Omnia SanaTrametes versicolor
Common names in 8 European languages →
The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 6 pharmacological actions, 4 traditional / indicated uses, with 18 cited sources.
Botanical Description
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 & Distribution
Grows on dead, dying or fallen hardwood logs, stumps and branches in woodlands worldwide, including Europe, Asia and North America.
Harvesting
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
Key Constituents
The principal immunomodulating constituents, forming the basis of PSK/PSP extracts.
Polysaccharides
Polysaccharopeptide (PSK/PSP, protein-bound polysaccharide)[13]
Protein-bound polysaccharide complex studied extensively as an adjunct immunotherapy.
Polysaccharides
Phenolic compounds and triterpenes[14]
Minor antioxidant constituents.
Phenolic compoundsTerpenes / terpenoids
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anticancer action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0300
Evidence: 9
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →
Cold & flu[12]Preliminary · 1/10
inferred from antiviral action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0282, REF-0300, REF-1582, REF-1583, REF-1584, REF-1585, REF-1587, REF-1588
Evidence: 1
Label: Cold & flu
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0300
Evidence: 1
Label: Immune support
Infection (general)[12]Preliminary · 1/10
inferred from antimicrobial action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0282, REF-0300
Evidence: 1
Label: Infection (general)
Traditional Use & History
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.[12, 13, 14]
Preparations
Long decoction[12]
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)[13]
Standardized polysaccharide-K (PSK) or polysaccharopeptide (PSP) extract, the pharmaceutical-grade forms used in clinical research.
Dosage
Standardized extract[13]
Clinical research on PSK commonly uses around 3 g daily in divided doses. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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.
Dangerous Lookalikes
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
Harvest Readiness
[11]
Part: fruiting-body
Signals: Harvest the fresh, pliable brackets - flexible flesh with a white growing edge, colour fully developed - before they toughen, dry and fade with age (most abundant in autumn).
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: Turkey tails may persist on wood for 2-3 years, but when the mushroom is fresh it will have white spores and flexible flesh.
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: Eat The Planet (REF-3354) for Trametes versicolor; harvest the fresh brackets - flexible flesh and a white growing edge - before they toughen and fade. Single source -> provisional. SAFETY: the inedible false turkey tail (Stereum hirsutum) is a lookalike - true turkey tail has visible pores on the underside, Stereum has a smooth underside; see Dangerous Lookalikes.
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- 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 - Eat The Planet 'Trametes versicolor - Turkey Tail'. Available at: https://eattheplanet.org/trametes-versicolor-turkey-tail/ Traditional / reference
https://eattheplanet.org/trametes-versicolor-turkey-tail/ - 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
Selected studies & references
ReviewMedicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production - A Review source↗ (2023)
ReviewCoriolus (Trametes) versicolor mushroom to reduce adverse effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with colorectal cancer source↗ (2022)
ReviewTrametes versicolor (Synn. Coriolus versicolor) Polysaccharides in Cancer Therapy: Targets and Efficacy source↗ (2020)
ReviewPolysaccharide K and Coriolus versicolor extracts for lung cancer: a systematic review source↗ (2015)
ReviewA review of research on the protein-bound polysaccharide (polysaccharopeptide, PSP) from the mushroom Coriolus versicolor (Basidiomycetes: Polyporaceae) source↗ (1998)
RctCurrent findings, future trends, and unsolved problems in studies of medicinal mushrooms source↗ (2011)
RctCoriolus versicolor polysaccharide peptide slows progression of advanced non-small cell lung cancer source↗ (2003)
PreclinicalQuorum sensing molecule-farnesol increased the production and biological activities of extracellular polysaccharide from Trametes versicolor source↗ (2017)
All 14 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.