Turkey Tail

Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd. (Family Polyporaceae)

Sometimes you will see this fungus referred to by the names Coriolus versicolor (L.) Quél. or Polyporus versicolor (L.) Fr., which were previous classifications*.

[* In these scientific names the “L” stands for Linnaeas, the botanist who first classified the species; the other name (e.g. Lloyd, Quel., Fr.) is the name of the botanist who reclassified it into a different genus than the one used by Linnaeas.]

There is much current interest in fungi for medicinal use, especially for their immune boosting actions, provided by the particular kinds of polysaccharides** that they contain. Turkey tail is very widespread around the world, occurring naturally in every continent except Antarctica, and has been the most studied of all medicinal fungi.

[** Polysaccharides are kinds of sugars that have large molecules. The molecule of the sugar that we eat, sucrose, is a disaccharide, it contains two sugar units: glucose and fructose. Polysaccharides molecules contain many sugar units strung together.]

There are several fungi with a similar appearance to turkey tail, notably false turkey tail (Stereum ostrea) and multicolour gill polypore (Tramites betulina). Although these are not poisonous, it is an unbreakable rule when foraging fungi (or any plant) to be absolutely sure of correct identification before gathering them for consumption or medicine. If you are unsure do not take them, or seek expert advice.

As you might easily imagine, the common name of this fungus, turkey tail, derives from the appearance its fruiting body (the visible part), which has been thought to resemble the tail of a wild turkey.

The specific name of turkey tail, versicolour, means variegated, or “having many colours”. This accurately describes its appearance. The top surface of the cap has concentric zones of different colors, usually brownish, with the outermost margin one being the lightest. Underneath a layer of fine down (“tomentum”) is a dark layer, and underneath that is the whitish, leathery flesh of the fungus, 1-3 mm thick. Older ones can appear green because of the algae which tends to grow on them.

Turkey tail grows in tiled layers in groups or rows on logs and stumps of deciduous trees. Mushrooms are fungi with a wide cap on top of a stalk. The cap is the fruiting body, the part of the mushroom which releases spores. In the case of the turkey tail fungus, there is no stalk present, only a cup-shaped cap that attaches directly to the tree or log on which it lives. So the fruiting body is everything that you can see.

Turkey tail grows on decaying wood, and indeed helps to degrade the lignin in the wood. It is not really edible as it is very tough, but it can be dried, ground into a powder, and consumed as tea.

The parts used in medicine are the fruiting body and the mycelium (a root-like structure of a fungus consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like structures called hyphae).

Turkey tail (Tramites versicolor) growing on a rotting tree log. Photo by Bernard Spragg via Flickr.com. Public domain.

For Chemistry Freaks

The chemical constituents of major interest are polysaccharides (PSK – Polysaccharopeptide Krestin, and PSP – polysaccharopeptides), tetracyclic triterpenoid sterol, alkaloids and polyphenols.

Vital Qualities in Traditional Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine regards turkey tail as cooling in the short term (it clears Heat) and drying (it eliminates Damp), while at the same time generally tonifying (it builds resilience) in the longer term.

When To Use It

Turkey tail improves immune functioning. In this regard it is known as an immunomodulator. While it helps the immune system fight infection, it may also calm the over-active parts of the immune system responsible for (for example) allergies and autoimmune conditions. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and is regarded as an adaptogen, in other words, a medicine that improves general hardiness and resilience. It is also rich in anti-oxidants and probiotics.

There is some scientific evidence that turkey tail may be be of benefit in preventing colds and flu, improving cancer survival rates (in combination with traditional cancer treatments), and combating human papillomavirus (HPV).

Putting together the known physiological actions of turkey tail, the scientific evidence about its applications and the reported experience of clinicians, it would seem reasonable to suggest turkey tail might find beneficial use for:

  • Prevention of infectious illnesses such as colds and flu.
  • Prevention of urinary infections.
  • Prevention/treatment of infectious illnesses in general.
  • Prevention/treatment of seasonal allergies such as hay fever.
  • Prevention/treatment of allergies in general e.g. allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis.
  • Treatment of systemic inflammatory conditions e.g. rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Cancer care. (N.B. It is not a “cure” for cancer!)
  • Enhancing the gut flora, improving digestion and gut function.
  • Fatigue including post-viral fatigue, general debility.

When and How to Harvest

First, correct identification. To be sure that you have turkey tail:

  • The cap has sharply defined contrasting concentric color zones, variable but often contains white, grey, brown, and reddish brown.
  • The cap is thin and quite flexible.
  • The upper surface is covered with fine down like velvet.
  • It has pores on the underside.
  • The pores are very small, barely visible, roughly 3 to 8 pores per millimeter. Use a magnifying glass and the tip of a ball point pen (usually about 1 mm in diameter).

Other similar species of fungus differ in one or more of these characteristics. By using the above checklist it is unlikely you will make a mistake. (If you do it is not such a big deal – the major lookalikes are not poisonous and may even be medicinal in their own right, it is just that they may not give the same benefits as turkey tail.)

As for harvesting, nothing could be easier! Just break them off the wood they are growing on. You can do this any time of year.

They then need to be dried or frozen for use later. First give them a quick rinse to wash any dirt off them, and remove the water remaining on them from the rinse with a clean tea towel.

Drying is then quite a long process. They need to be heated at 50ºC for 24 hours to be sure of fully drying them. Lay them on the tray (either in the oven or a dehydrator) with enough space around them to allow air flow and not one on top of the other. Be sure to dry them fully because if any water is left in them they will develop mold which may be toxic. They should be brittle at the end of the process.

The dried pieces of turkey tail can be ground up in an electric coffee grinder for addition to warm drinks if desired (see below).

Easy Household Use

The therapeutic dosage is 1-3 g daily of dried turkey tail. This is roughly 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of the chopped or broken up turkey tail.

If using freshly picked turkey tail or fresh turkey tail that you have frozen you will need to double these measurements/doses, as mushrooms contain at least 50% water. So 2 g of fresh turkey tail is equivalent to 1 g of dried turkey tail, for example.

The recommended way to take turkey tail is as a decoction. Chop/Break up the turkey into small pieces. Place about 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon in a saucepan (glass, enamel or stainless steel) with two cups of water. Cover, bring to the boil and simmer gently for 1 hour. You may need to top up the water as it evaporates. Drink this decoction split into two doses i.e. 2 cups a day.

Another, simpler way to take turkey tail is by adding some ground-up turkey tail to warm drinks (tea, coffee, herbal infusions) and drinking it down. You might choose this method, for example, if you have run out of decoction and don’t have the time to make some more.

When Not to Use It

DO NOT TAKE if you are allergic to mushrooms, fungi or mould!

Otherwise turkey tail is a safe herb to use. There are no known contraindications or serious side-effects. The interactions with prescription drugs listed on WebMD [2] are not major concerns and are only theoretical. However, always talk to your doctor before taking any herb. And observe the general cautionary advice to avoid taking herbs when you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

[1] Wikipedia 1: Trametes versicolor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trametes_versicolor. Accessed 11/12/2023.

[2] WebMD. Turkey Tail Mushroom – Uses, Side Effects, and More. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-648/turkey-tail-mushroom. Accessed 15/12/2023.

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