Turkeytail Mushroom
(Trametes versicolor)
Other Names:
Also known by 2 other botanical names; Coriolus versicolor and Polyporus versicolor. Even though taxonomy has chosen to give this fungi 3 different names, they are all the same mushroom.
Range:
Family:
Polyporaceae - Polypore family
Growth Type:
T. versicolor is typically overlapping. The cap is small. quite thin, leathery, pubescence (hairy) on top alternates in concentric bands with every other band being glabrous (smooth hairless).
Cap:
The cap can grow in a half circle, or be kidney, or even spoon shaped. It grows to be between 1-4 inches wide and 1-2 mm thick. The margin can be flat or wavy and even though the cap is dry and leathery, it still remains quite flexible. The common name turkey tail arises from the fact that the cap has distinct color bands running parallel with the cap margin resemble a wild turkey's tail feathers.
Stem:
T. versicolor is a stalkless fungi.
Gills/Tubes:
The tubes are 1-2mm long.
Pores:
One of the ways in which you can ensure you have a true turkey tail and not an imposter is that the underside of the cap will be white in color. Another way, which requires magnifications, is that there will be 3 or more pores per mm.
Spores:
5-6 x 1.5-2.2µ. Spores are cylindrical to sausage shaped, smooth and colorless
Spore Print:
White.
Height:
Can extend 1-4 inches from the wood.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
There are a few turkey tail look-a-likes. They are all members of the Trametes genera, and none of them are toxic. There are however some things to look for in order to ensure you have the correct specimen. First, is the fact that the cap has distinctly alternately colored rings. The cap also alternates between hairy and smooth. Often, the hairs can only be seen under magnification. The Cap is very thin, leathery, and quite flexible. The underside of the cap will be white in color. The pores on the underside are almost too small to be seen by the naked eye. There will be 3 or more pores per millimeter.
Season:
This fungi grows year round
Habitat:
Usually found in wet areas on stumps and or downed hardwood trunks and limbs.
Parts Used:
Entire fruiting body.
Cautions:
There are multiple look-a-likes, but none have been found to be toxic.
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms Description:
Usually overlapping, small, leathery, thin, stalkless cap with many multicolored zones, alternating hairy and smooth, and with white to yellow pores.
Cap: 1-4" (2.5-10 cm)wide; usually overlapping in rosettes; semicircular, kidney- to spoon shped or fused laterally; flat to wavy; multicolored; silky, hairy, or velvety, with alternate smooth zones. Flesh 1-2 mm thick; white.
Stalk: None
Tubes: 1-2 mm long
Spores: 5-6 X 1.5-2.2
Culinary Uses:
None known
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Medicinal Uses:
This mushroom has a long and storied use throughout the world. It aids in digestion, and supports a healthy gut. It is very good at boosting the immmune system to fight off infections and common illnesses. Multiple peer reviewed clinical trials have shown T. versicolor to be a highly effective cancer treatment Linked study. It has shown to greatly increase survival rates. The mushroom is high in antioxidants, and has been shown to reduce oxidative stress.
Cautions According To WebMD
Possible Side Effects:
Some people who are receiving chemotherapy and a substance extracted from turkey tail mushroom called polysaccharide krestin (PSK) have reported nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. But it is unclear if these side effects were due to the chemotherapy or PSK.
Possible Interactions:
PSP, a chemical found in turkey tail mushroom, might change how quickly cyclophosphamide is removed from the body. This might alter how effective it is, and cause more side effects.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. PSP, a chemical found in turkey tail mushroom, might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medicinal Actions:
Antimutagenic,
Antineoplastic,
Antioxidant,
Immunostimulant
Herbal Preparations For Trametes versicolor
Unlike many of the other medicinal mushrooms, the medicinal benefits of T. versicolor come from water soluble phytochemicals. This means we do not have to use the double extraction method to enjoy its medicinal benefits. We can simply take capsules of powdered mushroom. Or, we can make a healthful and highly medicinal decoction.
00 Capsules
Part Used: Whole Mushroom
Plant State: Dried
Capsules made from dried powdered mushroom are used in the treatment of common illnesses, and to boost the immune system on order to fight off infections and common illnesses.
Dosage: 1-2 capsules three times daily.
Strong Decoction
Part Used: Whole Mushroom
Plant State: Fresh or Dried
Place 2 ounces of fresh, or 1 ounce of dried, chopped, mushroom into a pan. Add 1 quart of water and bring to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat, stirring periodically, until reduced by half. Cool the mixture, and strain and drink.
Dosage: 2-4 oz up to four times daily as needed
Double Extracted Tincture
Part Used: Whole Mushroom
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 75%
Mushroom to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the mushroom name, the part of the mushroom used, the percentage of alcohol used, the date the tincture was started, and the dosage information.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh mushroom. Now fill the jar with 750 ml of 75% ethanol (I use 150 proof Everclear). Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for a total of 4 weeks.
After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out and retain the mushroom material. Transfer the tincture back to the mason jar. Now place a piece of tape on the outside of the jar, and at the liquid level, draw a line on the tape. Momentarily, pour the tincture into a glass bowl or some other non-reactive container, and set aside. Now add water to the jar to the level marked on the tape. Pour this water into a large pot. Now re-fill the jar a second time with water, and then again, pour it into the pot. When done, you will have twice the volume of water than the volume of tincture. Pour the tincture back into the jar, cover it tightly, and place it in the cupboard while you finish making your decoction.
Pour the mushroom material into the pot with the water, and heat to a boil. Be very careful, as alcohol vapors coming from the mushroom may catch fire. If this happens, simply put a lid on the pot to suppress flames. This may happen a few times at the beginning of your heating. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer until the water level has decreased by half. Turn off the heat, keep the pot covered, and allow the pot to cool completely. Once completely cooled, add enough water to the pot to bring the water level back to the original level. Bring the water back to a boil, cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer until the water level once again reduces by 50%. Now turn off the heat and allow the decoction to cool completely. When thoroughly cooled, strain out the now fully spent mushroom material, and pour the retained decoction into a large glass bowl, or other non-reactive container. Pour the tincture into the same container and stir to mix. You should have roughly equal amounts of tincture and decoction. This will result in a doubly extracted tincture that is approximately 35% alcohol. Place this extraction into a jar, or jars, large enough to hold its volume. This extraction should remain viable for a year or more.
Dosage: 1 tsp up to 3 times daily
Double Extracted Tincture
Part Used: Whole Mushroom
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 75%
Mushroom to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the mushroom name, the part of the mushroom used, the percentage of alcohol used, the date the tincture was started, and the dosage information.
Fill the jar with 150 grams of dried chopped mushroom, then fill the jar with 750 ml of 75% ethanol (I use 150 proof Everclear). Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for a total of 4 weeks.
After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out and retain the mushroom material. Transfer the tincture back to the mason jar. Now place a piece of tape on the outside of the jar, and at the liquid level, draw a line on the tape. Momentarily, pour the tincture into a glass bowl or some other non-reactive container, and set aside. Now add water to the jar to the level marked on the tape. Pour this water into a large pot. Now re-fill the jar a second time with water, and then again, pour it into the pot. When done, you will have twice the volume of water than the volume of tincture. Pour the tincture back into the jar, cover it tightly, and place it in the cupboard while you finish making your decoction.
Pour the mushroom material into the pot with the water, and heat to a boil. Be very careful, as alcohol vapors coming from the mushroom may catch fire. If this happens, simply put a lid on the pot to suppress flames. This may happen a few times at the beginning of your heating. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer until the water level has decreased by half. Turn off the heat, keep the pot covered, and allow the pot to cool completely. Once completely cooled, add enough water to the pot to bring the water level back to the original level. Bring the water back to a boil, cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer until the water level once again reduces by 50%. Now turn off the heat and allow the decoction to cool completely. When thoroughly cooled, strain out the now fully spent mushroom material, and pour the retained decoction into a large glass bowl, or other non-reactive container. Pour the tincture into the same container and stir to mix. You should have roughly equal amounts of tincture and decoction. This will result in a doubly extracted tincture that is approximately 35% alcohol. Place this extraction into a jar, or jars, large enough to hold its volume. This extraction should remain viable for a year or more.
Dosage: 1 tsp up to 3 times daily
