Cordyceps and turkey tails are mushrooms that are a type of fungi. Both are ...
What is Turkey Tail Mushroom?
Turkey Tail Supplements: Benefits, Usage, Pros, Cons
Kawaratake, or as we call it, Turkey Tail mushroom, is the Japanese name of Trametes Versicolor, also known as Coriolus Versicolor. This is a woody mushroom growing widely in Europe and the rest of the world. In Bulgarian, the fungus is most often called Coriolus.
The ingredient, which Turkey Tail Mushroom owes its fame to, is called with the commercial name polysaccharide Krestin, for short polysaccharide-K or just "PSK," as the abbreviation comes from polysaccharopeptide Krestin (in some places, it appears as polysaccharide kureha).
The results of numerous studies carried out on the effect of Krestin impart its properties as a potent immunomodulator and stimulator of various immunological functions.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the Turkey Tail mushroom (Kawaratake fungus) is harvested, dried, ground, and used as tea. The turkey tail mushroom is claimed to have an anti-cancer effect and is used to prevent carcinogenesis action.
Where to Buy Turkey Tail Mushroom Supplements?
To buy Turkey Tail mushroom supplement you need to choose a legit and safe shop, be it physical or local. Your drug store most probably sells turkey tail mushroom supplements. One of the most common and safe place to buy Turkey Tail supplements online is Amazon. Below we have made a list of the 5 best selling Turkey Tail mushroom supplements you can buy on Amazon.
The list is led by of the best brand who produces Tukey Tail mushroom under the form of supplements. The product is Host Defense Turkey Tail mushroom. Another highly rated Turkey Tail supplement is Swanson Turkey Tail mushroom supplement.
Product | Name | Buy on iHerb | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Host Defense Turkey Tail | ||
| #2 Turkey Tail Mushroom Supplement | ||
| #3 Sustainably US Grown Organic Turkey Tail Mushroom | ||
| #4 Om Organic Mushroom Superfood Powder Turkey Tail | ||
| #5 Turkey Tail Mushroom Extract Immune Support |
What Type of Turkey Tail Mushroom Forms You Can Buy?
Turkey Tail mushroom supplements are available to buy under the following forms:
- Dried Turkey Tail Mushroom;
- Turkey Tail Mushroom powder;
- Turkey Tail Mushroom capsules;
- Turkey Tail Mushroom extracts;
- Turkey Tail Mushroom tea.
All forms are good, use the form which is easy for you to swallow and absorb. You can also read my recently published an article on how to make Turkey Tail mushroom tea. The article features five Turkey Tail mushroom tea recipes. Enjoy it!
What Is Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes Versicolor, Kawaratake, Coriolus)
Kawaratake, or as we call it, Turkey Tail mushroom, is the Japanese name of Trametes Versicolor, also known as Coriolus Versicolor. This is a woody mushroom growing widely in Europe and the rest of the world. In Bulgarian, the fungus is most often called Coriolus.
The Latin word "Versicolor" means "colorful," suggesting that Kawaratake occurs in various colors and color schemes, some of which make the fungus uniquely beautiful.
What Do We Need to Know About the Active Ingredients of Turkey Tail Mushroom
The ingredient, which Turkey Tail Mushroom owes its fame to, is called with the commercial name polysaccharide Krestin, for short polysaccharide-K or just "PSK," as the abbreviation comes from polysaccharopeptide Krestin (in some places, it appears as polysaccharide kureha).
The active molecule that we will call Krestin is a proteoglycan; a complex molecule made up of amino acids and monosaccharides.
The large amounts of Krestin contained in the mushrooms Coriolus and its easy cultivation make it a preferred material for producing the valuable ingredient.
Turkey Tail Mushroom Uses and Health Benefits of Krestin
The results of numerous studies carried out on the effect of Krestin impart its properties as a potent immunomodulator and stimulator of various immunological functions. In traditional Chinese medicine, the Kawaratake fungus is harvested, dried, ground, and used as tea.
This hot drink is attributed to prophylactic liver properties. It allegedly has beneficial effects on lung inflammation and a stimulating effect on the total health of the body and spirit.
In traditional Japanese medicine, the extract of Coriolus is best known as an agent for the prevention of the gastrointestinal tract and against colon cancer.
Modern medicine has a different look at Krestin and the other biological response modifiers (BRM - functional group of molecules) contained in Kawaratake.
Turkey Tail Mushroom
by Host Defense
Turkey Tail Mushroom Benefits: Proven Health Benefits From Taking Turkey Tail Extract
1) Turkey Tail Mushroom and Cancer Research
The anti-cancer effect, prevention of carcinogenesis action. Let’s start with the fact that according to studies conducted in animals exposed to the harmful chemical environment, Krestin protects the body from the formation of cancerous tissue or significantly slows down their development.
In the treatment of cancer, the polysaccharide - K deserved a gold medal a long time ago. It is used in combination therapies with chemo - and radiotherapy with some forms of cancer, such as colon cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, leukemia, and others.
It is estimated that besides its immunomodulatory and anti-cancer immune-stimulating abilities, Krestin itself can attack the tumor cells and practically reduce or even stop the metastasis after surgical removal.
2) Turkey Tail Mushroom and Immune System
Turkey tail mushroom is considered a potent immune modulator and immune stimulator. Several studies conducted on mice with normal and artificially suppressed immunity have shown that the taken by them Krestin has protected them from infection with certain viruses and bacteria.
It is estimated that Krestin improves the ability of the immune cells to deal with an infection in healthy people. When used therapeutically by patients with cancers, polysaccharide-K also affects the indirect immunity, namely the production of specific marker proteins that are associated with cell membranes or capsules of the viruses, to suggest the immune cells that there is an intruder to deactivate around there.
Turkey Tail Mushroom Side Effects
Are there any side effects and contraindications when taking Turkey Tail Mushroom? The attempts with Turkey Tail (Coriolus Versicolor) extract and the isolated Krestin do not show any severe side effects. Common side effects are cough, pigmentation of nails, constipation, or diarrhea. The tablet form is better tolerated than the powder one and leads to relieving the symptoms.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare, the chance of adverse reactions is estimated to be 1.01% after analyzing the treatment of 11300 cancer patients. Overall the Kawaratake extract and Krestin are considered safe products.
What Shouldn't We Combine Turkey Tail Mushroom (Kawaratake) With
No evidence of drug interactions.
No studies on the effects of Turkey Tail Mushroom (Kawaratake) extract or isolated Krestin on nursing mothers, pregnant women, and children.
Turkey Tail Mushroom
by Host Defense
Turkey Tail Mushroom Dosage and Way of Intake
Although it has the status of a dietary supplement (including in Bulgaria), the intake of Turkey Tail mushroom supplement should be consulted with your doctor or specialist immunologist.
In Japan, the recommended dose for the treatment of cancers is between 3 to 6 grams of polysaccharide-K standardized daily.
The dosage, administered to prevent the immune system in individuals with immune depression, chronic viral diseases (e.g., hepatitis, HIV, herpes, etc.), is 3 grams/day.
In Which Sports and Health Supplements We Can Find Turkey Tail Mushroom
The Turkey Tail mushroom extract (Kawaratake, Coriolus Versicolor) is sold on its own or in combination with other immunomodulators such as shiitake and reishi mushrooms.
The purified polysaccharide-Krestin can be found in the formulas of various immune-preventive medicines for the treatment of cancer.
Are Turkey Tail Mushroom Edible?
While they are perfectly edible on their own, Turkey Tail mushrooms are most frequently consumed in powder capsules or tea. This is because they have a tough, leathery texture that is not altogether appealing. It is also worth noting that they can occasionally produce minor side-effects such as diarrhea, although they are not harmful.
Because they are good for both the immune and digestive systems, Turkey Tail mushrooms are commonly used to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy. Their antibacterial properties are also frequently employed in the treatment of HIV.
Turkey ail mushrooms are a very distinctive fungus noted for their boldly striped color pattern and their health benefits. As such, you can typically find them combined with other mushrooms in organic vitamin supplements. Turkey Tail will grow just about anywhere, provided there is an abundance of trees or other foliage. That's because they thrive on the trunks or branches of dead trees.
False Turkey Tail Mushroom
What is false Turkey Tail mushroom? And why is it called "false"? It is called false Turkey Tail mushroom because there is a "true" so-called Turkey Tail mushroom. As you can surmise, the "false" one is only a look-alike Turkey Tail mushroom, or there are many similarities between the two that they can be mistaken for each other.
False Turkey Tail mushroom, aka golden curtain crust and scientifically known as Stereum ostrea, is a basidiomycete fungus. "Ostrea," meaning oyster, describes this mushroom's shape. Likewise, similar to Turkey Tail, it features Versicolor aspect. With circles of concentric colors from yellowish red to dark brown, false Turkey Tail is known for being more reddish than Turkey Tail.
For their uses, both the "false" and "true" Turkey Tail mushrooms are known as fungi and bacteria growth inhibitors. False Turkey Tail is also known for its therapeutic and antimicrobial abilities. Thus, it is used as a form of treatment in traditional medicine.
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