Turkey Tail Mushrooms (and Why To Attempt Them)

No, we’re not speaking in regards to the sort of turkey served up at Thanksgiving dinner! These medicinal mushrooms earned their identify as a result of they appear like a fanned-out turkey’s tail. Folks have used medicinal mushrooms for hundreds of years to assist the immune system and promote well-being. Plus they style scrumptious in a morning cup of mushroom espresso.

What Are Turkey Tail Mushrooms?

Turkey tail mushrooms (aka Trametes versicolor) are a polypore fungus. (That simply means many pores). They’re referred to as Coriolus versicolor in some older literature. In contrast to shiitake and different mushrooms with gills, turkey tails have tiny pores beneath. These pores launch spores, serving to them propagate.

These putting mushrooms develop in forests throughout the earth – from the US to Japan. Their English identify comes from their likeness to fanned-out tail feathers on a turkey. Conventional Chinese language Medication (TCM) college students will know them as Yun Zhi. 

These mushrooms are well-known for his or her vibrant and numerous shade patterns. Their higher floor typically options rings of assorted shades. You’ll see brown, tan, white, and blue, every contributing to their distinctive look. Turkey tail mushrooms normally develop in overlapping layers on useless or decaying wooden.

Advantages of Turkey Tail Mushrooms

In addition to their lovely look, turkey tail mushrooms are fashionable for his or her well being advantages. Researchers imagine a lot of their compounds have immune-supporting and antioxidant properties. 

In consequence, they’ve been part of the standard drugs of assorted cultures for hundreds of years. The advantages of turkey tail mushrooms primarily stem from their immune-supporting properties:

How Turkey Tail Mushrooms Help The Immune System

Turkey tail is believed to assist immune responses by two varieties of bioactive compounds. One is polysaccharopeptides (PSP), and the opposite is polysaccharides. Listed below are a few of the immune advantages related to turkey tail mushrooms:

1. Modulating The Immune Response 

Carbohydrates referred to as polysaccharides in turkey tail are involved in immunomodulation. These compounds can work together with immune cell receptors, regulating and enhancing immune perform. 

This implies they’ll increase underactive immune exercise or scale back overactive immune exercise. It’s all about bringing it again into steadiness. When the immune system is overactive, it may possibly result in autoimmune situations.

2. Stimulating The Immune System

Sure compounds in turkey tail might stimulate immune cell exercise. Chances are you’ll keep in mind studying about these cells in highschool biology class.  Macrophages and pure killer (NK) cells, two varieties of white blood cells, play a key position within the immune response. 

Macrophages are liable for consuming and destroying international substances. Pure killer (NK) cells assist acknowledge and get rid of contaminated or irregular cells. (Suppose cancer cells). Research present they turn out to be extra lively within the presence of turkey tail.

Some research counsel turkey tail can even enhance cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) exercise. These cells additionally play a vital position in eliminating contaminated or irregular cells like most cancers cells.

The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) accredited turkey tail in medical trials for most cancers. Males with prostate most cancers and girls with breast most cancers received it alongside standard most cancers therapies for immune assist.

Japan and China use turkey tail as a complementary remedy to conventional most cancers therapies. It’s proven advantages for a number of varieties of most cancers, together with:

• Lung most cancers
• Breast most cancers
• Gastric most cancers
• Colorectal most cancers

Most cancers sufferers sometimes obtain different therapies apart from turkey tail. However turkey tail may help improve most cancers remedy. A scientific evaluate confirmed polysaccharide krestin (PSK) in turkey tail has anti-tumor exercise. Whereas researchers aren’t positive the way it works, it appears useful as an adjuvant to most cancers remedy.

Even the Nationwide Most cancers Institute agrees that turkey tail mushrooms have anticancer results. They discovered including turkey tail to different therapies may considerably enhance survival charges.

Six randomized medical trials discovered that lung most cancers sufferers receiving PSK improved in some ways. They’d fewer signs, improved well-being, higher immune responses, or longer survival charges. In the event you’re trying into utilizing turkey tail and different medicinal herbs for most cancers care, make sure to run them by your healthcare supplier first. 

3. Stimulating Cytokine Manufacturing

Cytokines are signaling molecules that play a vital position in communication between immune cells. Turkey tail mushrooms might stimulate the manufacturing of sure cytokines. The consequence could also be a extra coordinated protection towards pathogens.

A scientific evaluate discovered most medicinal mushroom dietary supplements improved cytokine response.

4. Elevated Manufacturing of Immunoglobulins:

Some research counsel turkey tail mushrooms improve immunoglobulin manufacturing, like immunoglobulin A (IgA). IgA performs a key position within the mucosal immune protection (aka it improves the intestine lining).

A wholesome intestinal lining protects towards infections within the lungs and digestive tract. It additionally prevents meals molecules from coming into the bloodstream earlier than being absolutely digested. A “leaky intestine” units us up for allergic reactions, autoimmune ailments illness, and different well being situations.

5. Intestine Well being

Analysis suggests the intestine microbiome performs a big position in immune system perform. In some research, turkey tail mushrooms improved intestine well being by serving as prebiotics. These fibers feed useful intestine micro organism, which may affect immune responses.

6. Antioxidants 

Phenolic compounds in turkey tail mushrooms, like flavonoids, have antioxidant properties. These Aantioxidants assist neutralize dangerous free radicals that may harm cells and tissues. By Rreducing oxidative stress and DNA harm we are able to assist immune well being.

7. Lowering Irritation

Continual irritation can weaken the immune system over time, however there are methods to assist. Some compounds in turkey tail mushrooms might have anti-inflammatory results. Lowering irritation helps to control the immune response.

Dangers & Precautions of Turkey Tail

When foraging for these mushrooms, remember they do have lookalikes. False turkey tail mushroom (stereum ostrea) appears to be like much like turkey tail. It has a few of the identical advantages, together with antimicrobial compounds, and isn’t harmful. However, it additionally isn’t as potent as the true deal. 

As with all pure cures, be cautious when contemplating turkey tail mushrooms. If taking medications, verify with a well being skilled earlier than including them.

Some individuals might have antagonistic reactions to turkey tail mushrooms. One potential aspect impact is darkened fingernails. If taking them causes negative effects, cease and seek the advice of a healthcare practitioner for recommendation.

How you can Use Turkey Tail

You need to use turkey tail mushrooms in lots of kinds to get their well being advantages. Listed below are some widespread methods to make use of turkey tail mushrooms:

• Tea and Decoctions: One fashionable technique of utilizing turkey tail mushrooms is to make a tea or decoction. Simply simmer dried turkey tail mushrooms in water to extract useful compounds. You’ll be able to benefit from the ensuing liquid as a heat beverage.
• Culinary Use: Some cultures use turkey tail mushrooms in cooking, however they’re typically powerful and never palatable. Cooks will use them to flavor broths, soups, or stews. Take them out earlier than consuming (like bay leaves) as a result of their powerful texture.
• Tinctures: Tinctures are liquid extracts made by steeping the mushrooms in alcohol or one other solvent. You’ll be able to take them straight or add them to drinks. Medicinal mushrooms extract just a little in a different way than different crops, so most herbalists use a dual extraction method.  
• Powdered Dietary supplements: Turkey tail mushrooms can be found in powdered kind as dietary dietary supplements. You’ll be able to combine the powdered extract into smoothies, juices, or different liquids. You too can sprinkle it onto yogurt or oatmeal.
• Capsules and Tablets: Turkey tail mushroom tablets are handy for many who desire a pre-measured dose. Observe the advisable dosage directions offered on the product label.

When utilizing turkey tail, keep in mind the preparation and dosage can fluctuate. For instance, methanol extracts have the very best quantity of antioxidants. Water extracts have the very best variety of polyphenols and flavonoids.

Some turkey tail dietary supplements have each the fruiting physique and the mycelium (root). Others simply have one or the opposite.

All the time comply with the dosage tips on the packaging or from a healthcare skilled.

What I Do and Different Mushrooms to Attempt

I like together with turkey tail extract as part of my morning cup of mushroom coffee. It’s nice to begin the day with a wholesome immune response. I’ll additionally embrace it in different natural teas and drinks all through the day. Whereas I don’t do the identical actual factor every single day, turkey tail is usually a welcome addition to a well being routine.  It will probably assist maintain your immune response sturdy and promote digestive steadiness. 

Listed below are another medicinal mushrooms to attempt (possibly in your espresso!):

• Lion’s Mane – This funny-looking mushroom is great for the mind.
• Reishi – Reishi mushroom helps immunity and sleep and will even assist you to stay longer!
• Cordyceps – This caterpillar fungus helps power, metabolism, and bodily endurance.
• Maitake – This “hen of the woods” helps the cardiovascular and immune methods and promotes fertility.

Have you ever ever tried turkey tail mushrooms? What kind did you could have it in? Did you discover any advantages? Share under!