Turkey Tail Mushroom

Overview

Turkey Tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) is a common medicinal mushroom found worldwide, recognized by its colorful, banded appearance resembling a turkey's tail. It is particularly rich in polysaccharides, including polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharide-peptide (PSP), which have been extensively studied for their immune-modulating properties.

Within the BRAIN Diet framework, turkey Tail supports gut microbiome diversity and may help modulate immune responses. It is one of the most researched medicinal mushrooms for immune support and is commonly consumed as a tea, extract, or supplement [1][2].

Key Nutritional Highlights

• Turkey tail provides polysaccharopeptides studied for immune-modulating effects [1]
• Fungal beta-glucans modulate innate immune and gut-associated signalling [2]
• Turkey Tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) is a common medicinal mushroom found worldwide, recognized by its colorful, banded appearance resembling a turkey's tail. [1]
• It is particularly rich in polysaccharides, including polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharide-peptide (PSP), which have been extensively studied for their immune-modulating properties. [2]
• Turkey Tail supports gut microbiome diversity and may help modulate immune responses.
• It is one of the most researched medicinal mushrooms for immune support and is commonly consumed as a tea, extract, or supplement.

Food Context

Sourcing

• Store dried mushrooms in a cool, dry place away from light

Preparation

• Most commonly consumed as a tea, extract, or supplement rather than whole mushroom
• Dried Turkey Tail can be simmered to make a tea
• Extracts may provide more concentrated polysaccharides
• The mushroom itself is tough and not typically consumed whole

Recipes

no recipes found

Nutrient Tables (per 100 g)

Bioactive compounds

Explicitly identified compounds, including individual fatty acids, with a defensible quantity or an explicit qualitative status. Asterisks (*) identify supplementary sources below. Unquantified or trace constituents are not automatically admitted to the Substances list.

Compound / class	Amount per 100 g	Notes
Beta-Glucans	Present — quantity not established *	—
Polysaccharides	Present — quantity not established *	—

Source notes (supplementary):

• * Beta-Glucans: Turkey Tail Mushroom cell walls contain β-glucans; USDA SR Legacy mushroom records do not quantify β-glucans.
• * Polysaccharides: Turkey Tail Mushroom is characterised by fungal polysaccharides; USDA SR Legacy has no record for this mushroom, so quantity is not established.

Reference intakes: US Dietary Reference Intakes for adults (19–50 years; using the higher of male/female values where they differ).

This value uses a documented composition interpretation. See FCIR-015.

Substances

Substances admitted through a supported nutrition-table row. Not every table row appears here. Cards are not BRS mappings.

2 substances in this food

Beta-Glucans

Polysaccharides with immune-modulating properties found in mushrooms and other foods

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates with immune-modulating and gut microbiome supporting properties

References

[1] Turkey tail provides polysaccharopeptides studied for immune-modulating effects. Starck et al. 2024. Mushrooms: a food-based solution to vitamin D deficiency to include in dietary guidelines

[2] Fungal beta-glucans modulate innate immune and gut-associated signalling. Lacasa et al. 2023. Yeast Beta-Glucan Supplementation with Multivitamins Attenuates Cognitive Impairments in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial