Turkey tail

Turkey tail mushroom, Trametes versicolor, has been growing on the tree stump in my garden. So of course I had to pick some to dry and use. It's been in my lounge for a couple of days and it ready for me to put away in a jar for medicinal use. It is distinctive with it's fan-shape and bands of colour. I've been reading Lucy Jones's book Self-sufficient herbalism and she says it needs both an alcohol and water extraction to ensure you have all of the constituents.

This mushroom is used extensively in TCM for removing toxins and immune system support as well as infections, hepatitis and cancer, There is ongoing research to suggest that it may also be beneficial for pain, diabetes, inflammation, fungal infections, as an antioxidant and antiviral.

To get some of the benefits, you can make it into a tea or add it to your favourite herbal tea or soup. It has a bit of a chewy texture, so a different kind of mushroom than a field mushroom.