are easy to find, you may stumble upon them while strolling in the woods. Something important to note is that there are other species that look quite similar to this mushroom. So, use caution if you’re trying to forage for your own turkey tail mushrooms.
Trametes versicolor have a variety of important health benefits but their most well-known and well-researched health benefit is the way they can stimulate immune function. This fungus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years to treat pulmonary diseases. A purified hot water extract prepared from the cultivated fungal mycelium has been used in Japan for its immunomodulatory effects as an adjuvant treatment for cancer. Turkey tail mushrooms contain compounds called polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK). PSP and PSK appear to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Some evidence suggests that PSP may also have the ability to stimulate the immune system, especially when combined with other anticancer treatments.
Polysaccharide-K (PSK) or krestin, from the mushroom T. versicolor, is an approved mushroom product used for cancer treatment in Japan. In Japan, it is considered a panacea for a variety of cancers. Research has demonstrated that turkey tail mushrooms may also have anti-tumour properties, thought to be related to its immune-boosting effects. One test-tube study found that PSK, the polysaccharopeptide found in turkey tail mushrooms, inhibited the growth and spread of human colon cancer cells. What’s more, a certain type of polysaccharide found in turkey tail mushrooms called Coriolus versicolor glucan (CVG) may suppress certain tumours. Researchers attributed this development to enhanced immune response. The researchers looked at studies of five types of mushrooms, including turkey tail, as complementary cancer treatments. They concluded, “The evidence base for using mushrooms in cancer treatment has greatly increased.” Overall, the mycelium and fruiting body of the mushroom are considered to have immune stimulatory and anti-carcinogenic activities. Clinical research with PSK began around 1970 and has focused on its immunotherapeutic efficacy in stomach, colorectal, oesophageal, nasopharyngeal, lung, and breast cancers. In Japan, it has been approved as a pharmaceutical-grade medicine for cancer treatment and used for more than 30 years with consistent clinical efficacy. In Chinese medicine, C. versicolor is characterised as being slightly cold and enters the meridians of the liver, spleen, and lung. It is predominantly used to treat cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, leukaemia, and bronchitis. It has also been used for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, and antiatherosclerotic effects.
In a study looking at the gut microbiome, researchers found that turkey tail mushrooms benefit the gut microbiome by acting as a prebiotic and promoting diversity in the gut. PSK has also been shown to provide prebiotic support to gut health. The gut microbiome consists of microorganisms, which are mostly “good bugs” living in the gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms help us digest what we eat, as well as absorb and synthesise nutrients. Gut health supports many of our bodies’ important functions, such as metabolism, weight, and immune support, as well as healthy normal brain activity and mood. Adaptive immunity is what allows B cells, a specific type of white blood cell, to produce antibodies. Coriolus Versicolor mushrooms encourage the body to produce more of these highly specialised cells in a process called B-cell activation. These powerful cells help our bodies avoid overwhelming systemic infections.
Antioxidants minimise cell damage from free radicals, thus also minimising oxidative stress. This makes antioxidants important for overall health. And one thing that we love about turkey tail mushrooms is that they are rich in antioxidants. Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between antioxidants and unstable molecules known as free radicals. This can result in cellular damage and chronic inflammation. This imbalance has also been linked to an increased risk of developing health conditions, for example cancer and heart disease. Turkey tail contains a wide variety of phenol and flavonoid antioxidants which help promote your immune system health by reducing inflammation and stimulating the release of protective compounds.
While further research is needed to understand exactly how DNA is protected from oxidative damage, the preliminary results suggest that turkey tail extracts may help support genetic material. Besides supporting the immune system, turkey tail has long been believed to have antiviral and antimicrobial properties and may be beneficial when taken at the first signs of the common cold or flu, fever or when you may be travelling. In combination with other healthy choices, turkey tail mushroom can be a powerful and supportive tool in boosting your immune defences when you’re feeling "under the weather”. Turkey tail mushrooms may also be antiviral, where a research study found that 88% of people with oral HPV who were given turkey tail, experienced total clearance after two months of treatment. Only 5% of the control group experienced the same result.
Turkey tail has been used in China for centuries as a traditional agent to help treat a variety of health concerns and to provide support for a healthy liver. Because turkey tail mushrooms help protect the liver, many herbalists believe that taking a supplement containing turkey tail can be more effective for liver support than any pre-packaged cleanse or detox kit on the market. Turkey tail extract appears to cause few, if any, adverse effects. However, a person should always consult a healthcare practitioner before taking it and only purchase a purified version from a reputable source.