Originally posted August 6, 2025.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is a colorful mushroom found on dead wood across the globe. Valued in traditional medicine, it’s known for immune and antioxidant support, thanks to compounds like PSK and PSP. Though inedible raw, it’s widely used in teas and supplements for its health benefits. They write:

Latin name: Trametes versicolor

Formerly also known as: Coriolus versicolor

Common names: yun zhi or cloud fungus (in Chinese); kawaratake or mushroom by the river bank (in Japanese)

Habitat: widely found across North America, Asia and Europe

Common and traditional uses: immune health, antioxidant support, healthy cholesterol already within normal ranges, healthy liver support*

Fun fact: The species name versicolor stems from “of several colors” in Latin – fitting since this mushroom comes in many colors around the world! […]

10 Things to Know about Turkey Tail Mushrooms

1. Beta-glucans are the best-known active compounds in mushrooms, and Turkey Tails have one of the highest percentages (over 50%)!

2. Turkey Tail likes dead and dying wood, especially hardwood trees in damp areas. Widely found in North America, Asia and Europe, they are found on almost all continents.

3. Turkey Tails are striped, and they pop up in shades of brown, white, gray and blue, with a white underside. You may also notice tiny spores.

4. This mushroom has a deep history in both Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as Native American herbalism.

5. Much of the research has been on two well-known protein-bound polysaccharides found in Turkey Tails: Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP).

6. Turkey Tails are not mushrooms you’ll find on the dinner table. They are quite fibrous and need to be extracted in some way before they can be consumed. Think of it like this: If the compounds in a tender mushroom like Shiitake or Oyster are under lock and key, then Turkey Tail requires biometric screening to access the good stuff!

7. You won’t find Turkey Tail in the produce aisle, but you can easily find Turkey Tail supplements. This fantastic mushroom is featured in our Protect Capsules, Immunity Elixir, Energy Elixir and Gratitude Elixir.

8. These mushrooms are thin (the genus name Trametes is a nod to this quality) and flexible when fresh but brittle and easily broken when dried.

9. If you are lucky enough to have Turkey Tail mushrooms on hand, you can simmer them into a tea or make a stock. Add them to soups in winter, too.

10. Leave behind Turkey Tails that have moss growing on them or have a green, murky film.

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