The Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is a common mushroom in the genus Trametes. Versicolor means "multicolored", which comes from the fact that this mushroom can be found with great variations in color. This species is one of the most common polypores in the world. It grows on coniferous and deciduous trees in summer and autumn. It is considered an extremely medicinal mushroom.
The upper surface has concentric areas of different colors. The flesh is 1-3 mm thick, leathery. The color is rusty or dark brown, sometimes with black. It usually grows in layers. The cap is flat, e.g. 8 x 5 x 0.5-1 cm in size (although there is variation here too, and it can be said that the width of the cap is from 2 to 10 cm), usually triangular or circular, with parts covered with fine hairs (like velvet). The pores are round, whitish to light brown and become twisted with age. There are 2-5 pores per millimeter (although some authors state 3-8)
Turkey tail usually grows on dead wood, although it can also appear on damaged or diseased wood. Inside the trunk, it causes a condition known as white rot. The mycelium of the fungus grows through the wood, secreting laccases, enzymes that depolymerize wood components such as phenols and lignin, which the fungus feeds on. When the mycelium extracts these components from the wood, only cellulose remains, which is white in color, hence the name “white rot.”
Turkey tail can easily be confused with other types of mushrooms. However, if you follow this algorithm, which is based on a key, you can say with some certainty whether it is this mushroom:
How many pores are there per millimeter? If there are 1-3, it is another species of Trametes, if they are small (there are 3-8), it is probably a Turkey tail.
Is the upper surface noticeably velvety or downy, or are the hairs larger? If they are larger, it is another species.
If the upper surface is whitish or grayish, it is Trametes hirsuta. Turkey tail is more vividly colored.
Does it have clearly separated color patterns? If not, then it is probably Trametes pubescens.
If it is hard and stiff when fresh, it is Trametes ochracea.
If it is soft and pliable, it is Turkey tail.
Turkey tail, along with other medicinal mushrooms, has been used in Chinese folk medicine for thousands of years. Its ingredients are believed to help T-lymphocytes perform their function, thereby increasing the body's resistance (immunity) to even the most serious diseases. The daily dose for this mushroom is 2-3 grams of dried mushroom powder three times a day, and there have been no recorded adverse side effects from its use. However, Turkey tail should not be used in conjunction with immunosuppressive drugs.
The most important ingredients are:
β-glucan proteins (Coriolan, PSK): anti-tumor, anti-viral and immune-regulating.
Ergosterol (provitamin D2): helps fight tumors
Polysaccharopeptide (PSP): anti-viral
Coriolus (Coriolus, Turkey tail) is valued all over the world, but especially in Asia. It belongs to medicinal (medicinal) mushrooms and is not suitable for cooking. Due to its important position in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), it is one of the most popular mushrooms in Asia, and it has been known in China since the Ming Dynasty under the name "Yunzhi", which loosely translates to "herb of the heavenly kingdom". According to traditional writings, Coriolus can be taken for various purposes, but it is best known for its anti-cancer and antiviral properties.
Coriolus versicolor is widespread all over the world and is therefore known by many names: Coriolus, Curan's tail, Turkey tail, Trametes versicolor, Polyporus versicolor, mushroom cloud, yun zhi, kawaratake, German. Schmetterlingstramete (butterfly mushroom). Due to the thin and leathery fruit, Coriolus is not an edible mushroom, but it is widely used for the purpose of making medicines and nutritional supplements.
A brief overview of the most important properties/actions:
Immunostimulating properties
Anticancer properties
Mitigating the side effects of conventional anti-tumor therapies
Antiviral properties (hepatitis, herpes, influenza, etc.)
Autoimmunological diseases and allergies.
Natural habitat and appearance
Coriolus (Turkey's Tail) is found mainly in forests, swamps or on dead tree trunks. His favorite trees to grow are birch, beech, poplar, willow, cherry and spruce. It thrives throughout the year and can be harvested at any time of the year. It is able to break down the two most important components of wood - lignin and cellulose, and thus enables the decay of dead wood, and contributes to the creation of humus with nutrients needed to maintain the vitality of the soil and the growth of vegetation. This feature of Coriolus makes it also technologically interesting.
It is recognizable by its body with multicolored stripes, sometimes even with a silky sheen, which gives it a very beautiful appearance. As the mushroom grows, it forms flat consoles 2-8 cm wide or rosette-shaped hats. The body of the fruit is mostly concentrated in the area of the substrate. The color spectrum of the mushroom is wide and ranges from brown and gray, through green, to blue, yellow or red. Depending on the climatic conditions and the properties of the soil (the substrate on which it grows), Coriolus can change color, so the origin of the mushroom itself can be partially determined by its color.
It is particularly widespread in Asia. Thanks to its multiple proven medical effects, Coriolus is already widely cultivated, processed and sold in the form of medical preparations and nutritional supplements.
What does Coriolus contain?
Coriolus (coriolus, Curan's tail) contains many biologically active substances. It is especially characterized by polysaccharides from the beta glucan type. In addition, it contains numerous fibers, B group vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5), vitamin D and minerals such as calcium and potassium. Trace elements such as copper, iron and selenium are also contained in significant amounts.
Nutritional value of Coriolus per 100g
Calorific value 440 kJ / 105 kcal
Fat 3.7 g
Of that, 0.41 g of saturated fat
Carbohydrates 2.7 g
Protein 15.1 g
Since it is a mushroom, the composition of which changes depending on the conditions in which it grows, these values may vary slightly.
In 1993, Miersch discovered plant hormones that act as growth hormones, and in 2006, Dwivedi managed to detect 97 different proteins in Coriolus.
Although Coriolus has been actively researched for decades, the complete spectrum of its ingredients is still unknown, and even less the mutual synergistic effects of the active ingredients.
The polysaccharides PSK and PSP, which are known as biological response modifiers (Biological Response Modifier - BRM), have been the most intensively researched. Their molecular size is around 100 kDa and it is difficult to identify them by analytical methods. These 2 substances make up about 75% of the total carbohydrate content of Coriolus.
In 1989, scientists Yong and Donovick from the American National Cancer Institute published an extensive list of Coriolus ingredients with antiviral and anticancer effects. Among other things, they stated the demonstrable effectiveness of PSK and PSP polysaccharides from Coriolus in terms of aggressive tumor diseases (Ehrlich-carcinoma and Sarcoma 180) in mice. What was also noticed was that there were no side effects as in the case of chemotherapy. So far, several studies have come out that confirm what Yong and Donovick observed.
PATENTS
In the mid-1970s, a biotechnologist from the Japanese company "Kureha Chemical Industry" found out that his neighbor, who was suffering from a stomach tumor, had decided on Coriolus therapy instead of conventional therapy. To his great surprise, the neighbor recovered completely. Delighted by his experience, he decided to convince his employer of the effectiveness of the Coriolus mushroom, and of the need for its more detailed analysis and possible production of medicinal preparations based on this mushroom, which he ultimately succeeded in doing. The company "Kureha Chemical Industry" isolated polysaccharide K from Coriolus and made a preparation called "Krestin ®". After several studies on animals as well as clinical studies, the anticancer effect of this preparation has been successfully proven. Already in 1977, it was approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health as an accompanying tool in the treatment of tumor diseases. A few years later, an even more effective substance was isolated, the polysaccharide PSP (Polysacharide Protein Complex), which was officially recognized as a medicine by the Chinese authorities in 1992.
In 1979, a Spanish company tried to get approval for the distribution of Krestin ® , but the request was rejected 4 years later with the explanation that the effect cannot be reduced to a certain specific substance from the preparation. The rejection did not refer to the effectiveness of the preparation, but to the fact that its beneficial effects cannot be pharmacologically attributed to a specific substance from the preparation, because it is an extract as a complex of different polysaccharides. Currently, Krestin ® is in circulation in Japan, China and Australia, and achieves sales of several hundred million dollars annually.
Kerstin seems obvious in more ways than one. It is primarily used as an immunostimulant in cancer therapy, and has antioxidant (Fischer et al. 2002) and antimutagenic (Kobayashi et al., 1995) effects. In animal experiments it reduces the motility of cancer cells, interferes with angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels that supply cancer cells) (Ooi et al 2000) and promotes the induction of apoptosis (programmed death) in cancer cells (Zhang et al 2003).
It should be borne in mind that there is currently no universal cure for cancer. Although there are many cases where one or the other therapy has had an effect on healing, there is no therapy that works with certainty for every person or every type of cancer. There are over 100 types of cancer, each of which is a disease in itself, and each person has their own genetic, biochemical and other characteristics, so it is to be expected that each type of organism needs a specific approach to treatment.
MEDICAL USE
It is probably the best researched medical (medicinal) mushroom. In the last few decades, especially in Asia, a large number of studies have been carried out with Coriolus, where its effects on tumor and viral diseases are mostly investigated.
ANTICANCER EFFECTS, FIELD OF APPLICATION AND STUDIES
Judging by the research results, preparations of Coriolus (Coriolus, Curan's tail) can fight against cancer cells in the initial phase, inhibiting their angiogenesis and metastases.
According to publications by Ikuzawa from 1998 and Kidd from 2000, extracts of polysaccharides from Coriolus are effective in a number of malignant tumors such as those of the stomach, pancreas, intestines, lungs, oral cavity, breast, etc., but not always with the same intensity.
In case of prostate cancer or prostatic hyperplasia, Coriolus can significantly reduce the PSA value.
Polysaccharide under the name "D-II" in mice with a malignant connective tissue tumor (sarcoma) showed a strong effect against the growth of cancer cells (Sugiura et al. 1980).
There are many clinical studies with Coriolus. A few of them stand out because of the thorough approach or the number of participants in the studies, such as the clinical study conducted at various clinics in Shanghai under the guidance of scientist J.X. Liu in front of the Institute of the Ministry of Public Health from 1992, was performed with 485 patients with tumors of the pancreas, stomach and lungs.
Each of the mentioned tumor types is considered a very aggressive disease with a poor prognosis.
Patients received preparations from Coriolus alongside conventional therapy. The result of this "double-blind" study is a significant improvement in quality of life, immune status and blood count. 83% of patients benefited significantly from therapy with Coriolus preparations.
The effect of Coriolus depends on the quality of the preparation used, as well as on the stage of the disease, the patient's health condition, as well as his genetic, metabolic and other characteristics.
COMBINED THERAPY
Thanks to in vitro studies, we know that Coriuolus works on cancer cells, while at the same time it has no harmful effect on healthy cells. Most chemotherapies act indiscriminately and damage both cancer cells and healthy cells. For many people with cancer, their condition rapidly deteriorates due to complications caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It is precisely the protective effect on healthy cells exposed to chemotherapy or radiotherapy that makes Coriolus interesting for combined therapy with conventional methods.
In 2012, through the analysis of 13 different studies, the scientist Eliza and her colleagues showed that the combination of Coriolus with conventional chemotherapy significantly extends the life expectancy of patients, above all those suffering from stomach, breast and colon cancer. Cell culture work by Chan and colleagues in 2006 found that Coriolus polysaccharides enhanced the efficacy of Cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Similar synergistic effects are to be expected with other types of chemotherapy.
The medicinal mushroom Coriolus (Turkey's tail) can be used both before and during chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and reduce the negative consequences of these therapies.
In 1992, a group of scientists led by Shiu observed the effect of cytostatics (epidoxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) in combination with polysaccharides from Coriolus.
They noticed that in combination with Coriolus, cytostatics do not cause a decrease in the number of leukocytes (white blood cells) and platelets, which is a common side effect of this type of therapy. In addition, half of the respondents improved their appetite. It is interesting that this effect of stimulating the immune system occurs primarily if the immune system is damaged due to tumors or chemotherapy (experiment on animals: Chu et al. 2002).
For cancer patients, the medicine based on polysaccharides from Coriolus "Krestin (R)" is most often used in combination with standard chemo or radio therapy. The combined application protects the immune system from the side effects of conventional therapy and affects its better tolerability and faster regeneration of damaged cells after therapy. This improves the performance of the therapy and the patient's quality of life, with the ingredients from Coriolus having no side effects and no known cross-reactions with conventional therapies, i.e. do not diminish their effect.
ANTIVIRAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES
Medicinal mushroom Coriolus (Coriolus, Curan's tail) achieves notable antibacterial and antiviral effects. Even with HIV and hepatitis, the quality of life could be significantly increased by taking Coriolus. However, the antiviral effect of Coriolus is best expressed in colds or other flu-like infections. The reason for the strong antiviral effect probably lies in the polysaccharides that activate the immune system and stimulate the production of killer cells, which effectively fight against viruses. Monroe et al in 2008 showed that Coriolus affects the increase in the number of T-cells.
The best researched polysaccharides of Coriolus PSP and PSK are probably the carriers of the antiviral effect. For this reason, preparations made from these substances are used for the purpose of preventing influenza, but also as an accompanying therapy for hepatitis, herpes and HIV (Collins et al. 1997, Donatini et al. 2004). In the case of HIV, probably the most dominant effect is their immunostimulating effect, which protects patients from opportunistic infections by bacteria that naturally inhabit the intestines, as well as viruses and the fungus "Candida".
According to research results, people who have tested positive for HPV (human papilloma virus) can with a high probability get over the virus if they take Coriolus daily for a year.
Considering that some viruses are co-causing tumors, e.g. HPV, EBV, the antiviral effect of Coriolus is offered as a very important feature in the prevention of tumor diseases.
In 1980, Mayer et al showed on mice that Coriolus acts against various pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium leprae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus, and acts on serious diseases such as Lyme disease.
Abraham et al. In 1991, they showed that the substance 4-hydroxymethyl-quinoline from Coriolus is effective against malaria.
Coriolus also had a positive effect on inflammation or canker sores, as it has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
OTHER ACTION'S
Like many other medicinal mushrooms, Coriolus has a number of beneficial effects on human health. Not only does it have anti-cancer, antiviral and antibacterial effects, but it also gives the body additional energy in case of severe fatigue or sluggishness. It supports and strengthens the human immune system, weakens allergies, helps in the fight against many autoimmune diseases, and acts as an antioxidant and detoxifier.
Taking the medicinal mushroom Coriolus has a positive effect on the liver. Damaged liver cells are restored and protected, and impaired liver functions can be normalized again with the help of Coriolus. By strengthening the function of the liver, which is a key organ in fat metabolism in the body, Coriolus can also help with cholesterol problems. In 1995, Yeung et al showed that it protects the liver from the side effects of Paracetamol.
It has a positive effect on the blood and its regeneration. Blood values can be significantly improved, and the elasticity of blood vessels increases, which helps to normalize blood pressure.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ingredients of Coriolus have a positive effect on organs such as the spleen and lungs. The fungus ensures the drainage of excess moisture from these organs, and at the same time acts against many types of bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Due to its plant-hormonal effect, it is also recommended for women during menstruation to relieve pain.
Scientist Ng. and his colleagues in 1997 described the analgesic effect of PSP polysaccharides from Coriolus.
It is obvious that Coriolus extracts will also find application in cosmetics. Coriolus prevents excessive accumulation of the dark pigment melanin and protects the skin from fungal diseases. This application is also described in Mexican traditional medicine.
IN WHAT FORM IS CORIOLUS AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET?
Coriolus is available in many forms – as an extract, in powder form or in capsule form. Most commonly, however, it is commercially available in powder and extract form. The advantage of the encapsulated powder is that it contains fiber and possibly some vitamins and minerals that are often not found in extracts. There are no studies that compare the biological availability of substances from mushroom powder and extract, but it is to be expected that the fibers from the mushroom regulate the absorption and biological availability of the active substances from the mushroom. The advantage of extracts is the ability to concentrate active substances from the mushroom, which makes it easier to consume the medicinal mushroom and reach therapeutic doses, but they mostly lack mushroom fibers. Ideally, concentrated mushroom extracts should be taken in combination with mushroom powder.
Listen to your body and take the type of preparation that you tolerate best or with which you have the best results. If you are able, consult your trusted doctor or mycotherapist about the type of preparation and dosage.
METHOD OF APPLICATION OF PREPARATIONS FROM CORIOLUS
Ideally, coriolus should be taken daily. With this method of application, positive results should be seen within a few weeks. In general, the longer you take Coriolus, the more pronounced the effect will be. Manufacturers usually recommend doses between 1-2 g of mushroom powder per day. To take it, it is best to dissolve the mushroom powder in a lot of liquid, and then drink the liquid. If you have problems drinking the powder, you should resort to capsules. They have the same effect and are already in the correct dose.
In most clinical studies, 3-6 g of special dried extracts of PSK and PSP polysaccharides in capsules are used. It is applied for a period of time from 1 month to 9 years. In case of longer application, breaks should be taken at regular intervals.
For therapeutic purposes, the dosage is stronger than for prevention purposes, but you should always make changes in the dosage in consultation with your doctor. This is due to side effects or interactions that may occur when taking Coriolus with other medications.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A CORIOLUS?
When buying Coriolus preparations, as with all other mushrooms, you should be extremely careful. Only high-quality certified products and optimal production techniques guarantee the best performance. The basis of every product should be excellent raw materials of organic origin, harvested in a clean and ecologically certified environment. This is important, among other things, because mushrooms are able to absorb heavy metals, radioactive substances and other impurities.
SIDE (adverse) EFFECTS
Coriolus products are not poisonous, even in large doses. Side effects are very rarely recorded, and even if they do occur, they are usually minor side effects such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. However, these symptoms may only be measures of detoxification of the body and do not necessarily indicate intolerance to Coriolus.
Polysaccharides PSK and PSP from Coriolus also do not have any significant side effects, even when used daily for longer periods of time. In individual cases, fingernails became slightly darker in color (Kidd 2000). According to the statements of the Japanese Ministry of Health in Tokyo, out of 11,300 cancer patients who used PSK 114 preparations, they had milder side effects in the form of stomach and intestinal problems, most often diarrhea or vomiting. At the same time, it was not possible to determine with certainty whether in all recorded cases the side effects came from the Coriolus preparation, from the disease itself or from other accompanying therapies.
Controls with the Ames test showed no mutagenic properties (Kobayashi et al. 1993).
Even after several months of treatments on mice that had a necrotizing effect on cancer cells, no harmful effect on organs was recorded. Also, no adverse effects on fertility or offspring in mice were established. (Ng 1998)
Most of the existing studies were done with the registered products Krestin (R), PSK and PSP, where the purity and concentration of the active substance is standardized (constant). It cannot be asserted with certainty that all other preparations available on the market will have the same effects.
ARE THERE OTHER MEDICINAL MUSHROOM'S WITH SIMILAR EFFECTS?
Medicinal mushrooms share many common active substances such as beta glucan, vitamin B, vitamin D and others. For this reason, the spectrum of beneficial effects overlaps with many. Common to the vast majority is their immunostimulating effect, which in all likelihood extends to the greater part precisely thanks to beta glucans and vitamin D.
NOTE IMPORTANT:
The description of the mushroom in this article is not complete nor is it sufficient for correct and safe identification of the mushroom.
If one is careless, edible mushrooms can easily be confused with poisonous ones. If poisonous mushrooms are eaten instead of edible ones, severe damage to certain organs or death of the person who ate them can occur. If you want to collect mushrooms, it is not recommended to use the description in this article for identification, but to inform yourself about the appearance and method of identification from a mushroom expert.
TEXT SOURCE TAKEN FROM THE "Medicinal mushrooms" website: https://medicinskegljive.com/curanov-rep-corioulus-versicolor-koriolus/
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