Turkey Tail
Also known as: Trametes versicolor, Coriolus versicolor, TV, Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) from Trametes versicolor
Randomised trials and systematic reviews report that Trametes versicolor extracts have immunomodulatory effects in humans, have altered gut microbiome composition in healthy volunteers, and in small trials have been associated with higher HPV clearance when combined with other mushrooms and with reduced vaccine side-effects in vaccine-naive participants. Evidence is heterogeneous and mostly adjunctive in clinical settings.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 5 indexed studies
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Overview
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is a polypore mushroom used as an oral extract or polysaccharopeptide (PSP) preparation. Human trials have studied it as an adjunct during cancer treatment, as a prebiotic affecting the gut microbiome, for clearance of oral HPV when combined with other medicinal mushrooms, and as a short course adjunct to vaccination.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Contains polysaccharides and polysaccharopeptides (eg, glucans, PSP) that are proposed to modulate immune responses and to act as prebiotics altering gut microbial composition. Clinical studies have not fully delineated molecular mechanisms but outcomes align with immune modulation and microbiome effects.
Physiological Role
Modulation of innate and adaptive immune markers via orally delivered fungal polysaccharides; influence on intestinal microbial communities when taken orally.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
Not primarily an ergogenic ingredient. Relevance is to immune-related outcomes and gut microbial composition rather than sports performance.
Evidence Review
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- Not established
- Optimal Range
- Not established
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established
- Timing
- Varies by study and product; trials have used short course dosing around vaccination and longer adjunctive use during cancer therapy
- Best Format
- Extracts or standardized polysaccharopeptide (PSP) preparations; oral capsules/tablets
- Bioavailability
- Polysaccharides are large molecules; clinical effects observed with oral extracts and PSP formulations rather than isolated small molecules
- Absorption Considerations
- Oral formulations appear active in trials, but specific absorption data are not provided in the cited abstracts
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •Generally well tolerated in trials; no serious adverse events reported in cited trials
- •Potential for mild gastrointestinal effects (noted generally for oral mushroom products in literature)
Contraindications
- Not established in cited abstracts
Drug Interactions
- •Not established in cited abstracts
Who Should Avoid
- •Not specified in the cited abstracts; people with severe allergies to fungi should avoid use
Monitoring
When used adjunctively with medical treatments (eg, cancer therapy, vaccination) monitor clinical outcomes and standard laboratory parameters as advised by treating clinicians
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Turkey Tail typically used or indicated?
Turkey Tail is most commonly used for: Immune support adjunct, Adjunct during cancer therapy, Modulating the gut microbiome, Adjunct to vaccination to reduce side-effects. Modulation of innate and adaptive immune markers via orally delivered fungal polysaccharides; influence on intestinal microbial communities when taken orally.
How does Turkey Tail work?
Contains polysaccharides and polysaccharopeptides (eg, glucans, PSP) that are proposed to modulate immune responses and to act as prebiotics altering gut microbial composition. Clinical studies have not fully delineated molecular mechanisms but outcomes align with immune modulation and microbiome effects.
What is the recommended dose of Turkey Tail?
The optimal range is Not established. with a minimum effective dose of Not established. Best taken: Varies by study and product; trials have used short course dosing around vaccination and longer adjunctive use during cancer therapy. Upper / caution level: Not established.
What are the side effects of Turkey Tail?
Reported side effects include: Generally well tolerated in trials; no serious adverse events reported in cited trials; and Potential for mild gastrointestinal effects (noted generally for oral mushroom products in literature). Monitoring: When used adjunctively with medical treatments (eg, cancer therapy, vaccination) monitor clinical outcomes and standard laboratory parameters as advised by treating clinicians
Does Turkey Tail interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: Not established in cited abstracts. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Turkey Tail?
Turkey Tail is generally not recommended for: Not specified in the cited abstracts; people with severe allergies to fungi should avoid use; and Not established in cited abstracts.
How strong is the evidence for Turkey Tail?
Evidence level: Moderate (overall score 64/100), based on 5 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (5)
Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor mushroom to reduce adverse effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy in people with colorectal cancer.
Systematic review of seven RCTs (1569 participants) of Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor extracts as adjunctive treatment in colorectal cancer looking at adverse effects, survival and related outcomes.
Immunomodulatory dietary polysaccharides: a systematic review of the literature.
Systematic review of immunomodulatory dietary polysaccharides noted that oral glucan extracts from Trametes versicolor improved survival and immune function in human RCTs of cancer patients and that several polysaccharides showed immunomodulatory effects in controlled human studies.
Effects of polysaccharopeptide from Trametes versicolor and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of healthy volunteers: a randomized clinical trial.
Randomised clinical trial in 24 healthy volunteers comparing polysaccharopeptide (PSP) from Trametes versicolor, amoxicillin, and no treatment on stool microbiome composition over eight weeks.
Control of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) by medicinal mushrooms, Trametes versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum: a preliminary clinical trial.
Preliminary randomised study of medicinal mushrooms (Trametes versicolor + Ganoderma lucidum versus Laetiporus sulphureus) for clearance of oral HPV16/18 over two months.
Polypore mushroom mycelia as an adjunct to COVID-19 vaccination: a randomized clinical trial.
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a fungal mycelium product containing Fomitopsis officinalis and Trametes versicolor (FoTv) as an adjunct to COVID-19 vaccination; outcomes included safety, vaccine side-effects and anti‑SARS‑CoV‑2 antibody levels.
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Research Overview
Moderate EvidenceCite this ingredient
One-click citation export in APA, MLA, Chicago, BibTeX, or HTML. The URL below is stable and safe to link.
Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/turkey-tail
SuppIndex. (2026). Turkey Tail: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/turkey-tail
Based on 5 indexed studies · Evidence level: Moderate.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Studied as an adjunct to chemotherapy, antibiotics (compared in microbiome study) and vaccination; interactions with immunomodulatory drugs are not described in the abstracts