Turkey Tail is a polypore mushroom that grows on a variety of decaying logs worldwide. This mushroom is perhaps the most convoluted when it comes to specific historic use, but we do know that indigenous peoples of Asia have been using Turkey Tail mushrooms in elixirs for over 2,000 years. Even though we don’t have specific details on the historical usage of Turkey Tail, it is presently the most clinically researched mushroom to date. Turkey Tail has been used in hospitals in Japan since the 1970s and compounds extracted from Turkey Tail are currently the subject of an FDA clinical study. Turkey Tail’s compounds are incredibly interesting. Over 35 phenolic compounds found in Turkey Tail are unique to this amazing fungus. The history of Turkey Tail may be lost to time, but its future is very promising.

As a witness to those helped by Turkey Tail, I can attest that its benefits are powerful. However, as a forestry mycologist, I feel compelled to share a word of advice. The most clinically researched mushroom on Earth is also the most frequently misidentified mushroom on the market.

Turkey tail is potent in antioxidants, including flavonoids and phenols. Turkey Tail’s compounds are incredibly interesting, over 35 phenolic compounds found in Turkey Tail are unique to this amazing fungus, including the flavonoid antioxidant quercetin.

Did you know that mushrooms are a fantastic prebiotic? Prebiotics are foods that supply food for the healthy bacteria in your gut, allowing them to reproduce and keep your digestion regular. Mushrooms contain a variety of compounds that feed your gut like chitin, galactans, beta-glucan, hemicellulose, alpha glucan and more. In addition to mushrooms in general supporting the gut, compounds from Turkey Tail, specifically polysaccharopeptide PSP, have been shown to support gut health even further by regulating the gut microbiome.  

Studies have shown that numerous polysaccharopeptides extracted from Turkey Tail can support the immune system. As an adaptogen, Turkey Tail helps support homeostasis in the body, which is always good for promoting immunity. In addition to this, Turkey Tail also provides antioxidant support which is a must-have for an immune supporting supplement.

Turkey Tail is easily misidentified. There are at least 6 common look-alike species that we run into all the time. In fact, there are a number of online articles about Turkey Tail that feature Turkey Tail look-alikes. On the bright side, it's generally accepted that none of them are poisonous. Nonetheless, there is only one true Turkey Tail. If you're seeking the benefits of this mushroom, it's important that you find a source you can trust. Allow us to be your guide:

To obtain all of the beneficial compounds that Turkey Tail has to offer, try our dual-extracted Turkey Tail Tincture. 

When tinged with purple, the pore surface of this smallish but gregarious annual bracket fungus is very distinctive; however, sometimes the pore surface is brown with hardly a hint of purple. The variable shape - sometimes resupinate but more often sharply reflexed (bracket like) can cause confusion too.

Although it is a member of the Polyporales order, its fruiting bodies have gills instead of pores, which distinguishes it from Turkey Tail. It also tends to be more flat than Turkey Tail, which is more wavy, based on my own observations.

Stereum ostrea has a colorful, somewhat fuzzy cap that displays zones of brown, red, orange, buff, and green colors. Compared to Turkey Tail, Stereum ostrea is more red, more of the time. It's underside lacks any presence of a pore surface, making it a crust fungus, rather than a polypore.

The cap of Stereum hirsutum is densely hairy under a magnifying glass. The coloration is reddish-brown to chestnut-brown with the cap margins being orange, gold or tawny. The fertile, spore-producing surface is on the underside of the cap and is smooth, lacking pores, tubes or gills. Older specimens may show a greenish tinge caused by algae.

Trichaptum biforme is another unexciting polypore, reminiscent of any number of faded Turkey-Tail-ish species. The fresh pore surface is a gorgeous lilac purple, which is a distinguishing feature.

Distinguishing features include the orange colors; the smooth underside that lacks pores; and the small, often fused fruiting bodies. It is very close in appearance to Stereum hirsutum, but that species is yellow and brown, and slightly larger.