What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered.-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Turkey tail fungus, (Tramates versicolor,)
other common names are used for this wonderful mushrooms such as Coriolus versicolor, Yun Zhi, cloud mushroom, and kawaratake
Where Does Turkey Tail Grow?
Turkey tail mushrooms are multicolored fungi that grow on tree trunks and fallen trees in wooded areas. Great News! They are plentiful in the United States. These mushrooms have a disc-like shape and varying colors of brown or blue. Their overall appearance looks like a turkey's tail. which is how they got their common name. Fortunately, there are no toxic look-alikes of turkey tail mushrooms, which generally makes them a “safe” mushroom to forage for. Similar mushrooms, however, lack the health-supporting compounds that these functional mushrooms are known and valued for.
How To Identify Turkey Tail:
Turkey Tail Mushrooms have Large, layered groups of leathery, parchment like brackets with multicolored zones;
Its underside is white and smooth.
Grows on stumps and logs of deciduous trees. Year-round.
Top of its cap is semicircular, irregular; zones of browns, rusts, and sometimes green (from algae); Turkey Tail texture is leathery, hairy.
Underside buff-colored, smooth.
Stalk not present.
Spore print white.
Does TurkeyTail Mushroom Have Health Benefits?
Turkey Tail Mushroom has been used for thousands of years as a way of maintaining health and improving immunity:
When taken as a supplement, turkey tail benefits may include the following:
- Boosted immunity
- Improved cognitive function
- Increased exercise performance
- Improved gut health
- Reduced inflammation
- Lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes
Supplement Facts
- Active ingredient(s): Polysaccharides, antioxidants, beta-glucan, sterols, fatty acids, phenolic compounds2
- Legal status: Legal, available over the counter (OTC)
- Suggested dose: Dosage depends on the reason for use
- Safety considerations: Turkey tail mushroom is safe and generally well-tolerated, but it's not recommended for use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
