Turkey tail mushroom
Scientific names: Coriolus versicolor, Trametes versicolor, Polyporus versicolor, Boletus versicolor, Polystictus versicolor
Family: Polyporaceae
Alternative names: Bolet à Couleurs Variées, Bolet Versicolore, Champignon Coriolus, Champignon de Queue de Dinde, Cloud Mushroom, Coriolus, Coriolus Mushroom, Hongo Coriolus, Kawaratake, Krestin, Polypore à Couleurs Variées, Polypore Versicolor, Polysaccharide-K, Polysaccharide Krestin, Polysaccharide Peptide, Polysaccharopeptide, PSK, PSP, Turkey Tail, Yun Chi, Yun Zhi, Yunzhi, Yun-Zhi
Actions: Analgesic, Antifungal, Antineoplastic, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Hepatoprotective, Vaginal
Background
Turkey tail (Coriolus versicolor) is a mushroom. It contains polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK), which are used as medicine.
Turkey tail mushroom grows on stumps and the decomposing wood of trees. The PSP and PSK in turkey tail mushroom might help slow cancer growth and boost the immune system.
People use turkey tail mushroom to improve response to cancer medicines and radiation. It is also used for muscle strength, fatigue, UTIs, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Turkey tail mushroom grows on stumps and the decomposing wood of trees. The PSP and PSK in turkey tail mushroom might help slow cancer growth and boost the immune system.
People use turkey tail mushroom to improve response to cancer medicines and radiation. It is also used for muscle strength, fatigue, UTIs, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Turkey tail mushroom is likely safe for most people. For most healthy adults, it is well-tolerated. Some people who are receiving chemotherapy and a substance extracted from turkey tail mushroom called polysaccharide krestin (PSK) have reported nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. But it is unclear if these side effects were due to the chemotherapy or PSK.
When used in the vagina: There isn't enough reliable information to know if turkey tail mushroom is safe. It might cause side effects like itching and irritation.
When used in the vagina: There isn't enough reliable information to know if turkey tail mushroom is safe. It might cause side effects like itching and irritation.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if turkey tail mushroom is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Cancer. Taking polysaccharide krestin (PSK), a substance found in turkey tail mushroom, by mouth might improve the response to chemotherapy by a small amount in some people with certain types of cancer.
Dosing & administration
Turkey tail mushroom contains polysaccharide krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP). Some supplements contain just these chemicals, but the whole mushroom is also sometimes used. PSK has most often been used by adults in a dose of 3 grams by mouth daily for up to 36 months. Whole turkey tail mushroom has been used in a dose of 2.4 grams by mouth daily for up to 12 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Cyclophosphamide
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
PSP, a chemical found in turkey tail mushroom, might change how quickly cyclophosphamide is removed from the body. This might alter how effective it is, and cause more side effects.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. PSP, a chemical found in turkey tail mushroom, might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Turkey tail mushroom might lower blood sugar levels. Taking turkey tail mushroom along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Taking turkey tail mushroom with tamoxifen might change the way that tamoxifen works in the body or reduce the effects of tamoxifen.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Turkey tail mushroom might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
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Per capsule:
- Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) ext. 76.8 mg
- Ganoderma lucidum ext. 76.8 mg
- Cordyceps sinensis ext. 76.8 mg
- Grifola frondosa ext. 76.8 mg
- Lentinula edodes ext. 76.8 mg
- Polyporus umbellatus ext. 38.4 mg
- Tremella fuciformis ext. 38.4 mg
- Poria cocos ext. 38.4 mg
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Per capsule:
- Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) ext. 65 mg
- Ganoderma lucidum ext. 37.5 mg
- Lentinula edodes ext. 150 mg
- Curcuma longa 23.43 mg
- Cholecalciferol 12.5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 500 IU
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 124 mg equiv. vitamin E 150 IU
- Selenomethionine 187.5 μg equiv. selenium 75 μg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 23.44 mg equiv. zinc 7.5 mg
- Camellia sinensis ext. 166.7 mg
- Retinol palmitate (Vitamin A) 2 mg equiv. vitamin A 3650 IU equiv. vitamin A 1096 μg RE
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Per capsule:
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Per capsule:
- Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) ext. 25 mg
- Astragalus membranaceus ext. 100 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 50 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 125 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 23.36 mg equiv. zinc 7.5 mg
- Selenomethionine 31 µg equiv. selenium 12.5 µg
- Schisandra chinensis ext. 50 mg
- Lentinula edodes ext. 50 mg
- Ganoderma lucidum ext. 14.3 mg
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Per 2 mL:
- Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) (fruiting body)
- Water
- Alcohol
- Kakadu plum flavour
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Per 8 g:
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Per 6 g (Cafe Mocha):
- Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail)
- Cordyceps militaris
- Pleurotus eryngii
- Lentinula edodes
- Grifola frondosa
- Coffea arabica 2.9 g
- Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) 1.5 g
- Huberzia serrata 25 µg
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Theobroma cacao 15 mg
- Natural flavours
- Theobroma cacao powder 480 mg
- Alpinia galanga powder 150 mg
- Bacopa monnieri powder 100 mg
- Coffea arabica powder 100 mg
- Acacia sp. (fibre)
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Per 36.8 g (Vanilla):
- Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail)
- Pea protein concentrate
- Oryza sativa (Rice protein)
- Hordeum vulgare
- Wheatgrass powder
- Amaranth powder
- Quinoa powder
- Medicago sativa
- Malus (Apple)
- Vaccinium corymbosum
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Coriandrum sativum
- Petroselinum crispum
- Cynara scolymus
- Raphanus raphanistrum (Wild radish)
- Taraxacum officinale
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Apium graveolens
- Beta vulgaris
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato)
- Brassica oleracea var. italica
- Armoracia rusticana
- Brassica oleracea var. viridis
- Nasturtium officinale
- Ocimum basilicum
- Piper nigrum
- Mentha spicata
- Natural flavours
- Malpighia glabra ext. dry
- Cordyceps sinensis
- Ganoderma lucidum
- Lentinula edodes
- Grifola frondosa
- Cannabis sativa (seed) powder
- Agaricus subrufescens
- Stevia rebaubiana
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This monograph was last reviewed on 24/03/2025 11:00:00 and last updated on 09/08/2022 06:57:16. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
