Turkey Tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) is one of the most researched and widely used medicinal mushrooms in the world. Named for its colorful, fan-like appearance that resembles a turkey’s tail, this powerful fungus grows on dead hardwood trees and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries.
Renowned for its ability to support immune function, promote gut health, and act as a complementary cancer therapy, Turkey Tail is a staple in natural medicine with a growing body of clinical research to back its benefits.
Turkey Tail is the most extensively studied medicinal mushroom globally, particularly for its role as an immuno-modulator and cancer support supplement. Over the past 50 years, more than 400 peer-reviewed clinical trials and studies have evaluated its effects, with promising outcomes in both standalone and integrative treatments.
The two most studied compounds in Turkey Tail are:
These beta-glucan-rich polysaccharides are known to:
Turkey Tail mushroom is one of the most respected natural supplements used in integrative cancer care. Extensively studied for its immune-modulating and tumor-suppressing properties, it has shown promising results across multiple types of cancer.
Clinical research has shown improvements in:
When combined with conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, Turkey Tail extracts may help:
In Japan, PSK (a powerful compound found in Turkey Tail) is one of the most prescribed natural therapies in oncology and remains a best-selling cancer support supplement. Its use is rapidly expanding across North America, Europe, and Asia as part of holistic, evidence-based treatment plans.
Turkey Tail mushroom is a powerful immune modulating adaptogen known for its ability to balance and strengthen the immune response. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with low immunity, autoimmune disorders, or those recovering from illness or treatment.
It helps regulate immune activity without overstimulating the system. This makes it a smart choice for long term immune health and integrative wellness routines.
Turkey Tail mushroom is one of the most extensively studied natural sources of prebiotic polysaccharides, making it a valuable ally for gut and digestive health.
Promotes beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus
Reduces harmful bacteria including C. difficile and Staphylococcus spp.
Supports healthy pH balance and mucosal lining
Helps reduce gut inflammation and strengthens intestinal integrity
By feeding and balancing the microbiome, Turkey Tail encourages a healthier digestive environment and supports the close connection between gut health and immune function.
Turkey Tail is safe for long-term use and can be taken daily for immune maintenance, gut health, or deeper therapeutic purposes.
Maintenance: 0.5–1g, 1–2× per day
Therapeutic use: 3–5× the maintenance dose
Look for products made from real, log-grown fruiting bodies with a high extraction ratio (like 8:1) to ensure bioactive potency. Alchemy Dose Turkey Tail provides a lab-verified, concentrated powder for maximum results.
Backed by over 400 clinical studies
Used globally in integrative cancer care
Supports immunity, digestion & detoxification
Safe, natural & effective for long-term health
Experience the benefits of one of the most researched medicinal mushrooms on Earth.
Try our premium Turkey Tail extract and elevate your wellness naturally.
Beta-glucans themselves don’t fight disease. Instead, these compounds are able to stimulate or activate the other cells responsible for immunity. [2]
When beta-glucans enter the body, they mimic an invader, and are taken to task by “macrophages”, innate immune cells that engulf the beta-glucan and take them to the lymph nodes. There, they are broken down into smaller bits. The fragments are then released and bind to “natural killer cells” (and other immune cells) essentially “priming” them and allowing them to reach and react to pathogens much quicker.
Sort of like a Trojan Horse, except good for you!
There are two particularly interesting compounds that have been isolated from different strains of Turkey Tail, notably PSP (polysaccharide peptide) and PSK (polysaccharide-k, otherwise known as “Krestin”).
PSK was discovered in the 1960’s in Japan and PSP was isolated in China in the 1980’s. These compounds have been studied for their ability to support the immune system and alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy*.
A published review found that:
“PSK and PSP boosted immune cell production, ameliorated chemotherapy symptoms, and enhanced tumor infiltration by dendritic and cytotoxic T-cells*. Their extremely high tolerability, proven benefits to survival and quality of life, and compatibility with chemotherapy and radiation therapy makes them well suited for cancer management regimens*.” [3]
There have also been multiple studies on the use of PSK as being a beneficial adjunct to chemotherapy for various types of cancers*.
“PSK has been studied in patients with gastric cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. It has been used as adjuvant therapy in thousands of cancer patients since the mid-1970s. PSK has been safely used in people for a long time in Japan and few side effects have been reported.” [4]
Turkey Tail has prebiotic properties and has traditionally been used for improving gut health*.
Studies have shown that Turkey Tail, more specifically PSP, has a prebiotic effect and has been shown to modify human fecal microbiota composition*. [5]
Another study looked to compare the effects of PSP to those of the antibiotic amoxicillin on the human gut microbiome*. [6]
It found that “PSP from T. versicolor acts as a prebiotic to modulate human intestinal microbiome composition*.”
Turkey Tail is more than just a carrier for immune-supporting beta-glucans – it also contains an impressive array of antioxidants, including phenols and flavonoids*.
One study identified a total of 38 phenolic compounds. [7]
“These findings have demonstrated considerable potential of T. versicolor water extract as a natural source of antioxidants*.”
1. Torkelson, Carolyn J., Erin Sweet, Mark R. Martzen, Masa Sasagawa, Cynthia A. Wenner, Juliette Gay, Amy Putiri, and Leanna J. Standish. “Phase 1 Clinical Trial of TRAMETES Versicolor in Women with Breast Cancer.” ISRN Oncology 2012 (2012): 1–7.
2. Standish LJ, Wenner CA, Sweet ES, Bridge C, Nelson A, Martzen M, Novack J, Torkelson C. Trametes Versicolor Mushroom Immune Therapy in Breast Cancer. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2008 Summer;6(3):122-8.” J Soc Integr Oncol., 3, Summer, no. 6 (2008): 122–28.
3. Fritz, Heidi, Deborah A. Kennedy, Mami Ishii, Dean Fergusson, Rochelle Fernandes, Kieran Cooley, and Dugald Seely. “Polysaccharide k and Coriolus Versicolor Extracts for Lung Cancer.” Integrative Cancer Therapies 14, no. 3 (2015): 201–11.
4. Ohwada, S, T Ikeya, T Yokomori, T Kusaba, T Roppongi, T Takahashi, S Nakamura, et al. “Adjuvant Immunochemotherapy with ORAL Tegafur/Uracil PLUS PSK in Patients with Stage II or Iii Colorectal Cancer: A Randomised Controlled Study.” British Journal of Cancer 90, no. 5 (2004): 1003–10.
5. Chay, Wen Yee, Chee Kian Tham, Han Chong Toh, Hwee Yong Lim, Chee Kiat Tan, Cindy Lim, Who-Whong Wang, and Su-Pin Choo. “Coriolus Versicolor (Yunzhi) Use as Therapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Poor Liver Function or Who Are Unfit for Standard Therapy.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 23, no. 8 (2017): 648–52.
6. Pfeiffer, Marijke. “The Effectiveness of Coriolus Versicolor Supplementation on HIV+ Patients and the Impact on CD4 Count and Viral Load.” Lecture presented at the III International Symposium on Mushroom Nutrition, March 10, 2001.
7. Monma, Yuko, Takashi Kawana, and Fumio Shimizu. “In Vitro Inactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus by a Biological Response Modifier, PSK.” Antiviral Research 35, no. 3 (1997): 131–38.
8. Buhner, Stephen Harrod. Herbal Antivirals: Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral Infections. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing, 2020.
9. Silva Couto, Jose, and Daniele Pereira da Silva. “Coriolus Versicolor Supplementation in HPV Patients.” 20th European Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Lecture presented at the 20th European Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, March 7, 2008.
10. Pallav, Kumar, Scot E Dowd, Javier Villafuerte, Xiaotong Yang, Toufic Kabbani, Joshua Hansen, Melinda Dennis, Daniel A Leffler, David S Newburg, and Ciarán P Kelly. “Effects of Polysaccharopeptide From Trametes Versicolor and Amoxicillin on the Gut Microbiome of Healthy Volunteers.” Gut Microbes 5, no. 4 (2014): 458–67.
11. Yu, Zhuo-Teng, Bo Liu, Purna Mukherjee, and David S. Newburg. “Trametes Versicolor Extract Modifies Human Fecal Microbiota Composition In Vitro.” Plant Foods for Human Nutrition 68, no. 2 (2013): 107–12.
