Turkey Tail

(Trametes Versicolor) :

Understanding the benefits of Turkey Tail Mushrooms

What is Turkey Tail (Trametes Versicolor) ?

The fruiting body of turkey tails bears a striking resemblance to the feather arrangement of a real turkey, hence the common names. Another excellent way to describe the cap ornamentation is as "roof tile mushroom," or "kawaratake" in Japanese.

The cap of the turkey tail mushroom displays an amazing variety of colors and patterns, making it a veritable chameleon of the fungus realm. Mother Nature's artistic ability is on display on this polypore's surface, which features remarkable bands of white, gray, and even blue and green hues in addition to rich shades of cinnamon and brown.

Turkey tails are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine due to their supposed health advantages. They are frequently prepared into teas or used as tonics. The mushroom's reputation as a medical fungus has spread throughout the globe, particularly in light of new research supporting a number of its traditional uses. Its possible uses in complementary and alternative medicine are now being investigated.

The turkey tail is a saprobic fungus that grows on the decay of hardwood trees, primarily on fallen logs and stumps. On deadwood, its leathery, flexible caps are frequently observed growing in overlapping clusters. Trametes versicolor is an important component of the forest ecology because it breaks down the lignin and cellulose in wood, replenishing the soil with crucial nutrients and facilitating the establishment of new plants.

Characteristics of Turkey Tail

The cap of the turkey tail mushroom displays an amazing variety of colors and patterns, making it a veritable chameleon of the fungus realm. Mother Nature's artistic ability is on display on this polypore's surface, which features remarkable bands of white, gray, and even blue and green hues in addition to rich shades of cinnamon and brown.

Turkey tails are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine due to their supposed health advantages. They are frequently prepared into teas or used as tonics. The mushroom's reputation as a medical fungus has spread throughout the globe, particularly in light of new research supporting a number of its traditional uses. Its possible uses in complementary and alternative medicine are now being investigated.

Turkey Tail: Benefits And Uses

Common Cold Support

Turkey tail mushrooms has potent anti-viral and anti-microbial qualities, which enable them to combat a range of microbial diseases, such as the flu and common cold. They significantly boost the immune system's defenses against pathogenic microorganisms, strengthening it to combat them. As flu season approaches, adding a turkey tail to the diet is an excellent idea. The immune system is modulated by turkey tail mushrooms, making it more effective in combating diseases and pathogens.

Diabetes Support

Turkey tail mushroom lowers the body's glucose levels, which helps to decrease diabetes. The World Journal of Diabetes reported on an animal study that found eating mushrooms decreased blood glucose levels and encouraged weight gain in diabetic patient.

Inflammation Support

Anti-inflammatory qualities are well-known for turkey tail mushrooms. Turkey tail mushrooms contribute to a diet that reduces inflammation on the outside as well as the inside.

Packed with Antioxidants

Because of its abundance of antioxidants, it aids in shielding the body from the sun's damaging UV rays. Additionally, they inhibit the free radicals that cause aging. As a result, it slows down aging. Because of its high vitamin E content, it also helps to naturally cleanse and improve skin.

Cholesterol Support

Numerous heart conditions are caused by high cholesterol. By including turkey tail mushrooms in the diet on a regular basis, cholesterol levels can be lowered.

Digestion Support

The portion of the fungus called mycelium is what makes digestion easier for humans. The turkey tail mushroom's prebiotic substance benefits the microbiome. This suggests that the growth of Bifidobacterium and acidophilus, two types of healthy and helpful bacteria, is boosted in the body. It aids in the management of leaky gut syndrome as well. Weight loss may also be aided by the procedure.

Hypertension Support

The rise in pressure in the blood-vessel arteries causes hypertension, or an increase in blood pressure. Turkey tail mushrooms aid in lowering blood pressure and, consequently, high blood pressure.

Boost Bone Health

The fact that turkey tail mushrooms are beneficial for bone health is another health benefit. Furthermore, research has indicated that they may aid in the regeneration of bone marrow.

Handle Papillomavirus in Humans

Within a reasonable amount of time, perhaps two months, after consumption, turkey tail mushrooms have been shown to alleviate the symptoms of human papillomavirus (HPV).

Other Benefits

In addition to the health benefits listed above, some people use turkey tail to support:

Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. (See reference 13 below)

• Bone health: Animal model research found that turkey tail extract resulted in thicker, less porous bones and may protect against bone loss related to certain cancer treatments.

• Cognitive function: Turkey tail is rich in antioxidants, which may improve cognitive function (e.g., memory, problem-solving) and reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.

• Healthy aging: The antioxidants and immune-boosting properties of turkey tail may help support health and protect against inflammation and age related illnesses.

• Balanced blood sugar levels: Studies using animal models show that turkey tail extracts may reduce blood sugar levels, improve insulin resistance, and prevent diabetes-related complications in people with type 2 diabetes.
  
  

References

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3. Claus-Desbonnet H, Nikly E, Nalbantova V, et al. Polysaccharides and their derivatives as potential antiviral molecules. Viruses. 2022;14(2):426. doi:10.3390/v14020426

4. Benson KF, Stamets P, Davis R, et al. The mycelium of the trametes versicolor (turkey tail) mushroom and its fermented substrate each show potent and complementary immune activating properties in vitro. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):342. doi:10.1186/s12906-019-2681-7

5. Sekhon BK, Sze DM, Chan WK, et al. PSP activates monocytes in resting human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: immunomodulatory implications for cancer treatment. Food Chem. 2013;138(4):2201-2209. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.11.009

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7. Eliza WL, Fai CK, Chung LP. Efficacy of yun zhi (coriolus versicolor) on survival in cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2012;6(1):78-87. doi:10.2174/187221312798889310

8. National Cancer Institute. Medicinal mushrooms (PDQ®)–health professional version.

9. Rinninella E, Raoul P, Cintoni M, et al. What is the healthy gut microbiota composition? a changing ecosystem across age, environment, diet, and diseases. Microorganisms. 2019;7(1):14. doi:10.3390/microorganisms7010014

10. Pallav K, Dowd SE, Villafuerte J, et al. Effects of polysaccharopeptide from trametes versicolor and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of healthy volunteers: a randomized clinical trial. Gut Microbes. 2014;5(4):458-467. doi:10.4161/gmic.29558

11. Yu ZT, Liu B, Mukherjee P, et al. Trametes versicolor extract modifies human fecal microbiota composition in vitro. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2013;68(2):107-112. doi:10.1007/s11130-013-0342-4

12. Ho CS, Tung YT, Kung WM, et al. Effect of coriolus versicolor mycelia extract on exercise performance and physical fatigue in mice. Int J Med Sci. 2017;14(11):1110-1117. doi:10.7150/ijms.20547

13. Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. Turkey tail mushroom.

14. Xian HM, Che H, Qin Y, et al. Coriolus versicolor aqueous extract ameliorates insulin resistance with PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathways involved in diabetic skeletal muscle. Phytother Res. 2018;32(3):551-560. doi:10.1002/ptr.6007

15. Lo HC, Hsu TH, Lee CH. Extracellular polysaccharopeptides from fermented turkey tail medicinal mushroom, trametes versicolor (agaricomycetes), mitigate oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2020;22(5):417-429. doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2020034560

16. Fritz H, Kennedy DA, Ishii M, et al. Polysaccharide K and coriolus versicolor extracts for lung cancer: a systematic review. Integr Cancer Ther. 2015;14(3):201-211. doi:10.1177/1534735415572883

17. Susan G. Komen. Coriolus mushroom.

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