Turkey tail, sometimes referred to by its botanical names Trametes versicolor and Coriolus versicolor, is a common mushroom found in North America. Turkey tail mushrooms are thin and flexible, and the underside of the mushroom has pores. The top side of the mushroom has concentric bands, usually gray or brown, with very fine hairs that give it a velvet-like texture. Similarly to reishi, lion’s mane, and shiitake mushroom, turkey tail is saprotrophic, meaning it feeds off dead organic matter, such as a dead or dying tree, old stumps, or logs, which is where it grows. 

You might need turkey tail if . . . 

 You frequently get sick

 You want to support overall wellness

 You want to support healthy blood sugar levels

Benefits of Turkey Tail

 Antioxidants

 Antimicrobial properties

 Immune modulator

 Supports healthy blood sugar levels

Common Ways to Use Turkey Tail

 You can find turkey tail as whole mushrooms pills, powders, teas, extracts, or tinctures.

Growing and Foraging Information 

The turkey tail mushroom can be found throughout North America in forested areas, particularly on decaying hardwood logs. From May to December, if you’re in a wooded region, keep an eye on the bases of trees, where you’ll often spot turkey tail mushrooms with their distinctive ruffled shelf shape and bands of earthy, agate-like colors. They do have quite a few look-alikes – all of which are still safe for consumption, but try using a field guide or even a Facebook mushroom group to help you learn to identify them properly.

Safety Concerns 

Drug Interaction: It is warned that some people who received chemotherapy and a substance extracted from turkey tail mushroom called polysaccharide krestin (PSK) reported nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. Of course, there’s no way to know if these side effects were due to the chemotherapy or PSK. If you have any health concerns or are taking any prescription medication, please consult with your healthcare provider before adding new herbs to your diet.

Breastfeeding and Pregnancy: According to the mainstream, turkey tail mushroom is likely safe for most people and is well-tolerated for most healthy adults. They claim there isn’t enough reliable information to know if turkey tail is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding, cautioning to avoid use. But according to many Herbalists and Mycologists it is completely safe during this time.

Select Studies About Turkey Tail

Medicinal Mushrooms: Bioactive Compounds, Use, and Clinical Trials

This article talks about many mushrooms, but Trametes versicolor is mentioned. Research on medicinal mushrooms has grown rapidly, but many species still need more study to fully understand their medicinal properties, including the identification of key active compounds and their mechanisms of action. There is also a need to improve the design of studies, ensure quality control in mushroom supplement production, and standardize practices from cultivation to final product.

Turkey Tail Mushroom Benefits: The Science Behind Turkey Tail Mushrooms and Their Impact on Health

Turkey tail contains more than 30 different phenolic compounds and multiple flavonoids. Phenols and flavonoids both contribute to immune system function and overall health.