Last verified: 17 days ago
Turkey Tail Mushroom
Also known as: Trametes versicolor, Coriolus versicolor, Turkey Tail, PSK, Polysaccharide-K, Krestin
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Medicinal mushroom with immune-activating compounds. Very low-certainty evidence for cancer support.
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What it does
Turkey Tail is a medicinal mushroom (Trametes versicolor) that contains bioactive compounds including beta-glucans and polysaccharides. Lab studies show it can activate immune cells and trigger...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose (insufficient research data)
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Found in
Host Defense Mushroom Powders, Host Defense MycoShield Throat Spray, Anima Mundi Adaptogenic Powder and 1 more
What the Science Says
Turkey Tail is a medicinal mushroom (Trametes versicolor) that contains bioactive compounds including beta-glucans and polysaccharides. Lab studies show it can activate immune cells and trigger cytokine responses in human blood cells. A Cochrane review of seven clinical trials found very low-certainty evidence that its extract (PSK) may offer a small survival benefit in colorectal cancer patients at five years, but the evidence quality was too low to draw firm conclusions.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to cure or treat cancer on its own. No solid evidence it reliably reduces chemotherapy side effects like nausea or fatigue. Lab results showing immune activation don't automatically translate to real-world immune benefits in healthy people. Don't expect it to fight infections like Toxoplasma in humans based on current evidence.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Activates immune cells and triggers cytokine release in lab studies using human blood cells.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
PSK extract may slightly improve 5-year survival in colorectal cancer patients alongside conventional treatment.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic or absorption data in the provided studies
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most clinical evidence comes from Japanese studies using a specific pharmaceutical-grade PSK extract, which may not match what's in retail supplements
- Cochrane review rated all cancer-related evidence as 'very low certainty' — results should not be used to make treatment decisions
- Chemotherapy regimens studied are outdated and don't reflect current standard of care
- Silver nanoparticle synthesis research (one provided paper) has no relevance to oral supplement use and may mislead consumers about applications
- No standardized dosing exists for consumer products — potency varies widely between brands
Products Containing Turkey Tail Mushroom
See how Turkey Tail Mushroom is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Turkey Tail Mushroom do?
Medicinal mushroom with immune-activating compounds. Very low-certainty evidence for cancer support.
What is the effective dose of Turkey Tail Mushroom?
No established dose (insufficient research data)
Is Turkey Tail Mushroom safe?
Most clinical evidence comes from Japanese studies using a specific pharmaceutical-grade PSK extract, which may not match what's in retail supplements
What doesn't Turkey Tail Mushroom do?
Not proven to cure or treat cancer on its own.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25