The ubiquitous turkey tail is not a gourmet mushroom. You won't see them on a five star menu sauteed with wild leeks. This species has one main claim to fame: as a medicinal mushroom. And a powerful one at that.
What makes it so potent? It…
The ubiquitous turkey tail is not a gourmet mushroom. You won't see them on a five star menu sauteed with wild leeks. This species has one main claim to fame: as a medicinal mushroom. And a powerful one at that.
What makes it so potent? It's full of a protein-bound molecule known as PSK, or polysaccharide K. A polysaccharide is simply a complex carbohydrate that is made up of a repeating chain of simple sugars.
Not a very sexy definition, but many polysaccharides (including PSK) have been shown to boost the immune system to fight infection and many different types of cancers.
PSK works by suppressing the growth of tumor cells, inhibiting the expression of genes that have the potential to cause cancer, and stimulating the immune system to produce more of the body's own cells that attack foreign cells.
You can read more about the mechanism of action of PSK, as well as find lots of reference links to various studies, at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center page here. (Note: this site may make you agree to a disclaimer before they let you in. Go ahead and agree. It's safe and they have lots of great info).
Yet this mushroom contains more benefits than Coriolus versicolor PSK. The various constituents work together to reportedly:
Reduce inflammation throughout the body
Fight viral infections and diseases such as herpes and hepatitis
Reduce the growth of tumors and prevent new ones
Lessen the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation
Increase stamina and energy
Studies into this medicinal mushroom are ongoing, including a $5.4 million prostate cancer study done through Bastyr University and the NIH (National Institute of Health).
The evidence for the positive benefit of Trametes versicolor on personal health is definitely there. It will be interesting to see what more we can learn in the near future!
https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/trametes-versicolor.html
Dr. Axe on Turkey Tail Mushroom:
https://draxe.com/turkey-tail-mushroom/
Turkey Tail Mushroom Extract for Cancer Treatment
http://medicinal-mushrooms.net/turkey-tail-mushroom-extract-for-cancer-treatment/
