Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor, Kawaratake, Coriolus) Supplement Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects, Benefits

Kawaratake is the Japanese name of Trametes Versicolor, also known as Coriolus Versicolor and Turkey Tail Mushroom. This is a woody mushroom growing widely in Europe and the rest of the world. In Bulgarian, the fungus is most often called Coriolus.

​The ingredient, which Turkey Tail Mushroom owes its fame to, is called with the commercial name polysaccharide Krestin, for short polysaccharide-K or just "PSK," as the abbreviation comes from polysaccharopeptide Krestin (in some places it appears as polysaccharide kureha).

​The results of numerous studies carried out on the effect of Krestin impart it properties of a potent immunomodulator and stimulator of various immunological functions.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the Kawaratake fungus is harvested, dried, ground, and used as a tea. The turkey tail mushroom is claimed to have an anti-cancer effect and is used as a prevention of carcinogenesis action.

​Table of Contents

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• ​​What Is Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor, Kawaratake, Coriolus)
• What Do We Need to Know About the Active Ingredients of Turkey Tail Mushroom?
• ​Purpose and Health Benefits of Krestin
• Proven Benefits From Taking Turkey Tail (Coriolus) Extract and More Specifically Krestin
• ​Are There Side Effects and Contraindications When Taking Turkey Tail
• What Shouldn't We Combine Turkey Tail Mushroom (Kawaratake) With
• Necessary Doses and Way of Intake
• ​In Which Sports and Health Supplements We Can Find Coriolus

​What Is Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor, Kawaratake, Coriolus)?

​Kawaratake is the Japanese name of Trametes Versicolor, also known as Coriolus Versicolor. This is a woody mushroom growing widely in Europe and the rest of the world. In Bulgarian, the fungus is most often called Coriolus. 

​The Latin word "Versicolor" means "colorful," suggesting that Kawaratake occurs in a variety of colors and color schemes, some of which make the fungus uniquely beautiful.

​What Do We Need to Know About the Active Ingredients of Turkey Tail Mushroom?

​The ingredient, which Turkey Tail Mushroom owes its fame to, is called with the commercial name polysaccharide Krestin, for short polysaccharide-K or just "PSK," as the abbreviation comes from polysaccharopeptide Krestin (in some places it appears as polysaccharide kureha).

​The active molecule that we will call Krestin is a proteoglycan, a complex molecule, made up of amino acids and monosaccharides. 

​The large amounts of Krestin contained in the mushrooms Coriolus, as well as its easy cultivation, make it a preferred material for the production of the valuable ingredient.

​Purpose and Health Benefits of Krestin

​The results of numerous studies carried out on the effect of Krestin impart it properties of a potent immunomodulator and stimulator of various immunological functions.

​In traditional Chinese medicine, the Kawaratake fungus is harvested, dried, ground, and used as a tea.

​This hot drink is attributed liver prophylactic properties, and allegedly it has beneficial effects on lung inflammation, as well as a stimulating effect on the total health of the body and spirit. 

​In traditional Japanese medicine, the extract of Coriolus is best known as an agent for the prophylaxis of gastrointestinal tract as well as against colon cancer.

Modern medicine has a different look at Krestin and the other biological response modifiers (BRM - functional group of molecules) contained in Kawaratake.

​Proven Benefits From Taking Turkey Tail (Coriolus) Extract and More Specifically Krestin:

• The anti-cancer effect, prevention of carcinogenesis action: Let’s start with the fact that according to studies conducted in animals, exposed to the harmful chemical environment, Krestin protects the body from the formation of cancerous tissue or significantly slows down their development. In the treatment of cancer the polysaccharide - K deserved a gold medal a long time ago. It is used in combination therapies with chemo - and radiotherapy with some forms of cancer, such as colon cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, leukemia and others. ​It is estimated that besides its immunomodulatory and anti-cancer immune-stimulating abilities, Krestin itself can attack the tumor cells as well as practically reducing or even stopping the metastasis after surgical removal.

​

• Immune modulator, immune stimulator: Several studies conducted on mice with normal and artificially suppressed immunity have shown that the taken by them Krestin has protected them from infection with certain viruses and bacteria. It is estimated that Krestin improves the ability of the immune cells to deal with an infection in healthy people. When used therapeutically by patients with cancers polysaccharide-K also affects the indirect immunity, namely the production of specific marker proteins that are associated with cell membranes or capsules of the viruses, to suggest the immune cells that there is an intruder to deactivate around there.

​Are There Side Effects and Contraindications When Taking Turkey Tail?

The attempts with Turkey Tail (Coriolus Versicolor) extract and the isolated Krestin do not show any serious side effects. Common side effects are a cough, pigmentation of nails, constipation or diarrhea. 

The tablet form is better tolerated than the powder one and leads to relieving the symptoms.

​According to the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare, the chance of adverse reactions is estimated to be 1.01% after analysis of the treatment of 11300 cancer patients. Overall the Kawaratake extract and Krestin are considered safe products.

What Shouldn't We Combine Turkey Tail Mushroom (Kawaratake) With?

No evidence of drug interactions. 

​No studies on the effects of Turkey Tail Mushroom (Kawaratake) extract or isolated Krestin on nursing mothers, pregnant women, and children.

​Necessary Doses and Way of Intake

​Although it has the status of a dietary supplement (including in Bulgaria), the intake of Kawaratake extract should be consulted with your doctor or specialist immunologist.

​In Japan, the recommended dose for the treatment of cancers is between 3 to 6 grams of polysaccharide-K standardized daily. 

​The dose, administered for the prevention of the immune system in individuals with immune depression, chronic viral diseases (e.g. hepatitis, HIV, herpes, etc.), is 3 grams/day.

​In Which Sports and Health Supplements We Can Find Coriolus?

The Kawaratake extract (Coriolus Versicolor) is sold on its own or in combination with other immunomodulators such as shiitake, reishi. 

​The purified polysaccharide-Krestin can be found in the formulas of various immune-preventive medicines for the treatment of cancer.

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