In this article, we will be discussing a specific type of mushroom. This type of mushroom is called Turkey Tail Mushroom.
Unlike other mushrooms, this type has been said to have medicinal uses. Having said that, it is used as a food supplement. But, what are the Turkey Tail Mushroom’s Benefits? Are there any side effects? What are the precautionary measures need to be taken?
For you to know more about Turkey Tail Mushroom benefits and other related details, keep reading this article.
Table of Contents
What Is Turkey Tail Mushroom?
Like other mushrooms, such as the ones edible by humans, Turkey Tail also belongs to the fungi family. They are multicolored and often grow on the trunks of trees. They can also be found in fallen trees within wooded areas.
Turkey Tail Mushrooms are common in many parts of the world, including the US. If you see a mushroom with varying colors with a disc-like shaped figure, it is the one we are referring to. They are called Turkey Tail Mushrooms because they look like a turkey’s tail.
Scientifically, Turkey Tail Mushrooms are also called Trametes Versicolor or Coriolus Versicolor. For a long period, this has been a part of traditional Chinese medicine for treating respiratory conditions. [1][2]
Today, research about Turkey Tail Mushrooms is still ongoing and revolving. Results showed that they come with Turkey Tail Mushroom’s Benefits, which will be discussed in the next section of this article.
Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom
Aside from being a part of traditional Chinese medicine, Turkey Tail Mushrooms are now used as a food or health supplement. The main reason, of course, is their comprehensive list of Turkey Tail Mushroom’s Benefits. Here are some of them.
Turkey Tail Mushroom For Cancer
When it comes to Turkey Tail Mushroom for Cancer, like Lumbrokinase, researchers found out that Turkey Tail Mushrooms help fight against cancer. They found out that it contains biologically active compounds that act as antitumors. Therefore, it has great potential to help the body to have a stronger immune response. [3][4]
Two cancers that had been comprehensively studied along with Turkey Tail Mushrooms are Breast Cancer and Colon Cancer. However, some preliminary studies found that they are also effective in other intestinal and gastric cancers. [5]
Despite its efficacy, researchers and experts suggest that this should not be a single replacement for cancer treatment. Instead, it is more effective when combined with chemotherapy. [6][7]
Turkey Tail Mushroom For Immune System
Another reason why Turkey Tail Mushrooms help fight cancer is its ability to strengthen one’s immune system. However, when looking at their effects on overall health, we can redirect our attention to their work with gut health.
According to research, a healthy gut also promotes a healthy body. For the gut to become healthy, it should contain healthy bacteria. The good news is Turkey Tail Mushrooms can do that. More specifically, one research found out that one of its compounds has prebiotic abilities.
In case you do not know what prebiotics are, they are fiber that helps the growth of healthy bacteria. As a result, they can balance the bacteria found in the gut. [8][9]
Turkey Tail Mushroom For Obesity
Turkey Tail Mushrooms were potentially effective in people trying to beat down obesity. However, the evidence for such is not highly sufficient yet.
In an animal study, researchers found out that mice that were fed up with high-fat foods and administered with Turkey Tail Mushrooms experienced a certain level of prevention from weight gain. The same compound was also suspected to be a contributing factor to a healthy gut.
However, studies with humans as participants have to be done in the future to confirm such findings. [10]
What Is Turkey Tail Mushroom Used For?
If we look at several pieces of research like the ones mentioned earlier, Turkey Tail Mushrooms are useful in various health aspects. These include but are not limited to:
- Cancer treatment
- Immune system support
- Gut health promotion
- Overall physical well-being wellness
For cancer treatment, Turkey Tail Mushrooms are considerably possible to be combined with chemotherapy and other advanced cancer treatments available. Cancer that Turkey Tails can be beneficial to humans includes:
- Breast cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Gastric cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Other intestinal cancers
Note that research about Turkey Tails as a treatment for cancer is still ongoing. Therefore, possibilities that they can also be effective in other cancers, such as in the lungs and liver, may also be discovered.
Side Effects Of Turkey Tail Mushroom
Like other medicines, Turkey Tail Mushrooms have side effects too. However, they are not fatal. Additionally, such side effects should not be experienced when taken in the right dose.
Nevertheless, side effects of Turkey Tail Mushroom may include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Bloating
What Is The Right Turkey Tail Mushroom Dosage For You?
Currently, there is no clear general dose for Turkey Tail Mushrooms. Some say that 2-3 grams per day is the most common dose for Turkey Tail supplements in the market. However, scientific journals haven’t released an official dose for the general public.
If you want to take precautionary measures before taking Turkey Tail Mushrooms, you may consult your medical health Provider. This is recommended for breastfeeding, pregnant women, taking other medicines, or undergoing treatment.
Teens and children are also not recommended to take such because the effects on these individuals are unknown.
Bottomline
Turkey Tail Mushroom is a type of mushroom, a fungus too, with health benefits. Research and findings regarding such are promising. As such, Researchers proved that they contain compounds useful for the body.
They found that Turkey Tail Mushrooms can greatly support cancer treatment, strengthen the immune system, and many more. However, like other food and health supplements, consulting a medical health professional is still recommended.
FAQs
Like other supplements, research is still ongoing, and this may also have an unpleasant interaction with other medications even if it is used along with other cancer treatments.
Also, you may encounter side effects of Turkey Tail Mushroom if you take it incorrectly.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Guggenheim, A. G., Wright, K. M., & Zwickey, H. L. (2014). Immune Modulation From Five Major Mushrooms: Application to Integrative Oncology. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, 13(1), 32–44. https://doi.org/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684115/
- Jayachandran, M., Xiao, J., & Xu, B. (2017). A critical review on health promoting benefits of edible mushrooms through gut microbiota. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(9), 1934. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18091934
- Li, X., Chen, P., Zhang, P., Chang, Y., Cui, M., & Duan, J. (2019). Protein‐bound β‐glucan from Coriolus versicolor has potential for use against obesity. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 63(7), 1801231. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201801231
- Ma, Y., Wu, X., Yu, J., Zhu, J., Pen, X., & Meng, X. (2017). Can polysaccharide K improve therapeutic efficacy and safety in gastrointestinal cancer? A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Oncotarget, 8(51), 89108–89118. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.19059
- PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. (2023, June 8). Medicinal mushrooms (PDQ®) – PDQ cancer information summaries – NCBI … National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424937/
- PDQ® Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. (2023, January 13). Mushrooms (PDQ®). National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/mushrooms-pdq
- Rinninella, E., Raoul, P., Cintoni, M., Franceschi, F., Miggiano, G., Gasbarrini, A., & Mele, M. (2019). What is the healthy gut microbiota composition? A changing ecosystem across age, environment, diet, and diseases. Microorganisms, 7(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms7010014
- Roca-Lema, D., Martinez-Iglesias, O., Portela, C. F., Rodríguez-Blanco, A., Valladares-Ayerbes, M., Díaz-Díaz, A., Casas-Pais, A., Prego, C., & Figueroa, A. (2019). in vitro anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effect of polysaccharide-rich extracts from trametes versicolor and Grifola frondosa in colon cancer cells. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 16(2), 231–240. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.28811
- Standish, L. J., Dowd, F., Sweet, E., Dale, L., Weaver, M., Osborne, B., & Andersen, M. R. (2016). Breast cancer integrative oncology care and its costs. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 16(1), 85–95. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735416649034
- Torkelson, C. J., Sweet, E., Martzen, M. R., Sasagawa, M., Wenner, C. A., Gay, J., Putiri, A., & Standish, L. J. (2012). Phase 1 clinical trial of trametes versicolor in women with breast cancer. ISRN Oncology, 2012, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/251632
