Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is a highly distinctive polypore mushroom. This moniker comes from its fan-shaped fruiting body emblazoned with concentric rings of color that resemble the tail feathers of a male turkey looking for female suitors.

Though their appearance may be impressive, gourmet chefs don’t typically view turkey tail mushrooms as edible; their tough leathery skin lacks any gills or pores necessary for them to take in oxygen and nutrients from air. Instead, turkey tail mushrooms are most often consumed as powder form–easily mixed into food or beverages like tea for enjoyment of this unique fungus.

As its name suggests, turkey tail mushrooms can be found across both North America and Europe. This species typically prefers forest habitats like oak and beech trees as well as urban settings like parks and suburban homes; though younger specimens can often be seen year-round.

Turkey Tail mushrooms have long been touted for their ability to aid liver function, reduce stress and anxiety levels, enhance memory retention, reduce inflammation levels and thus lowering high blood pressure. Turkey tail mushroom extract has also proven helpful against several viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus responsible for genital warts that lead to cervical cancer – one study showed that using turkey tail mushroom extract in combination with another mushroom’s extract cleared HPV more rapidly from cells than placebo treatments alone.

Turkey tail mushrooms may help strengthen the immune system by counteracting chemotherapy’s immunosuppressive properties, as evidenced by studies which demonstrate their extracts countering such effects for treatments for breast and lung cancers, or with studies finding their psilocybin-containing compound improving patient outcomes and survival rates in gastric cancer cases.

If you want to bring the benefits of turkey tail mushrooms into your daily routine, try making your own turkey tail tea at home using this simple recipe. Add a pinch of dried thyme and bay leaf to water in a pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, before turning down to simmer for 15 minutes. Submerge your tea for 30 to 45 minutes to allow the mushrooms to release their powerful compounds, then strain and enjoy. For a different experience, switch out thyme and bay leaves for cinnamon sticks or lemongrass pieces; drizzle honey for additional sweetness if desired. This beverage can be enjoyed during meditation or yoga practice, midday snacks or as an evening treat! Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.