The mushroom Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom) is the most ubiquitous mushroom in the world. It grows on fallen trees and stumps from the sub-arctic to the tropics.
When one considers Trametes competing against so many different fungi and bacteria in such diverse environments, its obvious that it must have a powerful immune system, with the potential for powerful medicinal compounds.
Traditional Chinese physicians frequently prescribe Trametes for hepatoma and some types of jaundice. [160] Modern medicine is best acquainted with it through Krestin, an Asian cancer drug based on the Trametes extracted compound PSK. [188]
Two Japanese studies in the 1990's encompassing a total of 486 patients showed an increased survival rate from gastric cancer when PSK was added to conventional chemotherapy treatment. [161, 162, 163] It's also been found that PSK reduces cancer metastasis and recurrence. [161, 162, 164]
Two other polysaccharides from Trametes versicolor extract have been found to have an inhibitory effect on leukemia. The polysaccharide CVP was shown to inhibit leukemia cell proliferation without any negative effect on normal lymphocytes. [165, 166, 167] Another smaller polysaccharide named SPCV also had an inhibitory effect on leukemia cells. [168]
The compounds of Trametes versicolor extract appear to work in two ways to combat cancer:
1) Through directly inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.
2) By enhancing Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. [169, 170, 171] Natural killer cells are a critical part of the human immune system's fight against cancer.
Efficacy against different types of cancers varies. PSK is used in Asia for cervical cancer as an adjunct to radiation therapy. It has been linked to increased survival rate from that type of cancer. [134] It was also shown to decrease tumor growth in hormone responsive prostate cancer by a study at New York Medical College in 2001. [172]
PSK has also been tested with promising results against colon, lung and breast cancer. [25, 173] It appears to have no effect on Sarcoma 180. [174]
PSK is also a powerful antibiotic, specifically against Listeria monocytogenes, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Cryptococcus neoformans and Staphylococcus aureus. [175, 176, 177, 178, 179]
Tests in vitro (test tubes / Petri dishes - not live subjects) have even shown a compound (PSP) from Trametes versicolor extract to inhibit the replication [180] and infection of HIV. [181]
A 1995 study on PSK reported a normalization of immune function in cases of chronic rheumatoid arthritis. [182]
Paul Stamets, in his book Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms, says he's aware of several individuals with Hepatitis C reporting symptom relief on a regimen of medicinal mushroom tea. In particular, he mentions a man with a swollen spleen and liver. Every day, he would drink a tea made from Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) and Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom). The swelling disappeared after two weeks. His liver enzymes normalized as HVC was reduced from 1.3 million to 140,000. [183]
Trametes versicolor is also a rich source of antioxidants and has been reported to help the spleen recover from radiation therapy induced injury. [189]
In his book Mycelium Running, medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also lists the following areas where research has shown Trametes versicolor extract to have a beneficial effect: Kidney tonic; uterine cancer. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.
Credit to Paul Stamets for research and source material.
Dr. Rafael currently specializes in writing and researching about medicinal mushrooms in partnership with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC, a US business offering Trametes extract (Stamets') and other medicinal fungi. For article references, please go to Trametes versicolor extract (Stamets') and click on any number indicating a reference.
