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Trametes versicolor, also known as turkey tail, is a common polypore mushroom (fungus) found worldwide, known for its multicolored, shelf-like appearance and potential medicinal properties, particularly in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine.
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Appearance and Habitat:
- Shape: Turkey tail mushrooms grow in shelf-like or fan-shaped formations, often overlapping or in tiers on dead or dying hardwood trees.
- Color: As the name "versicolor" suggests, these mushrooms display a unique blend of colors, including shades of brown, orange, and gray.
- Growth: They are typically found in rows or overlapping shelves on stumps and logs of hardwoods, from fall to spring.
- Look-alikes: Be aware of similar-looking mushrooms like "false turkey tail" (from the genus Stereum) which can be confused with the true turkey tail mushroom.
Medicinal Properties:
- Traditional Use: Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries, particularly in China (known as Yun Zhi) and Japan (kawaratake).
- Potential Benefits: Some research suggests that turkey tail mushrooms may have immune-boosting and prebiotic properties, and they are sometimes used as a complementary treatment for cancer.
- Polysaccharides: PSK (polysaccharide krestin) and PSP (polysaccharide peptide) are two polysaccharides found in turkey tail mushrooms that have been studied for their potential health benefits.
- Important Note: It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before using turkey tail mushrooms for medicinal purposes, and to purchase a purified version from a reputable source.
Other Names:
Coriolus versicolor and Polyporus versicolor.
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What does turkey tail mushroom do to you?
Summary. Turkey tail is a medicinal mushroom with a long history of use in traditional medicine. Turkey tail is packed with antioxidants and other health-promoting compounds that may help boost immunity, support gut health, reduce inflammation, and enhance the efficacy of standard cancer treatments.
What is Trametes versicolor used for?
Trametes versicolor has also been revealed to have wound healing, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antifibrotic, neurotrophic, and anti-inflammatory effects among other therapeutic efficacies.
Is Trametes versicolor poisonous?
versicolor has a number of look-alikes; there are approximately 15 sister species in Canada and the USA. There are, however, no poisonous species of Trametes anywhere in the world, and most have medicinal properties.
Turkey tail
Fungi
Trametes versicolor – also known as Coriolus versicolor and Polyporus versicolor – is a common polypore mushroom found throughout the world. Meaning 'of several colors', versicolor accurately describes this fungus that displays a unique blend of... Wikipedia
The turkeytail is a small, tough, bracket fungus that grows in tiered layers on dead wood - mainly hardwood, such as beech or oak.
Aug 6, 2024 · Turkey tail mushroom extract may support cancer treatment and restore the balance of gut bacteria. This article explores the research.
The polysaccharides of C. versicolor have been shown to induce direct cell growth inhibitory effect and apoptosis in cancer cells.
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