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We’re constantly in awe of the many wonderful plants all around us, hiding gifts that many never know. So following an encounter with some incredible fungus growing in our woods, it was time to roll up our sleeves and dive into the research on the benefits of turkey tail mushrooms, Trametes versicolor.
Nature Provides
It’s amazing that many of the most prolific plants on the planet are considered weeds, are and yet are also amongst the most nutritious and medicinally beneficial plants. Examples of medicinal weeds we love and use include dandelion and plantain, as well as these weeds with purple flowers.
So I suppose it should be no surprise that one of the many wonderful benefits of turkey tail mushrooms includes how common and prolifically it grows. It’s like nature’s way of informing and providing for us… like a big sign held up for us to see that says “Pick me… I’m here for you”!
What is the Turkey Tail Mushroom Scientific Name?
Botanically, Trametes versicolor and Coriolus versicolor are used interchangeably as valid scientific names for turkey tail mushrooms.
What is False Turkey Tail Mushroom?
Similar in appearance to turkey tail mushroom, the false turkey tail mushroom is considered too tough and bland to be, edible. However, fortunately, the Stereum ostrea, false turkey tail mushroom is not poisonous.
The main identifying difference between turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), and false turkey tail, Stereum ostrea, is the smooth underside of the false version.
However
Are Turkey Tail Mushrooms Edible?
Yes, turkey tail mushrooms are edible, though not especially favored for their flavor or texture, which is a bit tough. So while you can eat turkey tail mushrooms, most people prefer to make use of them in other ways.
What Are Turkey Tail Mushroom Side Effects?
People with mushroom allergies could be affected. Otherwise, there are few known side effects of turkey tail mushrooms for most people who consume them, and none reported as serious.
Rare Reported Side Effects from Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Constipation and stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Rash
However, as with any new plant, herb, supplement or medication, proceed under appropriate guidance and in cautious moderation to confirm that you do not have any kind of adverse personal reactions.[1]https://cannabotech.com/a/articles/6-potential-side-effects-of-turkey-tail-mushrooms
Turkey Tail Mushroom Side Effects in Dogs
No negative side effects documented, however, possible health benefits include reduction in cancer.
How to Use Turkey Tail Mushrooms?
Most often preferred dried for tea and powders, the various forms of Trametes versicolor are readily available to purchase, and as evidence of the widespread use for the many benefits of turkey tail mushrooms.
They’re also powdered for capsules and nutritious greens powders blends.
Turkey Tail Mushroom Forms
What Are the Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushrooms?
Here’s a list with studies cited on some of the many benefits of consuming turkey tail mushrooms in tea, tinctures and powders.
- Alzheimer’s [2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6010034/
- Anti-inflammatory [3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7447717/
- Antimicrobial[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7447717/
- Antioxidants – 38 phenolic and flavonoid compounds, including quercetin and baicalein[5]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6010034/
- Cancer[6]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3503532/
- Diabetes[7]http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-9477-en.html
- Digestion / gut bacteria[8]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23435630/
- Exercise recovery[9]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5666542/
- Fatigue[10]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5666542/
- Hepatitis[11]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5666542/
- Immunity / immunodeficient disease[12] … Continue reading
- Liver function[13]https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/trametes-versicolor
- Nutritious – turkey tail mushrooms are high in fibre, proteins, and vitamins along with rich antioxidant-property phytochemicals [14]Puia et al., 2018
- Respiratory[15]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5666542/
- Strength[16]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5666542/
- Tumors[17]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5298263/
Turkey Tail Mushroom Benefits for Dogs too
In addition to all of these fantastic turkey tail mushroom benefits, Trametes versicolor delays metastasis and improves survival in dogs with cancer.[18]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3440946/
Chances are that there are many crossover benefits for our pets in turkey tail mushrooms, so this just scratches the surface of that research. If you have a pet with an illness, it’s definitely worth researching.
Find turkey tail mushroom products for dogs here.
Where to Find Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Trametes versicolor typically grows all over the world on old or dead logs, branches and limbs. Mushrooms that grow on decaying wood are called Saprobe
We have many fallen trees and limbs in our woods and see the turkey tail mushrooms in all shapes and sizes, ranging from 1″-4″.
As always, be certain before consuming foraged foods and be sure to do your own due diligence and careful observation of any adverse effects.
We’ve been too busy to get into a deep dive on mushroom foraging. But living in the woods, we’re surrounded by all kinds of fungi, so after learning about the many wonderful benefits of turkey tail mushrooms, we’re ready to expand our knowledge and use of more of nature’s wonders!
Mushrooms have been considered a significant amount of interest from the scientific community due to their high nutritional and medicinal values.
2021 STUDY on Mushroom-derived polysaccharides as antitumor and anticancer agent[19]https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S187881812100181X
If you’re making use of some of the benefits of turkey tail mushrooms, we’d love to hear about it!
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: We provide photos as guidelines, however, always cross-reference multiple sources for plant and mushroom identification. There are many look-alike plants and fungi, so it’s best to be certain and be safe, and this article is about the proven benefits of turkey tail mushrooms, not a guide for identification.
Check this out if you’re interested in researching the possibility of becoming a mushroom farmer.
I’m LeAura Alderson, a garden, herb and plant enthusiast with a passion for discovering the many edible and medicinal benefits of the plants all around us, including the weeds! I’m a writer, editor and media publisher for our family of websites.
While I was certified in fitness and life coaching, I am NOT a health practitioner. However, I’m a lifelong health enthusiast, with a keen interest in healthy, organic foods and making home remedies and the content we share is from our own experience and usage as well as that extracted from scientific research so that you can explore further on your own.
Always seek the advice and guidance of your health practitioners first and foremost.
As a family we’re steadily expanding our gardening, experimentation and knowledge around all things gardening, edible landscaping, fresh organic foods and self sustainability with farming in our future. I also own and manage iCreateDaily.com, a site all about transformation through creation, and the power of positivity, optimism and mindset.
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