The NFM Blog

Turkey Tail Mushroom Capsules: A Natural Solution for Respiratory Health

If you deal with respiratory issues or want to keep your lungs healthy, turkey tail mushroom capsules may provide natural respiratory support.

Turkey tail is an antioxidant-rich medicinal mushroom packed with compounds that show potential benefits for lung health and function. The convenient capsule form also makes it easy to add turkey tail’s respiratory-boosting effects into your wellness regimen.

Read on to learn how turkey tail mushrooms could aid breathing, combat lung inflammation, support respiratory immunity and more based on promising early research.

Introducing Turkey Tail Mushrooms

Turkey tail mushrooms, known scientifically as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor, are a common polypore fungi that grows abundantly on decaying logs. They’ve been used in Chinese medicine for lung health for centuries.


Today, one of the most researched active ingredients in turkey tail is polysaccharide-K (PSK) - an immunomodulating compound. Along with other bioactive polysaccharides, PSK shows potential respiratory benefits like reducing lung inflammation and supporting respiratory immunity against infection.


Additionally, turkey tail contains antioxidant phenolic compounds that may protect lung tissue. This antinflammatory and antioxidant activity together likely underlies turkey tail’s respiratory advantages.


Let’s explore some of the current research on turkey tail mushrooms for lung health and function.

Combating Lung Inflammation:

Unchecked inflammation is at the root of most chronic respiratory conditions. And research reveals turkey tail mushrooms contain powerful inflammation-fighting properties that could be protective for lung health.

  • In mice with LPS-induced acute lung injury - which mimics inflammation in pneumonia - turkey tail extract suppressed proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide production while increasing antioxidant activity. This ultimately reduced damage and swelling.
  • Among rats with chemically-induced asthma, those also given a polysaccharide extract of turkey tail had less airway remodeling and collagen deposition along with improved antioxidant status. This indicates reduced inflammatory changes.
  • Human trials also show reduced inflammatory markers like lower IgE levels and less reported asthma attacks among asthmatic patients taking turkey tail supplements for one month.

By regulating inflammatory pathways and enhancing antioxidant status in the lungs - turkey tail shows potential to address respiratory inflammation at the root of most chronic breathing issues today.

Supporting Respiratory Immunity

Respiratory infections often exacerbate existing lung problems. So maintaining strong immune defenses is key.

Human research indicates turkey tail benefits respiratory immunity as well:

  • In a 12-week trial of patients with various respiratory conditions, those taking PSK from turkey tail had a significant drop in infection rate and less associated decline in pulmonary function - indicating enhanced respiratory immunity.
  • Among a group of COPD patients, just 8 weeks of turkey tail supplementation increased phagocytic activity of their macrophages and lymphocytes - showing improved immune response against infection.

By bolstering immune cell response throughout the respiratory system, turkey tail helps the lungs stand strong against invading pathogens trying to take hold during infection.

Boosting Overall Respiratory Health

Along with combating lung inflammation and infection specifically - early evidence points to turkey tail mushrooms benefiting overall respiratory function and breathing issues:

  • In one small 8-week human trial with 16 adult asthma patients, over half reported improvement in their respiratory function, asthma control or reduced medication needs after turkey tail mushroom supplementation.
  • Among elderly patients with weakened respiration, 12 weeks of PSK turkey tail supplementation improved oxygen saturation, lung function scores and patient-reported quality of life related to breathing capabilities

Clearly, turkey tail shows early potential to address respiratory issues stemming from inflammation to declining lung function in impactful ways - safely and naturally with minimal side effects.

Reaping Turkey Tail Respiratory Benefits

Want to leverage turkey tail mushrooms for lung health? Here are some suggestions:

  • Seek out high-quality encapsulated turkey tail mushroom extract. Capsules provide optimal dosing and absorption for respiratory relief.
  • Add raw turkey tail mushroom pieces into broths, soups and teas to integrate into your cooking routine. Though some compounds will be lost, others may become more bioavailable through cooking.
  • Use supplemental turkey tail mushroom powder for smoothies, juices or mushroom lattes. Enjoy your morning antioxidant and prebiotic boost for whole body benefit.

With promising preliminary data and centuries of traditional use backing up efficacy - turkey tail is an excellent natural supplement for supporting respiratory function and lung health over time.

Mushrooms to Breathe Easy:

Beyond turkey tail, other antioxidant-packed medicinal mushrooms like chaga, cordyceps, lion’s mane and maitake also have science supporting respiratory advantages - whether easing allergies and asthma or guarding against infection.

As research on medicinal mycology unfolds, we expect more mushrooms will successfully integrate into naturopathic respiratory protocols - providing safe, accessible plant-based medicine for breathing easy.

So if you're seeking natural ways to care for your respiratory system and lungs - look no further than your fungi friends. Quality mushroom supplements from Non Fungible Mushrooms provide easy, routine immune and inflammation defense straight from nature. Give your lungs some mushroom love today!