Turkey Tail Mushroom
Also known as: Trametes versicolor, Coriolus versicolor, PSK, Polysaccharide-K, Krestin, Yun Zhi
Effective Dosage
No established dose (insufficient research data)
What the Science Says
Turkey Tail is a common woodland mushroom (Trametes versicolor) used in traditional medicine and now sold widely as a supplement. Lab studies show its extracts can activate immune cells and trigger cytokine responses in human blood samples. A Cochrane review of seven clinical trials found very low-certainty evidence that its extract (PSK) may offer a small survival benefit at five years for colorectal cancer patients alongside conventional treatment, but the evidence quality was too poor to draw firm conclusions.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to treat or prevent cancer on its own. The clinical trials reviewed used a pharmaceutical-grade extract (PSK), not the raw mushroom powder sold in most supplements — so those products may not deliver the same effects. No solid evidence it meaningfully reduces chemotherapy side effects. The silver nanoparticle and anti-parasite research is early-stage lab work with no human relevance yet.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) contains bioactive compounds including beta-glucans and polysaccharides that show immune-activating properties in vitro, including upregulation of CD69 on lymphocytes and monocytes and induction of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (PMID: 31791317). A Cochrane systematic review found low-certainty evidence of a small survival benefit at 5 years (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.15) when PSK extract was used adjunctively in colorectal cancer treatment, though effects on chemotherapy adverse events were uncertain (PMID: 36445793). In vitro research also suggests the methanol extract may inhibit Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite growth, though this is preclinical only (PMID: 37248277).
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose (insufficient research data)
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic or absorption data provided in the available studies. Supplement form (raw powder vs. standardized extract) likely matters significantly.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most clinical research used a specific pharmaceutical extract (PSK/Krestin), not the raw mushroom powder found in most consumer supplements — these are not equivalent products
- All seven colorectal cancer RCTs in the Cochrane review were conducted in Japan and used older chemotherapy regimens that don't reflect current standard of care
- Evidence quality rated 'very low certainty' by Cochrane reviewers — results are highly uncertain
- No established safe or effective dose for consumers; supplement dosing is largely unregulated and unstandardized
- A 2025 toxicology paper exists but has no available abstract — safety profile in supplement doses is not well characterized by the provided data
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: 2026-04-06