Top 5 Medicinal Mushrooms You Need To Know

Turkey Tail (Coriolus versicolor or Trametes versicolor)
This beauty earned its name due to the mushroom’s fan shape, which looks just like its name.  Like many other mushrooms, turkey tail is full of polysaccharides, antioxidants and triterpenes that give it similar anti inflammatory and immune boosting properties.  But what sets turkey tail apart, are two of its unique beta-glucans: Polysaccharide-K (PSK) and Polysaccharopeptide (PSP).  What also sets it apart is its bulk of human trials.  Most of its usage and research is in Japan where PSK is approved for use alongside traditional cancer treatments.  And they’ve had over 30 years to collect data.

Turkey Tail Mushrooms and Cancer
An in vitro study compared the effects of an extract taken from Turkey Tail alone and in combination with Reishi mushroom on malignant cancer cells.  The researchers found that the combination was more potent than the Turkey Tail alone. They’ve observed a clear synergistic effect, but the mechanisms are still unknown.

The in vitro research led into actual human trials utilizing the Reishi/Turkey mushroom combination as a complementary therapeutic option for different stages and types of cancers.  In 2019 researchers reviewed 23 trials involving 4,246 cancer patients.  Results show that Turkey Tail and Reishi related products were significantly associated with lower risks of mortality for people with certain types of cancer, including breast, lung, and gastrointestinal cancers. 

Polysaccharide K, derived from the Turkey Tail mushroom, has been used extensively in cancer therapy.  A 2015 review of 11 clinical trials and 17 preclinical studies found that using PSK derived from Turkey Tail mushrooms helped lung cancer patients who underwent radiation treatment live longer.  Evidence shows that PSK is able to reduce the depression of immune cells and immune cell activity following chemotherapy and reduce growth rates of some malignant cancers. It appears to be a viable complimentary option for patients undergoing chemotherapy and has been safely used in patients in Japan since the 1970’s.  Sadly, it’s still not FDA approved. 

Polysaccharopeptide (PSP), The other beta-glucan in Turkey Tail displays similar in vitro antitumor activities and inhibits the growth of induced tumors in animal models.  Studies have shown some benefit in dogs with hemangiosarcoma (a type of malignant cancer), but clear evidence of benefits of PSP in human cancer patients is lacking.  So far, PSK extracts seem to have the bulk of support for use in humans.

The question is, what is the PSK content of your standard Turkey Tail mushroom extract?
I was able to find brands that confirm the minimum beta-d-glucan or polysaccharide content.  They all test around 30%.  The standard Japanese PSK daily dose is 3g.  So, if you theoretically took 9 grams of turkey tail a day, you might reach the standard clinical dosage.  (That’s a huge assumption from a knuckle dragger like me.)  It also assumes that most of the polysaccharide content is Polysaccharide K.  But………One study put that assumption into action.

A small study in 11 women with breast cancer found that those who were given 6–9 grams of turkey tail powder per day following chemotherapy resulted in significant increases in both lymphocytes and natural killer cells.  The findings also show that up to 9 grams/day of Turkey Tail extract is safe and tolerable in women with breast cancer.  More research with Turkey tail extract is needed.  

Side Effects
Due to the high melanin content, people who take large amounts for an extended period of time report darkened fingernails.  It’s not detrimental to your health, but may be cosmetically unappealing.  Also some report upset stomach and/or nausea.  

Survival Gardener’s Take
There are TON of animal and human studies to sift through, but according to people much smarter than me, the bulk of the anticancer benefits of Turkey Tail is when it’s used in combination with tradition chemotherapy or radiation.  What other immune benefits could result from the same mechanism?  I don’t know.   Turkey Tail does have a high antioxidant content, (similar to the other 4 mushrooms in this post) which may be beneficial.   Below is another trusted Freshcap product.  No fillers. No fluff.