Description
This exquisite mushroom was first recognized in 200 B.C (Han Dynasty) in one of the most important medical books In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – the Shennong Ben cao jing. Turkey Tail has an ancient history of use it’s cloud like forms symbolizing longevity, health, spiritual attunement & infinity. It was traditionally brewed into a soothing tea & drunk to treat many maladies.
These mushrooms are used in TCM as immunomodulators that boosts immune function & fight infections. This ability to support the health of both an under-active & over-active immune system is very rare & valued among physicians. They are also revered for their potential antitumor mechanisms & ability to treat pulmonary disease.
It contains many different medicinal chemicals including β – sitosterol, hydroxymethylquinoline, as well as very powerful polysaccharides called PSK, PSP & coriolan. The most important phytochemicals are protein bound polysaccharides – PSK
( polysaccharide krestin) & PSP( polysaccharide peptide) which are the principal immune enhancing & anti-tumour fractions present in this fungus.
PSK has immune enhancing activity & a broad antineoplastic scope. It has been shown to stimulate phagocytotic activity of macrophages, improve the function of the reticuloendothelial system, improve functioning of blood vessels and it also has the ability to restore antibody production in cancerous patients with sarcoma 180.
PSK acts directly on tumour cells as well as indirectly on the host to boost cellular immunity. It shows anti-tumour activity regarding fibrosarcoma, melanoma, mammary, colon, lung cancers and more. When used for tumours at a localized site studies showed that it inhibited tumour growth in other sites too. (PSK’s antitumor activity seems to be enhanced when used in combination with radiation, chemotherapy & immunotherapy.) PSP has shown tumour inhibiting activity against sarcoma 180, p388 leukaemia, monocytic leukaemia, Ehrlich ascitic tumours, histiocytic lymphoma, & various cancers of the liver, stomach, nose, & throat.
It has also demonstrated antiviral activity. It is useful for upper respiratory, urinary, & digestive tract infections, as well as a curative to liver ailments, including hepatitis B & chronic active hepatitis.
Turkey Tail is an ancient indigenous medicine from many different cultures around the world & can be found growing on numerous types of wood species in warm & cold climates alike – Including right here in South Africa.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.