Turkey Tail
Herb ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Colorful bracket fungus with strong immune-modulating research, especially PSK/PSP.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Turkey Tail is a herb most often used for immune modulation, gut microbiome, cancer support (adjunctive). NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 1-3 g daily, commonly taken as hot water extract or dual extract powder. This profile indexes 17 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: immune modulation, gut microbiome, cancer support (adjunctive). 17 sources indexed (1989–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Polysaccharopeptides PSK and PSP activate NK cells, T cells, and macrophages. Modulate gut microbiome composition. Used adjunctively in cancer care in Japan.11,4
Dosing & protocol.
Can take any time
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Hot Water / Dual Extract Turkey Tail.
Assumes 1-3 g/day. Vendor basis: iHerb, Vitacost, Amazon marketplace, and specialty mushroom brands; fruiting-body dual extracts price premium. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
It is usually prepared as tea or extract because the mushroom is tough.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Mild GI
- Darkened stools
- Darkened nails
Contraindications
- Immunosuppressants
- Autoimmune diseases7
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
3- 1Trametes versicolor (Coriolus versicolor) polysaccharopeptide as an adjuvant treatment for cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PMIDElsayed EA, El Enshasy H, Wadaan MAM et al. · Journal of Integrative Medicine · 2024
Systematic review found that polysaccharopeptide (PSK/PSP) from Trametes versicolor used as adjuvant cancer therapy improved survival, immune function markers, and reduced chemotherapy side effects across multiple cancer types.
- 2Polysaccharide-K (PSK) as an adjuvant treatment for colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PMIDWang C, Zhang J, Zhang N et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2023
Meta-analysis found PSK (from Coriolus versicolor) as adjuvant therapy significantly improved overall survival and disease-free survival in colorectal cancer patients when combined with chemotherapy.
- 3Can polysaccharide K improve therapeutic efficacy and safety in gastrointestinal cancer? a systematic review and network meta-analysisPMIDMa Y, Wu X, Yu J et al. · Oncotarget · 2017
Ma Y, Wu X, Yu J et al.. Can polysaccharide K improve therapeutic efficacy and safety in gastrointestinal cancer? a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Oncotarget. 2017
Randomized controlled trials
5- 4Effects of polysaccharopeptide from Trametes versicolor and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of healthy volunteers: a randomized clinical trialPMIDPallav K et al. · Gut Microbes · 2014
PSP significantly increased Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus while reducing Clostridium, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus in healthy volunteers
- 5Trametes versicolor mushroom immune therapy in breast cancerPMIDStandish LJ et al. · J Soc Integr Oncol · 2008
Turkey tail mushroom demonstrated immune-enhancing properties in breast cancer patients as an adjunct to conventional treatment
- 6Long-term effect of 5-fluorouracil enhanced by intermittent administration of polysaccharide K after curative resection of colon cancer. A randomized controlled trial for 7-year follow-upPMIDIto K, Nakazato H, Koike A et al. · International journal of colorectal disease · 2004
Ito K, Nakazato H, Koike A et al.. Long-term effect of 5-fluorouracil enhanced by intermittent administration of polysaccharide K after curative resection of colon cancer. A randomized controlled trial for 7-year follow-up. International journal of colorectal disease. 2004
- 7Adjuvant therapy with protein-bound polysaccharide K and tegafur uracil in patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer: randomized, controlled trialPMIDOhwada S, Kawate S, Ikeya T et al. · Diseases of the colon and rectum · 2003
Ohwada S, Kawate S, Ikeya T et al.. Adjuvant therapy with protein-bound polysaccharide K and tegafur uracil in patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer: randomized, controlled trial. Diseases of the colon and rectum. 2003
- 8[An effect of adjuvant immunochemotherapy using krestin and 5-FU on gastric cancer patients with radical surgery (first report)--a randomized controlled trial by the cooperative study group. Study Group of Immuno-chemotherapy with PSK for Gastric Cancer]PMIDNakazato H, Koike A, Ichihashi H et al. · Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy · 1989
Nakazato H, Koike A, Ichihashi H et al.. [An effect of adjuvant immunochemotherapy using krestin and 5-FU on gastric cancer patients with radical surgery (first report)--a randomized controlled trial by the cooperative study group. Study Group of Immuno-chemotherapy with PSK for Gastric Cancer]. Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy. 1989
Reviews & position papers
6- 9Anticancer potential of purified laccase enzyme from Trametes versicolor: specific cytotoxicity against thyroid and endometrial cancer cellsPMIDKale Bakir E, Deveci Ozkan A, Erman G et al. · Molecular biology reports · 2025
Kale Bakir E, Deveci Ozkan A, Erman G et al.. Anticancer potential of purified laccase enzyme from Trametes versicolor: specific cytotoxicity against thyroid and endometrial cancer cells. Molecular biology reports. 2025
- 10Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor mushroom to reduce adverse effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with colorectal cancerPMIDPilkington K et al. · Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2022
Systematic review of turkey tail mushroom polysaccharides for reducing adverse effects of cancer treatment in colorectal cancer patients
- 11Trametes versicolor (Synn. Coriolus versicolor) Polysaccharides in Cancer Therapy: Targets and EfficacyPMIDSaleh MH et al. · Front Pharmacol · 2020
PSK and PSP polysaccharopeptides activate NK cells, T cells, and macrophages and serve as adjuvant therapy for cancer
- 12Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom) and the treatment of breast cancer: a systematic reviewSource linkedPMIDBenson KF, Stamets P, Davis R et al. · Glob Adv Health Med · 2019
- 13Polysaccharide K and Coriolus versicolor extracts for lung cancer: a systematic reviewPMIDFritz H et al. · Integr Cancer Ther · 2015
15 of 17 preclinical studies supported anticancer effects for PSK through immunomodulation and potentiation of immune surveillance; PSK may extend survival in lung cancer patients
- 14PSK and cancer: a review of the evidenceSource linkedPMIDFritz H, Kennedy DA, Ishii M et al. · Integr Cancer Ther · 2015
Mechanistic & preclinical
1- 15The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom and its fermented substrate each show potent and complementary immune activating properties in vitroPMIDBenson KF et al. · BMC Complement Med Ther · 2019
Turkey tail mycelium and fermented substrate showed potent and complementary immune activating properties in vitro
Reference material
2- 16Zhong L, Yan P, Lam WC et al.. Coriolus Versicolor and Ganoderma Lucidum Related Natural Products as an Adjunct Therapy for Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2019Source linkedPMID
- 17Eliza WL, Fai CK, Chung LP. Efficacy of Yun Zhi (Coriolus versicolor) on survival in cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Recent patents on inflammation & allergy drug discovery. 2012Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Turkey Tail, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Turkey Tail?
Colorful bracket fungus with strong immune-modulating research, especially PSK/PSP.
What is Turkey Tail used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Turkey Tail include: Immune modulation; Gut microbiome; Cancer support (adjunctive). NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Turkey Tail?
A typical adult dose of Turkey Tail is 1-3 g daily. The commonly recommended form is Hot water extract or dual extract powder. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Turkey Tail?
Reported side effects include mild gi, darkened stools, darkened nails. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Turkey Tail?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Turkey Tail in NutriStack.
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