Extracts of turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) and its constituent PSK are used with conventional cancer treatment to improve survival and reduce risk of recurrence. The constituent PSP shows some benefit for pain, appetite, and percentage of body fat.

Turkey tail mushroom at a glance

Extracts of turkey tail mushroom and its constituents PSK and PSP are widely available without prescription in capsule, liquid tincture and powdered form. Turkey tail mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years. A formulation called PSK or Krestin™ has been studied and used extensively in Japan for its effects on immune function and also as an adjuvanttreatment applied after initial treatment for cancer, especially to suppress secondary tumor formation cancer treatment. 

The greatest benefit for cancer survival and lower risk of recurrence is when turkey tail mushroom or PSK is used in addition to conventional treatment such as chemo/radiotherapy. Use is also linked to better markers of immune function, including after conventional treatment. Some evidence shows less pain and better appetite and levels of body fat with PSP use.

CancerChoices ratings for turkey tail mushroom

We rate turkey tail mushroom on seven attributes, with 0 the lowest rating and 5 the highest. We rate the strength of the evidence supporting the use of turkey tail mushroom for a medical benefit, such as improving treatment outcomes or managing side effects.

See how we evaluate and rate complementary therapies ›

 

4

Improving treatment outcomes

See More
2

Optimizing your body terrain

See More
2

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

See More
3

Reducing cancer risk

See More
4

Use by integrative oncology experts

See More
3

Safety

See More
4

Affordability and access

See More

Keep reading about turkey tail mushroom

Authors

Sophie Kakarala

Research Assistant
View profile

Sophie received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Cambridge, where she studied Middle Eastern languages and the philosophy of science. She then completed a premedical post-baccalaureate at the City University of New York. Before joining CancerChoices, she worked for several years at the Cornell Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, where she helped to conduct research on terminal illness and grief. Working in end-of-life research filled her with the conviction that all patients deserve free, accessible, and scientifically accurate information about the therapies available to them. While taking classes in anthropology, she also became curious about traditional medical knowledge and philosophies. These interests led her to CancerChoices. She is delighted to be part of CancerChoices’s work creating rigorous, evidence-based treatment guides for patients and physicians.

Sophie Kakarala Research Assistant

With a focus on preventing and reversing heart disease and obesity, Larry Scherwitz’s areas of research expertise are Lifestyle Medicine; epigenetics as a mediator between lifestyle, wellness or illness; and the evidence-based Whole Person Integrative Eating (WPIE) model and program for overcoming overeating, overweight, and obesity. With a key focus on Lifestyle Medicine and the science-backed Whole Person Integrative Eating dietary lifestyle, he researches preventing, managing, and reversing lifestyle-based chronic conditions, such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Highlights of his professional experience:

Director of Research and Sr. Research Scientist on Dean Ornish, M.D.’s program for reversing heart disease with comprehensive changes diet, exercise, stress management, and social support.

Principal investigator on more than 30 research projects conducted at universities, medical centers, and medical schools ranging from University of California, San Francisco and California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco to the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Specialist in all phases of qualitative and quantitative research including designing, implementing and analyzing results of clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nutriceuticals, lifestyle changes, mind/body therapies, and devices (for FDA approval).

Core competencies in every phase of research including literature reviews, performing statistical analyses, writing IRB and study protocols, research papers, and grant proposals.

International and national keynote speaker, workshop leader, and focus group leader.

Co-author of four health books: Make Weight Loss Last (based on original research that identifies 7 eating styles that lead to overeating), The Enlightened Diet: Seven Weight Loss Solutions that Nourish Body, Mind, and Soul, Pottenger’s Prophecy: How Food Resets Genes for Wellness or Illness, and more recently, the award-winning Whole Person Integrative Eating: A Breakthrough Dietary Lifestyle to Treat the Root Causes of Overeating, Overweight, and Obesity.

Scherwitz received his doctorate in Social Psychology from the University of Texas, Austin, and trained in psychophysiology at Harvard Medical School.

Larry Scherwitz

Previous Authors

Nancy Hepp, MS

past Lead Researcher
View profile

Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS past Lead Researcher

Andrew Jackson, ND

Research Associate
View profile

Andrew Jackson, ND, serves as a CancerChoices research associate. As a naturopathic physician practicing in Kirkland, Washington, he teaches critical evaluation of the medical literture at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. His great appreciation of scientific inquiry and the scientific process has led him to view research with a critical eye.

Andrew Jackson, ND Research Associate

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS

Senior Clinical Consultant
View profile

Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.

For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.

Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS Senior Clinical Consultant

Last update: August 31, 2025

Last full literature review: October 2021

CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.

Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.

Learn more