Like other medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, cordyceps and chaga, turkey tail mushroom is available both fresh from nature as well as sold commercially at health food stores or ethnic markets as a supplement. Most commonly it’s made into tea.

The turkey tail mushroom is an abundant polypore species found on stumps and logs of deciduous trees, boasting numerous medicinal uses.

Boosts Immune System

Turkey tail mushroom extracts can help strengthen immune function. Studies show they can boost white blood cells’ activity – the body’s first line of defense against infections and diseases – as well as decrease free radical levels in your system, thus protecting DNA against damage.

Polysaccharides and beta-glucans in turkey tail mushrooms contribute to its immune-enhancing effects by stimulating immune cell production. Research indicates that turkey tail mushrooms can specifically increase natural killer (NK) cell activity – vital cells responsible for detecting and eliminating harmful pathogens.

Mushroom extracts may also help cancer patients by countering the negative impacts of chemotherapy on the immune system. Research conducted at Bastyr University discovered that taking turkey tail extracts could increase survival rates of mice with prostate cancer.

Not only can turkey tail mushrooms support immune health, they can also improve digestive wellbeing. Packed with prebiotics that promote good bacteria in your gut and aid digestion and nutrient absorption, using these supplements should complement an overall healthy lifestyle and diet plan.

Turkey tail mushrooms are powerful antioxidants that can protect the body against oxidative stress, which has been linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Studies suggest this medicinal mushroom can neutralize this form of stress by decreasing superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme levels in your system.

These functional mushrooms come in the form of teas, capsules, powders and tinctures for your convenience. Drinking turkey tail mushroom tea may help cleanse your system, relax your mind, calm stomach cramps and aid sleep – try it today to experience its incredible benefits!

Helps Fight Viruses

Turkey tail mushrooms’ beta d-glucans stimulate the immune system by drawing out foreign pathogens through our cells’ permeability and increasing antibody production that recognizes and targets pathogens. They also boost production of natural antioxidants which protect DNA against free radical damage.

Mushrooms’ antiviral properties are one of their many draws. A clinical study showed that turkey tail mushroom extract assisted with clearing HPV, a sexually transmitted virus which can lead to genital warts more rapidly than conventional treatment methods. Other research indicates that polysaccharide peptide (PSK), found within turkey tail mushrooms, inhibits herpes simplex virus type 1 reverse transcriptase in vitro; suggesting this bioresponse modifier may also help combat herpes viruses and other viral infections found within humans.

Mushrooms have also been shown to reduce oxidative stress that leads to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, thanks to their powerful antioxidant and neuroprotective effects that could lessen cellular stress that contributes to it, according to research published in Experimental Biology and Medicine.

Turkey tail mushroom provides more than anti-ageing and cancer fighting benefits; it also assists those with diabetes and autoimmune disorders by supporting normal insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels that already remain within healthy limits (44, 45). This is particularly important since high blood sugar can damage livers, lungs and other organs over time.

As with anything, when selecting the highest quality supplements it’s essential that they use dual extraction, which extracts fat-soluble adaptogenic terpenoids using alcohol while simultaneously protecting water-soluble components like immunomodulatory beta d-glucans with water.

Bastyr University acupuncture and Oriental medicine students take this dual approach to wellness when studying at our Seattle campus in Washington State. Learn more about our degree programs!

Protects Liver

Turkey tail mushrooms (Tracetes versicolor/Coriolus versicolor) contain beta-D-glucans as well as numerous additional bioactive compounds that provide unique health-promoting effects. Furthermore, this fungi also boasts abundant amounts of antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids that work together to combat free radical damage and oxidative stress.

Researchers conducted a study that demonstrated how turkey tail mushroom extracts protect the liver from damage and inflammation caused by alcohol consumption, while stimulating new liver cell production to repair damaged ones. Furthermore, turkey tail mushrooms can lower levels of toxic substances in blood such as cholesterol and triglycerides while improving metabolism overall.

The turkey tail fungus has been proven to increase the activity of natural killer cells – key immune system modulators that can be activated or deactivated depending on your needs – as well as improve tumor suppression and metastasis prevention, possibly helping with various autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.

One study revealed that mice given turkey tail mushroom extract and Ginkgo biloba had better memory retention and decreased brain inflammation compared to mice who took only Ginkgo biloba; scientists believe these two compounds acted as natural anti-ageing agents for liver and brain.

The liver is one of the hardest working organs in our bodies and takes many hits from toxins, microbes, viruses like Hepatitis and poor diet. Over time these constant insults can create damaging free radicals in both liver tissue and other areas; functional mushrooms like turkey tail have long been used as part of traditional medicine to reduce this load of free radicals and save lives.

Researchers have shown that peptides found in fungi such as krestin and polysaccharide peptide (PSP), can stimulate the immune system and help strengthen natural defenses against pathogens. Furthermore, using PSP could even help counter immunosuppression caused by chemotherapy drugs.

Improves Gut Health

Turkey tail mushroom, also known as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor, is an effective digestive health herb. It aids digestion while creating an ecosystem rich in beneficial microbiota. Not only does the mushroom contain beta-D-glucans for better digestion but its biocompounds contain anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties for increased health benefits.

mushroom polysaccharides act like prebiotics, feeding beneficial bacteria in your gut that are essential for improved digestion, nutrient absorption and immune functioning. A healthy microbiome can also help prevent food allergies, sensitivities or chronic gut conditions like Leaky Gut Syndrome.

Clinical studies conducted with turkey tail mushrooms’ polysaccharide peptide (PSP) found it positively affected gut microbiota composition. PSP helped increase beneficial Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species while simultaneously decreasing potentially harmful strains. Furthermore, PSP could potentially help reduce inflammation, lower pH of the faecal microbiome and support weight management.

Since ancient times, practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine have used turkey tail as an herbal tea to clear dampness, increase energy and strengthen lungs, stomach and spleen. Li ShiZhen included turkey tail in his Compendium of Materia Medica as an immunosupportive herb to fight infections while relieving symptoms associated with colds and flu.

PSP stands out due to its unique properties by augmenting both innate and adaptive immune responses. Immune responses include chemical, physical and cellular defense mechanisms while adaptive immunity is acquired over time and involves lymphocyte expansion.

While eating healthy is certainly important, adding supplements that support gut health may be even more so. Try turkey tail mushroom in tea or tincture form or select from among functional mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane and Reishi; or select high-quality products with mushroom extract produced through dual extraction processes for maximum benefits from both fat-soluble adaptogenic terpenoids and water-soluble beta-D-glucans. Make it part of your wellness routine or smoothie and aim for two servings daily to achieve the best results.