The turkey tail mushroom is an attractive fungus. One’s first impression of the plant might be that it resembles corals. Its beautiful appearance is only one of the many factors you would admire about the turkey tail mushroom.
Its scientific name is Trametes Versicolor or Coriolus Versicolor and has been in use for centuries. It is grown in many parts of the world. If you have a respiratory problem, Chinese medicine would recommend Yun Zhi, or turkey tail extract, to help ease the symptoms.
Nutritional Value
The turkey tail mushroom has been common in many forms of folk and traditional medicines all over the world and for good reason. It possesses a wide variety of benefits that have been observed by people over the course of time. This fungus should always be bought from health stores, and not eaten raw in the wild. Some mushrooms look very similar to the turkey tail and are actually poisonous.
Let’s take a closer look at what the turkey tail can offer:
Immune System Booster
Out of all the positive side effects noted from the turkey tail, boosting the immune system seems to be garnering the most attention.
The turkey tail can help the body’s natural response to fight invaders such as harmful bacteria and viruses. Some people have noted that taking turkey tail, whether in extract form or in capsules, has had a significant impact on how often they get sick. Even when they do catch a bug, the illness seems to be less severe – meaning the symptoms noted aren’t as strong as it should be and the illness seemed to linger in a much shorter time frame.
Full of Antioxidants
Our bodies naturally produce free radicals as a by-product of metabolic processes. This elimination of free radicals comes easily when we are younger but as we age, our bodies have a hard time getting rid of them. The build-up of free radicals in the body can cause many health problems, such as deadly diseases. Let us also not forget some lifestyle choices that only aggravate the situation, such as eating junk food, too much sun exposure, smoking, excessive alcohol drinking, and such.
Thankfully, turkey tail is very much loaded with antioxidants. These antioxidants can help with the body’s natural ability to fight free radicals and even the signs of aging. It contains phenols and flavonoids.
May Help Improve How Effective Certain Cancer Treatments Are
In a study conducted in Japan and Korea, patients who were supplemented with turkey tail extract, along with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, saw reduced recidivism rates of gastric, breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. The mushroom’s immune-boosting nutrients seem to be responsible for this promising effect. Do keep in mind though that human studies on the turkey tail and its effect on cancer treatments are very limited, and should never take the place of traditional treatments prescribed by a healthcare professional. However, knowing that turkey tail mushroom is already undergoing such studies gives us a promising outlook on what the plant can provide in the near future!
Improved Gut Health
Turkey tail has prebiotics – good bacteria – and is said to have a positive effect on the gut’s microbiome. It limits the production of bad bacteria and because of this, it has a positive effect on the immune system.
Conclusion
Turkey tail mushroom shows us that it has very promising positive effects on the body. Its effects have been known to be attributed to an improved immune system, better gastrointestinal health, and even the efficacy of certain cancer treatments. Enjoy turkey tail at Superfoods Australia in many forms such as powders, tinctures, and even freeze-dried. Only buy from reputable health stores so you know that you are getting only the best.
