Health Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom
Health Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom
Turkey tail mushroom (trametes versicolor) is a multicolored medicinal mushroom that grow on tree trunks in various parts of the world. Its shape resembles a turkey’s tail. Turkey tail has been used in Traditional Chinese medicines for many centuries to treat lung diseases. In Japan, turkey tail mushroom is used to strengthen the immune system when given the standard cancer treatment.
Turkey tail mushroom has anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-fibrotic, and neurotrophic properties.
Turkey tail mushroom has anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body and may help prevent the risk of chronic diseases.
Turkey tail mushroom contains a high concentration of two polysaccharides with immune boosting properties called PSK (polysaccharides-K) and PSP (polysaccharides peptides). PSP and PSK help stimulate and balance the immune system to help the body fight infections, cancer, and other diseases. In Japan, PSK is approved mushroom product to treat cancer. PSK is used as adjuvant therapy for patients with gastric, breast, colorectal and lung cancer.
In a 2007 study, 8,009 patients with gastric cancer had surgery to remove their gastric cancers. After their surgery, patients where given chemotherapy with or without PSK. Results suggested that receiving chemotherapy with PSK helped patients live longer after surgery.
Other studies show that turkey tail extract not only inhibit the growth of cancer cells but also improve immune function in people with certain cancers, which may reduce the risk of infection.
Turkey tail mushroom may help promote gut health. Turkey tail mushroom contains prebiotics that help nourish beneficial bacteria.
Turkey tail mushroom may also help treat HPV(human papillomavirus) . A study of 91 women with HPV (human papillomavirus) found that 84.9% of those treated with a turkey tail based vaginal gel had a normal pap smear and colonoscopy 6 months after treatment compared to 64.5% of those who did not use the gel. In addition, 59.6% of women treated were completely cleared of the virus compared to 41.9% of those who weren’t.
Turkey tail mushroom may also enhance athletic performance. Turkey tail mushroom may also improve bone health, brain health, support healthy aging.
Turkey tail mushroom may have some side effects including, bloating, dark stools, darkening of fingernails, gas and heartburn. If you are allergic to mushrooms or mold then please do not consume.
Turkey tail mushroom may interact with certain medications.
As always consult with your physician.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424937/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trametes_versicolor
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/turkey-tail-mushroom
https://www.verywellhealth.com/turkey-tail-mushroom-6890534
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-648/turkey-tail-mushroom
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/turkey-tail-mushroom
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10183216/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214799324000699