Introduction
The mushrooms that are used in medicine are called medicinal mushrooms. These have been used to treat infections and other conditions in Asia. Presently, these are even used to treat cancer and lung diseases. They have been used along with standard cancer treatment in China and Japan. There are more than 100 types of such medicinal mushrooms in Asia. Of these, the common ones are Coriolus versicolor (turkey tail), Ganoderma lucidum (reishi), Grifola frondosa (maitake), and Lentinus edodes (shiitake). The turkey tail mushrooms have gained popularity recently due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting ability.
What Are Turkey Tail Mushrooms?
The scientific name of the turkey tail mushroom is Coriolus versicolor or Trametes versicolor. It mainly grows on dead trees and logs. It is named so due to its resemblance to the colorful tail of wild turkeys. The mushroom has a thin wooden texture with a fan-like appearance. It comes in various colors, varying from beige, brown, green, and grey, and has a white rim around the edges. There are different varieties of Trametes mushrooms, and it is easier to distinguish these with special testing. These mushrooms have been used for centuries in Chinese traditional medicine to promote digestion and improve immune function and overall health. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is known as “Yun Zhi,” and in Japan, it is called “kawaratake.”
What Are the Different Ways in Which the Mushroom Is Used?
Some of how turkey tail mushroom is consumed are:
-
Mushroom Tea - mushroom teas are prepared using fresh or dried turkey tail mushrooms. The mushroom is steeped in hot water and prepared.
-
Supplement - the mushroom is available in powder or capsule form and is used as a daily routine supplement.
-
Soups - the mushroom is added to broth, stew, or soups and consumed.
-
Tincture - tincture is a concentrated form of herbal extract that is added to water and consumed.
What Are the Uses?
The health benefits are:
-
Antioxidant:
Turkey tail mushrooms contain certain bioactive compounds that have antioxidant properties. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can result in cell damage and lead to some chronic conditions. Antioxidants help reduce the effect of free radicals and are called free-radical scavengers. The main antioxidant in turkey tail mushrooms is polysaccharide K (PSK).
PSK acts as a free-radical scavenger and prevents cellular damage due to oxidative stress. This further reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc. Other antioxidants in turkey tail mushrooms are phenols, flavonoids, and tocopherol.
-
Anticancer:
Turkey tail mushrooms have anti-cancer properties, due to which they are used as adjuvant therapy in cancer treatment. Studies have been done to understand the effect of PSK in patients with lung, breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer. Studies in individuals with gastric cancer concluded that PSK aids in the repair of immune cell damage that occurs following chemotherapy. It also further aids in strengthening the immune system.
The anticancer properties are primarily due to inhibition of angiogenesis and induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death). Apoptosis of cancer cells prevents the growth and spread of cancer.
-
Immune System Support:
Turkey tail mushroom contains many bioactive compounds that help in supporting the immune system. Beta-glucans and polysaccharides found in turkey tail mushrooms stimulate immune cells and fight infections. They help in increasing cytokine production; cytokines are signaling molecules that regulate immune responses. Turkey tail mushrooms also contain prebiotics from beneficial gut bacteria essential in maintaining a healthy immune system.
-
Cardiovascular Health Support:
Research studies show that turkey tail mushroom has properties that help regulate blood pressure. They reduce blood flow resistance and lower blood pressure.
-
Improved Athletic Performance:
Research studies conducted in mice showed that turkey tail extracts can increase athletic performance and reduce fatigue. Studies suggested this could be due to enhanced mitochondrial function, increasing exercise energy.
What Are the Side Effects?
Turkey tail mushroom is mainly considered safe and well-tolerated. Most side effects are mild and easily avoidable. The common side effects observed are dark stools and darkened nail pigmentation; clinically important side effects were not observed.
Some of the potential side effects are:
-
Allergic Reactions:
Turkey tail mushrooms can result in allergic reactions in those who are allergic to the fungi. Allergic reactions occur due to exaggerated reactions of the immune system to proteins present in the mushroom. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe, including rashes, itching, swelling, hives, and difficulty breathing.
-
Digestive Issues:
Turkey tail mushrooms may result in digestive issues in some due to their high fiber content. The mushrooms contain complex polysaccharides like beta-glucans, which are difficult to digest in the case of some individuals. This leads to gastric issues like diarrhea, gas, and bloating. Some individuals are sensitive or intolerant to specific compounds in the mushroom, such as mannitol or chitin, which can lead to gastric issues.
Digestive upset is not a common side effect related to the mushroom and only occurs in some instances.
-
Medication Interaction:
All of the interactions with prescription medications have yet to be well documented. As they affect the immune system, they may interact with the following medications:
-
Immunosuppressants:
Turkey tail mushroom stimulates the immune system and may interfere with the effects of immunosuppressants.
-
Chemotherapy Drugs:
Turkey tail mushroom increases the effect of certain chemotherapeutic drugs and thus may increase the chance for side effects.
-
Toxicity:
There is no sufficient data regarding the toxicity associated with using turkey tail mushrooms. Cytotoxic and mutagenic studies revealed no significant effects.
-
Contraindications:
There is no information regarding the safety of turkey tail mushrooms during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hence, it is recommended to avoid its use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Conclusion
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used as a part of Chinese traditional medicine and in Japan for centuries. In recent years, their use has extended to as an adjuvant in chemotherapy. No severe side effects are reported, except for some allergic reactions and gastric issues. There is not much data on the safety of use of these during pregnancy. So, as a rule of thumb, it is always advisable to use these under the guidance of a physician. Any herbs, supplements, or drugs taken or planned to be taken should always be guided by a physician.
