Turkey Tail Mushroom

Among 720 species of mushrooms, turkey tail mushrooms are known for their therapeutic purposes. Mushrooms are a favorite among many people for their taste. But it is often unknown to common people that mushrooms have great medicinal values as well. In fact, there are many kinds of mushrooms which have been used in asia since a very long time for medicinal purposes. Mushrooms are usually harvested in areas of their natural growth. However, throughout the years it has been possible for mankind to cultivate them and use them for their own purposes for quite a number of years now.

Turkey tail mushrooms

Several kinds of research and experiments have been going on for a number of years now around the globe regarding the benefits and uses of turkey tail mushrooms. It has been an active ingredient of chinese medicinal tea. The benefits of turkey tail mushrooms are far-fetched, recently vigorous research work is going on in many universities like in bastyr university to find out whether the turkey tail mushrooms are effective and efficient for the treatment of the deadly disease of cancer. The research is mainly going on in collaboration with bastyr university with the university of washington and a few other renowned universities of the world. The research is funded by nih (national institutes of health). The mushroom under discussion is found in abundance in forests throughout the world. The numerous health benefits that turkey tail mushrooms can offer have not yet been fathomed by scientific trials across the world.

Turkey tail mushrooms are known for their numerous health benefits. These mushrooms are commonly found in the woodlands of europe and china. They are usually found to grow in large colonies. Turkey tail mushrooms are generally multi-colored and have concentric bands of contrasting shades. They appear in shades of black, brown, gray, red, white or blue. The body is thin and velvety with a fruiting nature. Because of their capability to form wavy rosettes, they have the name of turkey tails.

Nutritional value of turkey tail mushrooms

Turkey tail mushrooms are rich in vitamins and minerals and thus improve the health and add greatly to the nutritional content of the diet. They are great sources of potassium as well as riboflavin. The content of niacin in this type of mushroom is also very high. Turkey tail mushrooms also contain pantothenic acid, phosphorus, and even copper.

The turkey tail mushrooms are devoid of fat and caffeine. The content of sodium in this mushroom is also reasonably low. This kind of mushroom is also free from cholesterol and gluten and are low in calories. Turkey tail mushrooms contain 18 types of amino acids, ergo sterol and beta glucans of 1/3 and 1/6. Ergo sterol gets converted to vitamin d on exposure to the sun.

Health benefits of turkey tail mushrooms

There are many health benefits of turkey tail mushrooms, these include the prevention of cold, support during chemotherapy, control of diabetes, reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol, and more. Let us discuss them in detail below:

1. Prevent and treat cold

Because of the strong anti-viral and anti-microbial properties of turkey tail mushrooms, they can fight away various infections caused by these microbes, including common cold and flu. They greatly improve the immunity of the system and thus make them stronger to fight against disease causing germs. It is a good idea to include turkey tail in the diet when the season of flu draws nearer. The turkey tail mushroom modulates the immune system to act in a stronger way in fighting infections and germs.

2. Provide support during chemotherapy

The role of turkey tail mushroom in providing support to cancer patients has been under research for a long time now by the most renowned universities in the world. Several patients who are now undertaking chemotherapy have been adding turkey tail mushroom to their diet. The results have started showing up in cases of prostate and breast cancer already. It is known that the immune system of the body gets suppressed under chemotherapy. But turkey tail mushrooms build up the immune system and thus help in making up for the weakness caused by chemotherapy. The stronger immune system also helps in fighting strongly against the deadly cancer cells, thereby turkey tail mushroom is a potent cancer-fighting food.

3. Control diabetes

Turkey tail mushroom helps in reducing diabetes by lowering the level of glucose in the body.

4. Reduce inflammations

Turkey tail mushrooms are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. The inclusion of turkey tail mushrooms in the diet help in reduction of inflammations both internal and external.

5. Rich in antioxidants

Being rich in antioxidants, it helps in protection of the body from the harmful uv radiations of the sun. They also block the free radicals that result in aging. Thus, it slows down the process of aging. Being rich in vitamin e, it also acts towards making the skin better and cleansing it naturally.

6. Lower cholesterol

High cholesterol leads to various kind of heart diseases. Turkey tail mushrooms help in reducing the levels of cholesterol by adding it in the daily diet.

7. Aid digestion

The mycelium is that part of the mushroom which enables a person to have a smooth process of digestion. The microbiome gets assisted by the prebiotic content of the turkey tail mushrooms. This implies that the growth of the good and beneficial bacteria in the body is enhanced which includes acidophilus as well as bifidobacterium. It also helps in the treatment of the leaky gut syndrome. The process might also help in losing weight.

8. Help in aids

Kaposi’s sarcoma is a kind of skin cancer which affects the patients who suffer from hiv/aids. Researchers from around the world have revealed that consumption of turkey tail mushroom along with east african wild mushrooms with medicinal uses help in treating this situation. It is also beneficial for patients suffering from hiv/aids without the skin cancer.

9. Reduce hypertension

Hypertension or increase in blood pressure occurs due to the rise in pressure in the arteries carrying blood. Turkey tail mushrooms help in reducing the pressure, and thus hypertension.

10. Treat breast cancer

Among the various other kinds of cancers for which turkey tail mushrooms are assumed to be effective, breast cancer is one in which results from real life have already been presented. An old woman of 83 years has been known to be living a disease-free life after she added turkey tail mushroom capsules to her daily regime along with chemotherapy. The explanation that is presented is that the immune system of the patient got boosted up by recognition of the cancerous tumor, which in turn greatly increased the efficiency of the chemotherapy.

11. Improve bone health

Another health benefit of turkey tail mushrooms is that they are good for bone health. Not just this, but studies have shown that they can also help in regenerating bone marrow.

12. Treat human papilloma virus

Human papillomavirus (hpv) is an infection which is known to be treated by turkey tail mushrooms within a reasonably short time of consumption, approximately two months.

Turkey tail mushrooms are well known for their medicinal purposes because of which they are a sought-after product among the leading pharmaceutical companies. Researches are going on throughout the world to dig out more treasures this mushroom has to offer.