What Are The Health Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushrooms?

Turkey tail has long been used for medicinal purposes, most notably in parts of Asia. “A few of the traditional uses for turkey tail include removing toxins, increasing energy, eliminating excessive fluid, strengthening the organs responsible for the immune system, and supporting liver, lung, and spleen function,” says Erica Huss, cofounder of the functional mushroom company Earth & Star. “Turkey tail can also help with coughs, breathing difficulties, hemorrhoids, and joint pain.”

Today, a significant amount of science supports the medicinal value of this mushroom. “Turkey tail is one of the most widely researched functional mushrooms,” says Huss’ Earth & Star cofounder, Zoe Sakoutis. “It’s renowned for its immune support.”

Research suggests turkey tail has strong antioxidant properties that may protect DNA from free radical damage. This can help to significantly improve certain immune responses. The mushroom specifically contains two notable immune-system-supportive polysaccharides, which numerous studies have shown can improve outcomes in cancer patients when administered alongside chemotherapy. “The immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharide peptides in turkey tail was discovered in 1965 in Japan by a chemical engineer, who observed a case of cancer remission after ingesting yun zhi [turkey tail],” says Huss. “Subsequent research led to identification of two closely related [components] of turkey tail with anticancer activity: Krestin (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP). Krestin (PSK) has been studied most extensively and is in wide clinical use as an adjunctive cancer therapy in Japan and China.” This miraculous mushroom has also been used more generally to bolster the immune systems of immunocompromised people, she adds.

Turkey tail has prebiotic properties too. “Prebiotics are compounds that induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi in the GI tract—your microbiome,” says Sakoutis. This means turkey tail can help to optimize your gut health, which plays an important role in your overall physical and mental well-being.

5 Products That Will Help You Reap The Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushrooms

Though it’s good for you, turkey tail is not exactly delicious, and it’s a bit tough in texture to eat. You can brew it into a tea by boiling dried or fresh strips in hot water for about an hour (strain before serving!), but it’s typically consumed in supplement form. Below, find five of our favorite products featuring this save-you-from-sickness 'shroom.