From coffee-alternatives to tinctures and gummies, medicinal mushrooms show promise in existing research–but that’s not the full story.
For millennia, mushrooms have been consumed and used in traditional medicine in cultures around the world. But in the last few years, mushroom-based products suddenly seem to be popping up everywhere. Products from bottled tinctures to chocolate bars and powdered coffee alternatives promise everything from mental clarity and anti-aging to immune support and tumor suppression.
Indeed, industry analysis predicts pharmaceutical applications of mushrooms to be the fastest growing segment of the market over the next few years. Worldwide, the functional mushroom market—which includes food, drinks, dietary supplements, and pharmaceuticals—was valued at nearly $26.7 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to $65.8 billion by 2030, according to the report.
“The last few years are just unlike anything Ive ever seen. The amount of interest that’s in fungi is just unparalleled,” says David Hibbett, a professor of biology at Clark University who specializes in the evolutionary biology of fungi.
As the “shroom boom” takes hold, questions remain as to the actual health benefits of these so-called superfoods. While some herbalists and other practitioners tout the therapeutic powers of various mushrooms, other mycologists are skeptical, even concerned, about these widespread claims.
Mushrooms have become increasingly popular in recent years, both for their culinary uses and their health benefits. Two mushrooms in particular, turkey tail and lion’s mane, have gained a lot of attention for their immune-boosting and brain-enhancing effects. But can you take these two mushrooms together? What are the potential benefits and side effects? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about combining turkey tail and lion’s mane mushrooms.
Turkey tail and lion’s mane are both medicinal mushrooms that have been used for centuries in traditional Asian medicine. Modern research has begun to uncover the science behind their touted health benefits.
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is named for its colorful, fanned appearance resembling a turkey’s tail. It contains polysaccharopeptides and polysaccharides that modulate the immune system. Potential benefits of turkey tail include:
- Strengthening the immune system
- Reducing inflammation
- Fighting infections
- Supporting gut health
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) has long, dangling spines resembling a lion’s mane. It contains bioactive compounds like hericenones and erinacines that stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) production. Potential benefits of lion’s mane include:
- Enhancing cognitive function
- Supporting nerve health
- Easing anxiety and depression
- Protecting against dementia
With immune and brain benefits, it’s easy to see why these two mushrooms are so popular. But what happens when you take them together?
Combining Turkey Tail and Lion’s Mane
There is evidence that combining medicinal mushrooms like turkey tail and lion’s mane can have synergistic effects on health.
Turkey tail and lion’s mane share some overlapping benefits, especially relating to reducing inflammation and supporting immune function. Taking them together may provide a more comprehensive approach to wellness, enhancing these common effects
Lion’s mane can also complement turkey tail’s effects on gut health By improving gut barrier integrity, lion’s mane can aid turkey tail’s immunomodulating effects in the digestive system.
Overall, the combination may promote better immune defense, gut health, nerve growth and cognitive function. More research is still needed, but the existing evidence and traditional use suggest potential synergies.
Dosage Recommendations and Side Effects
When taking any new supplement combination, it’s wise to start low and go slow. Follow dosage guidelines on supplements, beginning with the lowest recommended amounts.
For turkey tail and lion’s mane mushroom extracts, general dosage recommendations are:
-
Turkey tail: 500-3000 mg extract per day
-
Lion’s mane: 1000-3000 mg extract per day
These dosages can be taken together, divided throughout the day. Pay attention to your body’s response. Increase slowly over time if needed to find the most effective dosage for you.
At appropriate dosages, most people tolerate turkey tail and lion’s mane well. Mild digestive upset may occur. Allergic reactions are possible but rare. Discontinue use if any concerning side effects develop.
As with any supplement, consult your doctor before use if you take medications or have health conditions. Pregnant or nursing women should exercise caution.
Choosing a Quality Mushroom Supplement
With the rise in popularity of medicinal mushrooms, many low-quality products have entered the market. When buying, look for mushroom extracts from reputable companies that follow good manufacturing practices.
Ideally, choose supplements made from mushrooms fruiting bodies as well as cultured mycelium. This provides a full spectrum of the mushrooms’ beneficial compounds. Certain extraction methods, like hot water or dual extraction, yield highly bioavailable preparations.
Review third party testing for purity and potency. Reputable companies will provide lab reports confirming the supplement contains what is listed on the label.
Putting It All Together
Combining turkey tail and lion’s mane mushroom extracts may offer synergistic health benefits relating to immunity, cognition, nerves and gut health. Start with a low dosage of both and increase slowly as tolerated. Look for quality supplements from trustworthy sources. Be aware of potential mild side effects and drug interactions.
As with any new health regimen, consult your healthcare provider before beginning supplementation – especially if you have any underlying health conditions. With professional guidance, the turkey tail and lion’s mane duo could be a good addition to your wellness toolkit.
Summary of Key Points
- Turkey tail and lion’s mane are medicinal mushrooms with immune and brain benefits
- Taking them together may enhance common effects like inflammation reduction
- Follow dosage guidelines starting with low amounts of each
- Look for quality extracts from reputable supplement brands
- Monitor for side effects like digestive upset and discontinue if any occur
- Consult a doctor before use, especially if you have health conditions
- Used properly, turkey tail and lion’s mane may complement each other for whole body wellness
With the insights from this guide, you can better understand if and how turkey tail and lion’s mane mushrooms may fit into your health regimen. Harness their complementary powers and enjoy their synergistic benefits with care and moderation.
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Lion’s mane, for instance, produces some biologically active compounds that seem to affect the growth of nerve cells. Early studies have also suggested the potential for positive impacts on cognitive function. “But that observation in itself doesnt mean that if we go out and eat lions mane that were going to be able to ward off Alzheimers disease,” says Nicholas Money, a mycologist and biology professor at Miami University in Ohio.
Turkey tail, perhaps the most widely studied medicinal mushroom, according to John Michelotti, a mycologist and founder of Catskill Fungi, is also of great interest for its long-established role in treating cancer. In a landmark 1994 paper, Japanese researchers found that administering polysaccharide K (PSK)—a turkey tail active compound—in addition to standard chemotherapy treatment “offers significant advantages in survival over chemotherapy alone for patients with curative resections of gastric cancers.”
As the medical director of integrative medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Gary Deng often looks to natural remedies—like mushrooms, herbs, and acupuncture—from other medical traditions for supplementary treatment. He sometimes recommends polysaccharide extract from turkey tail as a supplement for selected patients. However, he’s quick to warn people against self-prescribing without a doctor’s approval.
“Every person has a unique clinical situation,” he says.
As compelling as the existing research may be, there are some obvious limitations. “The vast majority of studies are not double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies”—the standard in drug-approval processes, Hibbett says. “It’s a really dicey literature…Until you get to clinical studies with actual people, you’re not in a position to say that a product has actual health benefits.”
And, as many studies as there are showing positive impacts in humans, he adds, there are some showing mixed results—or none at all.
In Japan and China, certain mushroom compounds, like lentinan and PSK, have received approval for use in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat cancer patients. However, they’re far from entering the American pharmaceutical industry. Though a handful of clinical studies are currently underway, no mushroom extracts have yet been approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration.
Promising research suggests real benefits…
Christopher Hobbs, herbalist, mycologist, and author of Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide, attributes the recent explosion in interest to an “exponentially” growing scientific literature about the healing qualities of mushrooms.
Reishi, the “mushroom of immortality,” has been used medicinally in Asia for more than 2,000 years to promote health and longevity. More recently, the mushroom has found its way into commercial goods like gummies and dietary supplements that claim to do everything from promoting “restful sleep” to “overall wellness and vitality.”
New research has focused on reishi-derived beta-glucans, a soluble fiber shown to upregulate immune response and inhibit tumor growth in mice. A study conducted in 2023 found immune cell populations grew significantly more among the 126 human participants who were randomly administered reishi beta-glucans.
Shiitake mushrooms also contain a beta-glucan, called lentinan, that some herald for its anti-diabetic and immunotherapeutic potential in humans. The extract has been shown to suppress Type 1 diabetes in mice and improve immune response in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Chaga, whose medicinal use dates back to 12th century Europe, is another big player in the functional mushroom market. The fungi has long been prescribed to cure digestive disorders, reduce inflammation, and even treat cancer. Recently, Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide (IOP), a bioactive chaga extract, has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in mice and inhibit the growth of human cancer cells in vitro.
Is Turkey Tail The Holy Grail Of Medicinal Mushrooms? (Ultimate Guide)
Are Lion’s Mane & turkey tail dietary supplements?
Both turkey tail and lion’s mane are available as dietary supplements. Om Mushroom Superfood offers many whole food, organic mushroom products that contain the optimal doses of these functional mushroom species. They are cultivated in specialized environments to optimize growing conditions and eliminate contaminants.
Are Lion’s Mane and turkey tail the same thing?
While turkey tail and lion’s mane are widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, they have both also been successfully cultivated by mycologists—scientists who specialize in fungi. Sustainably growing and processing functional mushrooms is an effective way to combat the overharvesting of wild-grown turkey tail and lion’s mane.
Which broth is best for a Lion’s Mane?
Mighty broths are available in beef, chicken, mushroom, or veggie miso flavors. Turkey tail vs. lion’s mane—while both provide solid nutritional support, your choice will depend on your individual health and wellness goals.
What is a Lion’s Mane?
Fun Fact: With its cascading icicle-like spines, Lion’s Mane is one of the funkiest looking individuals of the mushroom world! Origin: Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is like the globetrotter of mushrooms, making itself at home all around the world. Traditional Uses: Ancient cultures from Asia to North America knew a good thing when they saw it.