Turkey tail mushrooms may help boost the immune system.
A number of studies have shown that turkey tail mushrooms have immune boosting properties.
For example, its extract may be useful in fighting certain types of cancer, according to one 2014 reviewTrusted Source.
The researchers looked at studies of five types of mushroom, including turkey tail, as complementary cancer treatments. They conclude, “The evidence base for using mushrooms in cancer treatment has greatly increased.”
However, none of these studies recommend any mushroom extract as a standalone treatment. Instead, the researchers have found that these extracts may have benefits for people who use them alongside treatments such as chemotherapy.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain compounds called polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK). PSP and PSK Trusted Sourceappear to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Some evidence suggestsTrusted Source that PSP may also have the ability to stimulate the immune system, especially when combined with other anticancer treatments.
Researchers have isolated the PSK compound. In Japan, PSK is an approved adjuvant cancer treatment, according to the National Cancer InstituteTrusted Source.
However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved the product for this use in the U.S.
Colon cancer
Colon cancer is common in the U.S. In fact, the American Cancer Society (ACS) say that more than 100,000 peopleTrusted Source will receive a diagnosis of it in 2020.
PSP from turkey tail extract may inhibit colon cancer cell growth, according to some researchTrusted Source. PSP may also stop the colon cancer cells from migrating and invading healthy cells, the study authors report.
This was laboratory-based research, however. The team did not conduct the study in humans.
A systematic review and meta-analysisTrusted Source found that PSK from turkey tail is a safe and effective supplement for people with colorectal cancer or other forms of intestinal cancer.
The authors of the review conclude that people who take PSK may have improved survival rates, and they recommend combining PSK with chemotherapy.
Breast cancer
After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., according to the ACSTrusted Source.
The first line of treatment for breast cancer is chemotherapy, but a limited amount of research has examined whether or not turkey tail extract may be helpful during or after this treatment.
In one very small study, nine participants with stage 1, 2, or 3 breast cancer underwent standard chemotherapy and radiation treatments. They then took 3, 6, or 9 grams of turkey tail extract in divided doses each day for 6 weeks.
After their analyses, the researchers concluded that the extract contributed to increased levels of cancer fighting cells in the immune system.
Another study looked at natural supplements that doctors recommend in conjunction with chemotherapy. The authors suggest that turkey tail extract was the natural therapy most commonly prescribed to people with breast cancer, and they describe the extract as “chemotherapy-compatible.”
The compounds in turkey tail may also offer benefits for gut health.
Like most mushrooms, turkey tail contains fiber, which is an indigestible part of plant foods that helps maintain healthy digestion.
These mushrooms may also provide other benefits, including:
Healthy gut bacteria
ResearchTrusted Source has shown that having a healthy colony of bacteria in the gut can help prevent disease and support the immune system. Turkey tail may be helpful in keeping a balance of gut bacteria, therefore improving overall health.
One study found that PSP from turkey tail has prebiotic abilities and helps the gut regulate its balance of bacteria. Prebiotics are a type of fiber that act as a food source for healthy bacteria in the gut.
In addition, other evidence indicates that PSP regulates the gut microbiome by balancing levels of healthy bacteria in the intestines.
Obesity
Limited research suggests that a component of turkey tail called protein-bound beta-glucan (PBG) could help prevent obesity.
A study in miceTrusted Source, for example, found that PBG helped prevent weight gain in those that ate a high fat diet.
The study found that PBG may help balance certain bacteria in the gut, which can help prevent obesity. However, confirming these effects in humans will require further research.