7 WAYS TURKEY TAIL MUSHROOM COULD ENHANCE IMMUNITY

Turkey tail mushroom is a medicinal mushroom that can be commonly found around the world. It has been used for centuries in Asia as a form of natural medicine, but a growing body of scientific research suggests it indeed benefits human health.

Turkey tail mushroom may boost your immune system, support digestive health, fight infections, and more. 

If you are interested in upgrading your health, read on about what benefits turkey tail mushroom could bring to you and how can you include it in your daily diet to reap them right away.

WHAT IS TURKEY TAIL MUSHROOM?

Turkey tail mushroom, or otherwise referred to as turkey tail fungus, may just be one of the best functional foods out there.

These powerful mushrooms were named after their fall-like palette stripes similar to a turkey’s feathers. Asian cultures have long admired its cloud-like patterns, which symbolize longevity, health, spiritual attunement and infinity.

But it’s not their beautiful looks, but their medicinal properties that make them so amazing. 

Turkey tail mushrooms have been brewed as medicinal teas by the Chinese for centuries, becoming particularly popular during the Ming Dynasty in the 15th Century. They have also been used by the Japanese who called them kawaritake  or “cloud mushrooms.”

Unlike other superfoods, turkey tail mushrooms can be easily found as they grow just about anywhere in the world on dead and fallen trees, branches and stumps. 

They form a wavy, leather-like, thin and circular structures that some describe as bracket fungi. Turkey tails are part of the polypore family, containing tiny pores that release spores underneath their top.

WHAT IS TURKEY TAIL MUSHROOM GOOD FOR?

Asian cultures have been using Turkey tail mushroom for its medicinal properties for centuries, but current research and modern science has been praising its benefits in the recent years, including its potential to enhance your immune system, fight infections, and support digestion.

#1 Turkey Tail May Boost The Immune System

Turkey tail is a potent mushroom that, according to some studies, may have the potential to increase immune system activity. This not only means that your body feels more alive but that it may prevent or recover from colds and infections more effectively.

#2 Turkey Tail Could Prevent And Remedy The Common Cold And Flu

Since turkey tail mushroom is an antioxidant-rich food with immunomodulatory effects, it may help your immune system become more resilient to germs and infections. Turkey tail could help prevent and remedy the common cold and flu by reducing the instances when you get one and making recovery times faster. 

You may want to make it part of your self-care routine, especially during the fall and winter when bugs tend to go around.

#3 Turkey Tail Could Aid Your Digestion

Thanks to its prebiotic content, turkey tail could help rebuild or maintain the gut microbiome, assist the growth of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and balance gut flora. It may soothe digestive issues, help those with leaky gut and may even support fitness efforts.

#4 Turkey Tail Could Help Fight Chronic Fatigue

Initial animal studies indicate that turkey tail could reduce fatigue and even improve athletic performance. This is likely due to their high antioxidant content, which helps the body naturally reduce oxidative stress.

Although oxidation is a natural process that occurs when the body produces energy, exercises, digests, and thinks; excess oxidation may deplete the body’s energy stores faster and lead to fatigue. 

#5 Turkey Tail Mushroom May Help Reduce Inflammation

Turkey tail is rich in antioxidants which not only help combat oxidative stress but also fight inflammation. This superfood has been found to host 38 different types of flavonoids and phenolic compounds with antioxidant power.  The flavonoids baicalein and quercetin may help reduce inflammation.

Inflammation is a natural healing defense mechanism that creates swelling around an injury or tissue that the organism detects as a threat, in order to repair or neutralize it. This temporary procedure may become chronic when the issue can’t be solved by the body, leading to fatigue and chronic inflammation.

#6 Turkey Tail Could Help Infection Recovery Like HPV

#7 Could Have Antibacterial Properties

Turkey tail mushroom could have antibacterial properties. In this study, the mushrooms were heat-dried and pulverized to create a methanol extract that proved effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Enteritidis, inhibiting the growth of both strains.  

HOW SHOULD I USE TURKEY TAIL?

There are many ways you can incorporate turkey tail into your diet, from fresh turkey tails to extracts, tinctures, and powders. Here you’ll find a rundown of all your options.

FRESH TURKEY TAIL

You can find turkey tail anywhere in the world if you go mushroom hunting. However, make sure to learn more about mushroom foraging, go with someone knowledgeable and learn more about mushrooms before picking up anything. 

Using fresh turkey tail mushrooms, you can cook them, make tea out of them and make your own tinctures, powders and even extracts.

If you are interested in learning more about finding turkey tail or making your own products, there is lots of information dedicated to this topic on the internet and books. If you have a chance, learn from someone knowledgeable about this topic in person as a volunteer, apprentice or friend. Don't be shy, the mushroom hunting community is kind and welcoming.

COOKED TURKEY TAIL 

You can cook turkey tail mushrooms like you would with any other mushrooms. Clean them off, wash them well, then dry them. You can steam, simmer, or sautee them and use them in soups and stews. If you are using powders or extracts, you can make tea, smoothies, and juices out of them and even sneak them into baked goods. Be creative and don't be afraid to try new things. 

TURKEY TAIL MUSHROOM EXTRACT

Turkey tail extracts are more potent than simple turkey tail powders. However, many turkey tail extracts are specialized, known as PSK or PSP. These specialized extracts focus on the single polysaccharides in the mushroom, creating a powerful extract, but excluding many other beneficial compounds. PSK has been found particularly helpful for chemotherapy patients taking 3 mg daily.

You can find turkey tail mushroom extracts in health food stores and online in a powder or supplement format. 

TURKEY TAIL TINCTURE 

Turkey tail tinctures are a liquid format you can use to reap the benefits of these medicinal mushrooms. You can add some drops to water, smoothies, juices, and other drinks or recipes. You can find them in health food stores and online, or even learn to make your own. While many tinctures are made with alcohol, you can also find alcohol-free varieties on the market.

TURKEY TAIL POWDER 

Turkey tail powders are basically a powdered form of dried turkey tail. They are not as potent as turkey tail extracts, though they include the most beneficial compounds without specializing in one specific one. Like extracts, they can be found at health food stores and online and can be added to smoothies, juices, shakes, dips, sauces, dishes, and baked goods. 

ORGANIFI GOLD TEA

One of the smartest ways to get your turkey tail in is a superfood powder, like Organifi Gold that allows your body to enjoy the benefits of this medicinal mushroom along with other powerful superfoods.

Along with a healthy dose of turkey tail, it includes turmeric, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, reishi mushroom, coconut milk, acacia fiber, lemon balm, vanilla, and monk fruit. Made with the highest quality, organic, natural and vegan ingredients,  it’s designed to help you boost your immune system naturally, helps fight inflammation, improve digestion, get better sleep and give you more energy.

Mixed with warm water, Organifi Gold creates a beautiful, delicious and warming fall or winter. 

You can, of course, mix it with cold or room temperature water if you prefer that. Organifi Gold can be added to any smoothie, shake, green juice, raw food, dip, sauce, spread, or baked good recipe in multitudes of creative ways. Just use your imagination or try recipes on our website. 

Also available in other delicious flavors like Gold, Chocolate and Gold, Pumpkin Spice. 

TURKEY TAIL RECIPES

Are you looking for turkey tail recipes? There are so many delicious ways to enjoy turkey tail from teas to smoothies, from juices to soups. The options are endless.

Turkey Tail Mushroom Tea 

One of the most common ways to use these mushrooms is by making delicious teas out of them. Steeping whole or ground mushrooms for a few hours in hot water makes a delicious tea. You can also use other ingredients and for example, make turmeric - turkey tail tea for inflammation and immunity support.

Turkey Tail - Turmeric Tea

• 3/4 cup chopped turkey tail mushroom
• 4 cups purified water
• 2 tsp of Organifi Gold 
• ½ tsp local honey (or maple syrup if you are vegan)
• 1 tsp of lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Chop up the mushrooms into smaller pieces.
2. Add them to a large pot of water.
3. Bring the water to boil on the stovetop and simmer for about an hour or an hour and 15 minutes.
4. Strain your mixture.
5. Add your Gold Juice Powder, honey (or maple syrup) and lemon juice. Stir well and enjoy, 

For more turkey tail recipes, the internet is your best friend. Our website is full of creative recipes that include turkey tailor that can have it added to.

You may want to try some recipes with Organifi Gold that has a good dose of turkey tail with other superfoods. Just replace turmeric in these recipes with a scoop of Organifi Gold powder and you are golden (pun intended).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Are turkey tail mushrooms poisonous?
A. Turkey tail mushrooms are edible, medicinal mushrooms. 

Q. How much should I take?
A. It depends on your personal situation. There is no current evidence on how much turkey tail is the best. Talk to your doctor, naturopath or other healthcare professional and listen to your body. 

Q. Can dogs eat turkey tail?
A. Generally speaking, a dog should not eat wild mushrooms, especially because you never know which mushrooms are poisonous. According to the general view, dogs can eat mushrooms that humans can consume, therefore turkey tail should be okay. However, proceed with caution as it may cause an upset stomach in some dogs. Talk to your vet to be on the safe side.

Q. What is turkey tail fungus?
A. Turkey tail fungus is another commonly used name for turkey tail mushrooms. They are medicinal mushrooms commonly found around the world. 

Q. What does turkey tail mushroom look like?

A. They look like nature's beautiful art. They form wavy, leather-like, thin and circular structures with fall-like palette stripes similar to the tail of a turkey.

Conclusion

If you are looking to boost your immune system, fight infections and improve your digestion, you can benefit from making turkey tail part of your diet. It is a potent medicinal mushroom that can be found around the world and cooked in dishes, brewed for a tea and used as a powder, tincture and extract. Turkey tail extracts can especially benefit you if you are undergoing chemo or fighting cancer.

One of the smartest and most economical ways to use turkey tail is using a superfood powder that includes turkey tail. Organifi Gold is a fantastic superfood powder made with turkey tail and other powerful superfoods, bringing your incredible benefits.

Mixed with hot water, Organifi Gold creates the most amazing fall or winter drink that you can imagine. You can also mix it with cold or room temperature water and add it to juices, smoothies, dips, sauces and other recipes. Use it on a regular basis to experience its out-of-this-world benefits quickly.

Try it and make sure to share your experiences with us. We always love hearing your success stories.

And remember, we're in this together.