Plant Comparison

Breckland Thyme vs Turkey tail

A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.

First plant

Second plant

Plant ABreckland ThymeThymus serpyllumLamiaceaeFull monograph →

Plant BTurkey tailTrametes versicolorPolyporaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Breckland Thyme and Turkey tail: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), infection (general), …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.

Breckland ThymeTurkey tail

Constituents33

Pharmacological actions56

Indicated uses98

Safety notes22

Cited sources1417

Indicated uses

Only Breckland Thyme

Acid refluxIndigestionRespiratory support

Shared (6)

Arthritis / joint painCancer (anticancer research)Infection (general)Inflammation (general)Skin irritationWounds

Only Turkey tail

Cold & fluImmune support

Pharmacological actions

Only Breckland Thyme

Gastroprotective

Shared (4)

Anti-inflammatoryAnticancer (preclinical)AntimicrobialAntioxidant

Only Turkey tail

AntiviralImmunomodulator / immune support

Evidence face-off — shared uses

Condition	Breckland Thyme	Turkey tail	Verdict
Arthritis / joint pain	1/10	5/10	Stronger for Turkey tail
Cancer (anticancer research)	2/10	9/10	Stronger for Turkey tail
Infection (general)	1/10	5/10	Stronger for Turkey tail
Inflammation (general)	1/10	5/10	Stronger for Turkey tail
Skin irritation	1/10	5/10	Stronger for Turkey tail
Wounds	1/10	5/10	Stronger for Turkey tail

Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.

Key Constituents

Essential oil (thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene)^[2]

The volatile oil, dominated by thymol and carvacrol, gives most of the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.

Essential (volatile) oilThymolCarvacrolTerpenes / terpenoids

Phenolic acids and flavonoids (rosmarinic acid, luteolin)^[3]

Contribute additional antioxidant activity.

Rosmarinic acidPhenolic acidsFlavonoidsLuteolin

Triterpenes (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid)^[1]

Minor constituents studied for anti-inflammatory activity.

Beta-glucan polysaccharides^{[11, 12]}

The principal immunomodulating constituents, forming the basis of PSK/PSP extracts.

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharopeptide (PSK/PSP, protein-bound polysaccharide)^[12]

Protein-bound polysaccharide complex studied extensively as an adjunct immunotherapy.

Polysaccharides

Phenolic compounds and triterpenes^[13]

Minor antioxidant constituents.

Phenolic compoundsTerpenes / terpenoids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 6, 11, 12, 13]}

Anticancer (preclinical)^[9]

Antimicrobial^{[1, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13]}

Antioxidant^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 13]}

Gastroprotective^{[11, 12, 13]}

Anti-inflammatory^{[11, 12, 13]}

Anticancer (preclinical)^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]}

Antimicrobial^{[11, 12, 13]}

Antioxidant^{[8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]}

Antiviral^{[11, 12, 13]}

Immunomodulator / immune support^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Acid reflux^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from gastroprotective action

Evidence: 1

Label: Acid reflux

Arthritis / joint pain^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

Cancer (anticancer research)^[9]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 2

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

Indigestion^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from gastroprotective action

Evidence: 1

Label: Indigestion

Infection (general)^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1

Label: Infection (general)

Inflammation (general)^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

Respiratory support^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Respiratory support

Skin irritation^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

Wounds^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1

Label: Wounds

Arthritis / joint pain^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 5

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

Cancer (anticancer research)^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12]}Strong · 9/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 9

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

Cold & flu^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antiviral action

Evidence: 5

Label: Cold & flu

Immune support^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

Evidence: 5

Label: Immune support

Infection (general)^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 5

Label: Infection (general)

Inflammation (general)^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 5

Label: Inflammation (general)

Skin irritation^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 5

Label: Skin irritation

Wounds^{[11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 5

Label: Wounds

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[11, 12, 13]}Caution

Generally safe at culinary doses. Essential oil is highly concentrated and must be diluted before topical use; undiluted application can cause skin sensitisation. Not recommended internally during pregnancy (uterine stimulant effects possible). Phenol-rich thyme preparations should be avoided long-term in high doses. May potentiate anticoagulant medications.

Safety note^{[11, 12, 13, 14]}Info

Duke (2002) rates Thymus vulgaris (garden thyme, closely related to breckland thyme) as +++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for antibacterial, bronchospasmolytic, and antispasmodic activities, consistent with Commission E and WHO approvals for bronchitis and upper respiratory catarrh. The primary active constituent is thymol, with carvacrol as a secondary compound. Dose: 1–2 g dried herb as tea three times daily. The plant demonstrates COX-2 inhibitory activity and calcium antagonism, which may explain its antispasmodic effects (Duke, 2002).

Safety note^{[11, 12, 13]}Caution

Generally very safe and well tolerated. Rare cases of digestive upset or allergic reaction. No significant known drug interactions at normal doses. The PSK pharmaceutical form is used safely alongside standard cancer treatments. Suitable for most adults.

Safety note^{[11, 12, 13, 14]}Info

Duke (2002) does not include a dedicated entry for Turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) in the Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition.

External Ids

Gbif: 6409622

Wikidata: Q147251

Gbif: 2548311

Wikidata: Q753833

Botanical Description

Low, mat-forming, aromatic perennial subshrub with tiny, oval, strongly aromatic leaves on trailing, wiry, hairy stems that root as they spread. Small, pinkish-purple, two-lipped flowers are borne in dense whorled clusters at the stem tips.

Height: 2-10 cm (mat-forming, trailing)

Habit: Low, mat-forming, aromatic perennial subshrub

Leaves: Tiny, oval, strongly aromatic

Flowers: Small, pinkish-purple, two-lipped, in dense whorled terminal clusters

Stem: Trailing, wiry, hairy, rooting as it spreads

Root: Fine, fibrous roots along the creeping stem

Fruit: Small nutlet

Flowering Period: May-September

Bracket fungus (not a true plant) forming thin, tough, fan-shaped, overlapping shelves on dead or decaying hardwood, with a velvety, concentrically zoned upper surface in bands of brown, tan, cream, blue-grey and rust, and a white, minutely pored underside.

Height: Individual brackets 2-8 cm across, forming overlapping clusters

Habit: Bracket (shelf) fungus growing directly from dead wood, in tiered, overlapping clusters

Leaves: Not applicable (fungus); the fruiting body is a thin, tough bracket

Flowers: Not applicable (fungus); reproduces via spores released from pores on the underside

Stem: No true stem; the bracket attaches directly to the wood

Root: Not applicable; mycelium threads through the wood substrate

Fruit: Fan-shaped fruiting body (bracket) with a white, densely pored underside

Flowering Period: Fruiting bodies present year-round, most abundant in autumn

Habitat

Grows on dry, sunny heath, grassland, rocky ground and sandy soils; native to Europe and widely distributed across the northern temperate zone.

Grows on dead, dying or fallen hardwood logs, stumps and branches in woodlands worldwide, including Europe, Asia and North America.

Harvesting

The flowering aerial parts (flower and leaf) are cut at the start of flowering in summer and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.

Parts: Flower, Leaf

Season: Summer, at start of flowering

Fresh brackets are harvested by cutting from the wood; for medicinal use the tough fruiting body is typically dried and then decocted (simmered) for a long time, or extracted, since the beneficial polysaccharides are not well-extracted by simple infusion.

Parts: Mycelium, Whole Plant

Season: Year-round, most abundant in autumn

Traditional Uses

Wild thyme has a long European folk tradition, closely paralleling its relative garden thyme, as an antimicrobial and expectorant remedy for coughs and respiratory infections, a digestive/gastroprotective herb, and a topical antiseptic.^{[11, 12, 13]}

Turkey tail has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (as yun zhi) and is one of the most researched medicinal mushrooms, with standardized polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharopeptide (PSP) extracts used clinically in Japan and China alongside conventional cancer treatment to support immune function.^{[11, 12, 13]}

Preparations

Infusion^[12]

Dried flowering herb infused in hot water as a traditional respiratory and digestive tea.

Long decoction^[11]

Dried fruiting body simmered in water for an extended period (often 1-2 hours) to extract the beta-glucan polysaccharides, then strained.

Standardized extract (PSK/PSP)^[12]

Standardized polysaccharide-K (PSK) or polysaccharopeptide (PSP) extract, the pharmaceutical-grade forms used in clinical research.

References

REF-1094, REF-1095, REF-1096, REF-1097, REF-1098, REF-1099, REF-1100, REF-1101, REF-1102, REF-1103

REF-1582, REF-1583, REF-1584, REF-1585, REF-1586, REF-1587, REF-1588, REF-1589, REF-1590, REF-1591

Lookalikes Review

Outcome: none-known

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Outcome: has-lookalikes

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Dosage

Not documented

Standardized extract^[12]

Clinical research on PSK commonly uses around 3 g daily in divided doses. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Dangerous Lookalikes

Not documented

Safety note^{[15, 16, 17]}Caution

Dangerous Plant: stereum-hirsutum

Confused Part: The whole fan-shaped bracket (the concentrically zoned shelf growing on dead hardwood), especially the top surface, which looks almost identical from above.

Confusion Context: False turkey tail (Stereum hirsutum, and the near-identical Stereum ostrea) is the commonest fungus mistaken for medicinal turkey tail. Seen from above the two are near-identical: overlapping, fan-shaped, concentrically banded, fuzzy-topped brackets on dead wood. Stereum is NOT poisonous - it is simply inedible (too thin and leathery) and there are no documented poisonings. The problem is that it is a crust fungus lacking the medicinal polysaccharides of true turkey tail, so anyone who brews it gets a worthless tea. This record exists to prevent a wasted, ineffective harvest, not to warn of poisoning.

Distinguishing Features: UNDERSIDE (decisive): true turkey tail has a whitish PORE surface underneath, densely covered with tiny pores/tubes (about 2-5 per mm, visible with a hand lens). False turkey tail (Stereum) has a completely SMOOTH, poreless underside - it is a crust fungus, not a polypore., Underside colour: true turkey tail's pore surface is white to off-white. Stereum's smooth underside is typically tan, yellowish, greyish or pale reddish-brown; a coloured, non-white underside is a red flag., Texture: true turkey tail is thin and flexible; Stereum tends to be tougher, more leathery and often wavier at the margin.

Key Test: Turn the bracket over and look at the underside with a hand lens. Genuine turkey tail shows a white surface densely covered in tiny pores (roughly 2-5 per mm). If the underside is SMOOTH and poreless (and often tan/orange/brown rather than white), it is false turkey tail (Stereum) - discard it. Smooth underside = not turkey tail.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

References & Sources

Jalil, B., Pischel, I., Feistel, B., Suarez, C. and others (2024) 'Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.): a review of the current evidence of nutritional and preventive health benefits', Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, pp. 1380962. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1380962 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1380962
Sonmezdag, A.S., Kelebek, H. and Selli, S (2016) 'Characterization of aroma-active and phenolic profiles of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) by GC-MS-Olfactometry and LC-ESI-MS/MS', Journal of Food Science and Technology, 53(4), pp. 1957-1965. doi:10.1007/s13197-015-2144-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-015-2144-1
Pavlic, B., Mrkonjic, Z., Teslic, N., Kljakic, A.C. and others (2022) 'Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NADES) Extraction Improves Polyphenol Yield and Antioxidant Activity of Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Extracts', Molecules, 27(5), pp. 1508. doi:10.3390/molecules27051508 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051508
Mrkonjic, Z., Kaplan, M., Milosevic, S., Bozovic, D. and others (2024) 'Green Extraction Approach for Isolation of Bioactive Compounds in Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Herbal Dust-Chemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity and Comparison with Conventional Techniques', Plants, 13(6), pp. 897. doi:10.3390/plants13060897 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060897
Sokolic-Mihalak, D., Frece, J., Slavica, A., Delas, F. and others (2012) 'The effects of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) essential oil components against ochratoxin-producing Aspergilli', Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju, 63(4), pp. 457-462. doi:10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2309 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2309
Jaric, S., Mitrovic, M. and Pavlovic, P (2015) 'Review of Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Study of Thymus serpyllum L', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, pp. 101978. doi:10.1155/2015/101978 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/101978
Loziene, K., Vaiciuniene, J. and Venskutonis, P.R (1998) 'Chemical composition of the essential oil of creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum s.l.) growing wild in Lithuania', Planta Medica, 64(8), pp. 772-773. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957582 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957582
Raal, A., Paaver, U., Arak, E. and Orav, A (2004) 'Content and composition of the essential oil of Thymus serpyllum L. growing wild in Estonia', Medicina (Kaunas), 40(8), pp. 795-800. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Content%20and%20composition%20of%20the%20essential%20oil%20of%20Thymus%20serpyllum%20L.%20growing%20wild%20in%20Estonia
Bozkurt, E., Atmaca, H., Kisim, A., Uzunoglu, S. and others (2012) 'Effects of Thymus serpyllum extract on cell proliferation, apoptosis and epigenetic events in human breast cancer cells', Nutrition and Cancer, 64(8), pp. 1245-1250. doi:10.1080/01635581.2012.719658 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2012.719658
Jovanovic, A.A., Levic, S.M., Pavlovic, V.B., Markovic, S.B. and others (2021) 'Freeze vs. Spray Drying for Dry Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Extract Formulations: The Impact of Gelatin as a Coating Material', Molecules, 26(13), pp. 3933. doi:10.3390/molecules26133933 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26133933
European Medicines Agency (2010) 'Assessment report on Thymus vulgaris L., herba and Thymus zygis L., herba'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Assessment%20report%20on%20Thymus%20vulgaris%20L.%2C%20herba%20and%20Thymus%20zygis%20L.%2C%20herba
Kempe, K., Doerfler, G., Bader, D. and Wicht, M (2011) 'Activity of Thymus serpyllum against oral pathogens', 9(1), pp. 23--28. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Activity%20of%20Thymus%20serpyllum%20against%20oral%20pathogens
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org
Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition

Pilkington, K., Wieland, L.S., Teng, L., Jin, X.Y. and others (2022) 'Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor mushroom to reduce adverse effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with colorectal cancer', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 11(11), pp. CD012053. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012053.pub2 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012053.pub2
Habtemariam, S (2020) 'Trametes versicolor (Synn. Coriolus versicolor) Polysaccharides in Cancer Therapy: Targets and Efficacy', Biomedicines, 8(5), pp. 135. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8050135 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8050135
Fritz, H., Kennedy, D.A., Ishii, M., Fergusson, D. and others (2015) 'Polysaccharide K and Coriolus versicolor extracts for lung cancer: a systematic review', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 14(3), pp. 201-211. doi:10.1177/1534735415572883 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735415572883
Tsang, K.W., Lam, C.L., Yan, C., Mak, J.C. and others (2003) 'Coriolus versicolor polysaccharide peptide slows progression of advanced non-small cell lung cancer', Respiratory Medicine, 97(6), pp. 618-624. doi:10.1053/rmed.2003.1490 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1053/rmed.2003.1490
Ng, T.B (1998) 'A review of research on the protein-bound polysaccharide (polysaccharopeptide, PSP) from the mushroom Coriolus versicolor (Basidiomycetes: Polyporaceae)', General Pharmacology, 30(1), pp. 1-4. doi:10.1016/s0306-3623(97)00076-1 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0306-3623(97)00076-1
Kowalczewska, M., Piotrowski, J., Jedrzejewski, T. and Kozak, W (2016) 'Polysaccharide peptides from Coriolus versicolor exert differential immunomodulatory effects on blood lymphocytes and breast cancer cell line MCF-7 in vitro', Immunology Letters, 174, pp. 37-44. doi:10.1016/j.imlet.2016.04.010 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imlet.2016.04.010
Jedrzejewski, T., Piotrowski, J., Kowalczewska, M., Wrotek, S. and Kozak, W (2015) 'Polysaccharide peptide from Coriolus versicolor induces interleukin 6-related extension of endotoxin fever in rats', International Journal of Hyperthermia, 31(6), pp. 626-634. doi:10.3109/02656736.2015.1046953 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3109/02656736.2015.1046953
Scarpari, M., Reverberi, M., Parroni, A., Scala, V. and others (2017) 'Tramesan, a novel polysaccharide from Trametes versicolor. Structural characterization and biological effects', PLoS One, 12(8), pp. e0171412. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0171412 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0171412
Lysakowska, P., Sobota, A. and Wirkijowska, A (2023) 'Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production - A Review', Molecules, 28(14), pp. 5393. doi:10.3390/molecules28145393 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28145393
Wang, K.F., Sui, K.Y., Guo, C. and Liu, C.Z (2017) 'Quorum sensing molecule-farnesol increased the production and biological activities of extracellular polysaccharide from Trametes versicolor', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 104(Pt A), pp. 377-383. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.06.053 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.06.053
Chu, K.K., Ho, S.S. and Chow, A.H (2002) 'Coriolus versicolor: a medicinal mushroom with promising immunotherapeutic values', 42(9), pp. 976--984. doi:10.1177/0091270002042009004 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1177/0091270002042009004
Standish, L.J., Wenner, C.A., Sweet, E.S., Bridge, C., Nelson, A., Martzen, M., Novack, J. and Torkelson, C (2008) 'Trametes versicolor mushroom immune therapy in breast cancer', 6(3), pp. 122--128. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Trametes%20versicolor%20mushroom%20immune%20therapy%20in%20breast%20cancer
Wasser, S.P (2011) 'Current findings, future trends, and unsolved problems in studies of medicinal mushrooms', 89(5), pp. 1323--1332. doi:10.1007/s00253-010-3067-4 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-3067-4
Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Macalester College, Katharine Ordway Natural History Study Area 'Turkey Tail Fungus (Trametes versicolor)'. Available at: https://www.macalester.edu/ordway/biodiversity/inventory/turkeytailfungus/ Traditional / reference
https://www.macalester.edu/ordway/biodiversity/inventory/turkeytailfungus/
Missouri Department of Conservation 'False Turkey Tail (Stereum ostrea)'. Available at: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/false-turkey-tail Traditional / reference
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/false-turkey-tail
Kuo, Michael 'Stereum ostrea (False Turkey Tail)'. Available at: https://www.mushroomexpert.com/stereum_ostrea.html Traditional / reference
https://www.mushroomexpert.com/stereum_ostrea.html

Breckland Thyme monograph Turkey tail monograph Compare other plants

Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.