Turkey Tail

Different mushrooms with complementary immune effects

Comprehensive mushroom immune support

⟡ Probiotics

Turkey tail prebiotics feed probiotic bacteria

Synbiotic gut and immune support

Top studies from 35+ peer-reviewed papers

📚systematic-review

Gariboldi MB et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2023)

“We also report insights into the relationship between dietary consumption of edible mushrooms and breast cancer risk, and the results of clinical studies and meta-analyses focusing on the effects of fungal extracts on breast cancer patients.”

Key Findings:

In this article, we reviewed mushrooms showing antineoplastic activity again breast cancer cells, especially focusing on the possible bioactive compounds involved and their mechanisms of action.
In particular, the following mushrooms have been considered: Agaricus bisporus, Antrodia cinnamomea, Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris, Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, Lentinula edodes, and Pleurotus ostreatus.
We also report insights into the relationship between dietary consumption of edible mushrooms and breast cancer risk, and the results of clinical studies and meta-analyses focusing on the effects of fungal extracts on breast cancer patients.

📚systematic-reviewn=1569

Pilkington K et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2022)

“Due to the very low certainty of evidence, we were uncertain about the effect of adjunctive Coriolus (in the form of an extract PSK) on adverse events resulting from conventional chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.”

Key Findings:

We found low-certainty evidence of a small effect of adjunctive Coriolus on improved survival at five years compared with no adjunctive care (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.15; 1094 participants; 3 studies; number needed to benefit (NNTB) = 16 (95% Cl 9 to 70).
Due to the very low certainty of evidence, we were uncertain about the effect of adjunctive Coriolus (in the form of an extract PSK) on adverse events resulting from conventional chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.
This includes effects on withdrawal of treatment due to adverse events and on specific adverse outcomes such as neutropenia and nausea.
The uncertainty in the evidence also means that it was unclear whether any adverse events were due to the chemotherapy or to the extract itself.

📚systematic-review

Xu J et al. • Nutrients (2022)

“In summary, there is a need to continue to explore the use of those extracts and to further validate their safety and efficacy.”

Key Findings:

Our review summarizes the research progress on the anticancer properties of edible and medicinal fungi and the underlying molecular mechanism, which may offer a better understanding of this field.
Additionally, few studies have reported the safety and efficacy of extracts from edible and medicinal fungi, which may limit their clinical application.
In summary, there is a need to continue to explore the use of those extracts and to further validate their safety and efficacy.

📚systematic-review

Dou H et al. • Progress in molecular biology and translational science (2019)

“The polysaccharide content in PSP is ~60% and the peptide content in PSP is ~10-30%.”

Key Findings:

The polysaccharide content in PSP is ~60% and the peptide content in PSP is ~10-30%.
In recent years, immunotherapy has been widely used in cancer treatment.
However, to use PSP as an immunotherapeutic at world stage, further chemical, biochemical and pharmacological studies of PSP are needed.

📚systematic-review

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

Szelenberger R et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2025)

“Presented evidence indicates that fungal polysaccharides possess considerable potential as multifunctional hepatoprotective agents, highlighting the need for further mechanistic insight and clinical validation.”

Key Findings:

Fungal polysaccharides were also shown to improve hepatic function by lowering serum biomarkers of liver injury and ameliorating histopathological damage.
Presented evidence indicates that fungal polysaccharides possess considerable potential as multifunctional hepatoprotective agents, highlighting the need for further mechanistic insight and clinical validation.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

View all 35+ studies

What would you like to do next?

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Turkey Tail

mushroom

Trametes versicolor (Coriolus)

Immune-supporting mushroom with the strongest evidence among medicinal mushrooms, used as cancer therapy adjunct in Asia.

immunitygut-healthmushroomimmunePSKgut health

35+ studies

Evidence

Reviewed 19 days ago

high

Safety

1-3g dried mushroom or equivalent extract

Dose

4-8 weeks

Time to Effect

Hot water extract capsules or powder

Best Form

Mechanisms of Action

🛡️

Beta-Glucan Immune Activation

Stimulates immune cells to be more active

🦠

Prebiotic Effects

Feeds beneficial gut bacteria

Biological PathwayBeta

How Turkey Tail works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.

Supplement

Molecular Target

Biological Process

Health Outcome

Strong

Moderate

Emerging

strong

moderate

emerging

Tap node to isolate • Pinch to zoom • Tap edge for research

Recommended Dose

1-3g dried mushroom or equivalent extract

1000mg3000mg

Optimal Timing

With or without food

Can be taken without food

Available Forms

Form	Type
💊Hot water extract capsules or powder	Recommended
🧪Dried mushroom powder	Alternative
💊PSK extract (clinical grade)	Alternative

Look for extracts standardized to beta-glucan content. PSK is the pharmaceutical-grade extract used in Asian oncology.

Duration

Minimum: 4 weeks

Optimal: 8 weeks

Cycling: Not required

Note: Can be taken any time. Some prefer with meals for potential gut benefits.

🛡️

Immune Enhancement

Stronger immune response

⏱️ 4-8 weeks

65% of users notice thispositive

🦠

Gut Health Support

Improved gut microbiome diversity

⏱️ 4-8 weeks

55% of users notice thispositive

High SafetyMax safe dose: Up to 9g/day used in clinical studies (as PSK)

🟡

Pregnant/nursing

Insufficient data; consult doctor

🟡

Cancer patients

Often used as adjunct; consult oncologist

Who Should NOT Take This

Autoimmune conditions (use with caution)

Drug Interactions

Immunosuppressantsmoderate

May counteract immunosuppressive effects

everolimussevere

Possible interference with immunosuppression

Possible Side Effects

GI upset

milduncommon

Tip: Start with lower dose

Dark stools

milduncommon

Tip: Normal with mushroom supplements

Warnings

Quality varies — choose products tested for beta-glucan content
Those with autoimmune conditions should consult doctor

⟡ Reishi

Different mushrooms with complementary immune effects

Comprehensive mushroom immune support

⟡ Probiotics

Turkey tail prebiotics feed probiotic bacteria

Synbiotic gut and immune support

Top studies from 35+ peer-reviewed papers

📚systematic-review

Gariboldi MB et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2023)

“We also report insights into the relationship between dietary consumption of edible mushrooms and breast cancer risk, and the results of clinical studies and meta-analyses focusing on the effects of fungal extracts on breast cancer patients.”

Key Findings:

In this article, we reviewed mushrooms showing antineoplastic activity again breast cancer cells, especially focusing on the possible bioactive compounds involved and their mechanisms of action.
In particular, the following mushrooms have been considered: Agaricus bisporus, Antrodia cinnamomea, Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris, Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, Lentinula edodes, and Pleurotus ostreatus.
We also report insights into the relationship between dietary consumption of edible mushrooms and breast cancer risk, and the results of clinical studies and meta-analyses focusing on the effects of fungal extracts on breast cancer patients.

📚systematic-reviewn=1569

Pilkington K et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2022)

“Due to the very low certainty of evidence, we were uncertain about the effect of adjunctive Coriolus (in the form of an extract PSK) on adverse events resulting from conventional chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.”

Key Findings:

We found low-certainty evidence of a small effect of adjunctive Coriolus on improved survival at five years compared with no adjunctive care (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.15; 1094 participants; 3 studies; number needed to benefit (NNTB) = 16 (95% Cl 9 to 70).
Due to the very low certainty of evidence, we were uncertain about the effect of adjunctive Coriolus (in the form of an extract PSK) on adverse events resulting from conventional chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.
This includes effects on withdrawal of treatment due to adverse events and on specific adverse outcomes such as neutropenia and nausea.
The uncertainty in the evidence also means that it was unclear whether any adverse events were due to the chemotherapy or to the extract itself.

📚systematic-review

Xu J et al. • Nutrients (2022)

“In summary, there is a need to continue to explore the use of those extracts and to further validate their safety and efficacy.”

Key Findings:

Our review summarizes the research progress on the anticancer properties of edible and medicinal fungi and the underlying molecular mechanism, which may offer a better understanding of this field.
Additionally, few studies have reported the safety and efficacy of extracts from edible and medicinal fungi, which may limit their clinical application.
In summary, there is a need to continue to explore the use of those extracts and to further validate their safety and efficacy.

📚systematic-review

Dou H et al. • Progress in molecular biology and translational science (2019)

“The polysaccharide content in PSP is ~60% and the peptide content in PSP is ~10-30%.”

Key Findings:

The polysaccharide content in PSP is ~60% and the peptide content in PSP is ~10-30%.
In recent years, immunotherapy has been widely used in cancer treatment.
However, to use PSP as an immunotherapeutic at world stage, further chemical, biochemical and pharmacological studies of PSP are needed.

📚systematic-review

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

Szelenberger R et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2025)

“Presented evidence indicates that fungal polysaccharides possess considerable potential as multifunctional hepatoprotective agents, highlighting the need for further mechanistic insight and clinical validation.”

Key Findings:

Fungal polysaccharides were also shown to improve hepatic function by lowering serum biomarkers of liver injury and ameliorating histopathological damage.
Presented evidence indicates that fungal polysaccharides possess considerable potential as multifunctional hepatoprotective agents, highlighting the need for further mechanistic insight and clinical validation.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

View all 35+ studies

What would you like to do next?

Related Supplements

Sk8.5

Shiitake

8.5/10

Contains lentinan for immune enhancement and eritadenine for cholesterol reduction — both a culinary staple and medicinal tool.

Cg7.0

Chaga

7/10

One of nature's highest antioxidant sources, containing melanin and betulinic acid for immune and inflammatory support.

Lgn9.0

L-Glutamine

Primary fuel for intestinal and immune cells — becomes conditionally essential during stress, illness, or intense training.

Pro9.0

Probiotics