Turkey Tail mushroom, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor, is named for its vibrant, fan-like appearance, resembling a wild turkey's tail. In many Eastern traditions, this shape is viewed as a cloud, leading to its Chinese name, Yun Zhi.
Welcome to Nectar Yoga Retreat's wellness blog, where we delve into holistic practices, including yoga and meditation, herbalism and health, to enhance your self cultivation and wellness journey. This year, our focus is on the herbs and fungi of the Pacific Northwest—both native and naturalized, such as our posts on Burdock, Dandelion, and Nettle. This month, we're spotlighting the Turkey Tail mushroom. Situated on scenic Bowen Island, Nectar is a celebrated destination for wellness enthusiasts from British Columbia, Washington State, and beyond, and is recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top yoga retreats in the US and Canada.
Read below to learn more about Turkey Tail mushroom, including:
Turkey tail mushroom benefits
Turkey tail mushroom identification and look alikes
Turkey tail mushroom benefits for skin
Where to buy Turkey tail mushroom
Turkey tail’s spiritual significance
Nectar’s own adaptogenic chai recipe with Turkey tail mushroom
Nectar’s September playlist on Spotify, inspired by Turkey tail mushroom
Turkey Tail Mushroom Benefits
Turkey Tail mushroom (its Latin name, Trametes versicolor) is named for its colourful, fan-like appearance reminiscent of a wild turkey's tail. It belongs to the polypore family, releasing spores from pores on the underside of its cap. Known as Yun Zhi in China and and kawaritake in Japanese, both translating as "cloud mushroom", resembling the shape of the mushroom. Turkey Tail has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries to treat various ailments. It's known to clear dampness, reduce phlegm, improve pulmonary disorders, strengthen the stomach and spleen, boost energy, and support those with chronic diseases. It's also used for infections and inflammation in the respiratory, urinary, and digestive tracts, and to treat general immune weakness.
Turkey Tail is one of the most common mushrooms globally, often found on dead hardwood logs and stumps. It’s often believed in many herbal traditions that when a plant or funghi is commonly found, that it is a widely needed remedy for the people. In Western folk medicine and herbalism, as well as modern Western alternative medicine, such as discourses and research by mycologist Paul Stamets, Trametes versicolor is regarded as highly potent with anti-tumor, antiviral, antimicrobial, immunomodulating, and antioxidant properties, effective against cancers, hepatitis B & C, and malaria.
Did you know that humans are more closely related to fungi than the plant or animal kingdoms? Read below for more.
Turkey Tail Mushroom Identification and Turkey Tail Mushroom Look Alikes
Realmushrooms.com shares a helpful article that breaks down how to safely identify Turkey Tail Mushroom and false Turkey Tails.
Mycelium Fungi Can Help Save the Planet
Few people know that humans are more closely related to fungi than any other kingdom. About 650 million years ago, our evolutionary paths diverged. Humans evolved to digest nutrients internally within a stomach, while fungi developed a method to digest nutrients externally through a network of fine, thread-like cells called mycelium. Both humans and fungi rely on beneficial bacteria to aid in digestion, forming complex microbiomes that support health, prevent disease, and enhance longevity.
Mycelium, the vegetative part of a fungus, forms the foundation of our food webs by creating rich soils necessary for life. It exudes enzymes, antimicrobial agents, and antiviral compounds, playing a crucial role in environmental health and even breaking down environmental toxins through a process known as mycoremediation. Integrating mycelium into gardens and yards can help neutralize toxins, benefiting both the natural environment and human health.
Mushrooms, the fruits or fruiting bodies of mycelium, are nutritionally dense, containing polysaccharides, proteins, minerals, and vitamins. They are low in fat and cholesterol-free, making them a healthy addition to diets. Recent research (see below for list of references) highlights that mushrooms like Reishi and Turkey Tail act as prebiotics, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in our gut microbiomes, making these medicinal mushrooms suited as a dietary supplement.
Renowned mycologist Paul Stamets outlines six ways mycelium fungi can help save the planet: detoxifying polluted soil, creating natural insecticides, and treating diseases like smallpox and influenza.
Turkey Tail’s Spiritual Significance
The history of the Turkey Tail mushroom is rich, spanning millennia of medicinal and spiritual use. From its earliest records in the Han Dynasty's "Shennong Ben Cao Jing," translated as the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica, to its revered status in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, the Turkey Tail mushroom has been a timeless and potent symbol.
Building on the doctrine of signatures, herbs that resemble parts of the body or carry metaphysical themes can be used to address ailments in those specific areas or support related spiritual significance. For instance, the cloud-like shapes of Turkey Tail mushrooms symbolize more than just their beauty; the cloud-like fruiting bodies evoke the heavens.
As Turkeytail is too tough to be eaten, it is commonly brewed into a soothing tea or broth, where when consumed, one participates in the themes of longevity, spiritual alignment, and the eternal cycles of life.
Native American folklore also celebrates the mystical reputation of the Turkey Tail mushroom. Regarded as a sacred gift from nature, it is often associated with the spirit realm. Legends describe it as a messenger between worlds, guiding spiritual seekers on journeys of self-discovery and enlightenment. These stories highlight the profound connection between humanity and nature, with the Turkey Tail mushroom embodying shamanic healing and transcendence.
According to the Magic of I Astro-Mycology Journal, Turkey Tail corresponds with the Moon, relating to the rise and fall of fluids, cycles and rhythms. Its sympathetic towards the astrological sign of Cancer, the cardinal water sign that rules nourishment, receptivity, and the womb as an archetype.
Turkey Tail Mushroom Benefits for Skin
Since there’s evidence for Trametes versicolor improving the gut, there’s an indirect connection to Turkey Tail Mushroom and other mushroom being good for the skin. We really love Three Ships’ Dew Drops Mushroom Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin C Serum, containing hyaluronic acid from the Tremella Mushroom.
This warming, full-body black tea blend with South Indian spices is particularly well-suited for added adaptogens like ashwagandha and Turkey Tail mushroom.
Adaptogenic Chai Recipe with Turkey Tail Mushroom
Makes 2 servings
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups of hot brewed Nectar Tea Company: Solar Reflections - Masala Chai
¾ cup - 1 cup nut mylk or milk
1 capsule of your fave ground Turkey Tail supplement or 2 dropperfuls (2mL) of Turkey Tail tincture (we really like this one by local Canadian brand Eversio)
1/3 teaspoon ashwagandha powder
1 tsp local honey to balance the flavors (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Gently warm the nut mylk / milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking, until milk is steaming and slightly foamy. In a separate pan or bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients (hot tea, Turkey Tail, ashwagandha, and honey). Into 2 large cups, evenly divide the adaptogen tea mixture. Then add the hot milk to the tea.
Breathe. Enjoy.
References:
Chen, H. M., Shih, Y. M., Chou, T. C., & Chiang, M. Y. (2011). Fungal immunomodulatory protein from Flammulina velutipes induces interferon-gamma production through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59(4), 1748-1753.
Delzenne, N. M., & Bindels, L. B. (2015). Gut microbiota: Ganoderma lucidum, a new prebiotic agent to treat obesity? Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
Hobbs, C. (1986). Medicinal mushrooms: An exploration of tradition, healing, and culture. Botanica Press.
Hobbs, C. (1996). Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) medicinal mushroom extracts benefit breast cancer patients and protect against diseases of aging. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients, 165, 64-66.
Jayachandran, M., Xiao, J., & Xu, B. (2017). A critical review on health promoting benefits of edible mushrooms through gut microbiota. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(9), 1934. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18091934
Kumar Pallav, et al. (2014). Effects of polysaccharopeptide from Trametes versicolor and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of healthy volunteers: A randomized clinical trial. Gut Microbes.
Moser, V. (2014). The human microbiome: The brain-gut axis and its role in immunity. Graduate Research Projects.
Opisthokont. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opisthokont
Real Mushrooms. (n.d.). Turkey tail mushroom identification. Retrieved from https://www.realmushrooms.com/turkey-tail-mushroom-identification/
Eversio Wellness. (n.d.). Cyclical living: Harmonize your life with medicinal mushrooms. Retrieved from https://www.eversiowellness.com/blogs/news/cyclical-living-harmonize-your-life-with-medicinal-mushrooms
