The turkey tail mushroom is a leathery mushroom with concentric areas of different colors, much as you might see in a tom when he fans his tail feathers out in search of a mate. They can be triangular or round, and sometimes they can even have algae growing on them, especially near the shore. It’s an easy mushroom to identify, although there are some vague look alikes. When hunting for turkey tails, make sure there are little pores on it and not gills, and you ought to see a vaguely hairy surface when looking very close.
Why would you want to hunt for turkey tail mushrooms? The main reason is their PSK (Polysaccharide-K)
content. PSK has shown anti-cancer
activity in vitro, in vivo, and in preliminary human studies. It may reduce mutagen-induced and
radiation-induced cancers. It may also
reduce cancer recurrence in those who have already suffered from cancer.
 |
| Turkey tail mushroom. |
What does it mean when you read about all these “may do this”
and “may do that” things? It means that
some scientific studies have been done but not enough. It means that some testing has been done but
not enough. It means that not everything
is known about a particular substance (and may never be known if there is no
money to be made). In the case of the
turkey tail mushroom, the American Cancer Society says that substances derived from
parts of it may be useful against cancer.
Note that they do not support the actual raw mushroom, only substances
derived from it (extracts taken and mixed into a “drug” or “treatment” that can
be marketed).
Traditionally, turkey tail mushrooms were boiled because
they are very leathery and tough. If you
want to try this, cut them up and bring them to a boil in some water. Then let them simmer for at least half an
hour, and make sure the pot is covered so you don’t lose properties in the
steam. The boiling will kill any
contaminants, soften the mushroom, and extract the polysaccharides. Then strain and enjoy your tea.
(Yes, I have to put a disclaimer in. This article is
for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any
ailment. If you need medical advice, seek a physician. If you want more information, check your local library and various online university studies.)
