Turkey Tail Mushrooms have been used as early as the 15th century during the Ming Dynasty in China and come from the Trametes versicolor family, formerly Coriolus versicolor (or “cloud mushroom”). These beautiful mushrooms are a star ingredient in our Formula 1 Soma Supplement for Longevity and Vitality. The reason for leveraging this superstar immune power house mushroom supplement is due to many of it's health benefits, as well as its ability to aid in fighting cancer.
Archaeologists have found evidence of mushrooms on Egyptian hieroglyphics, noting the mushrooms as “the plant of immortality, called the ‘sons of the gods’ sent to Earth on lightning bolts and eaten only by nobles and pharaohs.” The Aztecs kept mushrooms as sacred, consuming them in holy rituals. And as noted above, Asian cultures have been keen to the turkey tail mushroom since the 15th century.
Let's review four health benefits to supplementing with Turkey Tail Mushrooms:
Immune System Support
Turkey tail mushroom supplementation benefits start with working as an immune system booster. They contain B-glucans, a type of polysaccharides so. when eaten, these B-glucans provide receptors in the small intestine area that get the immune-boosting power in full force. They also act as an immunomodulator that boosts immune function. Thus, this ability to support the health of both an underactive and overactive immune system makes it unique!
An Ally in Combatting Cancer
A small study in 2012 looked at nine patients with breast cancer, orally administering turkey tail after chemotherapy and radiotherapy.[2] The results found that up to 9 grams of turkey tail per day increased lymphocyte numbers (a type of white blood cell that plays a role in the immune system) as well as the activity of Natural Killer (NK) cells (which are important for controlling diseases, infections and tumors).
PSK, the best known active compound found in turkey tail mushroom, has been studied in patients with several types of cancer, and it has been safely used for cancer in Japan with few reported side effects. Studies show that PSK helps repair immune cell damage that’s caused by chemotherapy and strengthen the immune system.
Aids in Fighting Infection
Turkey tail can help heal infections, such as an oral strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV). According to a study of 61 patients with gum disease testing positive for oral HPV, 88 percent of the 41 patients who received both turkey tail and reishi mushrooms showed positive results after only two months of treatment.
Turkey tail has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Therefore, an extract of the turkey tail mushroom may be helpful. This extract, called PSP, has been studied in vitro, noting it as an antiviral agent that may prevent the replication of the HIV virus.
Digestive Support and Balance
The mushroom contains perfect prebiotics that assist the microbiome.
This means that it can help the growth of the good bacteria in the body, including acidophilus and Bifidobacterium, which is even more beneficial for anyone suffering from leaky gut syndrome.
While Turkey Tail mushrooms themselves are not categorized as psychedelic or “magic mushrooms” - they do have a magic unto themselves all on their own. Our immune system, which is basically our body’s warrior class, is our defense against pathogens, disease and a whole bunch of things that make us feel unwell.
If you would like to try out Turkey Tail alongside Lion's Mane and Golden Teachers, we have our Formula 1 Soma Supplement available in 28 day moon cycles.
Additionally you can get the video presentation all about our friends the Turkey Tail Mushrooms here:
And if you would like to sign up for our "In Real Life" and Virtual Seminar, you can do so here:
Sources:
Yoshitani S, Takashima S. Efficacy of postoperative UFT (Tegafur/Uracil) plus PSK therapies in elderly patients with resected colorectal cancer. Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2009 Feb;24(1):35-40. doi: 10.1089/cbr.2008.0547. PMID: 19243246.
Sun C, Rosendahl AH, Wang XD, Wu DQ, Andersson R. Polysaccharide-K (PSK) in cancer--old story, new possibilities? Curr Med Chem. 2012;19(5):757-62. doi: 10.2174/092986712798992020. PMID: 22204346.