Known in English as Turkey Tail, Coriolus versicolor is a contender for the title "World's Most Common Mushroom." You can find it from tropical rain forests to the Siberian taiga, feasting on dead wood.
So considering these vastly different environments and all the other fungi and bacteria it has to compete with for survival, it's a qualified guess the Coriolus has a strong immune system, with an array of potential medicinal compounds.
Traditional Chinese physicians frequently prescribe Coriolus for hepatoma and some types of jaundice. [160] Modern medicine is best acquainted with it through Krestin, an Asian cancer drug based on the Coriolus extracted compound PSK. [188]
Two studies out of Japan reported increased rate of survival from gastric cancer, among 486 patients, when PSK was added to the standard chemotherapy treatment. [161, 162, 163] PSK has also been reported to reduce cancer recurrence and metastasis. [161, 162, 164]
Two polysaccharides from Coriolus known as CVP and SPCV have shown an inhibitory effect on leukemia. CVP was reported to reduce leukemia cell proliferation with no harm to healthy lymphocytes. [165, 166, 167, 168]
Coriolus versicolor extract appears to combat cancer in two ways:
1) By a direct inhibitory effect on the proliferation of cancer cells.
2) By stimulating the activity of NK (Natural Killer) cells in the patient. [169, 170, 171] NK cells are an important part of the immune response to fight cancer.
PSK is used in Asia to treat cervical cancer in conjunction with standard radiation therapy, through which it has been shown to increase survival rate. [134] In a 2001 U.S. study at the New York Medical College, it was also shown to decrease tumor growth in hormone responsive prostate cancer. [172]
Other forms of cancer that PSK has been tested against with promising results include breast, lung and colon cancer. [25, 173] It appears ineffective against Sarcoma 180. [174]
In addition to its anti-cancer properties, PSK is also a potent antibiotic against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes and Cryptococcus neoformans. [175, 176, 177, 178, 179]
Petri dish trials of a different compound (PSP) isolated from Coriolus versicolor has even been shown to inhibit replication [180] and infection [181] of HIV. It has not yet been tested on live subjects.
A 1995 study on PSK reported a normalization of immune function in cases of chronic rheumatoid arthritis. [182]
Paul Stamets mentions in his book Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms that he's aware of several individuals with Hepatitis C benefitting from a medicinal mushroom tea. He relates a story of a man whose HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) value decreased from 1.3 million to 140,000 after two weeks of drinking a tea made from Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom) and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi). [183]
Coriolus versicolor is also a rich source of antioxidants and has been reported to help the spleen recover from radiation therapy induced injury. [189]
Last but not least, Paul Stamets in his book Mycelium Running also list the following two areas where research indicates Coriolus versicolor may be beneficial: Uterine cancer; kidney health. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.
Credit to Paul Stamets for research and source material. - 14130
So considering these vastly different environments and all the other fungi and bacteria it has to compete with for survival, it's a qualified guess the Coriolus has a strong immune system, with an array of potential medicinal compounds.
Traditional Chinese physicians frequently prescribe Coriolus for hepatoma and some types of jaundice. [160] Modern medicine is best acquainted with it through Krestin, an Asian cancer drug based on the Coriolus extracted compound PSK. [188]
Two studies out of Japan reported increased rate of survival from gastric cancer, among 486 patients, when PSK was added to the standard chemotherapy treatment. [161, 162, 163] PSK has also been reported to reduce cancer recurrence and metastasis. [161, 162, 164]
Two polysaccharides from Coriolus known as CVP and SPCV have shown an inhibitory effect on leukemia. CVP was reported to reduce leukemia cell proliferation with no harm to healthy lymphocytes. [165, 166, 167, 168]
Coriolus versicolor extract appears to combat cancer in two ways:
1) By a direct inhibitory effect on the proliferation of cancer cells.
2) By stimulating the activity of NK (Natural Killer) cells in the patient. [169, 170, 171] NK cells are an important part of the immune response to fight cancer.
PSK is used in Asia to treat cervical cancer in conjunction with standard radiation therapy, through which it has been shown to increase survival rate. [134] In a 2001 U.S. study at the New York Medical College, it was also shown to decrease tumor growth in hormone responsive prostate cancer. [172]
Other forms of cancer that PSK has been tested against with promising results include breast, lung and colon cancer. [25, 173] It appears ineffective against Sarcoma 180. [174]
In addition to its anti-cancer properties, PSK is also a potent antibiotic against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes and Cryptococcus neoformans. [175, 176, 177, 178, 179]
Petri dish trials of a different compound (PSP) isolated from Coriolus versicolor has even been shown to inhibit replication [180] and infection [181] of HIV. It has not yet been tested on live subjects.
A 1995 study on PSK reported a normalization of immune function in cases of chronic rheumatoid arthritis. [182]
Paul Stamets mentions in his book Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms that he's aware of several individuals with Hepatitis C benefitting from a medicinal mushroom tea. He relates a story of a man whose HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) value decreased from 1.3 million to 140,000 after two weeks of drinking a tea made from Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom) and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi). [183]
Coriolus versicolor is also a rich source of antioxidants and has been reported to help the spleen recover from radiation therapy induced injury. [189]
Last but not least, Paul Stamets in his book Mycelium Running also list the following two areas where research indicates Coriolus versicolor may be beneficial: Uterine cancer; kidney health. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.
Credit to Paul Stamets for research and source material. - 14130
About the Author:
Dr. Rafael currently specializes in researching and writing about medicinal fungi in cooperation with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC, an NC company offering Coriolus extract (Stamets') and other medicinal mushrooms. For article references, please go to Coriolus versicolor extract (Stamets') and click on any number indicating a reference.
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