Turkey Tail: What the Research Says
Turkey Tail: What the Research Says
Trametes versicolor — nature's most-researched mushroom
Turkey Tail is the source of two of the most-studied compounds in mycology — PSK and PSP — and has been used in Japan for decades as a supportive aid alongside conventional cancer care. Here's an honest look at the research, each finding labeled and linked.
Named for its colorful, fanned bands, Turkey Tail grows on fallen hardwood the world over. Its PSK and PSP polysaccharides are among the most-researched compounds in all of mycology. We grow ours in Hawaii from 100% fruiting bodies.
Immune Support in Cancer Care
We're careful here. Turkey Tail is not a cancer treatment, and the strongest studies use PSK — a purified, pharmaceutical-grade extract used in Japan alongside chemotherapy, under medical care.
Akagi & Baba, International Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2010 · Read the study
Standish et al., Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology, 2008 · Read the study
These involve purified PSK used with conventional treatment under a doctor's care — not a supplement taken alone, and never a replacement for medical care.
How It Works: PSK & Tumor Immunity
Wenner et al., International Journal of Oncology, 2011 · Read the study
Gut Health & the Microbiome
Pallav et al., Gut Microbes, 2014 · Read the study
Yu et al., Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 2013 · Read the study
Cervical Health (HPV)
Serrano et al., Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease, 2021 · Read the study
This studied a specific topical gel — not our tincture — but it's a real human trial of a Turkey Tail-based product, so we share it.
Antioxidant & Beta-Glucans
Łysakowska et al., Molecules, 2023 · Read the study
Immune Genes & Gut Diversity
Mougin et al., Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 2023 · Read the study
Our Turkey Tail Dual Extract Tincture is made from 100% Hawaiian-grown fruiting bodies, water-and-alcohol extracted to unlock the PSK and PSP compounds at the heart of the research above.