About
Trametes versicolor, commonly known as Turkey Tail Mushroom, is a well-known polypore fungus that grows on dead or decaying hardwood. Named for its multicolored, fan-like appearance that resembles the tail feathers of a wild turkey, this mushroom is one of the most extensively studied medicinal fungi. It is globally recognized for its immune-modulating properties and is widely used in integrative and functional medicine, particularly in cancer support protocols.
History
The use of Turkey Tail in traditional medicine dates back thousands of years, particularly in Chinese and Japanese healing systems where it is known as Yun Zhi. Historically valued for longevity and vitality, it gained scientific prominence in the late 20th century when researchers in Japan developed the PSK (Polysaccharide-K) extract, now used as an adjunct treatment in cancer therapy.
Western interest in T. versicolor has since expanded, with multiple clinical trials exploring its antiviral, antioxidant, and immunotherapeutic properties. Its ability to stimulate immune cells—especially natural killer cells and T-cells—has made it a staple in holistic and alternative health circles.
Overview
Trametes versicolor is a saprotrophic fungus that forms thin, wavy, overlapping brackets on logs, stumps, and branches. It thrives in a wide variety of climates and is found in forests across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Its cap features concentric zones of different colors—usually brown, gray, white, blue, or orange—making it both visually stunning and easy to recognize.
While not edible in its raw form due to its tough texture, it is typically consumed as a tea, tincture, or capsule extract. It contains potent polysaccharopeptides like PSK and PSP, which support immune function, aid in gut health, and may help reduce tumor growth. As one of the most accessible and thoroughly researched medicinal mushrooms, Turkey Tail continues to bridge the gap between traditional herbal wisdom and modern biomedical science.
Physical Characteristics
Caps:
Flat, circular, multicolored
Gills:
No gills, has pores
Choosing the Right Products
• Fruiting Body + Mycelium:
Look for products that contain both fruiting body and mycelium.
• Avoid Mycelium Grown on Rice:
These products often contain significant amounts of starch and fewer beta glucans.
• Tincture products may be slightly inferior:
Specifically for immunological, anticancer, and antiviral effects due to the active beta-glucan content not being alcohol soluble. If tincture is the preferred supplement, make sure it is double extracted with hot water and alcohol.
Cognitive Effects
Energy
Turkey tail appears to boost energy levels through its adaptogenic properties. They help the body adapt to stress and maintain balance. Chronic stress can deplete energy reserves, but adaptogens like turkey tail can help mitigate the negative effects of stress, leading to improved energy levels.
Helps With
Immune System
Improves immune function and fights infections. High Beta Glucan content leads to interactions with our body's immune sensors, such as toll-like receptors, in the small intestine. These lead to a complex immune response that leads to cancer and tumor cell suppression and greater surveillance and antibody production.
Cancer
Has potential anti-cancer properties.
Medicinal Chemistry
Similar Species
Species: Trametes hirsuta
Edibility: Inedible
Key Differences: Trametes hirsuta has a more hairy and rough cap surface compared to the smoother surface of Trametes versicolor.
Species: Trametes hirsuta
Edibility: Inedible
Mushroom Ratings
4.0
Based on 1 Review
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01/30/2025
Noah Schlickeisen
References
Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production—A Review
2,3-Bis((E)-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-N1,N4-bis(4-methylbenzyl)succinamide
Removal of dyes by Trametes versicolor laccase immobilized on NaY-zeolite
Development of an antimicrobial fungal egg tray containing orange oil and smoke for eggs preservation at room temperature
Trametes genus, a source of chemical compounds with anticancer activity in human osteosarcoma: A systematic review
The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom and its fermented substrate each show potent and complementary immune activating properties in vitro
Advances in batch culture fermented Coriolus versicolor medicinal mushroom for the production of antibacterial compounds
The TLR2 agonist in polysaccharide-K is a structurally distinct lipid which acts synergistically with the protein-bound β-glucan
Effects of Polysaccharopeptide from Trametes versicolor and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of healthy volunteers
Trametes versicolor Extract Modifies Human Fecal Microbiota Composition In vitro
Medicinal mushrooms, e.g., Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers.), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst.), Chaga (Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát), Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones and Spatafora), Shiitake (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler), and Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd), are considered new-generation foods and are of growing interest to consumers. They are characterised by a high content of biologically active compounds, including (1,3)(1,6)-β-d-glucans, which are classified as dietary fibre, triterpenes, phenolic compounds, and sterols.
2023
This study reports a green and concise procedure for the synthesis of cannabisin G, a lignan with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, based on the use of Trametes versicolor laccase.
2023
This study demonstrates the efficiency of Trametes versicolor laccase immobilized on NaY-zeolite in the removal of dye-containing pollutants, retaining about 54.2% of its initial activity after 15 days of storage.
2023
This study investigated the combined effects of orange oil and smoke in paper tray packaging produced from fungal pulp of Trametes versicolor. The combination delayed the growth of pathogenic bacteria on eggs during storage and distribution at room temperature.
2023
Natural bioactive compounds have aroused great interest for their potential benefits in human health, particularly in the prevention and treatment of cancer. The aim of this systematic review is to inspect whether bioactive compounds present in mushrooms of the genus Trametes have shown anticancer activity in human osteosarcoma. According to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) parameters, this review was carried out using Science Direct, PubMed Central, and Embase as electronic databases to select the articles that evaluated the cytotoxic effects of extracts or compounds isolated from mushrooms of the genus Trametes in human osteosarcoma.
2020
The medicinal mushroom Trametes versicolor (Tv, Turkey Tail) is often prepared for consumption as a powder from the fungal mycelium and the fermented substrate on which it grew. The goal for this study was to evaluate the immune-modulating properties of the mycelium versus the fermented substrate, to document whether an important part of the immune-activating effects resides in the metabolically fermented substrate.
2019
In Japan the standard adjuvant treatment after resection of gastric cancer is intravenous mitomycin plus oral fluorouracil. We have assessed the efficacy of protein-bound polysaccharide (PSK) in addition to standard chemotherapy in patients who had undergone curative gastrectomy at 46 institutions in central Japan. 262 patients were randomly assigned standard treatment alone or with PSK. The minimum follow-up time was 5 years (range 5-7 years). PSK improved both the 5-year disease-free rate (70 7 vs 59 4% in standard treatment group, p=0 047) and 5-year survival (73·0 vs 60·0%, p=0·044).
2016
Protein-bound polysaccharide-K (Krestin; PSK) is a hot-water extract of Trametes versicolor with immune stimulatory activity. It has been used for the past 30 years and has demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy in multiple types of cancer. The ability of PSK to activate dendritic cells and T cells is dependent on its ability to stimulate Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), yet it remains unknown which structural component within PSK activates TLR2. The purpose of this study was to identify the TLR2 agonist within PSK and understand its role in the overall mechanism of PSK’s immunogenic activity. TLR2 activity was eliminated by treatment with lipoprotein lipase but not by trypsin or lyticase.
2014
Interactions between the microbial flora of the intestine and the human host play a critical role inmaintaining intestinal health and in the pathophysiology of a wide variety of disorders such as antibiotic associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile infection, and inflammatory bowel disease. Prebiotics can confer health benefits by beneficial effects on the intestinal microbiome, whereas antibiotics can disrupt the microbiome leading to diarrhea andother side effects.
2014
Trametes versicolor is a mushroom used as a traditional Chinese medicine (Yun-zhi) for a wide array of seemingly disparate conditions. We hypothesized that many of its multiple purported activities could be mediated through stimulation of beneficial mutualist components of the microbiota. Human fecal microbiota was cultured anaerobically to determine its ability to ferment a common extract of T. versicolor, designated polysaccharide peptide (PSP), and the ability of PSP to alter the composition of the microbial community.
2013