Trametes versicolor, the Turkey Tail mushroom

 Known as Turkey tail,  Trametes or Coriolus Versicolor is a shelf fungus that has  been shown  to boost immune function and be an effective  adjunct treatment for several types of cancer. 
PictureTurkey Tail is both beautiful and useful in breast cancer treatment.
Coriolus versicolor has been used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries.

To date there have been no scientific studies as to whether the raw mushroom is effective  against cancer.   
However, three extracts of the mushroom  are being scientifically studied  as potential complementary cancer treatments.

These poly-saccharide extracts known as PSK, PSP and VPS are carbohydrates formed by a large number of sugar molecules.  

In Japan PSK has been approved as an adjunctive treatment for  several types of cancer since  the 1980s and scientifically studied  for 20 years more.        


PSK
Experts at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center  reviewed over two dozen  (mainly Japanese) scientifically controlled studies on  the use of PSK  as an adjunct treatment for cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, or breast. 
The studies showed that without major side-effects, PSK can

  • increase cancer remission periods and survival rates in humans

  • slow the spread of cancer cells in animals

  • boost  the immune system in people undergoing chemotherapy 

  • lessen some side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Note that PSK may not be as effective against liver cancer or leukemia.
PSP has been discovered more  recently and has mostly been studied on animals or cells in laboratory  in China. 

The animal studies have suggested that PSP may slow the growth of lung cancer and sarcoma, and may help make radiation therapy more effective in treating certain brain tumors.
Why Turkey Tail is not a prescription drug
Substances that have a very long history of medicinal use typically cannot be patented.

This means that extracts  of fungi used medicinally over centuries will  not be developed by the major drug companies. 
In Japan it was the extraction method for PSK  that was patented.

 Secondly, PSK is not  available in USA because  rather than having a  single Active Principal Ingredient, as licensing requires,  it is an assortment of sugars and attached proteins.



Pure Turkey-tail Extract
The pure  and unaltered form turkey tail  extract is  approved and available in the US as a neutroceutical supplement to "support the immune system."
Pure Turkey-tail extract shown to improve the immune system after radiation for Breast cancer
This extract was used in a multi-year  NIH study which showed that "Trametes versicolor represents a novel immune therapy with significant applications in cancer treatment ...


The study titled "Phase I Clinical Trial of Trametes versicolor in Women with Breast Cancer," showed that turkey tail mushrooms can augment conventional therapies for treating breast cancer by increasing NK and CD8+T immune system cell activity.

Other benefits of boosting Immune function with  Turkey Tail extracts
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Paul Stamets says that many researchers  believe turkey tails and other medicinal mushrooms lessen the odds of getting cancer by reducing causal co-factors such as oncoviruses. 

By increasing immune function killer cells, Turkey tail extract fights viruses. 

Its mycelium also excretes strong antiviral compounds, specifically active against Human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, and hepatitis C virus (HEP-C), which causes liver cancer.
What should you look for when buying a turkey tail product?

All mushrooms can hyper-accumulate heavy metals, especially from  theair and soil. Therefore,  you should look for mushroom products that are certified organic.

If possible, choose products supported by validated scientific research.

Take a look at the  video of Paul Stamets, the founder of  Fungi Perfecti, speaking about his mother's  experience with breast cancer and the Turkey Tail extract  produced by her son.
Research articles on turkey tail mushrooms can be found here:

 For review summaries see the links below.
  • MD Anderson Cancer Center: Coriolus versicolor Detailed Scientific Review -- http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/resources-for-professionals/clinical-tools-and-resources/cimer/therapies/herbal-plant-biologic-therapies/coriolus-versicolor-scientific.html
  • American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/DietandNutrition/coriolus-versicolor