Turkey tail, a woody bracket fungus with ringed brown and tan bands.

Mushrooms · Medicinal mushroom

Turkey tail

Q: What is turkey tail?

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor, also called Coriolus versicolor) is a woody bracket fungus with ringed brown and tan bands that grows on dead logs. It is called Yun Zhi in Chinese medicine and Kawaratake in Japan, and has long been used as a tonic and for lung conditions in East Asia.

Q: What is the difference between PSK, PSP and a turkey tail supplement?

PSK (krestin) is a purified extract made in Japan from specific strains and approved there for use alongside cancer treatment. PSP is a related extract made in China. Capsules, powders and teas are different products with different contents. Results for PSK cannot be assumed for supplements.

Q: Does turkey tail treat cancer?

No. It is not a cancer treatment. Cochrane found low-certainty evidence that the PSK extract added to standard colorectal cancer treatment gave a small survival gain at 5 years, and was uncertain about chemotherapy side effects. This applies to the drug extract, with a doctor's supervision, not to supplements used on their own.

Q: Does turkey tail boost the immune system?

Small studies found changes in some immune blood markers in people with cancer, such as white cell counts and antibodies. No trial showed fewer infections or better health, so this is not proof of a stronger immune system.

Q: Is turkey tail safe?

In the studies read, side effects were few and mostly mild, and NCI says few adverse events have been reported with PSK in Japan. But the studies are small and mostly of the extract. Long-term safety of supplements is not known, and we found no data for children or for liver or kidney disease.

Q: Does turkey tail interact with chemotherapy or other medicines?

Only two small studies tested PSK with a chemotherapy drug (tegafur) and found no significant interaction. For other cancer drugs and other medicines there are no data. MSK describes turkey tail as immunostimulant, so people on immune-suppressing medicines should ask their specialist. Always tell your cancer team and pharmacist.

Q: Is turkey tail safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?

MSK says pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid Coriolus until safety data are available. We found no human safety studies.

Q: Is turkey tail safe for children?

We found no studies in children. That is not proof of safety. Ask a paediatrician.

Q: Does turkey tail help gut health?

In 24 healthy volunteers the PSP extract changed gut bacteria in a way the authors call prebiotic-like. No symptoms or health outcomes were measured, so this is a lab finding, not a proven benefit.

Q: Does turkey tail clear HPV?

Not proven. A one-page preliminary study of turkey tail plus reishi in oral HPV reported many negative tests, but it was tiny, had no placebo and has not been repeated. A 2026 FIGO and IGCS statement does not endorse routine use of any topical HPV product, including a Coriolus-based vaginal gel. HPV needs follow-up with a clinician.

Trametes versicolor (also called Coriolus versicolor) · also called Coriolus, Yun Zhi, Kawaratake; the extracts are called PSK (krestin) and PSP

Turkey tail is a woody fungus that grows on dead logs and has long been used in Chinese and Japanese medicine. In Japan a purified extract called PSK is a cancer-care medicine. That extract is not the same as capsules or powders. Evidence is low certainty at best. Tell your cancer team about any turkey tail product.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 25, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

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About Turkey tail

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is a woody bracket fungus used for many years in Chinese and Japanese medicine. The best human research is about PSK, a purified drug extract used with cancer treatment in Japan, and PSP, a similar extract from China. Cochrane found low-certainty evidence of a small survival gain with PSK in bowel cancer and was uncertain about side effects. Studies of capsules, powders and teas are few and small. Safety information is limited, and the cancer team should always know.

What it is

Turkey tail is a woody bracket fungus that grows on dead logs worldwide, with concentric brown and tan rings. Its accepted name is Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd. Coriolus versicolor is an older name for it. It is called Yun Zhi in Chinese medicine and Kawaratake in Japan.

NCI says there are many other Trametes species, some hard to tell apart from turkey tail, so wild mushrooms should not be identified by looks alone. Huaier (Trametes robiniophila) is a different species used mostly in China.

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PSK and PSP are not the same as supplements

PSK (krestin) is a purified protein-bound polysaccharide made by Kureha from specific strains. NCI says it is an approved product for cancer treatment in Japan, used in thousands of patients since the mid-1970s. PSP is a related extract made in China.

Capsules, powders, teas and mycelium-on-grain products are different. MSK says many are not standardised and it is unclear whether PSK, PSP and other extracts have comparable effects. A result for PSK should not be applied to a supplement.

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What it is used for and what the research shows

Cancer care: Cochrane found low-certainty evidence of a small survival gain at 5 years with PSK in colorectal cancer (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.15) and could not say whether it eases chemotherapy side effects. A network meta-analysis of 23 trials in gastrointestinal cancers reported better survival with PSK, but with trials of varying quality. A 2023 review judged the evidence for routine mushroom use in cancer inconclusive.

Immune markers: small studies showed blood count and antibody changes, but no trial measured fewer infections.

Gut, HPV and vaccines: the PSP extract changed gut bacteria in 24 healthy people. An oral HPV trial and a vaginal gel are described below. A 2026 trial of a two-mushroom combination reduced vaccine side effects in one subgroup.

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Where the research is weak

The PSK trials are older and used chemotherapy regimens that are not the preferred ones today. The PSP lung trial lasted 28 days. The breast cancer study was a safety study with nine women. The HPV oral study was a one-page preliminary report with a combination of two mushrooms and no placebo.

A 2026 statement from FIGO and IGCS said no randomised trial has been adequately designed to test topical treatments for preventing high-grade cervical lesions and did not endorse routine use of a Coriolus-based vaginal gel. MSK describes benefits from earlier studies of the gel; the newer statement is a formal appraisal of the evidence and found it not strong enough.

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Forms and product quality

Forms include PSK, PSP, fruiting body powder, hot-water extracts, mycelium on grain, tea and tincture. NCI says supplement ingredients may vary a lot from lot to lot and that there is no guarantee that label ingredients are present in the stated amounts. We read no test of heavy metals, pesticides or mould toxins in turkey tail products.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist about any amount or product; this page gives no amounts and recommends no product.

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Regulation

NCI says PSK is an approved product in Japan and that the US FDA has not approved medicinal mushrooms as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. Supplements do not need FDA approval before sale unless disease claims are made. We did not read the Japanese regulator's own record, or any EMA, LiverTox, LactMed or WHO entry for turkey tail.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Used for many years in traditional Chinese medicine for lung conditions and as a tonic, where it is called Yun Zhi (NCI).
Known in Japan as Kawaratake, the roof tile fungus (NCI).
A purified hot-water extract of cultivated mycelium has been used in Japan as an adjunct in cancer treatment (NCI).

Studied for research

Alongside standard treatment for stomach and bowel cancer (PSK drug extract), low
Side effects of chemotherapy (PSK), very low
Immune blood markers in people with cancer, very low
Advanced lung cancer after treatment (PSP extract, one trial), very low
Gut bacteria changes (PSP, healthy volunteers), very low
HPV: oral swab trial and a vaginal gel, insufficient
Side effects after COVID-19 vaccination (combination product), very low

Main compounds

PSK (krestin), a protein-bound polysaccharide drug extract
PSP (polysaccharopeptide), a similar extract made in China
A lipid part of PSK, mainly linoleic acid
Hypothemycin and ternatin from fungal cultures (lab only)

Common forms

PSK (krestin), prescription-type extract used in Japan
PSP, a related extract sold as a supplement in some places
Fruiting body powder or capsules
Hot-water extracts
Mycelium grown on grain
Tea or tincture (informal, not standardised)
Multi-ingredient vaginal gel

Research links: Memorial Sloan Kettering: Coriolus versicolor · NCI: Medicinal mushrooms (PDQ) · Cochrane: Coriolus for chemotherapy side effects in colorectal cancer (abstract) · Network meta-analysis of PSK in gastrointestinal cancer (abstract) · FIGO/IGCS statement on topical HPV treatments (abstract) · Systematic review of Yunzhi and Lingzhi with chemotherapy drugs (abstract) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

What it is and its history

Accepted scientific name: Trametes versicolor
Naming authority: (L.) Lloyd (GBIF; NCI)
Synonyms: Coriolus versicolor (L.) Quél. (listed as a synonym in GBIF)
Common names: Turkey tail (English); Yun Zhi (cloud mushroom) (Chinese); Kawaratake (roof tile fungus) (Japanese); Coriolus (Latin-derived)
Family or group: Polyporaceae (a fungus family; bracket fungi), not a plant
Classification: Fungi > Basidiomycota > Agaricomycetes > Polyporales > Polyporaceae > Trametes > Trametes versicolor
Native range: NCI says it grows on dead logs worldwide.
Habitat: Dead logs (NCI).
What it looks like: Fruiting body: A woody bracket polypore with concentric rings of brown and tan (NCI).
Cultivation: PSK is made from cultivated mycelium (NCI). Supplement products use fruiting body or mycelium on grain; details were not checked.
Harvest and processing: Not checked in the sources read.
Look-alikes and adulterants: Name: Other Trametes species; Note: NCI says there are many other Trametes species, some difficult to distinguish from turkey tail, and that a common DNA marker (ITS) alone is not enough to tell them apart.; Name: Trametes robiniophila (Huaier); Note: A different species used mainly in China, with separate studies (NCI).
Sustainability and conservation: Not checked.

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
Traditional Chinese medicine	Used for many years to treat pulmonary diseases and as a tonic; known as Yun Zhi.	s-nci-pdq-mushrooms
Japan	Called Kawaratake. A purified hot-water extract made from cultivated mycelium has been used as an immune-modulating adjunct in cancer treatment. PSK (krestin), made by Kureha, has been used in thousands of patients since the mid-1970s and is an approved product in Japan.	s-nci-pdq-mushrooms
China	PSP (polysaccharopeptide) is another extract from T. versicolor, produced in China from a different strain.	s-nci-pdq-mushrooms
Contemporary supplements	MSK says PSP and VPS extracts are sold as dietary supplements, while PSK is a proprietary product developed in Japan for cancer treatment.	s-msk-coriolus

Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
PSK (polysaccharide-K, krestin)	protein-bound polysaccharide (glycoprotein mixture)	Mycelium (cultivated strain) Average molecular weight 9.4 kDa (range 5 to 300 kDa); 25 to 38% of the mass is covalently linked protein (NCI).	Main chain beta-1,4 glucan with beta-1,3 and beta-1,6 side chains (NCI). Acts on immune cells in the lab. ⁹	Laboratory research
PSP (polysaccharopeptide)	protein-bound polysaccharide	Mycelium (different strain) Summary-only: about 90% polysaccharide and 10% peptide, roughly 100 kDa (Habtemariam 2020, first part read earlier). NCI says PSP and PSK differ somewhat in sugar composition.	Similar immune activity in the lab; tested in people in the Chinese lung cancer trial and the gut trial. ^{9 3}	Laboratory research
Lipid fraction of PSK (mainly linoleic acid)	fatty acids	Mycelium Not given.	Acted on the cell sensor TLR2 together with the protein-bound beta-glucan in lab work (NCI). ⁹	Laboratory research
Hypothemycin and ternatin	fungal metabolites	Cultures of T. versicolor Not given.	NCI lists hypothemycin as a protein kinase inhibitor and ternatin as a fat-accumulation-inhibiting cyclic peptide isolated from cultures. Lab findings only. ⁹	Laboratory research

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
Natural killer and T cell activity	interleukin-2, interferon-gamma	PSK is reported to raise NK cell and T cell activity by upregulating interleukin-2 or interferon-gamma (NCI). Reported mechanism, not proven in people. ⁹	Laboratory research
Chemotherapy-related T cell damage	apoptosis of peripheral blood T cells	One group suggested PSK may reduce chemotherapy-induced T-cell death; in 20 patients on S-1, T-cell apoptosis was higher with S-1 alone than with S-1 plus PSK (NCI). ⁹	Human biomarker
Toll-like receptor 2	TLR2	A lipid part of PSK has TLR2 agonist activity, synergistic with the protein-bound beta-glucan in lab work (NCI). ⁹	Laboratory research
Cell death in cancer cells	apoptosis	PSP, PSK and Coriolus extract induce apoptosis in leukaemia cells in vitro (MSK). Not evidence of an effect in people. ⁷	Laboratory research
Gut bacteria	intestinal microbiome	PSP produced consistent microbiome changes in 24 healthy volunteers that the authors call prebiotic-like. ¹⁰	Human biomarker

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: In mice, rats and rabbits given C-14 labelled PSK, a fraction appeared absorbed more or less intact (NCI). No human data were found.
Distribution: Not found in the sources read.
Metabolism: Most of the radiolabel was found in exhaled air, suggesting digestion in the gut or metabolism after absorption (NCI, animals).
Elimination: The absorbed fraction was excreted in bile over several hours in animals (NCI).
Bioavailability: Not established in people.

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Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

The human evidence is for purified extracts: PSK (Japan) and PSP (China). Capsules and powders of the fruiting body or mycelium on grain are different products with different contents, and MSK says it is unclear whether PSK, PSP and other extracts have comparable effects. Results apply only to the product tested.

Nutritional composition

Turkey tail is a tough, woody fungus and no source read presents it as a normal food. One small 2026 lab paper (two readings) reported about 19.7 g protein and 12.4 g fibre per 100 g dry weight; no nutrition claim is made.

10benefits and uses looked at

15studies and sources checked

Low certaintybest evidence rating found

7lab markers tracked in trials

1 low certainty5 very low certainty4 not enough evidence

What was looked at

The 10 benefits and uses checked for Turkey tail, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.

Alongside standard treatment for stomach and bowel cancer (PSK drug extract)Low certainty
Side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapyVery low certainty
Immune blood markers in people with cancerVery low certainty
Advanced lung cancer after standard treatment (PSP extract)Very low certainty
Gut bacteria (prebiotic-like changes)Very low certainty
HPV infection (mouth swabs and a vaginal gel)Not enough evidence
Side effects after COVID-19 vaccinationVery low certainty
Cancer cell and immune cell lab workNot enough evidence
Traditional use as a lung and general tonicNot enough evidence
As a food (nutrition)Not enough evidence

Lab markers tracked in the studies

Survival at 5 yearsNeutropenia (low neutrophil white cells)White cell counts, IgG and IgM antibodiesLymphocyte, natural killer, CD8 and CD19 cellsGut bacteria compositionOral HPV16/18 on PCR testVaccine side effects and antibody levels

What is Turkey tail good for?

The uses people ask about and how strong the human evidence is for each. Most of the evidence is for the PSK drug extract, not for supplements. None is proven. Read this together with the Safety tab.

Alongside standard treatment for stomach and bowel cancer (PSK)Low certaintyCochrane found low-certainty evidence of a small survival gain at 5 years when the PSK extract was added to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. A larger network meta-analysis reported better survival in gastrointestinal cancers. This is for the Japanese drug extract, not supplements, and it is not a cancer treatment on its own. Side effects of chemotherapyVery low certaintyCochrane was uncertain whether PSK changes chemotherapy side effects. All results were very low certainty. Immune blood markers in people with cancerVery low certaintyA safety study in 9 women after breast cancer radiotherapy showed immune trends only, and a 28-day lung cancer trial of the PSP extract showed higher blood counts. These are lab numbers, not fewer infections. Advanced lung cancer after standard treatment (PSP)Very low certaintyOne 68-person placebo-controlled trial: fewer people withdrew because of disease progression (5.9% versus 23.5%), but symptoms did not improve. Gut bacteria (prebiotic-like changes)Very low certaintyThe PSP extract changed gut bacteria in 24 healthy volunteers. No health outcome was measured. HPV infectionNot enough evidenceA tiny preliminary trial combined turkey tail with reishi for oral HPV. A 2026 FIGO and IGCS statement does not endorse routine use of any topical HPV product, including a Coriolus-based vaginal gel. Side effects after COVID-19 vaccinationVery low certaintyA 2026 trial of a two-mushroom mycelium combination found fewer vaccine side effects in people without earlier infection, and antibodies were not reduced. It does not show protection from COVID-19. Immune and cancer cell lab workNot enough evidenceMostly cell and animal research on the polysaccharides. Not evidence of an effect in people. Traditional lung and general tonicNot enough evidenceTraditional use in China and Japan. We found no human trials for colds, energy or general wellness. As a food (nutrition)Not enough evidenceA woody fungus not presented as a food in the sources read. One small lab paper measured protein and fibre in dried mushroom; two readings only.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Alongside standard treatment for stomach and bowel cancer (PSK drug extract)

Low certainty

PSK is a purified turkey tail extract used in Japan next to standard cancer treatment. Trials suggest a small survival gain after surgery in bowel and stomach cancer, but the evidence is only low certainty and it applies to the drug extract, not to supplements. It is not a cancer treatment on its own.

4 studiesThe trials used PSK, a purified drug extract made from specific strai…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Cochrane pooled 7 trials (1,569 people with stage II to IV colorectal cancer, mostly in Japan). A network meta-analysis pooled 23 trials (10,684 people) of gastrointestinal cancers and reported better survival with PSK, mainly with chemotherapy. A 2023 review of 39 mushroom studies reported a survival benefit in 4 gastric cancer studies of PSK.

Results

Cochrane: low-certainty evidence of a small improvement in survival at 5 years (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.15; 1,094 people, 3 studies; about 1 extra survivor for every 16 treated, 95% CI 9 to 70). Network meta-analysis: significantly better 1 to 5 year overall survival and 1 to 7 year disease-free survival, with no increase in side effects.

Effect sizes as reported

RR 1.08 for 5-year survival (Cochrane, colorectal); larger pooled gains in the network meta-analysis

Why this rating

Cochrane graded the 5-year survival result as low certainty and noted the chemotherapy used does not match current practice. The network meta-analysis reported larger benefits but did not give a certainty grade in its abstract.

Form and dose studied

The trials used PSK, a purified drug extract made from specific strains and sold as a medicine in Japan. It is not the same as turkey tail capsules, powders or teas. This page gives no amounts.

Who was studied

Adults after surgery for stomach or bowel cancer, mostly in Japan

Limits

Trials are older and used chemotherapy regimens that are not the current preferred ones. The result does not carry over to capsules, powders or teas. Effects at earlier time points were unclear.

Why researchers looked

PSK has been used with chemotherapy in Japan since the mid-1970s, so most of the human research is about this one extract in stomach and bowel cancer.

Traditional use

NCI says a hot-water extract of cultivated turkey tail mycelium has been used in Japan as an adjunct to cancer treatment, and PSK is an approved product there.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

PSK is thought to act on immune cells, for example by raising natural killer and T-cell activity in the lab (NCI). This is a hypothesis from lab and small studies.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Anyone in cancer treatment should tell their oncology team about any turkey tail product. A supplement is not a cancer treatment.

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Side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Very low certainty

Cochrane could not tell whether the PSK extract changes the side effects of chemotherapy in bowel cancer. The certainty is very low, so this is an open question rather than a benefit.

1 studiesThe trials used PSK, a purified drug extract made from specific strai…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Cochrane (7 trials, 1,569 people) looked at side effects when PSK was added to usual chemotherapy or radiotherapy for colorectal cancer.

Results

Very low-certainty evidence of little to no effect on stopping treatment because of side effects (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.45 to 2.34). Neutropenia (low white cell count) RR 0.41 (0.24 to 0.71), mouth problems RR 0.37 (0.13 to 1.03), nausea RR 0.73 (0.44 to 1.22), diarrhoea RR 0.77 (0.32 to 1.86) and fatigue RR 0.76 (0.33 to 1.78), all very low certainty.

Effect sizes as reported

Direction often favoured PSK but the reviewers were uncertain

Why this rating

Cochrane rated all side-effect results very low certainty and said it was unclear whether side effects came from the chemotherapy or from the extract.

Form and dose studied

The trials used PSK, a purified drug extract made from specific strains and sold as a medicine in Japan. It is not the same as turkey tail capsules, powders or teas. This page gives no amounts.

Who was studied

Adults with colorectal cancer having chemotherapy or radiotherapy

Limits

Few trials per outcome; small numbers for some outcomes (133 people for neutropenia and fatigue).

Why researchers looked

A common reason people take mushroom products during cancer treatment is to ease side effects.

Traditional use

Traditional use in Chinese medicine is as a tonic; there is no traditional claim about chemotherapy side effects in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Hypothesis

Proposed idea: reversing chemotherapy-related damage to T cells (NCI). Not shown in people.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Side effects like these should be reported to the cancer team, not managed with a supplement alone.

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Immune blood markers in people with cancer

Very low certainty

In small studies, turkey tail products were followed by changes in some immune blood markers, such as white cell counts. These are lab numbers, not proof of fewer infections or better health.

3 studiesThe trials used a turkey tail preparation (breast study) and the PSP …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A small safety study in 9 women who finished breast cancer radiotherapy found immune trends only. A 68-person placebo-controlled trial of the Chinese PSP extract in advanced lung cancer found higher blood counts and antibodies after 28 days.

Results

Safety study: trends toward more lymphocytes, NK cell activity in one group, and CD8 and CD19 cells. Lung trial: higher leukocyte and neutrophil counts, serum IgG and IgM; symptoms did not improve.

Effect sizes as reported

Marker changes, mostly small or trends

Why this rating

Tiny trials, one without a control group, short follow-up, and no trial measured infections.

Form and dose studied

The trials used a turkey tail preparation (breast study) and the PSP extract (lung study). Results do not carry over between products. This page gives no amounts.

Who was studied

Women after breast cancer radiotherapy; adults with advanced lung cancer

Limits

Immune markers are stand-ins for health. Raised counts do not show protection.

Why researchers looked

Turkey tail is best known as an immune tonic, so researchers measure blood counts and immune cells.

Traditional use

Used in Chinese medicine as a tonic and for lung conditions (NCI).

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Protein-bound polysaccharides can act on immune cells in the lab (review). The link to health outcomes is unproven.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

People on immune-suppressing medicines should ask their care team before use; no trial tested this.

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Advanced lung cancer after standard treatment (PSP extract)

Very low certainty

One placebo-controlled trial of the Chinese PSP extract found fewer people left the study because their lung cancer progressed. Symptoms did not improve. It is a single small trial from 2003.

2 studiesThe Chinese PSP extract from one manufacturer. This page gives no amo…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A double-blind trial of 68 adults (34 per arm) who had finished conventional treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer, given PSP or placebo for 28 days.

Results

Fewer PSP patients withdrew because of disease progression (5.9% versus 23.5%; P=0.04; OR 4.00). Blood counts and IgG and IgM rose. No improvement in lung cancer symptoms. No adverse reaction attributed to the study medicine.

Effect sizes as reported

Withdrawal for progression 5.9% vs 23.5%

Why this rating

One small, short trial; the product was supplied by the company that makes it; no repeat trial was found.

Form and dose studied

The Chinese PSP extract from one manufacturer. This page gives no amounts.

Who was studied

Adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer after standard treatment

Limits

28 days only; survival was not reported in the abstract.

Why researchers looked

Turkey tail has traditionally been used for lung conditions in China.

Traditional use

NCI says the fungus has been used for many years in traditional Chinese medicine to treat pulmonary diseases.

Proposed mechanism Hypothesis

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific beyond the general cautions.

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Gut bacteria (prebiotic-like changes)

Very low certainty

In 24 healthy volunteers the PSP extract changed the make-up of gut bacteria in a way the authors call prebiotic-like. Nobody measured symptoms or health, so this is a lab finding.

1 studiesThe PSP extract. This page gives no amounts.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A small randomised trial compared PSP, the antibiotic amoxicillin and no treatment in healthy volunteers, sampling stool over 8 weeks.

Results

PSP led to clear and consistent microbiome changes consistent with a prebiotic. Amoxicillin caused larger changes that lasted 42 days after it ended.

Effect sizes as reported

Gut bacteria changed; no health benefit measured

Why this rating

Very small trial and a laboratory marker only.

Form and dose studied

The PSP extract. This page gives no amounts.

Who was studied

Healthy adults

Limits

Only bacteria in stool were measured.

Why researchers looked

Protein-bound polysaccharides can be fermented by gut bacteria.

Proposed mechanism Hypothesis

Possible fermentation by gut bacteria; not shown in detail.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

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HPV infection (mouth swabs and a vaginal gel)

Not enough evidence

One very small preliminary trial combined turkey tail with reishi and reported oral HPV tests turning negative. A vaginal gel containing turkey tail with other ingredients has been studied in cervical HPV, but a 2026 FIGO and IGCS statement does not endorse routine use of any topical HPV product, including this one.

3 studiesA combination of two mushrooms (oral trial) and a multi-ingredient va…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A 2014 preliminary trial of turkey tail plus reishi in 61 people with oral HPV16 or HPV18. A 2026 position statement by two gynaecological cancer societies appraised topical HPV treatments including a Coriolus-based vaginal gel.

Results

Oral HPV: 88% negative after 2 months with turkey tail plus reishi (41 people) versus 5% with a comparison mushroom (20 people). FIGO and IGCS: studies are small and short and use surrogate endpoints, trial registration was retrospective and industry-funded for the Coriolus gel, and surveillance remains the standard of care.

Effect sizes as reported

Large difference in a tiny preliminary study; professional societies do not endorse the gel

Why this rating

The oral trial is a one-page preliminary report with a combination of two mushrooms and no placebo. The 2026 statement judged the gel evidence not strong enough for routine use. MSK describes benefits in low-grade cervical lesions from earlier studies, which the 2026 statement now questions.

Form and dose studied

A combination of two mushrooms (oral trial) and a multi-ingredient vaginal gel. Neither is a turkey tail supplement. This page gives no amounts.

Who was studied

People with oral HPV; women with HPV or low-grade cervical lesions

Limits

Surveillance by a doctor is the standard care for HPV and cervical lesions.

Why researchers looked

HPV usually clears by itself, and some women look for ways to help clearance.

Proposed mechanism Hypothesis

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

A positive HPV test or abnormal smear needs follow-up with a clinician; a supplement is not a replacement.

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Side effects after COVID-19 vaccination

Very low certainty

A 2026 trial of 90 people tested a mushroom mycelium combination (turkey tail plus another polypore) around COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine side effects were lower in people with no earlier infection, and antibodies were not reduced. It does not show protection from COVID-19.

1 studiesA mycelium capsule combination. This page gives no amounts.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (52 mushroom, 38 placebo) with antibody tests up to 6 months.

Results

No adverse events; liver and kidney tests were similar between groups. In people with no earlier antibodies, side effects were lower on days 3 and 5 and antibody levels were preserved, possibly higher. Not seen in people already exposed.

Effect sizes as reported

Fewer vaccine side effects in one subgroup

Why this rating

Single trial, a two-mushroom combination, and the main effect is in a subgroup.

Form and dose studied

A mycelium capsule combination. This page gives no amounts.

Who was studied

Adults receiving COVID-19 vaccination

Limits

Not a test of protection against infection.

Why researchers looked

Researchers looked at fungal mycelium as an adjunct to vaccines.

Proposed mechanism Hypothesis

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

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Cancer cell and immune cell lab work

Not enough evidence

Much of the research on turkey tail's polysaccharides was done in cells and animals, where they act on immune cells and slow some cancer cells. This is not evidence of an effect in people.

3 studiesMixed extracts and purified PSK or PSP in cells and animals.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No human outcomes. Reviews describe cell and animal findings.

Results

A 2020 review and NCI describe lab and animal findings only. MSK notes a very high dose of a hot-water extract increased large-bowel tumours in mice given strong carcinogens, which MSK says is not clinically relevant.

Effect sizes as reported

Lab and animal findings

Why this rating

Lab and animal work only.

Form and dose studied

Mixed extracts and purified PSK or PSP in cells and animals.

Who was studied

Cells and animals

Limits

Results in cells often fail in people.

Why researchers looked

Laboratory studies are the starting point for the human trials.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

PSK and PSP act on immune cells in the lab; PSK-derived lipid acts on a cell sensor called TLR2 (NCI).

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

The mouse tumour finding is noted in Safety.

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Traditional use as a lung and general tonic

Not enough evidence

Turkey tail has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for lung conditions and as a tonic, and in Japan it is called Kawaratake. Traditional use is not proof. We found no human trial for colds, energy or general wellness.

2 studiesTeas and tinctures are informal and not standardised (MSK says many p…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No trial found for colds, energy or general wellness.

Why this rating

No human trials in these uses.

Form and dose studied

Teas and tinctures are informal and not standardised (MSK says many products are not standardised).

Limits

No evidence base to rate.

Why researchers looked

Long history of use in East Asia.

Traditional use

NCI says it has been used for many years in traditional Chinese medicine to treat pulmonary diseases.

Proposed mechanism Hypothesis

Not applicable.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

^{9 7}

As a food (nutrition)

Not enough evidence

Turkey tail is a hard, woody bracket fungus. We read no source presenting it as an everyday food. One small 2026 lab measurement found protein and fibre in dried mushroom, but it is two readings only.

1 studiesDried fruiting body powder, not a supplement extract.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A single lab paper measured dried fruiting bodies from Nigeria.

Results

Protein about 19.7 g and fibre about 12.4 g per 100 g dry weight (two determinations; summary-only).

Effect sizes as reported

Lab measurement only

Why this rating

Two readings from one paper, with inconsistencies.

Form and dose studied

Dried fruiting body powder, not a supplement extract.

Limits

Not a typical value and not a health benefit.

Why researchers looked

Dried fungi contain protein and fibre.

Proposed mechanism Hypothesis

Not applicable.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None specific.

⁴

Connections to the rest of health

How Turkey tail connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Immune Support	Preliminary mechanism	Very low certainty	Immune blood markers in people with cancer: In small studies, turkey tail products were followed by changes in some immune blood markers, such as white cell counts. These are lab numbers, not proof of fewer infections or better health.	^{14 15 8}
Microbiome Balance	Preliminary mechanism	Very low certainty	Gut bacteria (prebiotic-like changes): In 24 healthy volunteers the PSP extract changed the make-up of gut bacteria in a way the authors call prebiotic-like. Nobody measured symptoms or health, so this is a lab finding.	¹⁰
Immune Support		Very low certainty	Side effects after COVID-19 vaccination: A 2026 trial of 90 people tested a mushroom mycelium combination (turkey tail plus another polypore) around COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine side effects were lower in people with no earlier infection, and antibodies were not reduced. It does not show protection from COVID-19.	¹³

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Immune system	Drug or supplement interaction	Very low certainty	Described as immunostimulant (MSK); caution with immune-suppressing medicines is theoretical. Preparation or compound: Turkey tail extracts	⁷
Immune System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Alongside standard treatment for stomach and bowel cancer (PSK drug extract) Studied for: Side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy	^{12 6 8 9 14 15 7 1 11 13 3}
Digestive System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Alongside standard treatment for stomach and bowel cancer (PSK drug extract) Studied for: Gut bacteria (prebiotic-like changes)	^{12 6 8 9 10 4}
Respiratory System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Advanced lung cancer after standard treatment (PSP extract) Studied for: Traditional use as a lung and general tonic	^{15 7 9}
Reproductive System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: HPV infection (mouth swabs and a vaginal gel)	^{1 11 7}

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Survival at 5 years	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{12 6}
Neutropenia (low neutrophil white cells)	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹²
White cell counts, IgG and IgM antibodies	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁵
Lymphocyte, natural killer, CD8 and CD19 cells	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁴
Gut bacteria composition	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: changed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁰
Oral HPV16/18 on PCR test	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{1 11}
Vaccine side effects and antibody levels	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹³

J. Genes, receptors and enzymes

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	Acted on by a lipid part of PSK in lab work.	⁹

K. Biological pathways

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	PSK is reported to raise NK and T cell activity through these.	⁹

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
PSK (polysaccharide-K, krestin)	Biological association	In vitro	Main chain beta-1,4 glucan with beta-1,3 and beta-1,6 side chains (NCI). Acts on immune cells in the lab. Preparation or compound: Mycelium (cultivated strain)	⁹
PSP (polysaccharopeptide)	Biological association	In vitro	Similar immune activity in the lab; tested in people in the Chinese lung cancer trial and the gut trial. Preparation or compound: Mycelium (different strain)	^{9 3}
Lipid fraction of PSK (mainly linoleic acid)	Biological association	In vitro	Acted on the cell sensor TLR2 together with the protein-bound beta-glucan in lab work (NCI). Preparation or compound: Mycelium	⁹
Hypothemycin and ternatin	Biological association	In vitro	NCI lists hypothemycin as a protein kinase inhibitor and ternatin as a fat-accumulation-inhibiting cyclic peptide isolated from cultures. Lab findings only. Preparation or compound: Cultures of T. versicolor	⁹

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what changed in 6 lab markers

Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.

Other231

The evidence

The research centre for Turkey tail. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Alongside standard treatment for stomach and bowel cancer (PSK drug extract) 4 studies Low certainty Side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy 1 study Very low certainty Immune blood markers in people with cancer 3 studies · 68 people in trials Very low certainty Advanced lung cancer after standard treatment (PSP extract) 2 studies · 68 people in trials Very low certainty Gut bacteria (prebiotic-like changes) 1 study · 24 people in trials Very low certainty HPV infection (mouth swabs and a vaginal gel) 3 studies · 61 people in trials Not enough evidence Side effects after COVID-19 vaccination 1 study · 90 people in trials Very low certainty Cancer cell and immune cell lab work 3 studies Not enough evidence Traditional use as a lung and general tonic 2 studies Not enough evidence As a food (nutrition) 1 study Not enough evidence

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read PubMed records and abstracts for 10 papers (four systematic or interaction reviews, four randomised trials including a preliminary oral HPV report, one small safety study and one position statement), the National Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering pages in full, and checked the species names in GBIF. Two further sources (a 2020 review and a 2026 lab paper) are summary-only from an earlier read. EMA, LiverTox, LactMed and WHO were not found or not read. Only abstracts were read for papers, so numbers come from abstracts. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading.

Study library: every study we checked 15

Design Research type Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Donatini 2014 Control of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) by medicinal mushrooms, Trametes versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum: a preliminary clinical trial. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms · PMID 25271984 · DOI	Controlled trial	61 61 people with oral HPV16 or HPV18 found among 472 swabbed	Trametes versicolor combined with Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) Not shown here 2 months · vs Laetiporus sulphureus (another mushroom)	In the group given turkey tail plus reishi (41 people), 88% had no detectable HPV16/18 after 2 months, against 5% in the comparison mushroom group (20 people) (P<0.001). The author called it preliminary and said it deserves further investigation. Large difference in a very small preliminary study; two mushrooms combined (P<0.001 as reported) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Clearance of oral HPV on PCR test Limitations: Single-author short report, no placebo, combination of two mushrooms, not repeated, and no check that cleared tests meant lasting clearance. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
GBIF Secretariat 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd (key 2548311) GBIF API · Source	Database record n/a	n/a	n/a Not shown here	Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd is ACCEPTED, family Polyporaceae, order Polyporales, phylum Basidiomycota. Coriolus versicolor (L.) Quel. (key 8673125) is listed as a SYNONYM of it. n/a (n/a) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Accepted name and synonym Limitations: Index Fungorum was not checked. Funding and conflicts: Not applicable Read: API record, checked 2026-10-25
Habtemariam 2020 Trametes versicolor (Synn. Coriolus versicolor) polysaccharides in cancer therapy: targets and efficacy. Biomedicines · PMID 32466253 · DOI	Narrative review n/a	Review of mostly laboratory and animal work on turkey tail polysaccharides	Turkey tail polysaccharides (PSK, PSP) Not shown here	Summary-only (from an earlier read of the first part of the paper, not re-opened): describes PSK and PSP as protein-bound polysaccharides that act on immune cells in the laboratory; PSP about 90% polysaccharide and 10% peptide, roughly 100 kDa. Mechanism description; not evidence of effect in people (n/a) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Targets and efficacy of PSK and PSP Limitations: Summary-only; not re-opened for this page. Funding and conflicts: Single-author narrative review Read: summary-only
Iyekekpolor 2026 Nutritional, anti-inflammatory, and in-silico inhibitory studies of Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd and Flammulina velutipes (Curtis) on HER2 breast cancer protein. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports · PMID 41769067 · DOI	Lab analysis n/a	2 Dried fruiting bodies bought in Nigeria; two determinations	Trametes versicolor dried fruiting body powder fruiting body Not shown here	Summary-only (from an earlier read, not re-opened): protein about 19.7 g and fibre about 12.4 g per 100 g dry weight. Lab measurement of dried mushroom, not a health outcome (n/a) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Protein, fibre and mineral content Limitations: Two determinations only; the text and a table disagreed on potassium; species identification unclear. Not a typical value. Funding and conflicts: Not stated Read: summary-only
Lam 2020 Herb-drug interactions between the medicinal mushrooms Lingzhi and Yunzhi and cytotoxic anticancer drugs: a systematic review. Chinese Medicine · PMID 32724333 · DOI	Systematic review	213 studies including 77 clinical studies of Yunzhi (Coriolus, 56) or Lingzhi (reishi, 21) with chemotherapy drugs	Yunzhi (Coriolus versicolor) and Lingzhi (Ganoderma) with cytotoxic drugs mixed (mostly extracts) Not shown here Varied · vs Chemotherapy alone	Only two clinical pharmacokinetic studies were available, and they showed no significant interaction between PSK and the chemotherapy drug tegafur. Most clinical studies were of modest quality. The authors reported that combined use was linked to better survival (31 studies), quality of life (17), and fewer chemotherapy side effects (14), with no reported adverse effects, and called for higher-quality studies. No interaction seen in two small PK studies; most of the evidence is of modest quality (Not given) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions with chemotherapy Limitations: Counts of studies reporting a benefit, not pooled effects. Covers reishi and Coriolus together. Interaction data for most chemotherapy drugs are missing. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared Read: abstract
Ma 2017 Can polysaccharide K improve therapeutic efficacy and safety in gastrointestinal cancer? a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Oncotarget · PMID 29179503 · DOI	Systematic review	10684 People with gastrointestinal cancer (colorectal, gastric, oesophageal); 23 randomised trials	Polysaccharide K (PSK), with or without chemotherapy extract (PSK) Not shown here Varied · vs Chemotherapy alone or no PSK	PSK significantly increased 1 to 5 year overall survival and 1 to 7 year disease-free survival, with no increase in side effects. Effects were clearest in colorectal and gastric cancer and when PSK was combined with chemotherapy. The authors concluded PSK was effective and safe. Better survival in pooled trials (authors' conclusion); trial quality varied (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Overall survival (1 to 7 years), disease-free survival, side effects Limitations: Abstract gives no effect sizes or trial-quality rating. Cochrane's stricter review of colorectal trials rated the survival evidence only low certainty. Applies to the PSK drug extract, not supplements. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared Registration: PROSPERO CRD42017065193 Read: abstract
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 2026 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Coriolus versicolor (About Herbs; last updated 22 April 2026) MSK About Herbs · Source	Authoritative guidance n/a	n/a	n/a Not shown here	Says PSK is a proprietary product developed for cancer treatment in Japan and that PSP and VPS extracts are sold as dietary supplements. Says extracts are generally well tolerated and lists rare effects: dark stools not caused by blood, darkening of fingernails, and low-grade blood and stomach effects with chemotherapy that may come from the chemotherapy. Says pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid Coriolus until safety data are available. Says many over-the-counter products are not standardised and it is unclear whether PSK, PSP and other extracts have comparable effects. Reports that a very high-dose hot-water extract enhanced large intestine tumours in mice given strong carcinogens, which MSK says is not clinically relevant because the dose was 10 to 13 times the human study dose. n/a (n/a) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Clinical summary, side effects, pregnancy advice Limitations: Information page from a cancer centre, not a regulator. Funding and conflicts: Not applicable Read: full text
Narayanan 2023 Medicinal Mushroom Supplements in Cancer: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies. Current Oncology Reports · PMID 36995535 · DOI	Systematic review	Cancer patients in 39 clinical studies of 12 mushroom preparations (2010 to 2020)	Various medicinal mushroom preparations, including PSK mixed Not shown here Varied · vs Varied	Of 136 clinical studies found, 39 met the review's criteria. A survival benefit was reported in 4 gastric cancer studies using PSK in the adjuvant setting. Eleven studies reported a positive immune response and 14 reported better quality of life or fewer symptoms. Most side effects were grade 2 or lower (mainly nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and muscle pain). The authors judged the evidence inconclusive for recommending routine mushroom use in cancer. Mixed; evidence inconclusive (authors) (Not given) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Survival, immune response, quality of life, side effects Limitations: Many studies small and observational; covers many different mushrooms, not only turkey tail. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
PDQ Integrative 2024 National Cancer Institute (NCI): Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ), Health Professional Version (latest update 6 Nov 2024) NCI PDQ · Source	Authoritative guidance n/a	n/a	n/a Not shown here	Names turkey tail as Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd, also known as Coriolus versicolor, Yun Zhi in Chinese medicine and Kawaratake in Japan. Says many other Trametes species are hard to tell apart from it. Says a hot-water extract of cultivated mycelium has been used in Japan as an adjunct for cancer, that PSK (krestin) is an approved product there made by Kureha and used since the mid-1970s, that the safety record of PSK in Japan is well established with few adverse events, and that PSP is another extract produced in China. Describes PSK as a glycoprotein mixture averaging 9.4 kDa. Says the FDA has not approved medicinal mushrooms as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition, and that supplement ingredients may vary from lot to lot. n/a (n/a) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Turkey tail identity, history, PSK chemistry, mechanisms, regulatory status Limitations: Authoritative summary; read in full on 2026-10-25. Funding and conflicts: Government source Read: full text
Pallav 2014 Effects of polysaccharopeptide from Trametes versicolor and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of healthy volunteers: a randomized clinical trial. Gut Microbes · PMID 25006989 · DOI	Controlled trial	24 Healthy volunteers; 24 randomised, 22 finished	Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) from Trametes versicolor extract (PSP) Not shown here 8 weeks of stool sampling · vs Amoxicillin, or no treatment	PSP led to clear and consistent changes in the gut microbiome that the authors call consistent with a prebiotic. Baseline microbiomes tended to stay stable and overshadow treatment effects. Amoxicillin caused larger changes (more Escherichia/Shigella) that persisted 42 days after it ended. Gut bacteria changed in healthy people; no health benefit measured (Not given) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Gut bacteria composition in stool Limitations: Very small trial; only stool bacteria were measured, not symptoms or illness. Funding and conflicts: Supported by NIH and other grants (per PubMed record) Read: abstract
Pareja 2026 FIGO/IGCS Statement on the efficacy of topical treatments for high-risk human papillomavirus in preventing CIN 3+ lesions. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer · PMID 42680632 · DOI	Authoritative guidance	Women with high-risk HPV or low-grade cervical lesions	Topical agents including Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel vaginal gel (multi-ingredient) Not shown here · vs Surveillance (standard of care)	No randomised trial has been adequately designed or powered to test topical therapies for preventing confirmed high-grade lesions. Studies are small and short and use surrogate endpoints. For the Coriolus-based gel the statement lists retrospective trial registration, industry funding and spin. FIGO and IGCS do not endorse routine use of any currently available topical agent; surveillance remains the standard of care. Not endorsed: evidence insufficient (n/a) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Whether topical treatments prevent high-grade cervical lesions (CIN 3+) Limitations: Position statement of two professional societies, not a trial. Applies to a multi-ingredient gel, not to turkey tail capsules. Funding and conflicts: One author reports grants to their institution from GRAIL; others declare none Read: abstract
Pilkington 2022 Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor mushroom to reduce adverse effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with colorectal cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · PMID 36445793 · DOI	Systematic review	1569 Adults with stage II to IV colorectal cancer; 7 randomised trials (6 in Japan, 1 in China)	Coriolus versicolor extract, polysaccharide-K (PSK), added to usual chemotherapy or radiotherapy extract (mycelium-derived, per NCI); all seven trials used an extract Not shown here 4 weeks to 3 years · vs Usual care alone	Very low-certainty evidence of little to no effect on withdrawal from treatment because of side effects (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.45 to 2.34; 3 studies). The review was uncertain about neutropenia (RR 0.41, 0.24 to 0.71; very low certainty), mouth problems (RR 0.37, 0.13 to 1.03), nausea (RR 0.73, 0.44 to 1.22), diarrhoea and fatigue. Low-certainty evidence of a small effect on survival at five years (RR 1.08, 1.01 to 1.15; 1,094 people, 3 studies; number needed to benefit 16, 95% CI 9 to 70). Uncertain effect on side effects; small possible survival gain at 5 years (low certainty) (RR 1.08 (1.01 to 1.15) for 5-year survival) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Side effects of chemotherapy, withdrawal from treatment, survival, quality of life Limitations: Chemotherapy regimens in these trials do not reflect current preferred practice (authors). It was unclear whether side effects came from chemotherapy or the extract. Applies to PSK, not to supplements. Funding and conflicts: Cochrane review; authors report no known conflicts of interest Read: abstract
Saxe 2026 Polypore mushroom mycelia as an adjunct to COVID-19 vaccination: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Immunology · PMID 41620671 · DOI	Controlled trial	90 Adults receiving COVID-19 vaccination; 52 mushroom, 38 placebo	Fomitopsis officinalis plus Trametes versicolor mycelium capsules (combination) mycelium Not shown here 4 days around vaccination, antibodies to 6 months · vs Placebo, double-blind	There were no adverse events, and liver and kidney test results were similar between groups. In people with no earlier SARS-CoV-2 antibodies the mushroom product reduced vaccine side effects on days 3 and 5, and antibody levels were preserved (possibly higher) up to 6 months; this was not seen in people previously exposed. The authors concluded it was safe and feasible. Fewer vaccine side effects in one subgroup; antibodies not reduced (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Safety, vaccine side effects, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels Limitations: Combination of two mushrooms, so turkey tail's own part is unknown. The main finding is in a subgroup. Registered trial NCT04951336 (registered June 2021). Does not show protection from COVID-19. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests Registration: NCT04951336 Read: abstract
Torkelson 2012 Phase I clinical trial of Trametes versicolor in women with breast cancer. ISRN Oncology · PMID 22701186 · DOI	Safety trial	11 Women with breast cancer who had just finished radiotherapy; 11 recruited, 9 completed	Trametes versicolor preparation (three escalating dose groups) Not shown here 6 weeks, then 3-week washout	Nine adverse events were reported (7 mild, 1 moderate, 1 severe), which the authors read as well tolerated. Immune results showed trends only: more lymphocytes, more natural killer cell activity in one dose group, and dose-related rises in CD8 T cells and CD19 B cells, but not CD4 T cells or CD16/56 NK cells. Tolerated in 9 women; non-significant immune trends (Not given) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Tolerability; immune measures Limitations: Safety study with three women per group and no control group. Trends only. Does not show a benefit for cancer or recovery. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract Read: abstract
Tsang 2003 Coriolus versicolor polysaccharide peptide slows progression of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Respiratory Medicine · PMID 12814145 · DOI	Controlled trial	68 Adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who had finished conventional treatment; 34 per arm	Polysaccharide peptide (PSP) from Coriolus versicolor (Windsor Pharmaceutical, Hong Kong) extract (PSP) Not shown here 28 days · vs Placebo, double-blind	After 28 days the PSP group had higher blood leukocyte and neutrophil counts, serum IgG and IgM, and percent body fat than the control group. Lung cancer symptoms did not improve. Fewer PSP patients were withdrawn because of disease progression (5.9% versus 23.5%; P=0.04; OR 4.00). No adverse reaction attributable to the study medicine was reported. Higher blood counts and antibodies; fewer withdrawals for progression over 28 days (OR 4.00 for withdrawal (no CI in abstract)) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Blood counts, immunoglobulins, symptoms, withdrawal for disease progression Limitations: Small, short (28 days) trial of a Chinese PSP extract; symptoms did not improve; the PSP product was supplied by a drug company (funding not stated in the abstract). Not a trial of turkey tail supplements. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated; product from Windsor Pharmaceutical Read: abstract

What we do not know yet

No trial of turkey tail capsules, powders or teas shows longer survival; the survival data are for the PSK extract.
PSK trials used older chemotherapy regimens; whether it adds anything to current care is not known.
No data on pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, allergy or long-term supplement use.
Interactions are tested only for PSK with tegafur; other medicines are unstudied.
EMA/HMPC, LiverTox, LactMed and WHO statements were not found or not read; no heavy-metal or pesticide test was read.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any evidence rating or safety wording. New publications never change ratings automatically.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Other 7

▲

Survival at 5 years

Raised in trials

The share of people still alive five years after treatment started. It is a health outcome, not a lab number.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

The main goal of cancer treatment trials.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Small, borderline gain graded low certainty by Cochrane.

Safety implication

Applies to the PSK drug extract used with cancer treatment under a doctor, not to supplements.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹²	RR 1.08 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.15) with PSK added to usual care; about 1 extra survivor per 16 treated (95% CI 9 to 70).	Adults with colorectal cancer, 3 trials, 1,094 people	PSK extract plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone

^{12 6}

▼

Neutropenia (low neutrophil white cells)

Lowered in trials

Too few of the white blood cells that fight bacteria, a common effect of chemotherapy.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Neutropenia raises infection risk during chemotherapy.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Reviewers said they were uncertain about the effect.

Safety implication

Fever or infection signs during chemotherapy need urgent medical care whatever supplement is used.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹²	RR 0.41 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.71) for neutropenia with PSK; 133 people, 3 studies; very low certainty.	Adults with colorectal cancer having chemotherapy	PSK extract versus usual care

¹²

▲

White cell counts, IgG and IgM antibodies

Raised in trials

Blood counts of white cells and the main antibody classes. They describe immune set-up, not protection from illness.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used as stand-ins for immune function.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One small trial.

Safety implication

A higher count does not show better protection.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁵	Leukocyte and neutrophil counts and serum IgG and IgM were higher after 28 days of PSP than in the control group (P<0.05).	68 adults with advanced lung cancer	PSP (Chinese extract) versus placebo

¹⁵

▲

Lymphocyte, natural killer, CD8 and CD19 cells

Raised in trials

Types of immune cells counted in blood samples.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Researchers hoped turkey tail would help immune recovery after radiotherapy.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Trends in a safety study of 9 women with no control group.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁴	Trends toward more lymphocytes, higher NK cell activity in one group, and dose-related rises in CD8 T cells and CD19 B cells, but not CD4 T cells or CD16/56 NK cells.	9 women who completed the trial after breast cancer radiotherapy	Trametes versicolor preparation, three escalating groups

¹⁴

●

Gut bacteria composition

Changed in trials

Which bacteria live in the gut, measured from stool.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used as a marker of how a substance acts as a prebiotic.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A change in bacteria is not a health benefit.

Safety implication

None specific.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁰	PSP produced clear and consistent microbiome changes the authors call consistent with a prebiotic; amoxicillin changed it more and for longer.	24 healthy volunteers (22 finished)	PSP versus amoxicillin versus no treatment

¹⁰

▼

Oral HPV16/18 on PCR test

Lowered in trials

Whether HPV virus is found on a mouth swab test.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A negative test is used as a sign of virus clearance.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Preliminary, tiny, no placebo; HPV often clears without treatment.

Safety implication

Follow-up with a clinician is still needed for abnormal tests.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹	88% negative after 2 months with turkey tail plus reishi versus 5% with the comparison mushroom.	61 people with oral HPV16 or HPV18	Turkey tail plus Ganoderma lucidum versus Laetiporus sulphureus

^{1 11}

↕

Vaccine side effects and antibody levels

Mixed results in trials

Symptoms after vaccination and blood antibodies to the virus.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To see if a mushroom product eases vaccine reactions without lowering antibodies.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One subgroup of one trial.

Safety implication

No adverse events and similar liver and kidney tests in that trial.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹³	Side effects lower on days 3 and 5 in people without earlier exposure; antibodies preserved up to 6 months, possibly higher.	90 adults receiving COVID-19 vaccination	Fomitopsis officinalis plus Trametes versicolor mycelium versus placebo

¹³

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 5

PSK and PSP are medicines; capsules and powders are not the same thing. PSK is a purified drug extract approved in Japan, and PSP is a similar extract made in China. Nearly all the human safety information comes from these extracts and a few small trials. It does not prove that every turkey tail capsule, powder, tea or mycelium-on-grain product is safe or works the same way. Authoritative guidance ^{9 7}
Tell the cancer team about any turkey tail product. Turkey tail is often taken during cancer treatment. Cochrane could not say whether the extract changes chemotherapy side effects, and MSK notes that effects seen with chemotherapy may come from the chemotherapy itself. Only two small studies tested how PSK and a chemotherapy drug affect each other and found no significant interaction. For most other drugs nothing is known. Systematic review ^{12 5 7}
Generally well tolerated in the studies, with few and mild effects. NCI says few adverse events have been reported with PSK in Japan. MSK lists rare dark stools not caused by bleeding, darkening of fingernails, and low-grade blood and stomach effects when used with chemotherapy. In a small breast cancer safety study, 9 adverse events were reported (7 mild, 1 moderate, 1 severe). Numbers are small and long-term safety is not known. Authoritative guidance ^{9 7 14}
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: avoid until safety data exist. MSK advises pregnant or breastfeeding women to avoid Coriolus until safety data are available. We found no human safety study for either situation. Authoritative guidance ⁷
Product quality and look-alikes are real issues. MSK says many over-the-counter products are not standardised, and NCI says supplement contents can vary a lot from lot to lot. NCI also says several other Trametes species are hard to tell from turkey tail, so wild mushrooms should not be identified by looks alone. Authoritative guidance ^{7 9}

Side effects 6

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
Dark-coloured stools (not from bleeding) Listed by MSK among rare effects. Black or bloody stools can also signal bleeding, so new dark stools should be checked.	Rare; no rate given	mild Not stated	Authoritative guidance ⁷
Darkening of fingernails Listed by MSK among rare effects.	Rare; no rate given	mild Not stated	Authoritative guidance ⁷
Low-grade blood and stomach/bowel effects with chemotherapy MSK says these may be caused by the chemotherapy drugs themselves. Cochrane could not tell which.	Not given	mild to moderate Not stated	Authoritative guidance ^{7 12}
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and muscle pain (mostly grade 2 or lower) Reported across many mushroom products in cancer studies, not only turkey tail.	Not given	mild to moderate Not stated	Systematic review ⁸
Adverse events in a small breast cancer safety study No control group, so the events cannot be assigned to the mushroom.	9 events in 9 women who finished (7 mild, 1 moderate, 1 severe)	mild to severe Not stated in the abstract	Safety trial ¹⁴
No adverse reaction attributed to the PSP extract in a placebo-controlled lung cancer trial Short and small.	None reported (68 people, 28 days)	n/a n/a	Controlled trial ¹⁵

Liver

We found no case report of liver injury from turkey tail in the papers and pages we read, and an NIH LiverTox entry could not be found. A 2026 trial of a turkey tail and Fomitopsis mycelium combination (90 people, 4 days) found liver and kidney tests similar to placebo. These facts are limited by short trials and by not having searched case-report databases in depth. They do not prove liver safety. ^{13 7}

How often. No rate in users could be found.

Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was read. People with liver disease should ask a doctor before using any mushroom product. Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools or severe itching need medical help.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Turkey tail supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 4

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Cancer drugs (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) prescription	PSK is thought to act on immune cells; direct effects on how the body handles chemotherapy drugs are mostly untested.	A systematic review found only two small pharmacokinetic studies, of PSK with the drug tegafur, and no significant interaction. For other cancer drugs there are no interaction data. Cochrane could not tell whether side effects came from the chemotherapy or the extract.	Systematic review Low certainty ^{5 12}	Tell your oncology team and pharmacist about any turkey tail product before and during treatment.
Medicines that suppress the immune system (after a transplant or for autoimmune disease) prescription	MSK describes turkey tail as having immunostimulant properties. Whether that matters for people on immune-suppressing medicines is untested.	No trial tested this combination; the concern is theoretical.	Pharmacological theory Very low certainty ⁷	Ask the specialist who prescribes the medicine before using turkey tail.
Antibiotics prescription	PSP changed gut bacteria in healthy volunteers, and amoxicillin changed them more.	The trial tested PSP and amoxicillin in separate groups, not together, so nothing is known about taking them together.	Insufficient Not enough evidence ¹⁰	Mention it to the prescriber if you use a turkey tail product.
Blood thinners, blood sugar or blood pressure medicines, and other medicines prescription	Not studied in the sources read.	We found no interaction data for these. That is not proof of no interaction.	Insufficient Not enough evidence	Ask a pharmacist before combining.

Who should check first 8

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Pregnancy	MSK says to avoid it until safety data are available. We found no human safety data.	Authoritative guidance ⁷
Breastfeeding	MSK says to avoid it until safety data are available. We found no data in the sources read.	Authoritative guidance ⁷
Children	No studies in children were found in the sources read. That is not proof of safety; ask a paediatrician.	Insufficient
Taking immune-suppressing medicines or having an autoimmune condition	No trial tested turkey tail here. Ask the specialist first (MSK describes immunostimulant properties).	Pharmacological theory ⁷
During chemotherapy or radiotherapy	Tell the oncology team before using any turkey tail product.	Systematic review ^{12 5}
Liver or kidney disease	No source read addresses turkey tail in these conditions; ask a doctor.	Insufficient
Before surgery	No source read addresses this; tell the surgical team about any supplement.	Insufficient
Mushroom allergy	No source read describes turkey tail allergy. Anyone with a known allergy to mushrooms or moulds should ask a doctor before use.	Insufficient

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. No poisoning from turkey tail products was described in the sources read. It is a tough, woody fungus, not usually eaten as food.

Animal. MSK reports that a very high dose of a hot-water extract enhanced large intestine tumours in mice that were also given strong carcinogens. MSK says this is not clinically relevant because the dose was 10 to 13 times higher than in human studies. Other animal toxicity studies were not reviewed.

Human doses studied. Trials ran from 28 days to 3 years (PSK in colorectal trials). This page gives no amounts, and none are advised.

High dose or long term signals. Cochrane's PSK trials ran up to 3 years, but long-term use of supplements has not been studied.

Overdose response. No overdose description was found in the sources read.

Genotoxicity. Not read.

Toxic or hazardous parts. Fungus. Fruiting body and mycelium are used. No source compared toxicity between parts.

Turkey tail supplements are not covered by the quality checks that apply to approved medicines. The sources read describe unstandardised products and species mix-ups. We read no test of heavy metals, pesticides or mould toxins in turkey tail products.

Not standardised. MSK says many over-the-counter products are not standardised, making brands hard to compare, and it is unclear whether PSK, PSP and other extracts have comparable effects. ⁷

Supplement contents vary. NCI says supplement ingredients may vary a lot from lot to lot and there is no guarantee that label ingredients are present in the stated amounts. ⁹

Look-alike species. NCI says there are many other Trametes species, some difficult to distinguish from turkey tail, and a common DNA marker alone is not enough to tell them apart. Another Trametes species, Trametes robiniophila (Huaier), is used in China and is a different mushroom with its own studies. ⁹

Fruiting body versus mycelium. Some products are mycelium grown on grain. The sources we read for turkey tail do not say how their content differs from the fruiting body. For reishi, NCI says mycelium on grain carries grain-derived alpha-glucan; whether this holds for turkey tail was not checked. ⁹

Body	Action	Date
US National Cancer Institute (PDQ) (United States)	Says PSK (krestin) from Trametes versicolor is an approved product used for cancer treatment in Japan and PSP is produced in China. Says the FDA has not approved medicinal mushrooms as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition, and that supplement ingredients vary between lots. source	2024-11-06
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (United States)	Says pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid Coriolus until safety data are available. Lists rare side effects. Not a regulator; an information page from a cancer centre. source	2026-04-22
FIGO and IGCS (gynaecological cancer societies) (International)	Do not endorse routine clinical use of any currently available topical agent for HPV or low-grade cervical lesions, including a Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel; surveillance remains the standard of care. source	2026-09

When to get medical help

Swelling of the face or throat, wheeze or trouble breathing after any mushroom product: call emergency services.
Black or bloody stools, vomiting blood or heavy bruising or bleeding: get medical help now.
Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools or severe belly pain: stop the product and get medical help.
Fever, shivering or signs of infection during chemotherapy: contact the cancer team urgently, whatever supplements you use.

If someone may be poisoned or in a crisis, contact a clinician or emergency service straight away. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is turkey tail?

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor, also called Coriolus versicolor) is a woody bracket fungus with ringed brown and tan bands that grows on dead logs. It is called Yun Zhi in Chinese medicine and Kawaratake in Japan, and has long been used as a tonic and for lung conditions in East Asia.

^{9 2}

What is the difference between PSK, PSP and a turkey tail supplement?

PSK (krestin) is a purified extract made in Japan from specific strains and approved there for use alongside cancer treatment. PSP is a related extract made in China. Capsules, powders and teas are different products with different contents. Results for PSK cannot be assumed for supplements.

^{9 7}

Does turkey tail treat cancer?

No. It is not a cancer treatment. Cochrane found low-certainty evidence that the PSK extract added to standard colorectal cancer treatment gave a small survival gain at 5 years, and was uncertain about chemotherapy side effects. This applies to the drug extract, with a doctor's supervision, not to supplements used on their own.

^{12 6 9}

Does turkey tail boost the immune system?

Small studies found changes in some immune blood markers in people with cancer, such as white cell counts and antibodies. No trial showed fewer infections or better health, so this is not proof of a stronger immune system.

^{14 15 8}

Is turkey tail safe?

In the studies read, side effects were few and mostly mild, and NCI says few adverse events have been reported with PSK in Japan. But the studies are small and mostly of the extract. Long-term safety of supplements is not known, and we found no data for children or for liver or kidney disease.

^{9 7 14}

Does turkey tail interact with chemotherapy or other medicines?

Only two small studies tested PSK with a chemotherapy drug (tegafur) and found no significant interaction. For other cancer drugs and other medicines there are no data. MSK describes turkey tail as immunostimulant, so people on immune-suppressing medicines should ask their specialist. Always tell your cancer team and pharmacist.

^{5 7 12}

Is turkey tail safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?

MSK says pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid Coriolus until safety data are available. We found no human safety studies.

⁷

Is turkey tail safe for children?

We found no studies in children. That is not proof of safety. Ask a paediatrician.

Does turkey tail help gut health?

In 24 healthy volunteers the PSP extract changed gut bacteria in a way the authors call prebiotic-like. No symptoms or health outcomes were measured, so this is a lab finding, not a proven benefit.

¹⁰

Does turkey tail clear HPV?

Not proven. A one-page preliminary study of turkey tail plus reishi in oral HPV reported many negative tests, but it was tiny, had no placebo and has not been repeated. A 2026 FIGO and IGCS statement does not endorse routine use of any topical HPV product, including a Coriolus-based vaginal gel. HPV needs follow-up with a clinician.

^{1 11}

What is the difference between fruiting body and mycelium products?

The fruiting body is the mushroom itself; mycelium is the root-like growth, often grown on grain. PSK is made from cultivated mycelium. The sources we read for turkey tail do not say how supplement contents differ between the two, so label claims should be treated with caution.

^{9 7}

Can I pick wild turkey tail?

NCI says there are many other Trametes species, some hard to distinguish from turkey tail. Do not identify wild mushrooms by looks alone, and do not use a wild fungus without expert identification.

⁹

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We read PubMed records and abstracts for 10 papers (four systematic or interaction reviews, four randomised trials including a preliminary oral HPV report, one small safety study and one position statement), the National Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering pages in full, and checked the species names in GBIF. Two further sources (a 2020 review and a 2026 lab paper) are summary-only from an earlier read. EMA, LiverTox, LactMed and WHO were not found or not read. Only abstracts were read for papers, so numbers come from abstracts. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. This page is information, not a recommendation to use turkey tail.

Sources 15

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

Donatini B. Control of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) by medicinal mushrooms, Trametes versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum: a preliminary clinical trial.. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2014. PMID 25271984. DOI 10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.v16.i5.80. (abstract)
GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd (key 2548311). GBIF API. 2026. (API record, checked 2026-10-25)
Habtemariam S. Trametes versicolor (Synn. Coriolus versicolor) polysaccharides in cancer therapy: targets and efficacy.. Biomedicines. 2020. PMID 32466253. DOI 10.3390/biomedicines8050135. (summary-only)
Iyekekpolor OM, Obode OC, Adebayo AH. Nutritional, anti-inflammatory, and in-silico inhibitory studies of Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd and Flammulina velutipes (Curtis) on HER2 breast cancer protein.. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports. 2026. PMID 41769067. DOI 10.1016/j.bbrep.2026.102494. (summary-only)
Lam CS, Cheng LP, Zhou LM, et al. Herb-drug interactions between the medicinal mushrooms Lingzhi and Yunzhi and cytotoxic anticancer drugs: a systematic review.. Chinese Medicine. 2020. PMID 32724333. DOI 10.1186/s13020-020-00356-4. (abstract)
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. PMID 29179503. DOI 10.18632/oncotarget.19059. (abstract)
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Coriolus versicolor (About Herbs; last updated 22 April 2026). MSK About Herbs. 2026. (full text)
Narayanan S, de Mores AR, Cohen L, et al. Medicinal Mushroom Supplements in Cancer: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies.. Current Oncology Reports. 2023. PMID 36995535. DOI 10.1007/s11912-023-01408-2. (abstract)
PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. National Cancer Institute (NCI): Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ), Health Professional Version (latest update 6 Nov 2024). NCI PDQ. 2024. (full text)
Pallav K, Dowd SE, Villafuerte J, et al. Effects of polysaccharopeptide from Trametes versicolor and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of healthy volunteers: a randomized clinical trial.. Gut Microbes. 2014. PMID 25006989. DOI 10.4161/gmic.29558. (abstract)
Pareja R, Heredia F, Sanchez-Diaz E, et al. FIGO/IGCS Statement on the efficacy of topical treatments for high-risk human papillomavirus in preventing CIN 3+ lesions.. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. 2026. PMID 42680632. DOI 10.1016/j.ijgc.2026.104946. (abstract)
Pilkington K, Wieland LS, Teng L, et al. Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor mushroom to reduce adverse effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with colorectal cancer.. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2022. PMID 36445793. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD012053.pub2. (abstract)
Saxe G, Smith CN, Golshan S, et al. Polypore mushroom mycelia as an adjunct to COVID-19 vaccination: a randomized clinical trial.. BMC Immunology. 2026. PMID 41620671. DOI 10.1186/s12865-026-00809-9. (abstract)
Torkelson CJ, Sweet E, Martzen MR, et al. Phase I clinical trial of Trametes versicolor in women with breast cancer.. ISRN Oncology. 2012. PMID 22701186. DOI 10.5402/2012/251632. (abstract)
Tsang KW, Lam CL, Yan C, et al. Coriolus versicolor polysaccharide peptide slows progression of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.. Respiratory Medicine. 2003. PMID 12814145. DOI 10.1053/rmed.2003.1490. (abstract)

Where to buy

Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:

Fruiting body versus mycelium on grain: the label should say which
The extract type and the beta-glucan amount, if stated
A third-party testing mark
Interactions: ask a pharmacist if you take medicines or blood thinners

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.

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Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.