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Ttl7.0
Turkey Tail Research
Probably helpsHigh safety
31 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Probably helps
Turkey Tail helped in about half (2/4) of the studies that measured an effect — promising, but not unanimous.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2005–2025 with a typical study size of 24 participants.
Based on 31 studies · 2 meta-analyses · 9 RCTs · 12,165 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
2helped1unclear1didn't help· 27 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Cancer adjunct & oncology
Mixed evidence27 studies
Immune supportEnhanced immune cell activity and function · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational14 studies
Digestive healthPrebiotic polysaccharides support beneficial gut bacteria · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
InflammationPrebiotic effects supporting gut microbiome · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
Energy & fatigue
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 30 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
50%
across studies
People studied
12k
typical study: 24 people
Strongest designs
11
2 pooled, 9 randomised
Showed benefit
50%
2/4 studies
How long studies ran
3+ months
1
Populations Studied
Cancer patients9
Breast cancer patients4
Healthy volunteers2
Women with HPV infections and cervical dysplasia1
Active research area
11 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2019
200520152025
1HPV and cervical dysplasia treatmentSystematic ReviewCited 1×n=2,324 · very large study2024
The evidence for treating HPV and cervical dysplasia with CAM is of low quality because of lack of standardized, clinically relevant treatment outcomes, lack of standardization of products, and minimal reporting on adverse and long-term effects.
Walsh CJ et al. · Journal of lower genital tract disease (2024)
Adverse events were reported in only 28/56 (50%) of included studies.
The evidence for treating HPV and cervical dysplasia with CAM is of low quality because of lack of standardized, clinically relevant treatment outcomes, lack of standardization of products, and minimal reporting on adverse and long-term effects.
Future large, randomized control trials are needed to further assess efficacy and safety of CAM therapies to address HPV and cervical dysplasia.
2Five-year survivalSystematic ReviewCited 10×n=1,569 · large study2022
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.
Pilkington K et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2022)
Barely noticeable harm
← WorseNo effectBetter →
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.
3Hepatoprotective effects of fungal polysaccharidesSystematic Review2025
Presented evidence indicates that fungal polysaccharides possess considerable potential as multifunctional hepatoprotective agents, highlighting the need for further mechanistic insight and clinical validation.
Szelenberger R et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2025)
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.
This review focuses on the properties of selected medicinal mushrooms and their effects on the human organism and presents current knowledge on the possibilities of their use in the production of functional foods.
Łysakowska P et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2023)
Detailed mechanisms of the effects of medicinal mushrooms on the human organism still require long-term clinical studies to confirm their nutraceutical effects, their safety of use, and their dosage.
Medicinal mushrooms have great potential to be used in the design of innovative functional foods.
There is a need for further research on the possibility of incorporating mushrooms into food products to assess the interactions of their bioactive substances with ingredients in the food matrix.
5Antineoplastic activity against breast cancer cellsSystematic ReviewCited 29×2023
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.
Gariboldi MB et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2023)
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.
Shahrajabian MH et al. · Current HIV research (2023)
Terpenes inhibit virus fusion, lectins and flavonoids have an inhibitory impact on viral binding, curcumin and flavonoids inhibit viral DNA integration.
The information provided is gathered from randomized control experiments, review articles, and analytical studies and observations, which are obtained from different literature sources, such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct from July 2000 to August 2023.
7Anticancer properties of edible and medicinal fungiSystematic ReviewCited 23×2022
In summary, there is a need to continue to explore the use of those extracts and to further validate their safety and efficacy.
Xu J et al. · Nutrients (2022)
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.
10Suppressive action of mushroom extracts on breast cancerSystematic ReviewCited 52×2020
Antineoplastic effectiveness in human clinical trials and mechanism of anticancer action have been reported for Antrodia camphorata, Cordyceps sinensis, Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and Lentinula edodes.
Wong JH et al. · Applied microbiology and biotechnology (2020)
This article reviews mushrooms with anti-breast cancer activity.
Antineoplastic effectiveness in human clinical trials and mechanism of anticancer action have been reported for Antrodia camphorata, Cordyceps sinensis, Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and Lentinula edodes.
11Immune function measures and overall survival in cancer patientsSystematic ReviewCited 1×2020
Both extracts from Reishi and Coriolus, if used in combination with standard therapy or as an adjuvant single agent, have shown benefits at immune function measures, tumor-related symptoms and performance status of cancer patients.
Neuwirthová J et al. · Klinicka onkologie : casopis Ceske a Slovenske onkologicke spolecnosti (2020)
Both extracts from Reishi and Coriolus, if used in combination with standard therapy or as an adjuvant single agent, have shown benefits at immune function measures, tumor-related symptoms and performance status of cancer patients.
Moreover, they have prolonged their disease-free interval and overall survival.
They are well tolerated even in advanced cancer diseases and could be safely used continuously for long periods of time.
12Safety and herb-drug interactions in oncologySystematic ReviewCited 16×2019
It is important to familiarize health care professionals about popular supplements, so patients can be informed to make decisions that maximize benefits and minimize risks.
Hou YN et al. · Cancer journal (Sudbury, Mass.) (2019)
The 10 most searched-for herbs/supplements of 2018 are chaga mushroom, turmeric, ashwagandha, reishi mushroom, graviola, Active Hexose-Correlated Compound, boswellia, dandelion, green tea, and Coriolus versicolor.
Here we discuss their safety, herb-drug interactions, and appropriate uses in the oncology setting, based on literature searches in PubMed.
Over the past 16 years, the evidence for use of these supplements is based mostly on preclinical findings, with few well-designed studies and limited trials conducted in cancer patients.
Wong JH et al. · Current medicinal chemistry (2018)
The purpose of this account is to review the compounds capable of eliciting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells produced by medicinal fungi and plants.
The medicinal fungi discussed encompass Cordyceps, Ganoderma species, Coriolus versicolor and Hypsizygus marmoreus.
The medicinal plants discussed comprise Astragalus complanatus, Dendrobium spp, Dioscorea spp, Glycyrrhiza spp, Panax notoginseng, Panax ginseng, and Momordica charantia.
16Immunomodulatory and antitumor effectsSystematic ReviewCited 11×2015
Because of its unique properties and safety, PSP may become a widely used therapeutic agent in the near future.
Piotrowski J et al. · Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online) (2015)
Its anti-tumor effects seemed to be mediated through immunomodulatory regulation.
PSP stimulates cells of the immune system, induces synthesis of cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), eicosanoids including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), histamine, reactive oxygen species and nitrogen mediators.
There is a growing interest in understanding the mechanisms of PSP action.
185-year mortalityMeta-AnalysisCited 43×n=11 · very small study2012
This meta-analysis has provided strong evidence that Yun Zhi would have survival benefit in cancer patients, particularly in carcinoma of breast, gastric and colorectal.
Eliza WL et al. · Recent patents on inflammation & allergy drug discovery (2012)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Of patient randomized to Yun Zhi, there was a 9% absolute reduction in 5-year mortality, resulting in one additional patient alive for every 11 patients treated.
This meta-analysis has provided strong evidence that Yun Zhi would have survival benefit in cancer patients, particularly in carcinoma of breast, gastric and colorectal.
Nevertheless, the findings highlight the need for further evidence from prospective studies of outcome to guide future potential modifications of treatment regimes.
Finally, we conclude by highlighting an herbal formulation PHY906 as a potential adjunct to chemotherapy that might become one of the first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved oral herbal medicines for anti-cancer adjunct treatment.
Sze DM et al. · Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program (2009)
We begin with lessons learned from thalidomide as an effective single drug with multiple mechanisms of action to treat multiple myeloma.
Examples of "supplements" or integrative therapy will be drawn from arsenic trioxide, medicinal mushrooms including Coriolus vesicular and Ganoderma lucidum, followed by the discussion of beta-glucans affecting various immunological important cellular subsets.
Different classes of compounds may enhance distinct immune cell populations that might contribute to a multi-targeted holistic effects on anti-cancer treatment.