Yunzhi Mushroom Benefits for Health 

Like other medicinal mushrooms, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has used yunzhi (云芝) or turkey tail mushrooms for over 2,000 years for wellness. The mushroom has become a popular natural remedy for a multitude of reasons, backed by scientific research. Learn more about yunzhi mushroom benefits and how to integrate the fungi into your lifestyle. 

Immune-boosting Abilities

These legendary fungi contain two important compounds, polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK), which possess powerful immunity-boosting properties. These polysaccharides suppress inflammation and activate and inhibit specific types of immune cells, promoting an immune response.

A study in Pharmacophore presents new findings of yunzhi mushrooms as one of the promising functional foods for treating inflammatory and cancer-related diseases. This is due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. 

Cancer-fighting Potential 

As mentioned, the mushroom benefits for cancer-related diseases are manifold, thanks to its compounds, PSP and PSK. Singapore clinics use the fungi in TCM as a complementary treatment because of these cancer-fighting components.

Senior consultant for Medical Oncology at the Parkway Cancer Centre, Dr See Hui Ti says clinical studies show that the PSK in yunzhi promotes the growth of white cells to assist with a patient’s immune system. 

A Chinese Medicine study discovers that using yunzhi with cytotoxic drugs benefits cancer patients and improves their quality of life. This combination enhances the efficacy and eases the adverse effects of the drugs. 

Because of its compatibility with chemotherapy, turkey tail extract is recommended and prescribed to patients undergoing certain cancers, such as breast cancer, gastric cancer and colorectal cancer.

Gut Health

What was once a trend, digestive health has now become a health norm worldwide. Your gut controls approximately 70% of your immune response, and 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut.

You can improve gut health by eating more vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. You may also consider including probiotics and prebiotics in your diet.

Yunzhi mushrooms contain prebiotics, helping the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. One study from the National Library of Medicine involved 24 participants consuming 3,600mg of PSP extracted from yunzhi mushrooms per day over eight weeks.

This resulted in favourable changes in gut bacteria and the suppression of problematic E. coli and Shigella bacteria growth. Overall, the mushroom helps maintain healthy gut bacterial balance by increasing the growth of beneficial bacteria, while limiting the production of harmful ones.

Respiratory Health 

TCM also uses yunzhi as a treatment for respiratory health. Because of its significant effects on the immune system, yunzhi mushrooms help treat coughs, shortness of breath, and lung diseases and enhance respiratory function. 

Promotes Vitality 

Yunzhi is renowned for its ability to treat general weakness. It improves your alertness and energy levels (following physical exertion), vitality, and strengthening of tendons and bones while promoting longevity, calmness, and a sense of well-being. 

​​In TCM, yunzhi mushrooms are brewed in teas or ingested as a qi tonic, but they can also be taken in capsule form to support immune health.

Despite being an ancient herb in traditional Chinese practice, yunzhi mushrooms have gained popularity in modern times. It’s now a staple, medicinal ingredient in both Asian and Western cultures. Try to incorporate yunzhi into your diet to reap its amazing mushroom benefits. 

Have you tried yunzhi mushrooms before? Let us know what you think. 

This is an adaptation of the article “The Power of Yunzhi”, which first appeared on Eu Yan Sang website.